I Am Worthy

Chapter 6: Celebration

The ceremony and party for my joining of the pack is tomorrow. I have had one day with Isaac so far and he had me relive my past once more so that he got to see every experience I had leading up to my change. It was painful, to say the least but I was able to do it without the tears falling, instead the void in my heart managed to grow. But, River has been helping, he makes me laugh and hasn’t asked what caused my outburst at Isaacs when I first met him. River has went to the mall to get me more clothes but we decided it would be best for me to stay on the pack grounds due to my appearance. I told him that he really didn’t have to spend his money on me, I have some money on a bank card that I can use until I get paid work elsewhere, but he insisted and after a while I caved. He just kept saying that he would use his own money no matter what I said. I gave him my size in jeans and joggers and told him that any hoodies and oversized tops would be perfect.

With River away, I am left with the company of Jamie and Sydney. “So… Syd… Anything interesting happen to you this week?” I asked, “Uh, no?” he replied. “Why are you saying no as a question? Do you not know what goes on in your own life?” I asked, snickering. He rolled his eyes at me and went back to ignoring me, “What about you Jamie?” “Well, Juliette and I are going to have a pup soon.” He replied. “Oh my god! That’s great! When is she due?” I asked, bubbling with excitement for the two. Jamie has been chatting with me more and telling me all about his mate Juliette. He seems so in love with her. “She is due in 6 months.” He replied, joy being the only emotion on his whole face. “Congratulations to you both!” I exclaimed, feeling his joy for some strange reason. Jamie and Sydney walk with me back to my room so I can sleep for a while before River comes back.

After a while, I am woken from my sleep by a banging on my door. I begin panicking, thinking that the people who took Deana and Eli’s lives have come to take mine for being a witness. It takes me a minute to get my bearings and remember where I am, but by the time I do that, River bursts into my room with both hands full of bags but he automatically drops them when he sees me having a mild panic attack. “What’s wrong? What happened?” He said as he rushed to me and checked over me for any injury. “I’m fine, really. Stop fussing.” I told him while pushing him away. “What happened?” He asked, sitting next to me, “It was a minor panic attack. Nothing to worry about. Now what did you get me?” I said, putting a smile on my face but still feeling uneasy. I began to sift through all the bags he brought back and came upon one from an underwear and lingerie store, “Yeah, I, uh, sent my sister in. I wasn't sure what to get so I went to the other stores whilst she shopped in there for you.” He said awkwardly after I gave him a questioning look. He told me about his sister. Her name is Alyssa, she is 18 and is basically his double from what I can see in their photos. River is 22, making him a little over a year older than me.

After we put all my new clothes away, I decided to ask River how exactly I join the pack. “Well, Dom will bring you to the centre stage, which will be set up in the backyard of the packhouse as it has the most space, he will have you drink his blood from a chalice and” “I'm sorry, I have to do what now?” I said, feeling grossed out by this information and making sure it is visible on my face. “It isn't that bad, but once that happens he will tell you what to say and then you will feel everyone linking to you, and you can stop all their conversations from reaching you by putting up the wall in your mind. Then we party!” He said with excitement in his voice. River has become my best friend in my little time being here and without him I would have lost my mind. “Give me a second, I got you one more thing for Saturday.” River then said before leaving the room but he returned only a moment later with a dress bag. “What is this?” I asked him as I stood from my bed and approached him. “This,” He said opening up the bag, “is your dress for the ceremony tomorrow!” He finished lifting up the most beautiful emerald green dress I have ever seen. “Really?” I said, my eyes are surely gleaming.

River and I decided to have a movie night, so to start it off, we went down to the kitchen, made some popcorn, grabbed some chips and sweet treats, some beers and went back to his room, as he has a massive TV. I made him watch The Sixth Sense with me first. After that movie, River decided we needed something more scary, so he picked out Veronica. Whilst we were watching the movie, Dominik managed to creep up beside us and then jumped up yelling like a mad man, which caused both River and I to jump and we both started screaming. I managed to jump right onto River and knocked him off the bed altogether. “Dominik, I am going to kill you.” I said sweetly with a smile on my face before lunging at him, but he quickly moved away, laughing as he did so. River finally stood up then grabbed me and pulled me back as I went to go for him again. He was laughing hard, and so was Dom. “Sorry but you guys made yourselves easy prey! The movie is playing so loud you didn’t even hear me come in!” He exclaimed, trying to control his laughter. “You are an ass.” I stated, “And also your Alpha, so you can’t talk to me that way.” He said, trying to sound in control but still trying to hold back his laughter. “Actually, you aren’t officially my alpha until tomorrow, jerkwad.” I then responded, he then placed a hand over his heart, “Ouch, that hurts Kiara.” he replied feigning hurt, but I can see the playfulness in his eyes. “Sit, we are having a movie night.” I told him, making myself comfortable in the middle of Rivers' bed. River then sat on my left and Dom sat on my right and we continued watching the movie.

When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't move. My waist felt like it was being weighed down, so I opened my eyes to find Dominik's legs trapping mine and Rivers' head and arms were sprawled across me. I wriggle around a little trying to free myself but they both manage to hold on tighter. “Alright boys, move. I have to pee.” River just carries on snoring and Dominik grunts. Alrighty then, “AHHHH!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, causing both of the muscular, sleepy men to jump up from the bed yelling themselves. “Oh you guys are up? Great!” I said sweetly, smiling at them both before climbing out of the bed myself. “Well, I am going to go shower, meet you downstairs for breakfast?” I asked, heading towards the door, but as I turned to look at them I noticed that they are giving each other a knowing look. I click on pretty quickly and began to run to my room. I make it in and head straight to the bathroom with the boys hot on my heels, but I lock the door behind me before they can get in. “Nice try! Now go shower you both stink!” I yelled through the door and could hear them chuckling as they left my room. I turn on the shower so it is scalding hot, then strip and climb in. Once I am done, I wrap my body in one towel and my hair in another, then go into my room and change into a hoodie and joggers. All my pants had to be adjusted because of my tail but I got used to the feeling pretty quickly.

I go down to the kitchen and find River and Dominik already there with their mouths filled with pancakes and another plate sitting to the side with a stack. “Who made these?” I asked, cautious to try them in case they did something to them after their wake up call this morning. “Marie, our chef.” Dom answered without even looking up from his plate. “Wow, greedy bastard.” I linked River to which he snorted and snickered out loud. “What? What’s funny?” Dominik asked, looking between River and I who were trying not to laugh as he stuffed more pancake into his already full mouth, “Absolutely nothing, now have some manners and chew your food before you speak.” I responded. He then proceeded to chew with his mouth wide open and very slowly whilst looking at me. “Seriously, does he think he is a pig?” I linked River again causing him to spit out the pancake he just started to eat. “Are you mind-linking each other?” Dom then asked, suddenly getting suspicious of us, “Nope. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” I said acting clueless. He then made a ‘hmm’ sound believing my act. “And gullible too!” I linked River once more and he giggled. “Alright, no more pancakes for you and you can find something else to eat!” Dom suddenly exclaimed, trying to take Rivers' pancakes and taking the other plate away from me. “Hey!” River yelled, picking up what he could and shoving it in his mouth. Whilst Dominik was busy trying to get River away I took his pancakes and my own and quickly left the area.

I made it u to my room before hearing Dominik yelling from the kitchen, “Where are my f*****g pancakes!” I laughed at this and began tucking into the delicious food. I have to say, Marie has some skill. Just as I finish the last pancake a very annoyed Dominik storms into my room, “What did you do with my pancakes?” He asked quietly, “Oh, I think they grew legs and walked away.” I replied standing from my bed and walking to my ensuite bathroom. “Did you actually eat all of my breakfast?” he said exasperated as he followed behind me. “I would never!” I replied, placing a hand on my chest, feigning hurt and being as sarcastic as I could. I then turned my back and proceeded to brush my teeth but just as I put the brush back into its holder I was thrown over Dominick's shoulder and carried off out of my room, “Hey! Put me down, asshole!” I shouted whilst trying to wriggle free but he kept quiet and proceeded out of the house to the training grounds. “Uh, hey man, what’s going on?” River spoke as Dom approached him with me still hanging over his shoulder. “You are keeping her today, she is annoying me.” “Yeah, here’s the thing, I am not an item, I am a person with my own free will.” I stated before being handed to River and set down. “Alpha Blackstone has decided to extend his visit for another few days so he will be attending tonight's ceremony with his Beta. I will spend until then sorting some business with him.” Dom spoke again completely disregarding my statement, then he walked off.

“Okay, well you can train with me for a while before you have to go get ready.” River said with a smile on his face. River lunged at me and I dodged quickly and kicked him in the ass causing him to stumble to the floor. “Have you done this before?” He asked as he stood up. “What fight? Yeah, it used to be a frequent thing for me before I met Eli.” I replied without thinking, “Who’s Eli?” River asked, making me realise what I had said. “Uh, he was my boyfriend.” “Oh, what happened?” “He was shot.” I replied quietly. “I’m sorry K…”

“It’s not your fault so don’t apologise. The night he and my younger sister were killed was the night I found this place. The night that I became… Well this.” I said, gesturing to myself. River was quiet, I haven’t told him anything about what had happened yet as I didn’t feel ready but it has been a number of weeks since the night I ran, since the night it all happened. I felt strangely calm talking about it now. The scent from the man in the forest lingered everywhere I went, and it comforted me. I don’t know why, it just did. “I will tell you everything, but right now we should train.” I said getting ready for an incoming attack. “Okay, only if you’re comfortable telling me.” He said before readying to take me down. He pounced and I once again evaded him. This went on for a while and before I knew it, it was time to get ready.

I have showered and put a light layer of makeup on, all I have left to do is put on my dress. I sit for a few minutes deciding whether or not to wear a jacket. I always wear long sleeves as I don’t like people questioning my scars. I have some small tattoos up my arms but I haven’t got my scars covered yet. I have a large thigh tattoo of a wolf, which is funny because now I am one. With the dress on you can see the lower part of my thigh tattoo and the spaghetti strap has my entire arms on show. River then walks into my room dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt, he looked at me in awe. “Do you think I could wear a jacket?” I asked him with my arms folded and my head down. “Why? You look great!” He replied, I then reluctantly let my arms fall to my side and showed him the scars. “Because of this?” I said as more of a question, he then grabbed my hands in his own, “Your scars only show how brave you are, you don’t need to cover them up K.” he told me with a small smile, so I returned it. We both leave my room and catch up with Alaric on his way out of our house. “Nervous?” He asked, glancing at me as I fidgeted with my hair making sure it sat in place. I did a loose braid as I don’t want it to get in my face. “No way. Why would I be?” my voice dripping in sarcasm as I answered him, both he and River chuckle at this. Please, let this go well…

As we came closer to the pack house garden I could smell the intoxicating scent of acacia wood and vanilla much more strongly than I have before. “River, can I talk to you? Please?” I asked, suddenly feeling my anxiety rising, Isaac has found that my emotions seem to be what causes my abilities to lose control. Due to the recent trauma I experienced, he has been helping me control them. But right now, I don’t feel very in control. The wind picks up a little and I start hyperventilating. “What’s wrong? Is she okay?” Alaric asked River, he was made aware of my abilities along with Dom so that they were able to help me when Isaac and River aren’t around but Alaric and I aren’t close so I go straight to River and drag him a bit away. After a few minutes he calms me down then asks, “What’s wrong?” but the thing is, I don’t really know myself. “Do you remember I told you about the guys I nearly had a run in with whilst living in the forest?” I asked him to which he nodded his head. “Well, I can smell them. I don't want them to know who I am yet because I don’t think I am ready to meet the person who could be my mate. I’m not ready for that yet!” I then rushed out in one breath. River looked at me stunned then nodded his head slowly, giving me a look that I couldn’t decipher. “Okay, well in my spare time I have been doing some reading,”

“That is great, but unfortunately I can’t just pick up a book and hope for the best River.” I said with disapproval in my tone. “I mean, I know a way you can stop him from finding you, from reading more I learned that Selene's child is able to hide her scent from whoever she pleases, which means if you focus and picture yourself in a sealed room when you smell his scent then he won’t be able to figure it out!” He told me. That could work?

“Here, try it with me first.” He offered so I did what he said, I pictured myself in an airtight room after breathing in his scent, “Holy crap! You did it!” He announced loudly, I gave him a small smile and then did the same thing again but this time I am hiding myself from the intoxicating smell of my possible mate.

Now we are standing behind a small stage, where Dominik is welcoming everyone, “Welcome everyone. Today is a special day. Today we are initiating a new member to our pack, and I hope you treat her with as much respect as you would your fellow pack members. She is new to our world, but I am certain that with all of you by her side, It will ease her transition and new friendships will be made, so please welcome Kiara to the stage.” He said whilst then standing to the side with a grin on his face and gesturing for me to join him, I looked up at River and he grinned widely at me, giving me a gentle nudge towards the stage. I walk up the stairs and hear the pack members whispering all around me, “What in the hell is she?” “She seems dangerous.” “Her aura is stronger than the Alpha’s!” I try to block them out but then I hear Dominik clear his throat and the voices all hush back down. I am in awe of him and how is able to keep control of all these people around us without so much as a word. “Kiara, do you swear on your life to protect the Blue moon pack with all that you have?” He asked as he lifted out a blade of pure silver, “I swear it.” I answered, “And do you swear to uphold any duties given to you by either myself, your Beta or your Gamma?” “I swear it.” He then sliced his palm and held it over a large chalice, allowing his blood to feel it. Once done, he wrapped his hand up and handed me the chalice. “With your promise to the pack, you are now a Blue Moon member. Drink Up.” He said smiling and so I did. I could feel a pain in my head, voices began flooding in but I quickly put up a barrier so that I didn’t have to hear everyone just yet. The pack was hooting, howling and showing a ton of support for me and Ifelt pride. I am thankful that this was the pack I happened upon as I can already tell they are healing my broken heart.

After the ceremony I joined River, Dom and Alarik, a smile on my face that I just can't get rid of. “Welcome to the pack!” They all said excitedly, both River and Dom squeezed me between them and Alaric gave my shoulder a quick pat before disappearing into the crowd. Everyone keeps coming up and talking to me so I converse with as many people as I can before deciding I need a strong drink. Parties usually aren’t my scene but I can drink and dance my worries away tonight, because now, I have a place to call home. I grab River and Dominik and drag them to the dancefloor, where all three of us dance without a care in the world, I see Alaric dancing with a gorgeous girl and he catches me looking so I give him the thumbs up and he chuckles at me. I get a whiff of the rousing scent of vanilla and acacia wood so I grab Rivers hand and pull him to the side whilst Dominik flirts with a younger girl. As we reached the side of the room I heard a man clear his throat and then I recognised that the scent was coming from him. “s**t. River, who is behind me? He has that amazing smell that keeps following me everywhere.” I asked in a link with my eyes focused on him. He then looks behind me and his smile drops slightly.

“Hello Alpha Blackstone, are you enjoying the party?” He asked the man behind me whilst pulling me to his side and turning me around. The man before me was the hottest I had ever seen. I want to jump his bones right here. He is 6ft4, with black scruffy hair that has been styled ever so slightly, but it also looks like he hasn’t stopped running his hand through it. His eyes are a beautiful vibrant green and he looks like he was carved by the goddess herself. I thought River was quite the looker but for some reason I am more drawn to this sexy stranger. “Ease up on the grip K, you might break my hand.” I then heard River in my head, I looked at his face and noticed he was trying not to wince, I then looked at his hand in mine and noticed that his fingers were turning white like my knuckles, I didn’t even realise I was holding on so tight. “The party is great, I just came to introduce myself to your new pack member, Kiara, wasn’t it?” The Alpha asked me while reaching his hand towards mine to shake it. “It is lovely to meet you Mr Blackstone. Sorry, I mean Alpha Blackstone! I’m still getting used to how to address everyone here.” I said sheepishly whilst moving behind River slightly and avoiding his hand so that he couldn’t figure it out. “He gave me a confused look, then nodded and went on his way. “That was a bit too close.” I said to River on our link so that no-one could pick up on it and he just gave me a weird look.