: A

ment. I could not take my ey

ery one that I had been mak

wailing murmur, and, except for the sound of my

e, until a loud shout woke me up again, in a deep, commanding how

Alpha of the Blood Moon Pac

the Alpha, his father. Every head turned in unison. Gasps and murmur

e himself noticeable. He spoke in a voice that was strong eno

here once more after so long being away. I dropped this pack when I was a boy, and now I

of cheers. He smile

told me that going out of home would make me responsible, that I must f

ere right. My time in exile taught me that there was nothing li

, a mere gesture, but it seemed to him

e forest, the power of our togetherness and

e waited till it die

voice grew a little deeper. "I am finished with my education, and I am prepared

ee that I have surprised some of you. I understand you can not fault me, you know, going m

n the crowd. Even the

ined ones and begin new histories. I pray that the Moon goddess has penned mine somewhere in the stars to-nig

she bless this ritual, and all

impressed by the strength of his words, by the manner in which he delivered

ing. "He is wonderful, m

. "He is," I murmured

a long scroll in his hand. His voi

strong and honourable. Moon shines on you to-night. Yo

ked, confus

"You already have a mate wri

the crowd. I fel

roll and read aloud the na

Damien

ack had begun cheering and all heads turned to us. My daught

she wh

lips were moving, but

orced a trembling smile. "Go on,

forward. The people cleared a path to her

n expression that was gentle. As their hands touched, t

ing as though I were happy. My heart was racing wit

lpha, the pride of the pack, was the same man who

losed together, and i

myself, "will be the future Alph