Chapter 8: The Alpha Ceremony - Amelia

You ever have those moments in life that feel like the calm before the storm? That’s what I’m realising yesterday was. Yesterday was filled with joy and celebration, but ever since I woke up this morning I’ve felt the clouds of impending doom lingering over me. Bad things are coming. Call it wolf senses, women’s intuition or whatever you like, but I can feel in my very bones that trouble is waiting for me just around the corner.

The day has been another round of festivities. The outdoor rave was dismantled in record time and replaced by a good old fashioned barbeque. Picnic tables with the classic red and white checkered cloths have been set up around the back of the packhouse and a small stage has been erected.

I’m dressed in a simple white satin blouse and a full length ruffled white skirt with white sandals. Casual but classy. This should be a positive setting, but unlike the excited energy, I felt yesterday, today everyone feels apprehensive and it has me on edge.

I’m sitting at one of the picnic tables with Vitali, Tyson, Evalyn, Chris, and Mei – yes Mei decided to join us – trying to listen to what Evalyn is saying but my brain keeps focusing on the whispers around me and the looks thrown my way.

If you’re wondering if this sort of behaviour is normal among pack members during an Alpha ceremony, the answer is no. I don’t like this and neither does Zara, but I continue to appear unbothered as always.

“There’s my little Cupcake!” comes a voice I haven’t heard in months. I jump out of my chair and throw myself at my grandfather who catches me without hesitation.

“Grandpa! You made it!” I exclaim while he chuckles hugging me tight nuzzling me.

“Of course, we made it. We’re so sorry we missed your birthday yesterday,” he says guiltily.

“Planes being delayed on my grandpups birthday? It’s just not on,” comes my grandmother as she walks up behind my grandfather. I chuckle and let grandpa go and hug my grandma who envelops me in a hug only grandma can give. I lean back and smile at them.

“You guys have nothing to be sorry for. You’re here now and that’s all that matters,” I tell them brightly.

Grandpa Alden and Grandma Sorrell are the former Alpha and Luna of this pack. They’ve been spending their retirement years travelling the world and even visiting packs around the world. They’re still called on sometimes for their council, after all, you never really stop being an Alpha or a Luna.

They have the kind of relationship I hope to have one day. So in love all these years later with an amazing zest for life and they are a total riot. Especially grandma and thanks to being wolves they don’t look their age at all. They’re in their late sixties but you wouldn’t guess from looking at them.

My dad takes after Grandma Sorrell, she has blonde hair styled in a bob and has chestnut eyes. Dad and grandma both have a very pointed nose which I did not inherit. Dad got his height from grandpa since grandma is 5’1”.

Grandpa, however, is 6’5”, has dark black hair with a hint of grey hair forming in his sideburns. He has soft greyish brown eyes and is still built like a tank. They look so cute, with grandpa in black slacks and a navy blue button-down shirt and grandma in a soft yellow sundress, with a white wide-brim hat.

“Luna Sorrell, it’s good to have you back home. Still not looking a day over thirty,” Vitali says with a wink. Grandma playfully swats his shoulder, but grandpa lets out a displeased growl and smacks him up the back of his head.

“Don’t go getting any ideas pup,” says grandpa. I chuckle while Tyson, Evalyn, and Chris snigger.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Alpha,” Vitali says with a cheeky smile.

“For a moment I wasn’t sure I was at an Alpha ceremony, it’s so… informal,” Grandpa says, his nose scrunching up in disapproval.

I sigh. “I know a cookout isn’t traditional or maybe even appropriate for today, but it felt like the best option. Things are going to get messy, and it just didn’t make sense to go to the effort of making everything look elegant just for it to get ruined,” I explain. Grandma nods in understanding.

“I think it’s lovely. A formal gathering would have been nice, but a cookout certainly does bring a pack together, so the end result is still the same,” she says with a smile.

“My granddaughter can’t even have the ceremony she deserves because of a bunch of ingrates,” mutters my grandpa angrily, my grandma holds his hand to calm him, and he does immediately, giving her a loving smile. “Don’t mind me, Cupcake, I’m just a grumpy old man,” he says to me. I shake my head and kiss his cheek.

“You’re neither grumpy nor old, you just love me,” I tell him with a reassuring smile.

“Darn right I do,” he says proudly beaming back at me.

“If only more men were like you, Alpha,” says Evalyn. “You bagged a good one, Luna Sorrell,” she comments causing grandma to smile proudly at my grandpa.

“Don’t I know it,” she says winking at Evalyn.

Grandma quickly spots Mei sitting next to Chris. She’s been sitting at our table the whole time with Chris playing bodyguard. A few pack members have come over to say hello and those interactions seemed to go well. “Who is this darling young lady?” my grandma asks walking over to Mei. Mei instantly blushes and tries to hide in Chris’s arms, but he’s just beaming with pride.

“This is Mei Liu, my animai,” he says proudly and Mei blushes further.

“Congratulations my boy!” cheers my grandpa, giving Chris a big pat on the back.

“It is a delight to meet you and have you in our pack, dear,” grandma says warmly to Mei.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Alpha and Luna,” Mei says softly with a small nod. Grandma nearly falls over from glee.

Calm down, woman.

“Oh Alden, isn’t she just darling?!” grandma exclaims, and grandpa gives her an amused look.

“We’re not having any more pups. That son of ours was enough,” he says in mock exhaustion making grandma swat his chest. We all just chuckle at their antics. I’m so glad they’re here, this wouldn’t have been the same without them.

We’re all sitting around enjoying grandpa and grandma telling us stories about their travels when my dad comes up and squeezes my shoulders.

“It’s time,” he says softly and my body instantly tenses. I’m excited to become Alpha, I’m just concerned about what comes after. I nod my head as I get up and face him. My father is looking down at me with so many emotions, pride being the most prominent, but I see the underlying fear. I think he’d feel this way regardless, after all, I’m his only pup.

I notice the table has gone quiet, so I glance back at everyone. My friends all have broad smiles, grandma has tears in her eyes and grandpa has the same look on his face as dad. I smile at them as dad leads me up to the small stage in front of everyone. Mum’s already standing there to the side trying to hold back her tears of joy.

“EVERYONE!” he exclaims calmly getting the pack’s attention. Everyone instantly falls quiet and turns to face us. “Today is a blessed day for this pack and a proud one for me and my Luna. Today you witness history in the making. Today our…” I look up at my dad to see tears in his eyes as he chokes on his words. Seeing my strong father so openly emotional in front of his pack has tears filling my own eyes. “Our beautiful daughter takes her oath and becomes not only your new Alpha but the first female Alpha!” he announces proudly.

Well, first female Alpha in North America, like I’ve said, I’m not sure about the rest of the world. But had he said that in his speech I doubt it would have sounded as impactful.

There are cheers from the pack, but I notice not everyone is cheering; some are even faking it. I can’t help feeling somewhat rejected, but I expected it.

Mum comes over and hands my father a small dagger with a black and red hilt and a very reflective gold blade. My father takes the dagger, and we face each other.

“Amelia Dolivo, do you swear fealty to the Invictus Pack and each of its members, current and future?” he asks me, his voice full of authority as his Alpha Spirit radiates from him.

“I do,” I say with conviction.

“Do you swear to always serve your pack and its needs to the best of your abilities?”

“I do,” I answer, my conviction never wavering.

“And do you swear to always fight for your pack, striking down any enemy who may wish us harm?”

“I do,” I say fiercely.

“Do you swear to always love your pack?” He asks me, his face softening. I smile at him, I know the words I must say but even if they were written for me, these words are in my heart. I mean them with every fibre of my being.

“I swear to love and honour the Invictus Pack as my ancestors before me once did and will continue to do so until I take my last breath,” I announce with no pretence or façade, just pure emotion. I look at my pack and smirk. “But even then I’ll probably still love you guys,” I say winking at them.

Okay, that last line was all me. This earns me chuckles from the pack and a few hoots, I’ll take that. I look at dad to see him grinning at me. He places the blade of the dagger against his left palm and slices his hand as he speaks.

“I, Alpha Elias Dolivo, in the eyes of Goddess Morrtemis, relinquish my title and power as Alpha of the Invictus Pack to my daughter, Amelia Dolivo,” he declares. He hands the dagger to me; I take it and slice it across my left palm as I speak.

“I, Amelia Dolivo, in the eyes of Goddess Morrtemis, accept the title and power of Alpha of the Invictus Pack from my father, Alpha Elias Dolivo,” I say, clasping my left hand with his.

The response is instantaneous. A white glow radiates from my father, moving away from his body down his arm and into mine, then spreads throughout my body and it feels…intense. I gasp at the overwhelming sensation. I feel stronger, more confident, my senses – though already sharp – feel even sharper and my connection to my pack strengthens.

What used to be a gentle hum in the back of my mind that made up the link with the pack, has now become noticeable threads. I feel bonded to every member of this pack. We are tied to each other now.

Then comes the burning pain on my chest, it’s unpleasant but bearable. I look down and watch as the Mark of the Alpha appears on my chest directly over my heart. I smile in awe at the mark that once resided on my father’s chest, that he now just transferred to me. It’s a wolf’s paw print and looks like I’ve been branded with iron. But as the redness dissipates it’s replaced with an iridescent sheen. This mark is binding and cannot be forged.

I smile up at my father, pride, and power coursing through my veins. The cut on my hand has healed and I feel like I could lift a tank right now. My father beams at me, but then his features turn hard, and I know what’s coming.

Damn, I was hoping to bask in the good vibes a little longer.

“Before I can officially declare Amelia your Alpha, per law I must ask, is there anyone here who wishes to challenge my daughter for the title of Alpha?” his face is calm, but his voice is like a stone; he knows he has to do this, but he’s not happy. I take a slow breath and brace myself.

“I, Beta Declan Mathers of the Invictus Pack, challenge Amelia Dolivo for the title of Alpha!” comes a voice from the crowd and my head snaps to it.

I’m utterly shocked, but I keep my face neutral. No emotion, I show nothing.  But inside I’m losing my freakin’ mind. I glance over and see Ryker looking at me with a smirk on his face like the cat that got the cream. That’s why he’s been such a smug little shit. Why he was happy to openly disrespect his future Alpha. I thought he was going to challenge me, but he knew it would be his father.

What in the actual fuck?

“Declan!” my father growls in anger and disbelief. “You are the Beta of this pack; how dare you challenge my daughter?! Have you lost your damn mind?!”

My father’s hands are in fists and he’s shaking with rage. His chestnut eyes are glowing bright, his wolf Greer coming forward; they’re both furious. Their Beta didn’t just challenge me, he disrespected and betrayed them. Damn, even mum’s turquoise eyes are glowing, she and her wolf Paityn are pissed off too.

Me?

Well, I’m seventy per cent shocked by the turn of events, but I’m thirty per cent not shocked. Look, I knew the guy had an issue with me, so this honestly checks out.

“I’m doing this for the pack Elias! She is too weak to be an Alpha. No woman can be Alpha, you will damn this pack. I warned you years ago, but you refused to listen and now you’ve left me no choice,” he declares.

Pack members are just watching in stunned silence, though there are some growls from some members who are in support of me as Alpha, I think you can name a few of them. Before my dad can respond my grandpa shoots out of his seat.

“Outrageous! What kind of Alpha could you make? A Beta who betrayed his Alpha, challenged his new Alpha, and declared to all the women in the pack he finds them inferior,” he scoffs. “You’re just proving how unfit you are. My son never should have made you a Beta,” he spits.

“You always hated me, old man,” Declan spits back scornfully.

“Thank you for proving my instincts correct,” grandpa says smugly, though he’s still furious. Even grandma is livid, if looks could kill Declan would be six feet under right now.

Am I the only person not looking like they are about to rip someone’s head off?

“You know what we need to do. We’ve got this,” Zara tells me. She’s pumped and ready for action, the new power in our veins fuelling our adrenaline. We’re ready for blood.

I may be friendly and love my pack but don’t go thinking I’m a pacifist. I’m a wolf to my core and there’s a part of me that is consumed by blood lust; a part of me that thrives on it. I just control it better than most Alphas or wolves in general.

Declan is about to spew some more toxic bullshit and I’m done.

“I, Amelia Dolivo, accept the challenge of Beta Declan for the title of Alpha,” I announce calmly. Instantly all eyes are back on me; no more glowing eyes I note. Declan is smirking like some movie villain, mum looks terrified, and dad is… expressionless. He just stares at me, so I give him my best smile. He relaxes and nods his head.

“The challenge will begin on the training field in 15 minutes!” he announces. He quickly pulls me into a tight hug, which I return eagerly. Breathing in his familiar scent of apple and cinnamon which always calms me.

“I have every faith that you can do this. You’re the best fighter in this whole pack. Show them why they should never mess with you,” comes my father’s voice in my mind. I smile up at him, but he just holds me tighter and nuzzles me, I nuzzle him back.

“I have to go change,” I tell him, and he unwillingly lets me go, but before I can make a move I’m pulled into my mother’s arms.

“Don’t you dare die,” she says in a warning tone.

“Noted,” I chuckle, but hug her tight all the same. I pull out of her arms and make my way through the tables to the packhouse.

I glance over at my friends who have the worst poker faces ever. They’re worried for me and aren’t bothering to hide it; they’re also pissed off. They want to come and comfort me, but I don’t have time. I shake my head for them to let me be. I need to focus on the task at hand.

Killing Beta Declan.