Yep, This Is Just As Terrifying As I Imagined

I started scanning everybody’s faces trying to gauge their reactions. It’s not like they didn’t know that this day was eventually coming. Hell, even I’m shocked that this day has finally arrived.

I continued scanning the warriors when my eyes landed on Alpha Lance and Luna Adrianna. Next to them was Beta Owen and his Mate Nadine and finally, as I continued looking down the line my eyes met those of my two best friends. Our future Alpha, Xander and our future Beta, Lena.

Xander and Lena both smiled at me and Xander mouthed the words, “don’t choke” to me while miming with his hands like he was being choked out. What a mature way for our future Alpha to behave. It took everything in me to not give him my best eye roll of the day.

Great, now the image of me choking is running through the back of my brain as I try and focus on not making a total and complete ass of myself in front of basically the entire pack.

“Welcome everyone! As you know, today is a special day for me as both a father and as your Gamma. Today we begin the final stages of Signe taking over for me as Gamma. Starting today, Signe will lead all of our pack trainings and will be sitting in on meetings with our Alpha and Beta”, I could hear the pride in each word my dad was saying and that’s what gave me the confidence boost I needed to begin my speech.

Deep breath. You got this Sig. We got this, Aerona told me, but I could hear the nerves in her voice too.

“Good morning Alpha Lance, Luna Adrianna, Beta Owen, Xander, Lena and my fellow warriors,” I paused and took a deep breath.

You’re the future Gamma of this pack, Sig. Now suck it up and lead these warriors just like Dad taught you to, I tried to give myself a little pep talk.

“I can’t believe this day has finally come. I’ve been training with all of you for as long as I can remember and I can safely say that I am beyond proud of the fact that not only do I get to serve the Crescent Moon Pack alongside of you, but that you all have the faith and trust in me to lead you in protecting all of our loved ones. Now, where I obviously leave much to be desired in my public speaking skills,” I heard some snickers at that statement, “I know I have proven and will continue to prove to you that my abilities as a fighter and a leader are much more well-rounded.”

Holy shit, I’m actually doing this.

“I don’t plan on changing how we’ve been doing things. Why change something that’s working. That being said, thank you all for enduring the interruption of our regularly scheduled program,” more snickers, “Let’s head out to the training field and get started.”

Well, I think it’s safe to say that I can definitely mark motivational speaker off of my list if I don’t cut it as the Gamma.

My dad reached over and squeezed my shoulder, “Good talk, Sig. Short. Sweet. And to the point,” he said.

I just smiled up at him and then next thing I know I’m lying flat on my back and hearing laughter coming from a voice that I know all too well.

“Gotta expect the unexpected, Signe. I’m shocked Aerona didn’t sense me sneaking up to you,” Lena laughed while talking.

Yeah, well, I was a little preoccupied, Aerona said to me, her voice laced with irritation. She didn’t like being caught off guard like that.

Lena reached her hand out for me to grab. I grabbed ahold of it and as badly as I wanted to yank her down right next to me, I reminded myself that I’m almost officially the Gamma and that’s not how a Gamma would act. So instead, I used her hand as a brace to hoist myself back up to my feet.

“Yeah, you got me pretty good there Lena. Next time you won’t be so lucky,” I teased.

Even though Lena is our packs next Beta, she’s never been the strongest fighter or quickest on her feet when it comes to reading a fight to figure out how to get the upper hand. But that’s what best friends are for. They’re there to help out one another and I know that what she lacks in natural talent, Lena would more than make up for with hard work and dedication with our newly scheduled extra practice sessions.

Next thing I knew I felt a hand on my shoulder, so I turned to see who it was. I was surprised to see the hand on my shoulder belonged to Alpha Lance who was standing there smiling at me.

“Congrats Signe. You’ve worked hard for this and I know you’ll make Crescent Moon Pack proud. Now, I need to borrow you, Gamma Aaron, Beta Owen, Xander and Lena. I’m afraid Alpha Asher of the Blood Moon Pack is on his way and will be here within the hour,” I could hear the displeasure in Alpha Lance’s voice as he spoke.

“Forgive me Alpha, but why would Alpha Asher be on his way here to Crescent Moon?” I inquired.

“Why else? To discuss war,” Alpha Lance said and I could see the worry settle in behind his eyes.