Chapter 6

When we got to the door Amber opened it and waved me in. I stepped into the foyer that had a light-colored wooden floor. With cream-colored walls decorated with various pieces of artwork. I could already hear the roar of many people happily chatting away somewhere nearby, I could also smell various foods aromas floating in the air. Amber led me down the hall to a room with double door entry.

Before I could ask her to give me a minute Amber popped the doors open, the sight inside almost took my breath away. It was a large banquet hall lit by hundreds of candles and the tables were adorned with shining gold tablecloths, in the middle of each table was a large flower arrangement primarily made up of white lilies, and there they were my new pack, my new family. Once we stepped through the door, the roar of conversation almost came to a halt and several faces turned to our direction most were friendly and welcoming although I did catch a couple sneers. Its hard to even describe how nervous and scared I was. It felt like my legs couldn't possibly hold me up. I think Amber could sense my discomfort as she grabbed my arm and pulled me closer, she gave me a comforting smile that I tried to return although I probably just looked nauseous.

“Everyone give our newest pack member some room!” a booming, soothing happy voice sounded from the other side of the banquet hall. I instantly recognized the aura surrounding the voice, it was that of an Alpha.

I looked to the other side of the banquet hall where the voice originated. I could see the main table where the Alpha, Beta, and lead warriors should be seated, but there was a small crowd gathered in front of table and I didn't have a clear view.

Next to the table was a small stage with a podium, that is where I would be cutting the ties with my old pack to join this one. Luckily, I had stood taking in the room long enough most eyes had turned away from me now. I took a deep breath and finally took another step into the room. Amber continued to hold my arm as we made our way towards the main table, so I could pay respects to my new Alpha. Amber made a few introductions along the way, but for the most part we were able to walk straight to the table.

But once we made it to the main table, I started wishing the walk would have taken a little longer. There sitting in the middle of the table was the man I had seen today on Main Street. He was the Alpha! His face was turned in the other direction and as I saw his head turning in my direction, I bowed my head quickly not making eye contact. My breath caught in my throat as his scent made it to my noise, a fresh spring morning causing a pulling sensation in my lower abdomen. I started breathing through my mouth hoping to limit smelling his scent. It was customary to walk the length of the table with your head bowed to show submission to your new Alpha and superiors, I stared at the floor doing my best to put one foot in front of the other. How silly I must look, but it was better to look a little silly than lose myself in front of my new pack.

I don’t understand what is wrong with me. I have always been strong willed and independent, sure I don’t like large crowds, but I have never had to keep my head down to just get through something before.

I caught his scent again as I passed, I could feel the heat increase inside my body. I could see his hands on the table, and they tightened into fists as I passed by. Did I do something wrong? I couldn’t bring myself to lift my eyes to take in more of the gorgeous Alpha in front of me to find out. I just kept walking hoping to get further away from the delectable aroma he was admitting. I took my place at the end of the table and turned facing the room. There was a chalice on the podium in front of me and I knew I contained the Alphas Blood for me to drink to complete the link.

I was finally able to raise my head and take in the room in front of me, the pack that was standing and chatting here and there had for the most part taken their seats at the tables and were turning their attention to the stage. Amber gave my arm a small squeeze before letting go.

“I’m going to grab us seats at that table” she said pointing to the one on the other side of the room close to the buffet of food. “Meet you thereafter, ok?”

I gave her a small nod to confirm and tried to focus on detecting the individual scents of the different foods on the buffet trying to distract my mind from what was going to happen next.

The Alpha stood up to say his part and introduce me.

"I would like to thank you all for gathering with us tonight." The room fell silent "we are here to welcome another wolf to the pack. She is the cousin of Amber and therefore our family." His voice was soft and sultry but also stern, I still couldn't bring myself to gaze at him. Although I was pretty sure I could feel his eyes set on me, but maybe that was just hopeful thinking.

"So welcome to our pack Renee, we will now complete the pledge." He started walking towards me. My body stiffened as I tried to stay calm. It was like he could feel my discomfort and stopped in his tracks quickly. "Please recite your pledge." He said leaving a few feet of distance between us.

I took a deep breath which was a mistake as his scent filled my senses. A shudder went through my body, but I tried my best to compose myself. I swear the words were almost no louder than a whisper, but at least I got them out.

"I Renee Alexia Holt denounce the Grey Lake Pack and Alpha Tony Joesph Brock and pledge my life to you Alpha Ethan Wayne Gregory and The New Lunar Pack.”

I grabbed the chalice and took a sip of the blood. While it still had an overwhelming metallic taste it was also almost sweet. I sat the chalice down and turned in the direction of Alpha Ethan keeping my gaze down and my head to the side as a sign of respect.

“I Accept you, Renee Alexia Holt as a member of the New Lunar Pack” hearing my name from his lips made my knees weak but the happy sensation didn’t last long as I felt a snap of pain in my head as the old connections, ones that I have had since childhood, came to a sudden stop and new ones snapped in place. This was normal but damn did it hurt. My head was spinning as my eyes rolled back. The pain was so sharp I couldn’t keep my eyes open; I could feel my body buckling underneath me, but then I suddenly felt a set of hands on my waist and someone’s chest press into my back and all I could smell was a fresh spring morning. It seemed to sooth some of the pain away, but I still couldn’t bring myself to open my eyes.

"You are ok, I got you." Husky words whispered into my ear by Alpha Ethan. I felt tingles shoot through my body at his touch and almost moaned in happiness but the pain in my head increased sharply again before stopping so quickly you would almost think it was never there, I regained my composure. I took a step forward away from him, his scent was overpowering, and I couldn't lose myself here not like this.

Then he clapped his hands and then the rest of the room joined him in clapping. "I suggest everyone eats well for tonight we run!" He added and returned to his seat.

Everyone started gathering around the food table and I quickly made my way across the room to Amber.

“Well, what do you think of Alpha Ethan?” Amber whispered into my ear

I barely sputtered out "he seems great" before she placed a plate in my hands and pushed me towards the food.

I mainly just walked along the table as Amber put scoops of food on my plate before leading me to our table. It was a good thing she was there to lead me otherwise I would have just stood there in stunned silence looking like a moron. There was just so much to take in and while going on a run sounded amazing, it also scared me what if I picked up on Ethan’s scent in wolf form? Would I be able to control myself? It's probably not a good idea to jump the bones on your brand-new Alpha. But this feeling I had towards him was intense to say the least.

I ate some and did my best to focus on the conversations around me and to speak as much as possible to my fellow wolves. When the sun disappeared for the night, it was time for the run. It was time for us to release our wolves.

The Alpha and his entourage went to the woods first then we followed. I darted to the side of the forest instead of going straight in, I placed my folded dress and shoes together in a bag and changed into my wolf form.

Then I ran... I ran like my life depended on it, I hoped if I ran fast enough it would be impossible for me to smell Ethan and it worked. Soon I could barely smell any wolves at all.

It felt so good to let my wolf out, in my old pack, pack runs usually turned far more sexual than I wanted so I didn't participate unless it was mandatory. If it was mandatory, I would run far away from the others to avoid all the unmated males. But I knew from what Amber said that wasn't a problem here. This time I had to run so I could keep control. I wasn't used to feeling these kinds of desires. I mean of course I had thought about sex before I might be a virgin, but I wasn't completely innocent. This was totally different though it went right to the core of me, his scent alone made me want to moan.

“Stop!” I told myself you can't have a crush like this on the Alpha it looks bad. I come to a new pack and become obsessed with the Alpha that was sure to make the females in this pack annoyed.

I tried to block all thoughts and just run. The wind blowing through my fur, taking in all the scents of the forest around me.

As the sun started coming up, I found my way back to my clothes, Amber was already waiting on me. I changed back and started to quickly get dressed.

"My goodness women where were you running to?" She asked, she had already changed back and had her clothes on.

"It's just been so long since I had a good run, I got carried away I guess" I answered while looking at the ground and pulling my leggings over my legs. I didn’t want to tell her the full truth, I did enjoy the run, but I wouldn't have gone so far if I wasn't trying to avoid a certain Alpha.

" I think Alpha Ethan was looking for you, he seemed to be following your tracks, did he ever catch up to you?" Amber says looking at me out of the corner of her eye.

That thought made my heart feel like it was going to beat out of my chest. I tried to conceal any reaction but I’m sure my cheeks flushed. Why was he tracking me? I pulled my dress down over my head and I grabbed at my chest where my necklace usually hung, only to feel a bare neck.

"Oh no!" I said loudly searching the ground around my clothes.

"What's wrong?" Amber asked

"My necklace it's gone!"

Amber helped me look around the area but with no luck. I must have lost it on the run. I couldn't risk shifting and going to look for it now not in the daytime.

"Don't worry sweetheart, I will put the word out I am sure it will be found." Amber said trying to comfort me. We headed back around to the front of the pack house to Amber’s car. Most of the other pack members had already left. I guess I did run a little too far.

I glanced back at the house when a silhouette in the third story window near the center of the house caught my gaze. It was Alpha Ethan he was looking out the window at us. I could see his bare chest as he didn't have a shirt on. I must have looked ridiculous as I stared at his bare skin, my mouth hanging slightly open. I swear even at this distance, I could see a smirk on his beautiful face.

"Are you getting in or what? Hello! Earth to Renee" Amber practically had to shout to break me out of my trance.

"Huh, oh uh yeah" was all I could mutter in response as I pried my eyes away from Ethan and slid into the car.

On the way home my phone rang.