Chapter 10: The Inauguration

“Nice to see you.”

          Standing, facing her own mother. She had this long bluish hair braided and intertwined. Those almond eyes resemble hers, delicate lips, and their face contour. No doubt they’re mother and daughter. 

“Y-You’ve already grown up, Honey.” Lilia stepped closer to her. Reaching out her hands to her cheeks like she missed doing that to her.

          Her heart thumped, hammering her chest, smiling from ear to ear, letting her tears roll down uncontrollably. The unexplainable feeling inside…

“Denise… I’m sorry, Honey.” Lilia hugged her as she lets out all her grievances and longing for her daughter whom she kept for long years. 

          Lifting her head, she took off her mask. Preventing a single tear escape from her eyes. Denise remained standing as if there was just someone she used to know in front of her, ignoring the strong emotions trying to break the thick walls she built for decades. Concealing the weak and lame side of her with the mask of arrogance and cold-heartedness. 

“It’s been fifteen years, Lilia. Welcome back,” Denise uttered in her sarcastic way. Stepping back, Lilia stared at her in disbelief. Shocked at her daughter’s response, Denise’s contemptuous manner.

“W-Why are you this—”

“Why? You’re asking me why, after what you have done to us?” she sneered at her mother.

“Denise! She’s still your mother, show respect,” Brandon restrains her. Reminding Denise of her maternal relationship with Lilia.

“After what she has done, Papa? You’re still into her? Why? Have you forgotten how the whole pack was nearly invaded by those rogues just because you confined yourself inside that room?” Denise distanced herself from Lilia, shifting her gaze to her father. “Getting wasted and still grieving for her carelessness.”

“You imbecile child, how dare you—”

“Yes! I am an imbecile, ungrateful daughter. I kept silent, shut my mouth because I don’t wanna question you or her. Leaving me isn’t easy as you thought it would be.” Her dauntless and emotionless eyes retorted back to Lilia. “You, being the Luna of this pack have been here to share the Alpha’s burdens.” 

“I-I’m sorry, I wanted to but—” 

“But what did you do? You chose to run away with your so-called first love, leaving us. You put your flirtations on top of your list.” 

           With that, a hard slap flew on her left cheek. She felt numb, closing her eyes as her mother replied to her accusations. “You knew nothing, Denise. Nothing at all.”

“Is it? I saw you that night, the man whom you ran away with is Limerick, right? You met him first, loved him first before you could even know who was your mate. What else, I don’t even know if you really loved us more than you cherish that guy—”

          Again, Lilia struck her face with a tremendous slap. She looked at her daughter with her tears starts to flow uncontrollably, “You have no right to doubt my love for you and your father, you knew nothing.”

“Then explain! How could I understand you if you wouldn’t explain? Despise me then! For being an arrogant and disrespectful daughter. You pushed me into this, you leave me that I needed to survive on my own.” She blankly stared at Lilia, referring to the sudden emergence of the rogues years ago. 

            The whole pack was raging in chaos, the city center was lighted with blazing fire and the pack warriors shifted into their wolves. The ten-year-old Denise was running towards her father’s room, knocking violently on the door.

“Father! Father! Rogues broke out our first defense! We need you, Papa!” she yelled in frustration. She banged the door nonstop, hoping her Father would open and help his beta and gamma on the war field. But after seconds of knocking and slamming the wooden door, she got no response.

             Denise turned again to the village’s direction, howling and pleading screams were filling the entire place. Seeing that scenery, she rushed over the mansion’s exit. Not yet being able to shift, she broke the glass container of the silver sword.

           Doesn’t have enough ability and strength to endure the sword’s effect on its every holder, Denise forced herself to grip on it tightly. The silver sword was the only thing she knew that could help in defending their pack. Amidst the burning effect on her hands, she managed to pull it out and rushed to the battlefield. 

          With her hair tied in a high ponytail and her long dress slowing her down, she grabbed the dagger from her back and slit her clothing halfway. Revealing her inner clothing that covers up from her waist to her thigh. Moving the silver sword below her neck, cutting her long burgundy dark blue hair. 

         Arriving at the village center, burning houses and cries of women with their children echoing almost everywhere. The thick smokes and explosions flooding every street, howling of pain and hopelessness. Stunned by what she saw, different from what she grew up with. The lively music of the village turns into whimpers of distress, tapping her conscience. Blaming herself as the Alpha’s daughter doing nothing to help.

         In a dash, she gathered every woman and child towards the forest. More than eighty adults and twenty-five children were there, “Let’s half the group, missus Jansen will lead the kids to the packhouse. All the elders will go with her.”

        The fat woman agrees with her, got all the children and the elderly ones to direct to the mansion. There are sixty-seven wolves remained. Most of them were elderly who refused to go to the mansion. “All that remained here, we are all women but that wouldn’t be the reason for us just to stand and cry. We may not have the strength and ability but we still can defend.” Some other women tried to run away to the forest, opposing what Denise wanted but stopped when she yelled. “Then run! Live to your life’s content knowing you cowardly retreat from this battle.”

“This is our place, we will fight and defend even if it costs our own life.”

“For my sons and daughters, I will defend.”

“To ensure what lies in the future, I will stand and defend.”

           Various conformity and approval from the women in front of her, flickering her flaming willpower of defending her pack. Shifting to everyone’s wolves, Denise leads them back to the battlefield with only the silver sword as her weapon. 

“The inauguration will start, go back to the hall, Denise.” She nods at her Father’s command.

          Walking past the door, Sydney catches up with her. “A-are you okay?”

“Better than okay,” replies Denise, forcing a smile on her face. Marching along the hallway as if nothing happened. “I have said what I should say. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“If that’s it, I wouldn’t interfere.” Sydney smiled, “But if there is something you wanted to talk about, I’m just here, I am your friend, eh!” 

“Sure, I know you’ll not stop asking about that.”

“Whatever,” she said, rolling her eyes in guilt. Denise had known her for being an impatient and importunate creature that will not stop until she doesn’t get what she wants, sometimes an annoying one. 

           Appearing in the main hall, everyone had already taken off their masks. A round of applause greeted Denise as she stepped onto the stage. With the current beta Raven handing her a glass of red wine, “Thank you,” she mouthed as she takes the glass.

“Shadowstone pack,” Denise introduced, raising the red wine. “I wouldn’t take this introduction longer, this urgent gathering is simply the inauguration. I would like to thank you all for coming, toast for the pack and the newly appointed Beta and Gamma.”

         Stepping closer to Denise was Lachlan and Auriel in their stunning black tuxedo and well-groomed hair. “Beta Lachlan, Gamma Auriel, congratulations!” The current Alpha Brandon popped up with his gamma on his side. Holding a glass bowl and the dagger of epsilon.

“Congratulations!” greetings from the crowd as they drink their red wine. 

        After setting the table, the three of them were advised to perform the blood compact. Putting off all the lights and only the candles around were lit. With the dagger and clear bowl in front of them, she initiated the compact.

          She took a deep breath and pushed out a smile. Now comes the time she’s been waiting for. The moment she, herself, would take the highest position in Shadowstone together with the toughest responsibility. If this is a dream, then she’d better not wake up.

“Being the Alpha of this pack with the affiliation of obligations and missions. I, Denise Soleil Shadowstone, take this position and uphold these duties and responsibilities corresponding to this rank. Leading Shadowstone as my unending mission.” Piercing through her skin, she let her blood drip onto the bowl. “Will keep and serve this pack to peace and freedom.”

         Passing the dagger over to Lachlan who gently clasps it, “Being the beta of this pack, linked with my loyalty and commitment to upholding duties and responsibilities. I, Lachlan Riaju, take the beta position. Swear to support the Alpha, guard the whole land to the extent of my ability against any harm.” Making an incision on his arm, he dripped his blood on the bowl. 

        Taking over the dagger, Auriel let out a smile, “Being the gamma of this pack, tied with my allegiance and role. I, Auriel Deran, take the gamma position solemnly. Affirming the roles and duties attached to this stature.” Doing the same as Denise and Lachlan did, he cuts open his flesh and lets his blood drip on the bowl.