Obsidian Night Pack

72

We stood behind a small stage that had been set up. Alaric looked tense as one of his arms was wrapped tightly around my waist. Looking out to the crowd I couldn't believe how nervous I was. Of all things I was scared of stage fright was probably one of the most ridiculous things. It's not like a huge rampaging wolf was going to run right n here and try and kill everyone... no that didn't bother me at all. It was the fact that I was going to walk on stage any second and be initiated officially and then apologize to the whole pack with a speech I had yet to write. 

Stay calm. I need to stay calm!

"I can hear your heart rate, are you nervous?" Alaric looked down at me with an expression of laughter. 

"This is not funny! I have no idea what I am going to say! I am totally regretting this idea to go on stage! It should have been just a soapbox or something."

"You'll be fine, everything is in order. The warriors are spread out evenly through the crowd to assure proper evacuation to the bunkers, the patrol warriors have been told to allow the enemy entry as well as to notify us as soon as they arrive. A few women in the pack have stationed all the children the closest to the bunkers as well as a few more that have been entrusted to assist with pack members that are left in the dark. Those who need to know what to do and those who don't will be taken care of. As was your plan, if I remember correctly." I rolled my eyes, he was mocking me. This wasn't even close to my plan. All I had said is that we should let some people know what was going on. 

I didn't actually know anyone in the pack or their stations, Alaric was the one who took the initiative to arrange everything so beautifully. The only part I was worried about was that I had to leave Ash in the dark, upon Sander's request. There was nothing she could do or should do. She would have been chosen to assist with directing women to the bunkers, but Sander would not stand at the possible risks that would come with that responsibility. 

So, for now, Ash knew nothing, which wouldn't last for long. She had a sense about her, where she wouldn't automatically think the worst about people. Through this though, even if Sander didn't tell her anything, she would be able to see right through our plan. She would notice the placement of people and see my expression when I walked on stage. Not only that but the outfit I was wearing.

Instead of a white dress, which is usually worn for these ceremonies, I was dress in dark jeans with a casual long-sleeve shirt with a nice looking grey cardigan... to cover the knives I hid strapped to my thighs. Which Alaric eventually found out about and almost sucker-punched Brett for even allowing me to go back to the training grounds.

Wearing this and then gracing the audience with my presence would definitely tip Ash off that something was up. So, in the end, I didn't need to tell her anything. I just hope that she would do the right thing and follow directions from other she-wolves.

"Okay, it's time." Alaric broke me out of my thoughts. A whole hour before I was meant to even step foot on the stage just to catch everyone off guard, but especially Vincent.

Spine straight with fear Alaric walked out on stage catching the attention of everyone around him. The voices in the audience died down as a low mummer became absolute silence. 

"Tonight! We welcome new addition to the Obsidian Night pack. A moment we have all prepared for and awaited. So, let me officially introduce to you the Luna of the Obsidian Night pack!" At that moment all eyes were on me as I stepped out in front of everyone to see. For once I wasn't hidden away, I wasn't bedridden because I was attacked or injured I was finally... able to stand on my own and face the people that have been trained to protect me. The people I was born to lead to watch over and protect them.

I stayed silent as Alaric took a very significant looking knife and cut my palm. I watched as he slid the knife through my skin only to then hold out his own palm and cut his own. Blood pooled in the center of his hand, only then did he close his fist and raise it above mine. Letting a few drops fall into my own cut. 

"Clover, do you accept this pack and take on the position of being its Luna. To lead this pack until your time ends?"

"I do."

"Then as the Alpha of this pack, I welcome you." Alaric declared with a very large smile on his face. He was satisfied. This is what he wanted from the very beginning. The silence was broken by people cheering and clapping. I looked down and spotted Ash as she rapidly slapped her hands together. She was smiling so hard her eyes were closed. I turned to face the rest of the crowd and raised my hand. Soon the cheers died down as the mumbling with confusion as to what was happening.

"Thank you," I began, "I know I have already been living here for a while now, without being introduced to all of you. I have been attacked, injured, and kidnapped." Tension in the audience was stirring words of almost accusations

"But more importantly I have been healed, saved, and brought back each and every time and for that, I  can't thank you enough. For a pack who had never met me and didn't know me you have shown me just what a wonderful family you all are. How much you'll sacrifice for one of your own."I wasn't going to tell them everything, at least not right now, there wasn't enough time, but I was going to give them the answers that they deserved.

"However, I need to apologize to you all. I took advantage of your kindness and hospitality to use for my own benefit. I didn't know how to be a proper Luna for you. I believed if I became the strong wolf that everyone needed me to be then all the answers would be revealed. Through my efforts to find these answers though I wreaked havoc on this pack. I have caused so much pain and confusion whether it be indirectly or directly my choices ultimately have an effect on your wellbeing and I see that now. I know now that strength isn't everything, that being a Luna is more than the image set before me."

"Although this seems like a simple lesson to learn it took months of painful deception and ultimately pure failure to put it into perspective. To be able to see what I truly wanted and needed to fight for." I closed my eyes and took a breathe as I knew Alaric and everyone else watched in anticipation at my next words.

"So, I declare today to give my mind, heart, and soul to this pack. For its future and to protect those that I love. In the end, I don't think there is anything I wouldn't do for this pack. I ask for your forgiveness and I will strive to be the Luna that you all deserve... if you will have me." It was kind of a taboo for a newly declared Luna to ask her own pack for their acceptance, but in my case,I felt that they had a right to decide. Did they want a Luna who caused them so much grief?

Would my hopes be crushed if no one said anything? I didn't think this through! What if no one said anything and I just had to walk off the stage like a complete loser! That would be so humiliating!

"LUNA!" My eyes quickly flew to a small voice that yelled over the hundreds of people.

Lily... 

"LUNA! LUNA, LUNA!" The whole crowd began cheering once again and I couldn't help but cry and the sight. A warm arm wrapped around my waist pulling me closer to it. A breath tickled my ear as Alaric whispered to me.

"You didn't tell me about your little speech." He teased as he kissed my cheek causing my face to flush red.

"Any word?" I whispered back, hoping and yet praying that Vincent didn't come and still would at the same time.

"Thing yet, be patient, it might take a little bit for the of your amazing apology to reach his ears." I groaned.

"You're never going to let me live this down are you?"

"Oh I don't know, I might bring it up now and then just for fun."

"Well, as long as you do it privately and not in front of anybody I'll be okay with that." I nodded at the idea.

"Honey, I can do a lot in private, don't limit me to just this." He said giving me a sly smile only for it to suddenly fall when his eyes glossed over and he received a mind link from the border patrol.