Moonlit Refuge (The Moon series)

Chapter Twenty-Six

"Okay! Then, it's a deal! I'll come tomorrow after the football game and begin the long process, but first we need to decide who I want as Beta and honestly I think you'd be the best since you seem to be in charge here and they all trust you." I say, shrugging as Jace stares in utter surprise.

"Me? Why me? I haven't earned your trust!" He exclaims, Ash and I share a smile.

"You have, actually. When you stood with us against the vampires, brought what you thought were trespassers straight to us, and you have made sure we were protected and sent patrols without bothering us. I don't see why not, plus if we have someone everyone trusts the more likely the transition will be smooth." Ash replies, Jace bows his head.

"It will be my honor to serve my Alpha and Luna. But what will our Pack be called?" He asks curiously, flicking his green eyes over us. Ash and I think for a moment, exchanging a few ideas.

"What about the BrokenCrown Pack?" I suggest after a few more minutes of arguing, they both stare at me in wonder.

"That's perfect, actually! It shows that we are unique and that we came from different paths." Jace says excitedly, I grin and playfully bow.

"Wonderful! Let's tell everyone and ask for some good runners to go find the rest of our new Pack so they will be here." I order, skipping out of the small, wooden shelter and smiling at all my new Pack.

"Everyone! Gather around! We have wonderful news!" Jace shouts, appearing suddenly by myside. Slowly, about thirty wolves stand in a group in front of us looking concerned. Jace nods to me, taking a respectful step back.

"My mate and I have decided to take on a new Pack. You all will be our first members, and tomorrow night we want everyone here, so we can do the long process. Anyone can join our Pack, I want us to be accepting. A second chance among those who are like you." Ash begins, I smile.

"Wolves who should not be Rogues because your crimes are minor, or you never committed a crime and were just born into this. But, my number one rule is to always be honest, to respect each other and be a family. I want us to rely on each other, not fight against each other. I want the one's who decide to join the Pack, to want to be here and take this second-chance seriously. You always have a choice, so it's up to you to who wants to join the Pack and who won't. I would like our fastest runners and best trackers to find the rest of us to inform them tomorrow is when we'll create this Pack, tomorrow night." I finish, everyone erupts into cheers. I grin, excited and happy for the official Pack to come together.

_______

I groan, hitting my head on the empty desk I'm sitting in as we wait for the stupid history teacher to come in and start our last lesson of the day. We had convinced our family that what we're doing tonight was fine, and then this morning I got permission to be a guest for the day under the disguise that I'm someone else who wants to join the school, but I want to see what the school is like first. It was hard to sell the story, but it worked.

The history teacher, Mr. Farces, comes in with a grim face. "Today marks history, and we're going to watch it happen." He sighs, turning on his projector and plugging in his laptop in before clicking a few things and starting the live video from the President. But instead of the President's face, a face that looks eerily like Ash comes on. His face is grizzled, cropped brown hair, ice-cold eyes and a scowl that matches his emotionless aura.

"Early this morning, our President was assassinated. It is my duty to fill his spot, as the new President. But first, I must say that I have plenty to... share with the world. Something that will shock everyone, and I'd also like to say that many of you may fear what's to come but do not worry. We will always protect each and every one of you, and there is nothing to fear with our military on your side." His gravelly voice carries over the flashing reporters, silencing the crowd as they all stare in wonder. His cropped hair is speckled with grey, and his face old but he's quite strong with a football-player build.