From The Ashes

Chapter Five

It was only a ten minute drive from Artemis's house to the Alpha's home where the ceremony was being held. Being an Omega, I'd only been here a handful of times for important pack events such as this one. 

The monstrously large house seemed to be looming before us as we pulled in closer. We had to wait in a line of cars to get to the entrance, but with every slow inch we went forward, the more my anxiety would claw at my insides.  

Too soon, we were at the entrance. I stopped and examined the building. It was a three story stone house with upgraded Victorian style windows and a dark metal roof that came to a sharp point in the sky. 

The outside was lit with modern torches and hanging tea lights that gave off a soft glow and ivy clung to the walls in elegant bunches. Two guardian wolves nodded to us as they opened the large, mahogany doors to permit us entrance. 

The first level consisted of a large dance hall with intricate spiraling stairs to the left that led to the rest of the house. I'd never been on the higher floors, as I was not high enough ranking in the pack. 

The floor of the dance hall was a checkered black and white, while the tables, chairs, and decorations seemed to take on a golden theme. There were vases of blood red roses on every table, along with garlands made of the same flowers littering the walls. Twinkling golden string lights cascaded from the ceiling.

 Farther toward the back of the room was a stage that had been set up with a lone mic stand occupying it. A long black curtain was used for the backdrop. There were also the same golden string lights around the base of the stage. I assumed this was where the acceptances and speeches would be happening tonight. 

With that thought, my palms became sweaty and my heart began to race. I had to make some sort of speech tonight since I was top of the class, but I was seriously nervous and underprepared. Everyone in the pack looked down on me, and I really didn't want to have to face their disapproving stares.  Artemis sensed my tension and squeezed my hand. 

"Don't worry about it, just party a little, dance a little, and when the time comes, you'll kick ass on that stage. I know it. You deserve this. You've worked too hard to shut down now," she whispered gently in my ear. 

I took a breath and straightened my shoulders. "You're right, I may not be much right now, but after tonight that's all going to change. Thank you, for keeping me grounded," I replied to her.

 She smiled and led me over to the table where her parents were seated. To my surprise, Aunt Maddie was there as well. 

"You made it!" I exclaimed. She hadn't been feeling well recently, and I was worried she might not be able to attend tonight. 

"Of course I did, I'm not missing my baby girl's big night," she said while beaming at me with tears in her eyes. "You look so beautiful. Just like your mamma." 

Tears pooled in my eyes as well as I leaned down and embraced her. "I love you Aunt Maddie, I wouldn't be here without you," I whispered in her ear. 

"Hush now, you could do anything you set your mind to and more. You just have to believe it, too." I smiled at her again and took my seat as the Beta of our pack, Alexander, ascended to the stage. He stepped up to the mic and cleared his throat. 

"Good evening fellow pack members. Tonight, we are here in celebration of another generation of fierce warriors who have been working diligently to prepare themselves for the battles of the real world. With that being said, I'd like to invite you all to partake in a meal before our acceptances. We will reconvene in an hour." 

He held up the crystal wine glass in his hand as a dismissal, and suddenly people were shuffling out of a set of doors in the back carrying plates loaded with food. The Alpha- or should I say King-  and his family were served first. I averted my eyes as a small pinch of pain radiated through me.