Siren's Secret

18. Aftermath

Rieka looked over the bowed heads of her new pack.  She took one of her mother's daggers and sliced her palm, "Come. Cement your oath in blood." 

The blonde wolf that had spoke earlier was the first to rise and come forward. The rest quickly followed suit. They each sliced their palm and joined their hands with Rieka cementing their bond. 

Rieka now had Charlie, 21 new wolves and four bear shifters in her new pack.  Pierce rose shakily and stood tall, "Jaguar bonds are different but no less permanent. I will show you..." 

Rieka shook her head, "Pierce. Your gesture was enough. I don't expect you to link yourself to me like this. It's not necessary." 

Pierce grinned, "I appreciate that, but this is the best way.  I'm of no use to my father in the way he originally wanted. The succubi are not to be trusted. But the first and only winged wolf who won a major battle with just a howl? That would be a far more helpful alliance for my people. I have the authority to make treaties with anyone. I choose this."  

"Will your father support your decision?" Alpha Randolf asked from behind Rieka. 

"Once I explain the situation he will," Pierce nodded, "He will want to meet you though." 

Rieka sighed, "Okay. I accept. How does this work with jaguars?" 

"It will hurt," Pierce warned. Rieka shrugged, "I heal fast."

"Okay then, when I nod I'll need you to bring your wolf forward but remain in your human form and place your hand over a spot I will make on my chest.  I will be making a similar mark on your upper chest. Do you understand?" Rieka nodded and unzipped her suit enough so the rite could be completed.  Pierce closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath. His claws elongated from his fingers and he began:

Lealtad sin fin. Dolor que ata, mi corazón y mi garra ahora son tuyos. Lo juro delante de la diosa Ixchel hasta la muerte o tu libertad ordenada. (Loyalty unending, Pain that is binding, My heart and my claw is now yours. I swear this in front of the goddess Ixchel until death or your commanded release.)

He took his claw and cut a shallow gash above his heart on his chest. He opened his eyes and they glowed yellow. Pierce nodded to Rieka who brought Rayna forward and her eyes glowed white. Pierce took his same claw and made a shallow gash in the same spot on Rieka then put his claw on her wound. She followed suit with the gash on his chest. Power crackled between them as two powerful creatures combined their oath with blood. In a few seconds Pierce's glowing yellow eyes turned the same color as Rieka's and they pulled away. 

"What the hell was that?!" Rieka gasped.  Pierce chuckled, "Jaguars are not really pack creatures so for us to swear this level of loyalty is rare. A small bit of my power transferred to you and vice versa- literally connecting us.  It allows me to grant you my strength and you can do the same in dire situations.  If I'm ever disloyal, you'll feel it in your heart. Like a burning sensation. My Jaguar will obey any command you give, even if we know it will mean our death." 

He nodded towards her wound, "Check out your mark." Rieka looked where Pierce cut her and the cut was healed. In it's place, a perfect jaguar paw print seemed to be tattooed into her skin.

"Is that permanent?" Rieka looked at Pierce.  "Not exactly. It will fade in a few days and as our bond grows you will gain tribal markings on your left arm that will be permanent until my death or you release my oath. I have the same thing." He showed his cut and a perfect imprint of a wolf paw print was on his chest, "It's a visual sign of where my loyalties lie." 

"That's really cool," Jason said stepping up. "Sorry, I came up when you were mid oath so I didn't want to interrupt. We do need to start cleaning up though." Rieka nodded and looked at her new pack, "Let's get to work!" They all scattered to start helping wherever they can.