Aether's Claim | Editing

Chapter 2

The celebration was in full swing by the time my mother and I had made the long walk to the Eastern field where it was taking place. A myriad of both familiar and unfamiliar smells attacked my senses and left my wolf on edge as we approached. So many different wolves from packs I'd never seen before cast curious glances my way as my mother and I floated through the crowds. I knew being one of the best trainees in my pack, that I held some sort of power wherever I walked; similar to how you could tell an Alpha was an Alpha by the power they held when they did.

I could feel a pair of eyes on me as we made our way to the area unmated wolves were to stay, refusing to meet them as I kissed my mother goodbye and received my name and rank on a small black name tag that would sit on my breast for the majority of the day.

I caught the eye of a few people from my pack and nodded curtly, sitting in my assigned seat and folding my hands on my lap. I eyed the large marquees off to the side that held most of the Alphas and the higher ranks, choosing to avoid it and looking for my mother in the audience that had gathered to celebrate with us.

The celebration started quickly and one by one those who had completed the mandatory training were called up to receive medals or badges that honoured us. I myself received three; one for best tracker, best infiltrator, and another that placed me in the top ten best fighters. My wolf thumped with pride as we were awarded, a large medal placed over our heads and two large trophies given to us. I searched the crowd for my mother again and seeing her dabbing at her tears and happily waving to me ignited a smile on my face.

I left the stage shortly after all the female wolves had gotten their recognition, weaving my way in and out of the crowd until I came to a stop, embracing my mother.

"I'm so proud of you, May." She said, squeezing me as my medal clinked loudly against her necklace. I laughed quietly, wiping away her tears and removing the medal, handing it off to her along with my trophies to keep before the mating part of the celebrations started.

I could still feel the eyes of whoever was watching me on my back as I kissed my mother again and began walking away, opting to get a quick drink and snack from the refreshments table before sitting back down again. I had begun to feel lightheaded on the stage; as the hot weather coupled with my nerves was not helping me feel better, and on top of that I hadn't had a fitting breakfast to settle my stomach and my wolf was bristling and whining to meet the eyes of whoever was on me.

I shuddered, feeling a wave of nervousness as I closed my eyes for a brief second to catch my breath. When I opened them and took a few deep breaths, my gaze fell towards the refreshments area, and I froze. Goosebumps erupted onto my skin and despite the hot weather I felt a chill ripple through me. Eyes were on me again, I could feel it, they were even closer this time and my wolf gave me a burst of curiosity as I searched the crowd to find them.

They landed on a man. A powerful aura that had my heart racing in my chest and my wolf whining to submit.

I didn't, however, for a split second I slipped up and held too much eye contact without thinking, entranced by his aura. I quickly cast my eyes down to the grass, cursing under my breath and wringing my hands together as I hoped he was not offended. I would just have to use the crowds to avoid his gaze, I thought.

But when I looked up to see what he was doing, I felt my breath hitch as he began to walk towards me, keeping eye contact the entire way.

I almost jumped out of my skin, eyes wide as he drew closer and I finally recognised him as Aether Shard, Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in the country, Silver Blood.

I was stuck in place, scared and unmoving as he quietly made his way towards me. I cursed at myself again for being so careless, but my mistake was mere seconds long, and it wasn't an uncommon occurrence. I would just have to hope this Alpha was lenient.