DEOLYKOS

Chapter 6.

Deolykos watched with a withdrawn curiosity as the expensive cloth was draped over one of his shoulders and his waist and tied up with ceremonial rope. The South Pack's customs all had so many deep meanings and traditional importances that he'd hardly been able to keep up with it all if he'd tried. If it hadn't been so important, Mordelle wouldn't have practically begged him on his knees to allow them to have the ceremony. The attendant put the finishing touches on his outfit, bowed and walked out of the room. He struggled to understand what all the pomp and circumstance was for but refrained from dwelling on it.

By midday the gigantic cow hide drums were beat loudly to a slow methodic beat, dragging the members of the pack out of their homes to the square where Deolykos and Mordelle already stood waiting on the stage.

He was only partially paying attention to the words being said and the prayers being offered up to the Moon Goddess by the high priestess. The bright colors of the North Pack's emblem that hung gloriously above the square grounds had been draped in white cloth, the very same one the pack members had all worn. He felt his wolf claw at his consciousness, begging to be released, but controlling himself and his wolf, Gale, was nothing new to Deolykos. The thrill of the fight and of brand-new leadership was sure to force out his wolf at some point, though he hadn't expected it to be so soon.

The air was filled with the smell of incense burning at every corner. The earth, woody scent filled his lungs and coated his throat. The priestess urged them to face and kneel before her. Her voice carried loudly through the square, the spell in her song, haunting and rhythmic, weaved an invisible band around them both, he felt his skin prickle at the influence of the magic. The ceremony was performed, bound by the light of the Moon Goddess, they were compelled to speak their true intentions for the pack.

The drums sounded once more as the priestess lifted her spell and they were permitted to stand. He was returned clarity in his senses; his chest was filled once more with the woody scent of the burning incense and...vanilla. Once again, the warm sweet scent of vanilla he'd all but chased in the halls of the castle wafted through his nose, so addicting and magnetic, pulled him towards it. His wolf clawed at his consciousness more urgent and aggravated.

Allowing his eyes to follow his nose, he locked eyes with the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He recognized her long dark brown hair and timid, curvy figure. It was Angelie, Mordelle's only daughter. Words could not describe her allure, she was entrancing, so much so that he all but forgot where he was.

Mate.

He took a step towards her instinctually and forced himself to stop. He reminded himself where he stood and the obligation he had to fulfill. He could find her after, he tried to convince himself, but it was hard to do so when her scent had now penetrated every fiber of his being, he could barely force himself to pull his eyes away from her. His wolf was damn near hysterical, and he felt a migraine like fresh hell budding up behind his eyes. He clenched his hands and teeth and turned back to Mordelle.

With the command from the priestess, they took of their ceremonial garb, shifted promptly into their wolves and circled each other. Battling for the Alpha-ship was completely ceremonial and utterly unnecessary, but Mordelle had insisted, and he had complied, if only he'd known he'd be kicking himself hard days later. He urged his wolf not to chase after her and to focus on the fight. He could still feel her staring at him.

His eyes turned dark and his wolf eyed Mordelle's. Without warning, Mordelle pounced, baring his teeth, but Gale dodged him easily. He had little patience for this useless show, but, weirdly, Mordelle was actually putting up a fight.

Pathetic.

His impatience grew into anger. He just wanted the damned ceremony over with. He could barely keep his emotions in check. He lunged unexpectedly and forced Mordelle to the ground, teeth bared ravenously, blood lust in his eyes. Gale fixed his eyes on Mordelle's throat, growling deeply. He wondered whether if he ended it there, she would see him kill her Alpha – her father.