Falling for your Fate

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

'Do you think he'll be much longer?' I asked, swinging my legs absently. I sat atop the stage that held only memories that filled me with shame. I watched them swing high above the ground before I looked up at Joey to see him silently, shake his head.

Steven had brought seven other men with him, out to the clearing where my fateful ceremony had taken place all those weeks ago. None of them were familiar and I could only assume that they were fully fledged warriors and lived outside the pack house. They didn't seem to lookout me with disgust and anger like the others did but that did nothing to weaken my suspicion.

They were positioned widely around the clearing, eyes vigilant while Steven remained at my other side. He and Joey seemed to be having a silent standoff, neither saying a word to each other since we had arrived here over an hour ago.

Just when I thought we might wait another hour, the heads in the clearing snapped in the direction of breaking branches and loud voices. The men around the clearing seemed to stand taller and I could almost sense their wolves shifting beneath their human skin. I looked up at Joey worriedly, but his eyes were intent on the approaching voices.

'Don't move Luna,' Steven instructed, causing Joey to shoot him a dirty look. However,  his eyes were quickly drawn back to the approaching noises.

'Stay behind me,' Joey instructed.

'Why?' I asked nervously. The footsteps were getting closer and I could feel the tension beginning to peak. The men in the clearing were preparing for battle, several crouching low to the ground, sniffing the air as Steven spoke commands. My heart was racing and my eyes were darting around the clearing, terrified of who might step out from the trees.

Just when it felt as if the approaching footsteps would crush us a tiny figure darted out from the thicket of trees.

'Aunt Leora,' she screamed giddily and instantly the tension in the clearing dissipated.

'Kora?' I frowned, just before she launched herself into my arms.

'I led the pack,' she smiled proudly and I looked at her in confusion for a moment before I looked up and saw the clear was starting to fill with people.

'What's going on?' I asked anxiously, shifting Kora so she was on my hip furthest from the approaching crowd.

'Uncle Bray called a pack meeting,' she answered, bouncing excitedly on my hip.

'Alpha,' My eyes darted to Steven, only to see Breadon walking towards me with a determined look on his face. Instantly, I felt all the blood drain from my face. It was happening again.

'Aunt Leora, why are you shaking? Are you cold?' Kora asked, her arms wrapping more tightly around me.

'Joey,' I breathed, looking at him desperately. I couldn't go through this again. Feeling my palms begin to sweat, I set a reluctant Kora on the ground, stumbling back from where Breadon now stood atop the stage.

'Luna,' Joey started worriedly, his arm reaching out and pulling me close.

'Aunt Leora, you look white,' Kora frowned, reaching for my hand and holding it tightly in her own.

'New Knight Pack,' Breadon boomed and instantly the clearing fell silent. I didn't dare look out among the crowd, terrified of the anger I might find. 'Just over a month ago I stood before you to welcome your new Luna into this pack.' My heart dropped out of my chest as my eyes leapt to his. His hand was extended to me expectantly and my limbs seemed to fill with lead.

I could feel the eyes of the pack burning into my skin as silence filled the clearing.

'Aunt Leora,' Kora whisper yelled, tugging me towards the stage despite my protesting body. I looked over at Joey, who wore a scowl on his face as he watched Breadon. Even Steven watched him sceptically from where he now stood beside the stage.