Saving Grace

Chapter 3 (Part 2)

   The drive to the Scarlet Summit pack house was dreadful. My mind was racing wondering what it would be like to meet so many werewolves at the same time. What would they think of me? Would they look at me as some outsider, or would they accept me? As awful as it sounds, it wouldn't really matter what they thought because my life would end in just a few short years.

   Thinking of all the things I would miss out on made a lone tear fall from the corner of my eye. I would never have a family, never be a grandparent or be able to watch my children grow up. There was so much in life that I would miss out on. I would never fully be able to choose a career for myself, I would only get to experience maybe a year of college if my sickness would allow me.

   The sound of the car tires on gravel pulled me from my thoughts. It was only then that I realized my mother was looking at me with sympathy in her eyes.

   "Are you sure you want to do this today sweetheart," my mother's voice was so soothing that all of the troubled thoughts left my mind.

   "I'm sure mom." I plastered on a smile.

   Lorena, my mother, and I walked up the front steps to the pack house. As most, it was large in size, but the thing that drew me most to this place was the home-like feeling you received as soon as you walked in the door. Many Alphas are ruthless, cold, and even sometimes killers. In this house, however, you could tell that the Alpha that reigned was very kind, and looked after his pack members. Every room that you walked in was very neat and organized, and had all the essentials that any wolf would ever need. Right down to feminine hygiene products.

   "We'll be doing the coronation in the back yard," Lorena stated. "There is more room there for all of the pack members."

   The three of us walked into what I assumed was the Alpha's office. I walked through the door and the smell of pine and campfires hit my nose once more. My eyes shot closed as I inhaled. The sound of someone clearing their throat pulled me out of my trance, and I sat in the chair in front of Alpha Camus's desk with and embarrassed look on my face.

   "Let me explain a little bit on how this is going to work. I assume none of you have ever been sworn into a pack seeing as how both of you were betas?" Alpha Camus questioned.

   "No Alpha, my wife and I were both born into the pack we were betas of." My father replied confidently.

   "Well this is an easy process, so it should go smoothly. All you have to do is repeat what I say in front of the pack, and you are sworn in. However, if you break any of the vows you make, you must understand that you will be punished for it like any member of this pack. Is that clear?" The Alpha's voice was hard, showing that he meant the words he spoke.

   "Yes, Alpha." My parents and I spoke simultaneously.

   "Good, now follow me. The pack is waiting out back and you three will stand by me throughout the coronation." Alpha Camus instructed.

   My parents and I were lead outside as we followed the Alpha to stand in front of about four-hundred werewolves. If I wasn't already nervous, I was now. Every pair of eyes were on us as we came to a stop in front of the crowd. Before the Alpha could utter a word, the smell that keeps taunting me once again hit my nose. I decided to ignore it and wait until after the coronation to find the source of it.

   "Members of the Scarlet Summit pack!" The Alpha's booming voice echoed throughout the yard, and all members stopped talking. "You are here today to witness three new members being added into this pack! I expect them to all be treated as equals, and if I hear of any one person treating them any less you will be punished!"

   A chorus of "yes Alpha" was heard as everyone slightly bowed their head in submission.

   "Now, Jennifer, Steve, and Grace Sawyer have been occupying this land for many years. Any other rogues would have been seen as a threat. The reason they are allowed into this pack is because they have been here for so long. Grace, would you please step forward." Alpha Camus directed.

   I did as told and he spoke once more. "I, state your name."

   "I, Grace Sawyer,"

   "Do hereby declare myself a member of the Scarlet Summit pack."

   "Do hereby declare myself a member of the Scarlet Summit pack."

   "If any laws are broken at my hand, or treason is committed by me, I understand that the punishment for my crimes will be decided by the reigning Alpha."

   "If any laws are broken at my hand, or treason is committed by me, I understand that the punishment for my crimes will be decided by the reigning Alpha."

   A sudden rush of voices became apparent in my thoughts as I realized that I now could speak through the mind-link with any werewolf I wanted to within the pack. The Alpha went on to swear in my parents with them repeating the same words that I had just previously said.

   After the three of us became members of the pack, Lorena took us around to meet several people. One of the people she introduced us to was Shane Belmont, the current beta's oldest son. He was handsome, with short brown hair, and grey colored eyes, an stood around six feet tall. Shane had a sense of mystery about him, and I guessed that he had a bad past.

   After being introduced to Shane, Lorena then took us to meet her youngest son who was fourteen and whose name was Dalton Fitcher. While being introduced to Dalton, I started to get anxious, as the smell I've been craving to find was lingering close to my senses. It was then, that Lorena took us to meet her oldest son. I froze as soon as I realized that the man she was taking us to was the source of the scent that's been driving my mind wild. Staring at his back, I watched as it tensed and his head lifted sniffing the air. The man turned to face me and ran the distance between us. I was lifted in the air and felt a head being cuddled into my neck.

   "Mate!" He growled.

   I gasped as I heard the one voice I thought I would never hear.

   'Mate'

   My parents, Alpha Camus, and Lorena all turned to look at me with concern on their faces. I was taken away from my mate whose name I had yet to learn, by my father and the Alpha. "What is it? What's wrong sweetie?" My father fired off questions at me.

   "M-my wolf. Sh-she spoke." I stuttered. Then, I was pulled back into a hard chest that was growling.

    "Mate!" My mate shouted. He then spoke soothingly to me. "Your wolf is supposed to talk to you beautiful." My eyes welled with tears as he spoke.

   "You don't understand, Pierce. We need to have this conversation in private." Alpha Camus suggested.

   So Pierce was his name. It suited him well, with his black hair and his six foot two frame. He was well built but not overly muscular, which I liked. His eyes were a very intriguing purple color, and his smile was absolutely incredible with a dimple on each cheek.

   "My mate is staying with me!" Pierce roared.

   "Then bring her son, we have things that need to be discussed."

   The pack was dismissed, and Pierce, Lorena, Alpha Camus, and I were lead back to the Alpha's office. My parents were sent with about seven guys back to our house to help them start packing all of our belongings to move into the new house.

   "Grace, you may sit down. This is going to be a long conversation." Lorena directed.

   I did as she said, with Pierce sitting on my left.

   "Pierce," Alpha Camus started, "Grace's wolf is dying."

   A loud growl came from my mate's lips, and I sat quietly waiting for this conversation to end.