52. Happiness

fifty-two

Happiness

*ELDEN*

O ur inauguration ceremony, as Samuel calls it instead of a normal Alpha and Luna Ceremony, kicks off without any further issues. I didn’t notice how tense I was until we finally reached that date. I thought, for sure, that my father would do something idiotic again, but nothing happened. Granted, I had received my powers before that already, but the ceremony is important for me. I want it for the pack, but also for Flora.

My mother was well-liked but she never received the respect she deserved, neither did Emilia. I want all of them to know that things are going to change.

It bothers me that the pack doesn’t know how strong Flora truly is and how unique her powers are, but we can’t tell anyone the truth. However, I made sure that everyone knew she defeated her abductors herself. She didn’t need to be saved.

It’s a much bigger event than I anticipated it to be, but, apparently, me taking over the pack is a huge deal for our world. A royal lycan alpha . A lot of alphas from around the country came, and even some visitors from the Council. Jace and his parents are here, too. So is Janice, but she came on her own, as Flora’s guest. It pains me to see that the both of them have to be so secretive, that they can’t even talk to each other when his parents are around.

Flora, however, makes a big show about Janice being here, and being her best friend, making sure to prance around in front of Jace’s parents. She even talks to them while towing Janice along. Of course, her strategy works, and Jace’s father even tells Jace to make sure he returns Janice safely to the pack and to her grandmother once the party is over. His parents clearly don’t want to lose face in front of Flora by not caring for Janice’s safety.

A hint of a smirk curls Flora’s lips, like it always does when she successfully manipulates someone.

“Man, this is awesome,” Vincent says. He and the other guys immediately approach me after the official part of the ceremony. A long one, with Samuel giving a speech and Geneva leading through it all. “Congrats! Finally official! And may I say that your mate is totally stealing the spotlight today?”

“You may,” I chuckle. “I want everyone to know how awesome she is.” My eyes find Flora, who is currently squeezing Janice. She is wearing her mom’s flowy lilac dress, which makes her look like she is out of a fairytale. Emilia has helped her with her hair, and she looks breathtaking. There is something so alluring about her. It was always obvious to me, but since she turned eighteen and received her powers, it seems like her enigmatic aura and her fairylike, yet confident, presence seem to attract others as well.

“Biggest simp in the history, right Calv?” Vincent teases.

They both laugh.

“You will understand when you find your mates,” I retort. “Then let’s see who has the last laugh.”

“Are you not curious to meet your mate?” Jace asks them.

“I am not really feeling any urge to find her immediately,” Vincent admits. “I am a bit weird with what I want. But what happens will happen. That’s fine. I am sure I will find the right person.”

“I agree with Vince,” Calvin says. “I am not stressing over it now.”

“How does it feel?” Jace asks me. “To be alpha?”

“Powerful,” I admit. “I thought it would be scarier than it is to hold so much power.”

“That’s because it comes naturally to you,” Calvin says. “You were born for this.”

“Yeah, I have heard it’s similar for all alpha heirs. It will be the same for you, Jace,” Vincent says.

Jace’s smile freezes shortly, but then he nods. “I hope so.” He turns to look at my betas. “What about you? How does it feel to be betas officially, now?”

“Pretty amazing,” Vincent grins. “Can’t lie about that.”

“It’s a great honor,” Calvin adds.

“Hey!” Flora calls out while she and Janice approach us. She wraps her arms around me. “Finally, I found you.”

“It’s not like he doesn’t stick out, huh?” Vincent teases. “Easily the tallest guy here.”

Flora ignores him. “This event is fantastic,” she exclaims. “I didn’t think so many would come and join us to celebrate.”

“Elden is incredibly popular,” Calvin explains to us. “He has always been, ever since his birth.”

“It’s true, huh?” Vincent says while scanning the huge gathering of wolves and lycans, who are paying us our respect.

“It means I have a lot to prove,” I say.

“Don’t worry, we are here too,” Vincent reassures me. “Rome wasn’t built in one day either. We are going to rebuild this pack properly and turn it back to its former strength.”

“I disagree,” Calvin says. “Why strive for something in the past when we can turn it into something better?”

“Wow,” Vincent says breathlessly. “That was deep, Calv! I had no idea you could be so thoughtful!”

We all laugh.

“How are you two doing?” I ask Jace and Janice, in a joyful tone, as if I am talking about the weather. Vincent already suspects something, but Calvin has no clue, probably because it doesn’t interest him.

“Fine, thanks to Flora,” Janice says with a smile, winking slightly at us.

“Yeah, we are looking forward to university. Did you know that Janice and I coincidentally are going to study the same subject?”

“No way?” Flora mock-gasps.

“We are going to be fine,” Jace adds. “We are in it for the long run.”

“We are,” Janice agrees.

They both look like they have put together a plan that’s going to work for them. The goal is to focus on college, and then it’s hopefully Jace’s turn to claim his pack. Once alpha, he can take Janice as his mate without anyone opposing it. Until then, Flora and I will cover for them as much as possible.

“Say, what are you going to do with your father’s true mate?” Flora asks me. “I completely forgot about it, but you said you had plans after you won the challenge.”

“Oh,” I smile brightly. “Actually, I put things into motion already. Samuel forced my dad to reject the mate bond, setting his fated mate, Alma, free. And he was also forced to break his bond to Emilia. I have talked to Tobias and Alma, and also to Aunt Elspeth.”

“And?” Jace asks curiously. “What’s the plan?”

“Tobias, Alma and Minnie suffered so much because of my father, I wanted to give them the chance to start anew. Remember when we visited my Aunt Elspeth?” I wait for them all to nod, before I continue. “She told me about a great uncle I have in Egypt. I called Aunt Elspeth last week, and she told me more about him. He is – what did she call it? – unique, free-spirited, has a few screws loose, but he is also very kind and helpful, and he is doing really well in Egypt. I have only talked to him briefly, but Geneva helped me research his pack. I thought maybe Tobias, Alma and Minnie want to travel there to see for themselves. If they want, they can stay with him and start anew in his pack. If not, they can travel for a while and then return. Samuel also offered them to find a place for them in Paris, if that’s what they prefer.”

“That’s fantastic,” Janice exclaims. “Did they agree?”

“Yes,” I say. “I will meet with them all personally, too, but for now we only talked on the phone. They want to take me up on the offer and travel to Egypt. Tobias promised to watch out for Alma and Minnie.”

“It sounds like a much-needed break for them,” Vincent says. “Good job, Elden.”

“There is someone else who will travel with them,” I say.

“Emilia?” Vincent asks.

“You noticed?”

“Well, she shopped for new clothes last week, all of them for warmer weather,” he says. “I also saw her reading about Egyptian packs.”

“She deserves a second chance in life,” I say, before I gaze at the crowd, looking for Emilia. Once I spot her, our eyes meet, and she waves at me. She looks so much happier now, as if a heavy weight was lifted off her shoulders. When I offered her a place in my great-uncle’s pack, she was surprised at first, but I could see the idea intrigued her.

I have heard from Geneva that she is even in constant contact with Tobias and Alma, but particularly with Tobias. I don’t want to think too much ahead, but maybe they will both get a second chance at something else, too, not just at their living situation.

I like the idea that the three people my father wronged so much get a new life somewhere else.

“Also,” I say. “For your information. I am going to carry my mother’s last name from now on. Her legacy means so much more to me than my father’s, and I want to honor her.”

Flora’s eyes widen in joy. “That’s a fantastic idea!”

“I agree,” Vincent exclaims.

“Elden Alcott has a nice ring to it,” Jace says.

“Flora Alcott sounds amazing too,” Janice says with a smirk towards Flora.

“You bet it does,” she grins.

For a while, we all linger on our own thoughts, then, Flora kisses my cheek. “I want to dance with you.”

“Then let’s go,” I say, taking her hand.

“And I want to eat something,” Janice says. “The buffet looks amazing. Emilia really went all out in her planning.”

“Let’s grab some food for the ladies,” Jace offers, instantly jumping on the opportunity to do something for his woman.

“And you guys take turns dancing with Janice,” Flora demands. “I told her alpha that I will watch out for her. No excuses. You too, Jace!”

“Got you, Luna Flora,” Jace says, smiling at her.

“You are such a meddlesome person,” I whisper to her, as I tug her to the dance floor. The ceremony is outside, but Geneva and Emilia made sure there would be a huge dance floor for everyone who wants to dance. It’s supposed to be a party for the whole pack. “It’s amazing.”

“I know,” Flora smirks. “His idiotic father had no chance against me.” She wraps her arms around my neck and I make sure to lift her up so that she is eye to eye with me and can lean her forehead against mine. “Elden?” she asks.

“Yes?”

“Promise me something.”

“Whatever you want.”

“Promise we will be as happy as possible.”