40

W e've spent all day helping the pack prepare for tonight, and we're about an hour away from beginning the acceptance ceremony for the new wolf. We met and spoke with him already, and he seemed really nice. He was raised in a pack in the south, but when their alpha passed without an heir, it tore the pack apart. Friends and brothers turned on each other, so he made his way north. When he heard of Roman's pack, he continued his journey here.

I have never seen so much food in one place in all my life. It makes sense, though; I've seen how much food six of them can eat; I can't imagine having to cook for an entire pack every day.

The wood the men collected for the bonfire is stacked into a teepee shape that's taller than me in the center of the rock circle that I saw when we came in. With the wood piled that high, that bonfire is going to be humongous.

I'm starting to get a bit jittery from nerves, but I just keep reminding myself how worth it this will be. It almost feels like the jitters aren't just my nerves. It feels as though it's also partially a result of my wolf's excitement.

I'm still so sorry you've been locked up all my life. I truly can't wait to meet you.

She huffs and brushes her calming fur beneath my skin.

I've so enjoyed meeting so many amazing people...or werewolves? I'm not sure what the appropriate protocol is when referencing everyone. Add that to my list of werewolf questions. The women of the pack have been so nice, allowing me to help and just talking with me like I've been here all along.

Penelope has spent the day glued to my side, after approving it with her mother, of course. Her and Roman took me on the grand tour, and it was so much more than I ever expected.

The Twilight werewolves weren't immortal, so they didn't have the time and resources to build something like all of this.

I have to stop comparing, but it still makes me laugh. I can't believe this is real life.

I've been taking pictures of how beautiful everything is too. The people working. The trees. The lake. Roman working with his shirt off. Whew. I'm so glad I brought my camera. It also feels like having my parents here with me for the big day.

Having finished all the chores, Penelope and I have been braiding wildflower crowns for each other and any of the women who would like one, but we stop when we see Roman approaching us. “I hate to spoil the fun, but it's almost time to begin the acceptance ceremony. Would you be by my side?” he asks with his hand extended to me like a fairytale prince.

“I'd be honored.” And my goofy ass curtsies with a snort, causing him to throw his head back and laugh.

When we've pulled ourselves together and make eye contact, the world threatens to fall away and leave just the two of us. The moment is quickly broken when little Penelope takes Roman's other hand to pull herself from the ground where we were sitting.

“Thank you, kind sir,” she says with a dramatic curtsy of her own, then skips over to where her mother is standing, and we break into another small fit of laughter.

Roman takes my hand and leads me to where everyone is gathering by the still unlit bonfire, just as the sun touches the horizon. The rest of his men are waiting near the front as well. Benny winks and smiles his contagious smile, making mine grow wider.

Once everyone gathers around, Roman speaks, “Good evening! I first want to thank everyone for allowing me and Leera to help prepare for this evening. I hope to be much more present in pack activities moving forward.”

He stops for a moment to smile at me, and I know I've got to be red as a tomato.

“We have a new wolf joining our pack this evening. I think everyone else has gotten to know him well since his arrival. Thomas, can you join us?”

The group parts to allow him easier access to join us at the front of the space.

“Thomas, do you vow to honor and protect this pack, participate in traditions, and remain loyal to our people and myself?”

“I swear,” he answers and holds his hand out to Roman.

Roman takes his hand and does this weird move with his jaw, bringing his large canines out like magic, before leaning in and biting the flesh between his thumb and forefinger, just like he described. It begins to bleed, but Roman licks the wound, healing it. There's a small murmur through the crowd, and I assume it's from the physical effects of adding another member to their pack. Roman said they can physically feel it, more similar to a family bond, as it's not as strong as a mate bond.

Thomas nods, as though to bow to Roman, and Roman claps him on the shoulder in that weird man-hug thing men do. They then turn to the crowd. “Everyone, let’s formally welcome Thomas into the pack!” Roman bellows, and everyone claps and whoops.

Now that the ceremony is over and the sun is slowly sinking, some men begin to light the bonfire, and the women begin bringing all the food out of the community building. I smile at Roman before running over to help.

It probably takes us thirty minutes to carry out what's basically a massive feast of smoked meats, veggies, salads, pasta, fruit, and homemade breads. I haven't seen so much homemade food in one place, well, ever. When it's all laid out and Penelope has gone through and put a spoon or tongs in each bowl and platter, Miss Tilly yells, “Come and get it!” The twins start running towards the tables when she levels them with a look. “Children first!”

They pout in jest and kick rocks like scolded children.

The kids and pups scurry to the tables, some dragging their mothers, and begin making plates. A couple of them try to woo their parents into letting them have dessert first. Roman comes up to my side, and I lean into him, just taking it all in.

“I love it here,” I tell him breathlessly. “Your pack, the lands—it feels like the real world, except none of my problems can reach us here.”

He wraps one arm around me, pulling me closer, and kisses the top of my head. “I've always felt at peace here, but nothing compares to being here with you.”

I turn into him, resting my hand on his heart. “I'm beginning to understand that my peace seems to be wherever you are.”

Just as I lean in to kiss him, Benny pops out from behind Roman. “New guy seems okay, yeah?” He's smiling like he knows exactly what he just did, and he narrowly dodges a smack to the back of the head. “Gotta be quicker than that, old man!”

“Can we eat now? I'm starved.” And on cue, my stomach rumbles.

Slate reaches the tables as we do, and it's weird not to see him tethered to an electronic of some kind. “What, no research tonight?”

I swear, he almost smiled! I saw his lip twitch!

“Unfortunately not, there isn't cell service out here, and the only internet that works remotely well is the hardwired stuff,” he explains with a shrug.

“That makes sense. I hadn't even thought of that. Well, as a pack, you don't really need cell phones since you can communicate without them,” I rationalize out loud.

Both men nod, loading their plates with enough food to feed, well, a wolf.

We probably have about ten minutes before the sunset is complete, so we take our seats to eat around the bonfire. Everyone is smiling. Well, except Slate. But even he's happy; he just doesn't show it on the outside. It doesn't make sense, but it's like I can feel it. The happiness.

It's like when you're driving down the road in the desert, and it's so hot that the air in the distance looks wiggly and distorted. Like some kind of visible gas or something. It's so weird, but that's how it feels. I know that doesn't really make sense, but it's all I've got. It must have to do with the ceremonies and the bonfire.

When we've finished eating, I grab as many plates around me as I can. A few people didn't want me to take it for them, but I insisted. I want to be just like everyone else, even if I'm Roman's mate. I don't want special treatment. The trash is taken almost all the way back to the clubhouse where the food was pulled from. When I turn to walk back, the beauty of it all stops me in my tracks.

The lake in the distance, surrounded by trees older than even these wolves. The bonfire roaring to life, surrounded by people of all ages sitting, standing, and even dancing. Crickets chirping and the last lightning bugs of the year taking flight.

I forget that I was walking back to the group when Roman joins me, wrapping a shawl around my shoulders, even though I hadn't really gotten cold yet, even if it's already October.

It's already been two months into my new life, but somehow it feels like a lifetime.

“With the sun fully set, you could shift any time. Would you like to be out here with the pack, or would you like to have some privacy?” he asks with a tinge of worry in his eyes.

“I'm okay, Roman. I want to be out here with the pack, like everyone else,” I tell him as strongly as I can, even though my legs kind of feel like Jello.

As we make our way back to the bonfire, one of the children hollers, and at first, I worry something is wrong, but then I realize he's shifting. Everyone grants him space. No one's staring at him. His parents are nearby, offering quiet words of encouragement. The sounds are the worst part. Hearing bones crunch and realign like that is terrifying, but I'm sure I'll get used to it someday.

After about four or five minutes, his shift is complete, and a dark chocolate little wolf is bounding around where the little boy once was. Everyone either claps or howls their encouragement. Both his and his parents' eyes are shining with pride, his mother patting away her happy tears. They shift and join him, prancing and running around, and I can't help the swell in my chest.

I could have that someday.

We find a spot to settle in and wait. Roman and I start talking about his life in Zabella. He doesn't have many fond memories, but hearing stories about another world is fascinating.

Benny is about to tell us a story of little Roman when I start to feel...something.

“R-roman I...s-something's...ahhhh!”

He scrambles from where he’s sitting and kneels beside me where I've fallen to the ground. I'm getting the burning flesh feeling I got when my wolf tried to force her way out.

I vaguely notice Miss Tilly, Jeanine, and the men around me, but my eyes can't seem to focus. Another small scream rips from my lungs.

“Is she okay?” I barely hear Roman worry over the pain.

“She's fine, Alpha. Due to her age, her first shift is going to be even more uncomfortable than most.”

I roll over onto all fours to try and just move through the pain coming over me in waves.

For a moment, I genuinely feel as though someone has thrown me into the bonfire; just before my body goes cold and is covered in goosebumps, I hear the first pop, causing me to cry out again.

“You've got this, Sweetheart.”

Bones crunching.

“Everything's going to be okay; keep breathing.”

Tendons stretching.

“You're almost there.”

Fur sprouting.

“Holy shit.”

For a single second, I can't hear or see anything as I feel my wolf's presence consume me, and my scream morphs into a howl of triumph.

Just as all four of my feet, er, paws, hit the earth, what can only be described as a shockwave courses through my body. Not only does it travel through my entire body, but it passes through my legs, into the earth, and out into the world. It blows out the entire bonfire. It brings the pack to their knees. Why are they bowing? This did not happen when the little boy shifted.

Everything I see through the eyes of my wolf is so much sharper. Every breath I take, I can smell everything, but... oh my god... the smell of cherries and leather is what I turn to, my eyes nearly rolling back in my head.

I find Roman in a state somewhere between shock and awe, his men gathered around him. Everyone but Andrei, wearing the same face as the rest of the pack.

Is something wrong with my wolf?

I look down and inspect my legs. My fur is silver, like my hair! I turn to check my sides when I see my tail, so I swish it back and forth and mentally beam. My wolf prances in a circle in excitement before rushing up to Roman and nuzzling him.

Then, for the appropriate payback, I serve Roman and Benny the biggest, slobberiest kisses I can, but they continue to gape at me.

I hunch down and whimper at their reactions.

Andrei snaps out of it first. “Roman, I feel I have some explaining to do.”