Chapter 18-1

The next day felt like all I did was wait for the bloodening ceremony to begin. It would take place after dinner, so I had the whole day to pass. I spent most of it unpacking and then walking around the village and the surrounding area. I was walking along the creek when I heard footsteps and scented Medow. I stopped walking and waited for her to catch up.

“You are one hard cookie to find. I had to track you down with my suffer,” she said as she saw me. I smiled.

“Sorry. Trying to get to know the area,” I explained.

“I get it. It’s a beautiful pack land, we were lucky to get it,” she said.

“Were you with the pack when it split from the Ocean Shore pack?” I asked her.

“No, that was before I met Sam. After they split from their old pack, the group temporarily got shelter with the Coyote Hill pack. My old pack were allies with that pack, and we assisted with additional tents and supplies. That’s how I met Sam,” she told me.

“And you chose to go to his pack even though they didn’t have a home?”

“Well, yes. In my old pack I was just an ordinary pack member. I liked it there and I had my family there. But Finlay and the pack needed Sam. He was their Gamma, and there had already been so many changes for them that I knew they didn’t need to lose their Gamma as well. So it wasn’t a hard decision to make. And then Finlay found this land, and I have never been happier.”

“It is beautiful here,” I agreed. “So why did you look for me?”

“It’s almost time to get ready for the ceremony. It’s best to do it before dinner as we head over to the clearing right after,” she said. “I was hoping we could get ready together.” Her voice sounded more uncertain. “It’s not that I don’t have any friends here. I do. Everyone has been amazing. But I’m part of the top tier of the pack, and that creates a distance to the rest of the pack. And since neither Martin nor Finley has found their mates, it’s a bit lonely being the only female, except for Matilda, on the top.”

“I get it,” I told her. “That’s one of the reasons my brother and I grew so close to the Alpha and Gamma children in my old pack. It’s nice to have friends that know what responsibilities you live with,” I said. “And I would love to get ready with you.” She smiled at me, and we hooked arms and walked back to the pack house. Along the way, Medow pointed out some of her favorite spots, and as we were almost at the pack house, she pointed out her and Sam’s house. It was a nice two-story house a bit away from the pack house. “My place or yours?” I asked her.

“I have already put my things outside your room,” Medow said. “What are you going to wear?” she asked as we got into my room, and she started unpacking her small bag.

“I was hoping I could get away with something simple? I really haven’t had the occasion to dress up in the last few years,” I told her. She frowned at me.

“It’s your bloodening ceremony. It should be special. I would lend you something, but you’re as tall as a freaking tree. All my dresses would look ridiculous on you. Can I have a look in your closet?” she asked.

“Be my guest,” I said and made a hand movement towards where my clothes were. She dove right in, and I smiled at her enthusiasm. I heard her make disapproving sounds.

“Oh, I think I have found something,” she told me. She reemerged holding a summer dress in teal with big cream-colored flowers. It was full length, flowing, and CeCe had made me buy it for a party I ended up never attending.

“I don’t know,” I said hesitantly.

“Well, I do. This is it,” she insisted. I folded, and we spent an hour getting ready while talking. We found we had a lot in common, but were also different in many ways. “I know the boys are looking forward to picking your brain. They need someone with formal training. But so do I. So please leave some of your energy for me,” she told me.

Chapter 18-2

“I think you all are worrying too much about formal training. Look at this pack. It’s a good pack, a balanced pack, and you seem to be doing well. Whatever you are doing is obviously working,” I told her as I pushed my free-flowing hair back.

“That is sweet of you, but I think we all will feel better when we can confirm we are doing things the right way,” she insisted and pulled my hair back so it fell over my shoulder.

“Don’t put too much credit into the old ways. Sometimes it’s healthy to find new ways. Stagnancy is never good,” I said and resisted the urge to push my hair back. I wasn’t used to having it hang loose.

“See. This is the kind of wisdom we need. Ready to head down?” Medow asked.

“Ready as I’ll be. Thank you for getting ready with me,” I said. She hooked her arm in mine.

“No problem, it was a lot of fun. We even complement each other,” she giggled. I looked down on our dresses. Hers, a powder pink with small white flowers.

“We do,” I agreed. We made our way down to the dining hall and found it almost full to the brim with wolves dressed up. Even the pups looked ready for a party. The dining room had been decorated with green birch branches and red flowers. “Wow,” was all I could say.

“Wow, indeed.” I turned around and saw Finlay looking at me with a grin. Sam walked up to us and drew Medow into a kiss. I walked over to Finlay to let the mated pair have a moment. “You clean up nicely, red,” he told me.

“Thank you, Alpha,” I said. There was a glint in his eyes when I said it, but it was gone before I could identify it.

“It’s Finlay as long as we’re not doing something formal,” he told me. I gave him a smile. “Don’t tell me you are nervous, red,” he said.

“Me? Not at all. I’m just going to stand up, in a dress, in front of the whole pack and swear an oath and cut my hand open. I can’t even count the number of ways I can screw this up,” I honestly told him.

“Hey, hey, I know you will do fine. Some butterflies are normal. But you got this,” he told me. He reached for my hand and gently squeezed it. I took a deep breath and nodded. I tried not to notice how calming his touch was. He was my Alpha and my friend, that’s all.

“Amie, you look amazing. I have to have the broom ready to keep all the single wolves in this pack away. That’s unless you don’t want me to keep them away,” Matilda said as she walked up to us. I hugged her and gave her a hug.

“Please keep the broom ready and hand me one as well,” I told her. We all sat down and ate, the spirit was high, and the dining room was filled with laughter. I took a moment and enjoyed it. Martin smiled at me.

“Are you having fun?” he asked.

“I am. I didn’t think I missed pack life this much,” I told him. He nodded.

“I can’t imagine living as long as you did without a pack. I don’t know if I’m impressed, or if I should worry about your mental health,” he said. I laughed.

“I think it’s about fifty-fifty, to be honest.” He joined in my laughter.

“Are you ready to do this?” Finlay asked a moment later. I looked around the room at the pack, and it had been a long time since I had been as sure about anything in my life.

“I’m ready,” I told him. He gave me a smile and stood up.

“Let’s all go to the clearing, it’s time for the bloodening,” he called out. There was a cheer, and everyone got up and moved towards the woods. I find myself walking in the middle of the pack, flanked by Finley and Matilda. The bonfire was lit, and as darkness fell around us, I felt the world shrink until everything that existed was the clearing and the pack.