Castro had made sure it hadn’t been a bed of butterflies and roses, but ultimately, his attempts to tear us apart and destroy the pack had backfired. All it had done was bring Liza and me closer together.
Castro had no business being here with me, in my head, as I walked to my father and my future. I pushed all thoughts of the bastard out of my mind and lifted my chin high.
Everything was coming together as it should. The time was right. I had my fated mate, and I relished the moment, knowing that my life was on the precipice of fulfilling my potential as leader of the pack.
The unexpected rush of emotions took me by surprise. A lump formed in my throat. My parents had never been shy about showing their love for me, but it was the unadulterated pride radiating from my father’s face that nearly brought me to my knees.
With unwavering determination, I propelled myself forward, keeping my mind set firmly on the task at hand.
The swell of pride in Dad’s chest made me think of the future. Liza and I would have children of our own. One day, I’d be standing in front of the altar going through the same ritual with my own son, and so the circle of the Keller legacy would continue.
I made my way in front of the altar, my heart pounding in my chest, and adrenaline coursing through my veins. My hands trembled with both excitement and nerves.
This was a pivotal moment, not just for my father and me, but for everyone in attendance, and the wider pack as a whole.
The passing of the alpha power from father to son.
As I stood at my father’s side, his voice resonated through the clearing, rich with pride and emotion. “Pack members, today marks a significant milestone in our pack’s history. It is with immense pride and gratitude that I stand before you all ready to pass on the alpha power.”
The crowd hushed, their collective anticipation building. They looked at Dad with reverence, their loyalty clear in the unwavering gazes fixed upon him.
I caught Mother’s eye, seeing the same expression of pride there I’d seen in Dad’s. She sat to the side of the front row, dressed in a long, fitted red dress that fell to her calves. As the moon illuminated her face, her beauty shone through.
She turned her head and watched Dad closely. Like the rest of the pack, she was hanging on his every word. My mother was just as invested in the ceremony as he was, if not more.
Tonight, her son would take the place of her husband, her duty of raising me and preparing me to be alpha complete.
“I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude,” my father continued, his voice carrying the weight of his years of leadership.
“To each one of you who has stood by my side, who has shown unwavering loyalty and support, I am eternally grateful.Your dedication has been the bedrock upon which our pack has thrived.”
A resounding display of appreciation and admiration erupted with the crowd’s thunderous applause. The echoes reverberated through the clearing, their cheers a testament to the unbreakable bond between our pack members and their alpha.
As the applause subsided, my father’s voice filled the silence, once again. “Today, I stand before you, humbled by the privilege of serving as your alpha. It has been an honor to protect and guide this pack, to witness your strength and unity in the face of adversity. Now, as I pass the mantle to my son Tyson, I do so with complete trust and confidence in his ability to lead.”
The crowd’s reaction was a symphony of emotions. Some cheered, their voices filled with hope and anticipation for the future. Others murmured with nostalgia, their expressions mirroring the depth of their connection to our pack’s history.
My father’s words stirred something deep within me. The trust and pride that radiated from him fueled my determination. I couldn’t help but feel a swell of gratitude and responsibility, knowing that I carried the hopes and dreams of our pack upon my shoulders.
As the crowd’s emotions settled into a hushed reverence, my father stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. His touch was both comforting and reassuring, a silent acknowledgment of the bond we shared.
“Together,” my father said, his voice strong yet filled with a touch of nostalgia, “we have weathered countless storms, triumphed over challenges, and grown stronger as a pack. Today, I entrust you, my son, with the power to protect, to lead, and to forge a future that will honor our legacy.”
The words hung in the air, a solemn reminder of the responsibility that lay before me. The pack—my family—lookedupon me with such hope and support, their faith in me evident in their unwavering gazes.
In that moment, as I stood at the altar, surrounded by the pack that had become my second family, I was determined to not let them down. The ceremony marked not just a passing of power, but a commitment to protect, guide, and nurture the pack that had embraced me as their own.
I knelt in front of Dad as my mother stepped forward. She kissed him on the cheek and gently removed his crown, then placed it on my head.
It was heavier than I’d expected. Not only in physical weight, but with the gravity of responsibility that now rested on my shoulders.Heavy is the head who wears the crown. The phrase popped into my mind, something Mother would say often to Dad when he had a lot on his plate.
I bowed my head in respect as a tear rolled down Dad’s face, and he smiled proudly at me.
Dad placed a hand over my claiming bite, and a surge of energy moved through me as he spoke. “From this day until it’s time for you to pass it on, you are now alpha.”
My fangs extended as every part of me felt electrocuted. I tilted my head back and howled. As soon as the howl ended, I immediately noticed a difference within myself. I felt stronger, my senses sharper.
Dad was right, though. It was heavy.
