Chapter 32

The pack had arrived promptly. They hung around in clusters, whispering and pointing. They knew something big was about to happen. I guess they have been waiting five years for a Luna announcement, and, because I rarely did entire pack announcements, they all knew tonight would be big.

Sophie clutched and fidgeted with her hands nervously. On our walk here there had been a lot of what ifs. I tried reassuring her that it didn't matter what other's thought as long as we had each other. Knowing this had calmed her a bit.

Looking at her now, all I wanted to do was hold her. I wanted to kiss away the fears and worry. I wanted to strip her naked and make her body come alive. Blaze purred at the thought of that, and I chuckled to myself. He wanted me to go to her but she and I both knew we couldn't display affection just yet. Not with the already large crowd gathering in front of us.

As the time to talk neared I began to shake a little. It wasn't unusual for me to feel like this. Even my father had to psych himself for a big meeting such as this. I knew I could do it. I cleared my throat. Grabbed a water bottle and took a quick swig before placing it on the floor next to the row of chairs at the back. Sophie took her seat and let out a long sigh. I smiled at her before walking towards the front and switching on the microphone. A clawing sensation kept digging at my mind. I knew someone was trying to contact me but everyone knew I put a block up to all communication via the link when a big pack meeting such as this was called.

"Good Evening everyone." A hush rumbled across the crowd as members who had their backs turned quickly righted themselves. "Tonight, there are a few announcements. I will not keep you here longer than you need but I stress that these announcements are vital to our pack." I paused for a moment letting everyone settle and I took a big gulp of air. "Some of you may or may not know I was intending to announce your Luna as Ms Tatiana Squires. She claimed that she had befallen pregnant to me and as a man of honour I had chosen to make her my mate. However, Ms Squires had deceived me, your current Luna, and her rightful mate, Gamma Luke. She brought shame to herself and her family. If you believed her, you were lied too as well." Again, I paused letting the murmurs die away. "As your Alpha I should have protected you and I apologise for my misguidance. I was trying to do what I believed was right for this pack. I wanted to prove to you all that I was a man of my word and honour and would have stuck with her, forsaking my own mate for the child she carries. When I learnt the pup was not mine but that of Gamma Luke's, her rightful mate, I realised how foolish I had been. Because I had met my true mate."

A buzz erupted from the crowd. The chatter grew louder, and I had to raise my hand to silence the growing rumble. Silence quickly followed and I cleared my throat.

"Before we get to that. I would like to welcome a new member into our pack. You have probably all seen her around at some point over the last month or so. She was raised by humans and we are in the process or searching for her biological family. She has chosen to make our pack her permanent home. Sophie will you please join me?" I turned and held my hand out to Sophie.

She got up and walked gracefully towards me. I couldn't help but smile at her. I was so in love with this woman. I wanted to tell the entire world she was mine, but I needed to be just a little more patient.

We had gone over the next few steps a hundred times. Luke brought forward a small table draped with our Pack colours of azure blue and gold. A chalice with red wine sat in the centre. A knife lay to the right. As an Alpha I would go first. I cut my palm first, squeezing a few drops of blood into the wine. Sophie held out her hand and I handed her the knife. She repeated what I did. Next, we placed our blood-soaked palms together and we both drank from the chalice.

As Sophie drank a wave of power I never felt before washed over me. She looked at me, concern all over her face. I didn't want her to worry so I smiled and nodded as the voices of many pack members came through welcoming her to the pack. Her face lit up with her beautiful smile as she heard every voice ring through.

I handed Sophie a tissue to help with the bleeding as she made her way back over to Luke and James. They both smiled at her and Luke patted her on the back. Blaze growled but I pushed him down reminded him we were at a full pack meeting. Next came the hardest part. The crowd was buzzing again with excitement. I held my hand up a second time, calming them into a low hush.

"Fellow pack members. As I explained before there has been turmoil over the past couple of months. But no longer. Tonight, we welcomed Sophie as one of us but that is not all. Tonight, I wish to introduce you to your future Luna and my mate."

I could feel Sophie's eyes were glued to me. I smiled knowing that everyone was about to finally see her as their true Luna. I braced myself. I truly was excited. I had been waiting for so long for this moment and now that it was finally here, I felt like a small child on Christmas morning.

"Your future Luna has been through so much. I want you all to know she has made me a better person and a better Alpha. She has shown me love when I thought it was not possible. As a surprise announcement I can confirm that through our love your future Alpha has been conceived. Together we will lead our pack in unison and harmony."

Buzzing and whispers emerged again from the crowd. I turned a saw my beautiful mate smiling her amazing smile. I held my hand out to her. She didn't hesitate, in fact she moved forward squeezing my hand as I pulled her into my side.

"Pack members of Blue Moon, I give you your future Luna." I turned her to face me, and I kissed her soft, beautiful lips. The crowd cheered making Sophie giggle. We stood apart and stared at each other, just smiling.

What the hell man! Came a voice through the link.

I looked out towards the crowd and saw at the back of the crowd three very pissed off men and a beautiful woman I had never seen before. Sophie had seen them to. Her face had turned ghostly white.

Keep smiling. We'll deal with them after. I linked to her. She shot me a look before smiling.

"Thank you all for your love and support towards both of us. I hope that you will treat Sophie with the same respect you did Luna Bianca. We will announce the Luna ceremony at a later date. Thank you once again. You are dismissed."

I grabbed Sophie's hand and we raced off the stage. I quickly linked Gavin and told him to meet us in my office. Luke and James weren't far behind. We marched in silence, making our way down the corridor.

"What happened?" Luke asked.

"Gavin, Dr Sven and Gary just showed up." I said unlocking my door and switching on the light.

"What are we going to do?" Sophie was in panic mode. She paced around the room.

I was shocked to see them. I had assumed they would have let me know they were returning to the pack. If I had known I would have postponed tonight's meeting until they were informed of the situation. Now I had three pissed of men coming to my office wanting answers.

"Sophie Baby, you need to calm down." Her hand instinctively went to her little bump and my heart melted.

"What if Gary reacts the same as Mary?" The look of fear shot through her eyes and I marched over to her, holding her tight.

"Please don't worry baby. Whatever happens I'm here with you. We've got each other." I held her close and kissed the top of her head.

"Don't worry Luna, you have a whole pack supporting you." Luke chimed in.

Sophie looked over my shoulder. She obviously hadn't thought about it like that. I kicked myself, that should have been my idea.

"Do they really support me?" She asked looking from me to Luke and James.

"Of course they do! Didn't you hear them cheer?" Luke smiled.

"I was a little pre-occupied." She blushed as she smiled, running her hand down my face.

I placed my hand on her belly as she leaned into my side. "Baby, this pup will be the reason everyone will come around. Some will sooner than others but eventually they will come around. We just have to give them some time and space." She nodded and I took a moment to steal a kiss from her. We sat ourselves down at my desk.

"Should we go? I mean you don't really need us here." James said.

He was right. There was no need for both my Gamma and Beta to be here. We weren't meeting with a rival pack or holding a diplomatic meeting. I nodded and guestured they leave. It didn't take long for them to exit. A few minutes after I could hear footsteps and I knew our guests were moments away from bursting into the office. I grabbed Sophie's hand and squeezed. I wanted her to remember I'm here for her, no matter what. I also selfishly needed to feel her near me because I was just as nervous as her.

The door flew open. Gary and Dr Sven stood in the doorway. Both men looked annoyed and tired. I smiled at them and motioned they come in. They stood tall and powerful. I felt like a small child about to be reprimanded for eating lollies before dinner.

"Sophie my dear I am so happy for you. But I think there is a lot that needs to be discussed." Dr Sven said stepped a little forward and taking a chair. Sophie relaxed a little but kept a firm grip on my hand.

Gary moved taking the other seat. His eyes were fixed on Sophie who gave her adoptive father a tentative smile.

"Hi Dad." She whispered.

"Don't hi me. What the hell is going on!?"