Initiation

The school bell rang. I cover my ears as I hold back the scream that's in me. I have no control over my sense of hearing. Everyone's rushing out of their classes heading towards wherever it is they deemed fit. I can hear every single one of their movements, their speeches, laughter, and Sobs.

It was terrifying. I was scared. Scared because it felt like the world I knew suddenly felt a whole lot bigger. I couldn't comprehend it, I couldn't understand it. My head was no longer mine and the quiet safe space in it I used to retreat to was gone.

"Calm down Drey..." I hear Lena's Voice as a whisper. I look around trying to get where she is.

"...Take a deep breathe and try to focus only on my voice" She continues.

I stop looking around and do as she says. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and try to tune my hearing to her voice alone.

"I can't do it," I say to her as I squint my eyes. I was scared. Scared that I'd have to live like this for the rest of my life.

"Think of your ears as a filter. Try to take in only what you want to take in and zone out on the rest. Make them go silent," She continues.

I take another deep breath and apply what she says. I concentrate on her voice as I try to zone out on the rest. It takes a bit of time but I trust my mate's process. Soon enough the other voices start to fade away. They don't completely vanish but they are at a level where it sounds like silent whispers. Not perfect but I can live with this.

"Judging by your heart rate I can see that you've got it, now get your bags it's time to go," She says to me as she pops up at my doorway arms folded.

"So that's where you were. How'd you know..." I start but she cuts me off.

"That you needed help? It was obvious, I could hear your heartbeat from miles away. Even humans would hear it if they listened hard enough" She says.

"So you came because you care about me?" I lean down and ask her with a smirk on my face.

"No, I came because when you're hurt I feel a part of it. It was annoying so I came to shut it down" She says back to me with a smile on her face.

"Ouch, that's no way to talk to your life mate, mi Luna," I say back to her with my smirk still on.

"Just because we're mates doesn't mean you automatically get the full package. You almost broke me last time with your words so for now, this is what you get" She replies with a smile that says push further and I'll kill you.

I smile and take a step back knowing if I said anything wrong I might just get a fist to my face. "Alright fair enough"

"Now give me your keys" She demands from me.

"Hey, no one is allowed to drive my baby but m-" I start but I get cut off almost immediately.

"Drey. Keys" She says this time flashing her canines. Damn this sexy ass werewolf. I reluctantly give her the keys. She smiles and starts to walk forward, I follow behind her praying that she'd change her mind. I love my car just as much as I love me and I hope she Isn't as violent behind the wheel as she is with me.

Minutes later, we're in the car. I go stares from all around which confused me a bit. Don't get me wrong I know I'm quite handsome and I get stares now and then but this was much, much, much more than usual. It felt like the whole school had its eyes on me. We got inside the car and I snapped back to reality.

"So where's the pack ground?" I turn and ask her.

"You're standing right on it," she says before starting the engine.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

About 15 mins later we pull up into what seems to be a boulevard. Three men appear from both sides of the road. I look at Lena's face but she seems calm and collected so I decide to watch how things play out instead.

"Greetings Luna," The first guy says.

Lena replies with a slight gesture. He then looks in my direction and for some weird reason he smiles. He then calls out to the other two guys to let us through.

"Why'd he give me a smile?" I ask Lena.

She looked at me, smiled, and said, "Because he just found his Alpha"

Honestly, I have a whole new set of questions about this Alpha thing but I was going to let it wait until I've settled in, wherever "in" is.

A few minutes later I start to see some houses. Some of them had adults and children on the terrace. The car starts t slow down. It's then I decide to look ahead and what I see blows my mind.

There right in front of me was a huge 4 story medieval-style hotel. It had a water fountain right in front of it. The gardens flowery were well kept and they looked amazing. Looking at the stone pathway this place had to be at least centuries old.

She pulls up into the driveway and parks the car there.

"You didn't tell me we were going to stay at a hotel," I say to her as I step out. It's a bit weird though seeing as the establishment had no sign upfront.

"It's not a hotel" She replies as she comes out of the car and tosses the key to me.

"Really? then what is it?" I ask her, brows raised.

"It's the pack house," She says gesturing to me to follow her.

"Wait, you mean you own this place?!" I ask her trying to keep up with her

"I don't own the place, the pack does. It's where we, the officials of the pack and some of the pack members reside" She replies.

"Wait why do the officials have to stay here?" I ask fully immersed in this newfound conversation.

"It makes it easier for summons during emergencies" By the time she's replied to me, she pushes the door open. I take a step inside and I pause to take in the view. There were paintings all around. A beautiful chandelier hung down from the ceiling which was a bit high. To my left, there is a fireplace. It didn't fail to give that luxurious medieval setting.

"Baldrick," Lena says as we reach the center of the room.

A six-foot man dressed in a black suit with a tailcoat tuxedo comes out of a door. Judging by his appearance he was old. He had this calm demeanor on him. Each stride he takes is filled with grace.

"Yes madam?" He replies as he gets to Lena's side.

"Wait, madam? Is he a butler?" I ask Lena.

"Yeah, he is" She then turns to Baldrick,

"Guide Drey here to the Master's bedroom, and when Ace comes back tell him he needs to address some matters at the pack's hospital."

"Alright, Madam. Right this way Sir" Baldrick says to me as he turns towards the stairways.

"Go with him, I have things to attend to. Once I'm done I'll come see you" She urges me on as she goes towards a door.

I then let Baldrick guide me up the stairs. Honestly one wouldn't need a Gym if they had to climb this number of stairs every day. After what seems like an eternity we finally reach the top. We end up in a long hallway.

Soon enough after a bit of walking, we end up at the end of the hallway, and right in front of us is the door to the master bedroom. Baldrick opens the door and gives way for me to step in.

I walk towards the bed and I just lay down.

"Do you need anything else sir?" Baldrick asks me.

"No, thank you Baldrick" I reply.

"Oh alright sir, I'll take my lea..." He starts but then I remember something.

"Uhmm Baldrick, do you mind not calling me sir, it makes me feel a bit old," I say to him with a smile so I do not seem rude.

"What would you like me to call you then?" He asks his expression unchanging.

"How about you just call me Drake?"

"No that'll be presumptuous of me. Will Master Drake suffice?" He asks me.

"Yes Baldrick thank you. I feel more comfortable with that" I say back to him with a warm smile.

"Alright, Master Drake. I'll be taking my leave now. If you need anything please don't hesitate to let me know." He says as he shuts the door behind him.

I sigh and once again put myself on the bed. I didn't know what to do next. There was nothing for me to unpack cause Lena had told me to only bring along necessities as everything else would be provided for me. It's barely been a day and I already miss my home. Everything still felt so weird, so different, like the life I once knew was completely gone and I had no choice but to adapt to my new one.

I sit up and try to sum up my situation. I currently had nothing to do and I'm the adventurous type. I notice a balcony at one end of the room. I pick myself up and walk towards It. I open the glass doors and I'm greeted by the warm breeze. I look down and the first thing that comes to my mind is how nasty it would be to drop from this height. The thought sends shivers down my spine.

"Enjoying the view?"

Out of shock, I jump to the side and I see Lena leaning on the door side, arms folded as usual.

"You've really gotta stop your mystery entrances, you're gonna send your mate to an early grave," I say to her as I try to calm my nerves.

"And where's the fun in that?" She says back to me. Honestly, at this point I can't tell if she really does care about me or if she just wants me dead.

"You seemed pretty gone there seeing as you didn't notice me coming in." She continues as she starts to change.

I turn around to the wall to give her privacy. Was I really that gone in thought?

"I was just processing my current situation," I say back to her my head still turned.

"Still finding it difficult to believe?" She asks me.

"Well it's not every day you see a 6-foot wolf in the middle of the woods and you become one yourself overnight," I say back to her. I mean this was still a bit to take in. All it took was one night to completely change my life.

"About that, I don't think you're accurate," She says to me.

"What do you mean by that?" I ask her, confused as to what was inaccurate.

"The color of your wolf, when you changed it was White, an albino" She replies while struggling to put on a piece of clothing

"Is that a problem, am I sick?" I ask her.

"Not necessarily. Your case is just rare. I'm talking about a one-in-a-million chance. You're going to have to go to the pack doctors sometime soon. Maybe they can tell what's up with your wolf,"

Damn, Albino wolf? Even in my new life, I can't have a bit of normalcy. Day one and fate has decided to make me a special case among even the supernatural.

"You can ignore that for now though. For now, we are just going to have to get you ready for tonight's ceremony," She continues.

"What ceremony?"I ask her.

"Aww you turned. Didn't pick you out to be a gentleman" she says as she turns in my direction already dressed in a casual T-shirt and shorts.

"Well I wouldn't wanna risk getting one of your painfully special sadistic punches," I say back to her with a sigh.

"I could have sworn you just called me violent," She says back to me fist raised while putting on that dreadful smile of hers.

"I'm just kidding," I say to her hands raised.

"Now what's this about a ceremony?"

"Your initiation into the pack. You're their Alpha, my alpha, so yours is a bit special. Special as in the whole pack is going to be there. So if you have any thoughts of running delete me cause if you do I will find you, and I will hunt you down" She tells me in her most calm threatening aura.

I take a gulp knowing that she wasn't kidding. I just nod my head and tell her I'll be there.

"Good, now get dressed. Baldrick will come for you when it's time. I've got some preparations to make" She says as she heads toward the door.

"Wait, what do I wear?" I ask her.

"Whatever you feel like. You're the Alpha." She says as she exits the room.

If there were awards for vague and mysterious descriptions, she'd have a shelf full of trophies by now. I walk to the closet and sure enough clothes of different styles and fittings were there in my size. She wasn't kidding when she said I don't need to pack.

I end up selecting a shirt and joggers. I look at myself one last time in the mirror making minor adjustments to my hair. After one last look of satisfaction, I head towards the desk which had some books on it. I pick one up to pass by time.

After about an hour, I hear a knock on the door.

"Master Drake, the Luna has called for you," Baldrick calls out to me.

I drop my book and walk toward the door. I open it and I see Baldrick waiting for me.

"Right this way Master Drake," He says beckoning me to follow him. I nod and immediately do so not wanting to keep my mate waiting.

"Hey Baldrick, is there anything I should expect, I don't do well with surprises," I ask him my nervousness finding its way through my system.

"I am sorry Master Drake but I am in no place to give you such information," He replies still walking at his gracious pace with me slightly behind him.

"Oh alright," I say with a bit of disappointment, I was hoping to get some tips cause for some bloody reason everyone seems to think I already know all my ABCs on werewolf culture.

"However allow me to say this, keep your head up high Master Drake. You're an Alpha and you can't afford to show weakness. I'm sure Luna would say the same thing" He says, his expression still unchanging.

He was right though. I truly didn't get everything but if there was one thing I was sure of it was that this Alpha role was not something trivial. I had to keep my head high. Besides if I embarrassed Lena she'd kill me. I take a deep breath and wash off the nervousness from my system.

"Thanks Baldrick," I say to him.

"My pleasure Master Drake," he replies.

Yeah, I've got this.

By the time we're done talking I notice we are already on a stone pathway. After a few turns, we get to the Ceremony.

"If you don't mind Master Drake, this will be my stop. I have other affairs to attend to," He says to me.

"It's alright, you can go" I dismiss him. He gives me a slight bow then he heads off into the crowd. I take one last breath and head into the crowd. Many eyes are on me and I can tell but I don't falter. I at least wanted to make my mate proud so I stood strong and made sure to put power and grace into my strides just like I had seen Baldrick do. Funny, it felt natural like I was used to it.

'Parts of the perks of being an alpha I guess.' I think to myself. After a few steps, I locate my mate with some elderly people. Sorry werewolves seeing as I was now in their midst. She gives them one last greeting and then walks in my direction.

"You look handsome my Alpha," She says to me with a smile. So this is what she was like when she was among her wolves. It must be hard having to keep up the appearance every time.

"You don't look too bad yourself, my Luna," I say back to her with a smile.

I could have sworn that I saw her blush a bit. Who's this woman and what have you done with my violent mate?

"Well you're just on time, follow me, you have to meet some wolves," She says as she grabs my hand and pulls me toward the direction she just came from.

"Hey Elder Micheal, Elder Fiona, meet my mate Drake Caster" She introduces me with a smile to the elders I saw her with before she came to me.

"Hey Drake, we've heard a lot about you from Yelena," Elder Micheal says as he stretches his hands out for a shake which I don't fail to reciprocate.

"Good things I hope," I say back to Elder Micheal with a slight laugh. Knowing Lena she's probably only insulted me in their presence.

"Oh they are quite good actually and now that I look at you, you do fit the description she's bragged about," Elder Micheal says back with a proud tone.

Ehh.

Lena?

Brag about me?

Out of initial shock I look at Lena asking myself the same question again. Who is this woman and what has she done with my mate??

"She's even told us about..." Elder Fiona starts but Lena nervously cuts her off.

Okay, I was shocked that my mate complimented me but I was more amazed at these Elders. Just who are they to be able to bring out this childlike expression from Lena?

"Well if you don't mind, Uncle, Aunty. I've got to get to the main event of this ceremony. I and my mate will be leaving," Lena says in a rush to get us both away from these wonderful people. Yes, I call them wonderful because these people were my ticket to seeing the cute side of my mate. I'll definitely pay them a lone visit later.

"Alright Love, now do be kind to your mate" Elder Fiona says to Lena as she takes my hand and pulls me towards the podium.

"So, you bragged about me ayy?" I say to her my hands still in hers as we walked.

"Zip it," She says almost immediately.

Now there's the mate I know. I smile to myself as she pulls me through the crowd.

Seconds later we're on the podium. She's back to her composed public self and I can only just stand beside her and admire her. My mate was truly an amazing person.

She taps the floor with her foot and the next second silence fills the air. Every eye is turned toward her direction. That's the power that she wielded, the power that she controlled.

"Good evening everyone..." She starts.

"I'm sure some of you know why you've been summoned here and some of you don't. Just for clarity's sake, I'll state the reason. For too long, the power dynamic in this pack has been unbalanced, unsettled, whatever you'd see fit to call it. But no more, for I shall no longer lead you alone for I have found my mate. Your one true Alpha, Drake caster"

I take this as my cue to step forward. Once I do I hear cheers from all directions. I guess having an Alpha really was a big deal in the world of Wolves.

"Together, we will bring the pack back to its full potential and set it among the top hierarchy of the wolves community where it's meant to be." Her speech is followed by more cheers and howls.

"Now according to our customs, if anyone here has anything against Drake being your Alpha speak up and challenge him now or forever submit to his command,"

Wait what?

What does she mean by challenge? No one told me about this side of the ceremony. Wait, this is what baldrick couldn't tell me.

Damn this. I would have at least loved to know my head was up for grabs before the ceremony started. I'm sure Lena has a very good reason for not telling me so I'm at least going to give her the benefit of the doubt. For now I'll just keep my promise to hold my head high and play along.

"Anyone?" She asks again

"I would like to invoke the right to Alpha" A voice comes from the crowd.

Lena growls towards the direction. I could tell she didn't want anyone challenging me. If so then why give them a chance to begin with?

"I challenge you, Drake Caster to an Alpha Pàli"