The Supreme Alpha

Author's note: This is from Zoe's point of view

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I walked outside, my every step through the garden felt heavier than the previous one.

I could see the torches and the people gathered. The murmurs that reached me told me how excited everyone was and I knew that Pio and his men are eager to experience a real ceremony to the Moon Goddess after a long drought.

I thought that they will be sitting, but they actually moved tables and chairs to the side so that they can stand.

As I emerged from the garden, I got a good view of the people.

I was surprised to see that everyone wore ceremonial clothes. OK, Zeiroi and Treva and some staff members who were watching from the side didn't, but everyone else did.

I focused on my destination: the altar where Sergio arranged candles and various offerings for the Moon Goddess. That's where my life as I know it will end. Yes, I'm ready for it. Well, my options are either to face whatever is coming or to bolt, and I can't be Serina's right hand if I'm avoiding unpleasant situations. 

On my way to the altar where Sergio waited for me, I passed first next to Pio and his men, and then there were my friends.

Chiara and Violet were nudging each other while eyeing Hugo and Emilio; those two bulked up nicely... Not as good as Luca and Ash, but they were good-looking guys.

I wondered if they brought ceremonial clothes from home or if Serina and Mona got these for everyone (per Sergio's instructions, I assumed).

Serina, Mateo, Calista, and Treva were close to the altar, on the right, and Zeiroi, Fynn, and Mona were on the left.

Luca and Ash were standing only three steps away from the altar with the gap between them for me to pass.

Serina made sure we stand like that, because Luca and Ash are my closest ones, and they always had my back. Even now.

I really appreciated how she thought about everything.

Is it too late to wish for a miracle and my wolf to awaken?

I stood one step away from the altar and took a deep breath.

This is it.

There is no going back.

My insecurities drowned me with depressing thoughts again but I refused to run away.

I need to stand here, and Sergio will do his part and it will be over.

It was an unpleasant thing I needed to push through, like a visit to a dentist, or getting a gynecological exam. But I see doctors and dentists in private, while this ceremony had quite an audience.

It will be a flop and I will figure out how to deal with this tomorrow. Or maybe next decade, once I come out of hiding. By then, they should forget about this monumental embarrassment that I'm about to subject myself to.

I stood in front of the altar and looked at Sergio who was on the other side.

I knew that Luca and Ash were right behind me. I could feel their energy supporting me, or maybe keeping me in place so I don't escape.

Sergio looked at me and smiled. He gave me an encouraging nod before turning toward the Moon and raising his hands.

The excitement from Pio and his men was palpable and I understood why everyone says that werewolves thrive in large packs.

We are social creatures and there is a pack link through which we can share thoughts and emotions. The larger the pack is, the stronger it gets as a unit; it's like fine strings that can't be cut if there are many of them weaved together. Of course, in order for the pack to not self-destruct, it requires capable and powerful leadership, but once that is in place, every werewolf gets a role, and we all prosper together.

I had nearly sixty werewolves behind me, all focused on the ceremony that started, and their energy reached me. I wondered how much stronger that feeling would be if we belong to the same pack.

It was exhilarating but my emotional turmoil prevented me from enjoying the experience.

I closed my eyes and prayed that this will be over quickly.

Sergio's words melded into indistinct murmurs as I switched between counting seconds and thinking about places where I will hide after this is over and everyone sees that I can't shift into my wolf form.

The energy surge from the altar was refreshing. It was a familiar sensation that I experienced during our blood oath, and I could hear a bunch of werewolves howling behind me… and then it hit me, another energy surge from my left and I gasped.

"AAAAAHHHH!", I screamed at the night sky as my every muscle spasmed agonizingly.

The pain blurred my vision and I thought that I will pass out, but instead, I found myself on my knees, gasping for air.

'Good grief, you are loud! Was there a need to shout so much?', a voice sounded in my head.

What was that?

'For someone who wanted to hear me, you are quite dense now that I can talk.'

Wow! The pain was so bad that I started hallucinating. And my hallucination is full of sarcasm.

'Hallucination? Well, I better go back then…'

"Wait!", I shouted.

'There is no need to use your voice to speak with me, Zoe. I can hear your thoughts. That's how this works.'

I forgot about the pain and about my surroundings as I understood what was going on.

'Are you my wolf?'

'Yes. Welcome to adulthood, Zoe. Oh, I got to congratulate you first...'

Oh. My. God! It happened!

Yes! Yes! YES!!!

'How should I call you?' Wolfie didn't sound feminine enough, and my wolf's voice was definitely girly.

'I'm Diana.'

Diana. It sounded pure. Noble.

I was super happy, but… 'What took you so long?'

'Why are you blaming me? I was inside you from the day you were born, however, in order to establish the connection, your body and mind needed to be ready. Also, you needed a certain amount of energy to support me, and you were lacking it.'

I didn't get it. 'I'm lacking energy? Nonsense. I'm a ball of energy and all my friends were talking with their wolves by the time they turned sixteen.'

My wolf snorted. 'I am not talking about that energy. Think of it like lifeforce. But anyway, I am special, so I needed more. If I showed my way through the cracks, you would fall into a coma. Is that what you wanted?'

My wolf is special? Yeah, right. 'What makes you special?'

'You will find out in time.', she said smugly.

'So, this ceremony provided me with enough energy for you to wake up?'

'Ceremony, yes. But it wouldn't be sufficient if not for that elf behind you. He did something.'

Zeiroi? 'What did he do?'

'Listen, Zoe. I would love to sit here and chat, but there are more pressing matters you should attend to.'

I stifled a giggle. 'What can be more pressing than talking to you?'

I finally have my wolf! Oh, right. I need to shift but that can wait a bit. I wanted to know more about Diana before I let her take control of my body. Or should I say, OUR body!

I have my wolf! Yeehaw! I felt an urge to jump and scream for everyone to know.

Diana snorted. 'Before you go into noisy acrobatics, how about you acknowledge our mate? He is right behind you.'

My breath hitched. My mate! Oh, the Moon Goddess!

With my wolf not showing up, my enthusiasm for a mate dwindled and now that my wolf is here, I forgot about the mate part.

Some people wait centuries to find their mate, and I found mine on my eighteenth birthday! Aren't I the lucky one?

This birthday turned from an absolute flop into a majestic event in an instant!

Thank you, Diana!

Thank you, the Moon Goddess!

Oh, right. Thank you, Zeiroi! I will thank him later properly because now I need to greet my mate.

I realized that I was surrounded by the scent of apples. I love apples!

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