Tell The Packs

"The Alpha Banquet is tomorrow. I'm freaking out about it but right now I'm more concerned with tonight. We are having a bonfire inviting both packs and I will be presented as the next Alpha. I'm not sure how they will take it. We decided that the new pack will simply be called the Royal Pack since I am king. It was Malak's idea so don't blame me. Uncle Rhy sent us a family of seers to help since all they seem to talk about is me. So yea now I know anyone who shares my blood will be immortal too. So anyone who accepts me as Alpha will live forever... I'm not sure if that will work for me or against me. Malak seems ok with it which is a relief considering he is already tied to me... its alot to deal with.

"Hay Alic I just wanted to say goodbye before I fly out." Trent says from my doorway. He's been training with me and Alpha Aaron. He's grown alot... I think he sees the importance of his position and being prepared for it now.

"Cool, see ya man! Hope all goes well with your Dad." I tell him.

"Like Alpha Aaron said "every Alpha needs a pack and every pack needs an Alpha." I think I'm ready to be that for my pack... I'll miss you my king." He bows to me and I laugh jumping up from my bed.

"Knock it off Trent! I'm glad you're taking your position more seriously. I'm proud of you and your Dad will be too." I say hugging him. He does the quick three pat hug and pushes me away.

"Don't get all mushy on me Alic. It is not proper Kingly attitude." He says puffing his chest like a 'true king' should. I just laugh.

"I'm not a normal King if you hadn't noticed." I say.

"True dat! Anyway I'm heading out... I'll see ya later man." He says and walks out.

"Yea see ya!" I call after him. I'll miss that fool! But I have a lot to worry about myself.

I go downstairs and grab some leftovers. After a rushed meal I head to the Alpha's office.

"Morning Alpha Aaron." I say as I enter.

"About that... you should really start calling me Aaron. You are an Alpha. You aren't required to use titles... also it makes you look like a child or a subservient wolf... you are neither." He tells me.

"But you are my Alpha." I argue.

"Yes... and you are my King... it's important that the Alphas tomorrow don't see you as weak. You don't bow to any wolf. At most you can give a slight nod. You can't show any signs of submission." He explains. I nod

"Sooo... Aaron... what do you have planned for today?" I ask.

"Just the bonfire tonight... you ready for this?" He asks.

"Yes sir... I won't let you down." I tell him.

"Never imagined you would." He grins.

"About the rouges... when they attacked us... they weren't... normal." I say. It's been weighing on me for a while now. We need to figure this out.

"How so?" He asks

"No fear. No pain. Total bloodlust. It's like they have no soul." I explain.

"They were infused with a serum that forces your primal instincts to the forefront. It removes inhibition. It basically makes them rabid. Crazy... I believe the hunters are using our own kind against us." He explains.

"How do we beat them?"

"You tell me. You are the King. Our leader. No pack can do this alone. You came at the perfect time."

"Oh." I breath not knowing what to say. I am the only one with the power to unite us all... and I have no idea how to do it.

"Go for a run spend some time with Malak and Ruby... you have the day off. You've been working hard... you've earned this." Aaron says.

"Thanks... you taking the day too?" I ask.

"Na... I got some work to do then I might take the afternoon... get out of here before I change my mind!" He says tossing a stress ball at me. I catch it and head to the door. After I open it I toss the ball back.

"Seriously Thank you... Aaron." I say and leave.

I needed a day... I need a break... I won't get those much once I take over.

"Malak! Run?" I mind link him.

"Yea sure... thirty minutes I'm... busy." He links back sounding frustrated at my  interruption.

I jog around the streets of the pack just killing time. This will all be mine... mine to care for... protect. I sit on a bench near the center of town and watch some pups wrestling in wolf form... its adorable.

The one is bigger but the little one is quick. Eventually the bigger one pins the little one and he bows his head.

"Don't give up pup!" I call to the boy and he looks at me. "Use his size against him." I make a gesture trying to indicate how to topple the larger boy. He nods and throws the bigger pup. I laugh. The bigger one looks embarrassed and angry. The little one runs over to me jumping up and down and I pet the little wolfs head. Suddenly a boy maybe 8 or 9 comes over to us.

"No fair! I had him you can't help!" He complains. The little one runs over to him and shifts.

"Is to fair! I beat you so pay up!" The little one looks much like the other so I'd say they are brothers. The bigger one pulls some candy out of his pocket and hands it to his brother. "Thank you!" The little one says snatching it.

"Benjamin! Adam!" A woman runs up to the boys. "Modesty Ben! Go get dressed! And both of you! Why are you bothering him! I'm sorry Alpha King." She bows to me... you'd think I'd get used to this... I'm not.

"Please don't." I say standing and placing a hand on her shoulder. She stands up straight. "They weren't bothering me... I was just telling the little one how to show up his brother... he's got spirit. Older one's a pretty good fighter too... a little slower in his movements but strong... you got some good wolves on your hands you should be proud." I smile at her and she nods.

"I am Alpha... they are good boys... I just wish they'd listen more!" She gives a slight growl to the pups. I kneel in front of the boys.

"You know the strongest wolves take care of their momma... listen to her... can you boys do that for me?" I smile as they both nod. I look to their mother as I stand up. "I won't keep you have a nice day Ma'am."

"Thank you! You too Alpha... come along boys." She moves her sons along the path.

"I dub you the official babysitter for my pup." Malak says after she leaves. "And I think you made that frazzled mum's day."

"I try... and I'd gladly watch my little niece." I tell him.

"Or nephew." He responds.

"Nope niece... I need a princess to spoil!" I grin at him.

"Hay I'm not the one that's gonna have princes and princesses. O great Alpka King!" He mocks.

"She'll be treated like a princess anyway!" I tell him sticking my tongue out. He laughs.

"Come on! You drug me out here for a run not to chat about pups... and I was quiet content before you called so let's go!" He says heading for the tree line. I follow.

We stash our clothes and shift. We run most the day. I had to slow down a bit for Malak to keep and up. I know he's just out here for me but I'm glad... he's a great friend. Eventually we come back home and shift.

"You're really nervous about tonight aren't you?" He asks after we dress.

"What gave it away?" I respond.

"Well we missed lunch... I've never ran for that long before. It's like you were trying to outrun your nerves. I know you like to keep moving when you are anxious so it tracks." He says.

"Yea... what if they don't accept me?" I ask.

"Honestly they have little choice... unless they want a foriegn Alpha to swoop in and move them to another pack... you're the only choice. Plus you are King... and you grew up here the packs love you." He tells me.

"I hope so... I don't want them to hate me... or feel like I'm forcing this on them." I say.

"Well its really Dad and Mom's decision naming you as Heir... the packs will respect that." Malak grins at me. "Come on you should try and look presentable... it may be a bonfire but you need to dress up a little. This is important."

"Yes Dad!" I mock his parental tone and head home to shower and get ready.

Dark blue jeans, white tank top under a pale blue dress shirt (sleeves rolled up), grey suit vest, black boots that I can cover the tops of with my jeans... yea they look kinda like dress shoes... gell my hair... I look presentable right?

I leave the bathroom and go downstairs. About time... I should meet with the Alphas and see how they want to play this. I head to the office.

"Hay Aaron...oh hi... Lilly." I say as I enter. I hadn't expected her here yet.

"Hello Alpha Alic." Lilly says.

"What did you need?" Aaron adds.

"How is this whole announcement thing gonna go?" I ask.

"Well both packs will be gathered by 6 o'clock." Lilly says.

"Lilly and I will make an appearance at 6:30." Aaron continues.

"We will call you up and make the announcement... you can wait by the treeline with Malak... you can announce him as your Beta so they understand why he isn't stepping up." Lilly finishes.

"Okay... works for me... I just gotta find my Beta." I say walking towards the door.

"You look good Alic." Lilly calls after me. I stop in the doorway.

"Thank you Lilly."

"You'll do fine... don't stress." She says.

"Thanks." I respond and leave.

I find Malak waiting outside the pack house.

"You ready Alpha?" He asks me and I nod.

"How bout you Beta?"I ask. He smiles.

"You bet... let's get in position." He says.

We walk to the clearing and linger at the treeline.

"Do you think they will be upset that I'm not Alpha?" Malak asks looking just about as nervous as I am.

"I don't know... but it's not something we can take back... they will have to learn to accept it." I tell him. He just nods.

"We can do this." I smile. I don't know which of us I am trying to convince.

"We have called you here to officially announce who will be succeeding us as Alpha." Aaron announces. The crowd of a thousand wolves begin to cheer. He raises a hand to silence them. "Come on out here boys." I take a breath and step forward with Malak behind me we make our way to the front where the blazing fire dances next to my Alphas.

"Most of you know my Beta's son Alaric." He says placing a hand on my shoulder. "Many of you know or can sence a change in him... Alaric is now an Alpha... and our King." Murmuring breaks out in the crowd. Many from Midnight Moon already knew this but Red Rivers was clueless. "With this revelation and the death of our son Tiberius, Alaric Steven Grayson will be taking our place as Alpha. The packs will join under the banner of The Royal Pack in honor of the king."

"What about Malakai! He's next in line!" A man from Red Rivers yells. Aaron looks to me and I step forward.

"Hello everyone." I call out suprising myself at the authority in my voice. "I am Honored to be taking the position of Alpha and will lead to the best of my ability... in regards to my friend Malakai Rose it has been decided that he will serve as my Beta." A roar erupts throughout the crowd.

"Malak's our Alpha!"

"Beta born!"

"Not an Alpha!"

And many more indecipherable things were yelled.

"SILENCE!" I order my voice echoing through the trees. The noise deadened and all eyes rest on me. "Malakai has chosen the position of Beta." I nod to him. He understands and begins to shift. Soon a grey wolf stands next to me. "He has chosen me as his Alpha and taken the title of a True Beta." Many gasps are heard as they look at Malak.

"The packs will unite. Both pack houses will remain running much like they are now but we will become one pack. In order to maintain transparency I'd like to inform you that anyone who joins the Royal Pack will be among the next generation of werewolf kind. You will be immortal... no one will force you to join with me. If you want to join another pack we will help you settle elsewhere... you have until my Alpha ceremony to decid." I tell them.

Many people whisper... I'm not sure of this will be good.

"I chose Alpha Alaric to succeed me... Malakai chose him as well. We support him as Alpha and I for one am honored to serve my King." Alpha Aaron says.

Many seem to agree but no one stands up with an answer... well I did give them time to decide... I don't know what I was hoping for. Maybe just that some of the pack would accept me now? This may have been a mista...

"An honor to serve!" One man kneels bowing his head.

"My King." Another follows.

Slowly the majority of the crowd is on the ground bowing before me.

"Enjoy the night!" I call gesturing for them to rise. "The ceremony to make me Alpha will take place in two weeks... all wolves 13 years of age and older will be expected to sware allegiance to me and the pack through blood... any children under 13 but of shifting age who will be staying I will accept. Alongside their parents... this is your decision. I will not force it in you."

The wolves break away talking in small groups, sitting by the fire... it's good to see them all together both packs that will all soon be one... mine.