Chapter 79: Chapter Twenty-Six

**Amina’s POV**

Isn’t it crazy how life can shift so suddenly? 

Ten minutes ago, Benjamin was the only person in the world I wanted to see. I was drowning in fear, and he was my only lifeline, and now, an irrepressible rage bubbled within me, and he alone was to blame. I wanted to run, to leave, to be anywhere but here, for he had become the last person on the face of this planet I wanted near me.

That he cheated on me, knowing how much I loved him, was already unfathomable, but to have been doing it with her was almost laughable. '*Why can't you leave me alone? What do you want from me*?' I cried to fate as she seemingly enjoyed reveling in my misery a little more each day..

Micheal, my baby, my mother, father, and Benjamin, always Benjamin: nothing could go right for more than a second. 

“Are you leaving?” Ophelia’s saddened voice came up behind me as I headed towards the stairs.

“O, I’m sorry… I…” 

“If you’re leaving, I’m leaving. I don't want to be where you're not, Mina.”

Her almond-shaped eyes welled up with tears as she neared me, awaiting my response. Although she had only admitted it a handful of times, Ophelia truly longed for a family and a pack that would accept her wholeheartedly, and tonight she could get everything she'd ever wanted. It was a chance of a lifetime, and I knew I couldn’t walk out of this house with her only shot at happiness. 

“I’m not leaving, O. I just needed to find a dress.” I lied and smiled, my anger slowly vanishing in her presence.

“I know you think you're good, but you're a bad liar, Mina” She sighed and smirked, visibly relieved as she pulled me back into the room.

I was the last to be ready among the girls, and by the time I put the finishing touches to my look, the others were already downstairs, mingling with the many guests. With every passing minute, I could hear Carson and Grace's house fill with werewolves, and even though I knew I couldn't spend my time hiding upstairs, I thought maybe I could be trying to sneak into the festivities and avoid Benjamin at all costs

I moved and squeezed around the crowd marveling at how all our efforts had come together. The twinkling lights, the floating flower arrangements, the wooden tables and chairs with plush pillows, and the large, whimsical water wall near the makeshift stage complimented each other so beautifully that the entire gardens had come to life under the bright moonlight.

Hardly anyone noticed me and with only a few steps left to reach the far end of the gardens, I was immediately overwhelmed and upset when a pair of solid hands suddenly landed on my waist and pulled me aside.

“What the he-” I started screaming, thinking Benjamin had grabbed me, but fell silent when the real culprit appeared. “Travis?”

“Hey, Mina. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“No, it’s- It’s okay. I thought you were….”

“Benjamin?” He asked, overcoming my hesitation and ending my thought for me.

“I guess.” I confessed, biting my lips

“You look lovely, Mina. Yellow suits you.” 

“Thanks.” I whispered back, a little flushed. “Wait until you see Ophelia; she’s truly the belle of the ball.” 

“I already did.” Travis smiled through his beard. “She’s beautiful too, and very excited to become a pack member here, though I don’t understand why she would. Well, maybe because you’re here too.”

“Travis, please.” 

“I’m sorry, Mina. I can’t help it.” He sighed, looking at me from head to toe. “Are you hurt? His elbow got you pretty hard the other night.” 

“I’m fine.” I answered tonelessly, nearly grumbling at his accusation. “You know he didn’t do it on purpose.” 

Travis scoffed and humourlessly chuckled as he shook his head. “Is there anything you won’t defend when it comes to him?” 

“Is Victoria here with you?” I asked him in a whisper, hoping to change the subject. “I’d like to meet her.” 

“No, she’s not here.”

“She’s not?” Benjamin's low growl suddenly boomed from behind me, and a second later, he was face to face with Travis. “How come your mate’s not here, Delta?”

“She didn’t want to come, Benjamin. She’s still getting used to our relationship and River Creek.”

“Hmm… that’s too bad." He smirked. "I would’ve enjoyed meeting her too.”

They were both inching closer to each other, and now, almost toe to toe, I feared that their egos would send them into another savage fight, and I couldn't let that happen.

I wrapped my arm around Benjamin's arm and lightly pulled him towards me. “Stop, Benji.” I whispered to him.

Neither seemed to want to back down, but luckily, before they could say or do anything else, Carson's voice echoed from the center stage, marking the start of the ceremony. We all turned our heads just in time to see Ophelia, Ryan, and the rest of Benjamin’s high-ranking pack members take the stage.

“Let’s go.” He said, trying to walk away with me only to be stopped by Travis’s hold on my other hand.

“Mina, we need to talk.” Travis let out in a heavy murmur as he tightened his grip around my fingers.

“Man, let go of her.” Benjamin growled, pushing Travis back a few steps. “I don’t want to kill you here, but I will if I have to.”

Travis suddenly lunged at Benjamin but was quickly held back by a few werewolves standing not too far away from us. They swiftly stepped into their Alpha's defense and surrounded Travis. If my pleas hadn’t been enough up until then, the sight of half a dozen angered wolves encircling him snapped Travis out of his quarrelsome state of mind. 

“This isn’t over.” Travis warned over the men guarding him as Benjamin managed to pull me away with him.

I was still trying to figure out what had happened as we neared the stage. My eyes still hung on Travis, and I found myself unable to move forcing Benjamin to hoist me onto the stage and escort me to my seat between his sister and Raleigh. I could hear his unnerving and disapproving low growls as he turned his back to me and walked towards the middle of the stage.

“My friends..." He adressed the crowd, holding out his hand to Ophelia. "We are all gathered here tonight to welcome in our hearts and to our ranks within Blackwoods this young girl here, Ophelia Chen." He said, his harsh features slowly warming up with a smile. "She has proven time and time again that despite her young age, she is one of the bravest, fiercest, and most loyal werewolves around. As you may all know, she was the light, the hope, and the sole courageous defender of my mate and our Luna when she needed it most, and for that, I, Benjamin Miller, Alpha of the Backwoods Pack, will be forever be indebted to you, Ophelia. We are very fortunate to have you here, and we welcome you with open arms.” 

Benjamin picked up a long ivory ceremonial knife presented to him on a red cushion by Ryan and moved back toward Ophelia. 

“Ophelia Chen, do you accept of your free will to join Blackwoods, from this moment on and for the rest of your life, and serve the pack faithfully?” 

“I do.” She answered tearfully.

“I guess you were right, Leigh.” Roxanne whispered, amused. “This is a wedding.”

“Then, I, Benjamin Miller, and we, Blackwoods Pack, vow to always treat you, protect you and defend you like we do each other. You are now and forever one of us.”

Benjamin cut the palm of his right hand with the knife and gave Ophelia a similar gash before the two shook hands and merged their blood. He used the same knife to carve the mark of the pack on her right shoulder, and a few minutes later, after all her blood had dried and her skin had healed, a full moon overhanging a thick dark forest appeared on her.

The crowd erupted in cheers, and from that moment on, Ophelia was no longer a rogue wolf but a fully pledged member of Benjamin's pack. 

“To Ophelia Chen!” 

“To Ophelia Chen!” The guests chanted back after Benjamin.

Soon after, they all started to break up into small groups, and as they began to eat, dance, and drink the night away, I found my strength and quickly left the stage, disappearing into the crowd. I wanted to go and avoid Benjamin or Travis, and the last thing I expected was the sudden appearance of Alpha William and Luna Shira.

“Hey, stranger!” Shira yelled out, unknowingly thwarting my plans. “How have you been, Mina? We’ve missed you and Ophelia so much.”

“Hi, Shira.” I forced a smile as she pulled me into her arms. “I’ve missed you too. How are you both? And little Liam?” 

“He’s great, growing by the second that boy.” William beamed proudly, tapping my shoulder.

“I’m glad to hear it. How long are you two staying?”

“A couple of days, nothing more. I’ve got some business to discuss with Ben-” William answered before Shira interrupted him.

“Ah, speak of your mate, and he shall appear.” She said in her unique singsong tone.

“Shira, William. I’m glad to see that you both could be here tonight.” I froze for the millionth time as Benjamin spoke, walking up towards us.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Benjamin.” Shira responded, her eyes narrowing as she looked between the two of us, no doubt sensing our rift. “Besides, I couldn't wait to find Mina. We left a lot of things hanging when you brought her back.” 

“Yes, like the fact your mate is a Lycan. ” William blurted out, leaving Benjamin and I surprised, jaws to the ground.“What?” He asked, shrugging his shoulders. “Shira told me you were.”

“No, babe. I said I believed she was a Lycan.” She fought back, slapping him on the shoulder. “But, hey, now that this brute has mentioned it…” Her eyes danced over to me. “Was I right?” 

"I'd rather we not have this conversation here.” Benjamin interjected quickly.

The seer Luna wrapped her hands on her mate’s arms and sighed. “Fine, but we should talk soon. Or I'm afraid your couple won't survive.” She whispered before they walked away. “Every problem has a solution, you guys, and I believe I have found yours.”