Chapter 45: The Team

Marcus

Marcus stood by the dias looking at the changes in his world, trying to process. As the members of the Kings team arrived, something Marcus would have been willing to do anything to prevent just days ago, the first contenders returned with their prizes. Abe, the team leader, and Kayden, the team member that Travis had intercepted, stood with the King, silently watching what was happening.

While the twins and Travis met with each returning wolf, Marcus and Marcia greeted the King's team, letting him start to know the people rather than their reputation. This gave them a reason to stay apart and helped to hide their new scents from the pack by blending them with other species and the King.

From the main entrance of the pack came the largest contingent of the Kings' team. First was Nia, another panther shifter who walked with a fluid grace that made it look like she was dancing across the grass. Like Abe, her dark skin shone in the morning sun, and her face held an interest that she was doing nothing to suppress as she looked around her surroundings.

Behind her were Luis and Jose, harpy eagle shifters. They did not give any indication of their opinion of the pack, choosing to speak to each other quietly in Spanish after greeting the King and Alpha. They kept themselves apart but seemed to observe everything.

Edik and Czar were Lycans. They were nearly as large as the King and had ready smiles for all of those around them. This positive attitude made them slightly less intimidating to the average pack member, but Marcus was sure that they were just as deadly as the others.

Suzy, a bear shifter, was tiny in her human form, smaller even than most of the packs she wolves, looking nearly defenseless standing between the rest of her massive team. She held herself slightly back from the crowd, choosing to observe before taking part in any interaction. Marcus thought of the first competitor to complete the tracking round; the smallest shifters were often deceiving.

The identical twin brothers, Kai and Min, were the next smallest after her. Crocodile monitor shifters, the two represented some of the last of their kind. Their shiny dark hair was pulled back and formed into buns at the back of their heads, and their pose was relaxed.

Before the others had arrived, Travis returned with the final member of the team, Kayden, a grizzly bear shifter who was quiet and self-contained, looking around at the layout for the trials. On the walk back, he had learned enough from Travis to know this pack was not like any of the others that they had visited in his time with the crew.

By the time the introductions were over, and all were asked not to mention Marcia's identity or race, the final alarm sounded, and the first trial was over. Marcus was happy to see that out of the forty-seven contenders, thirty-eight had returned with their assigned medallion. This was one of the highest percentages of victories in the first round of the trials since its inception. Normally, the first knocked out over half of the potential candidates.

He walked forward slightly to announce the leaders and smiled at the paper he was given by a grinning Marcia. That's when he noticed the first ten finishers were all female, and eight of them had chosen the hard paths. Looking more closely at the crowd, he realized that almost all of the females had succeeded. That thought alone proved to Marcus and many other people that this process was the right direction to take. They had overlooked the talent of their females for too long, and Marcus was bound to ensure it never happened again.

Motioning to the King's men to line up behind him, Marcus took the stage. “Before we announce the winners, I want to let the Pack know that we have more visitors.”

The joyous atmosphere slowed as everyone went quiet to listen to the Alpha's words. “The King has brought his team to help our guards and assist with providing security for tonight's Luna Ceremony. This is not because I do not trust our guards to care for the pack and its Luna, but so that they, too, can celebrate their new Luna. I do not want anyone to worry or fear them. They are welcome guests.”

With these words, the team each lowered their head slightly to the Alpha before returning to their silent stance. As they stood, the King approached the microphone and introduced each member by name, asking them to lift their hands to be identified. This was done for two purposes. First, to distract the crowd as Marcus reviewed the standings and identified the stars, and also to get the pack more comfortable with them. This team was stationed with the King, and he suspected he would be spending a significant amount of time in this pack in the coming months.

Marcus thanked the King before returning to the center of the dais. “With that out of the way, may I please have Cassandra come here?” As he spoke, the tiny she-wolf walked proudly forward, unable to hide the grin on her face.

“Cassandra, you were not only the first she-wolf to complete the challenge, but also the first wolf. More importantly, you have set a record for the fastest time for a hard target in the history of the trials.” The crowd started howling in pride over the accomplishment, and from behind the Alpha, roars and hisses joined the celebration. The King's team celebrated the young woman's accomplishment as if she were one of their own. Each had been saved by the king and knew firsthand how it felt to be underestimated.

“While we know that was just the first stage, it is clear that Cassandra will continue to make the Blue Moon Pack proud. You are living proof of what our new Luna said about the untapped potential in our pack, and for that, I must thank you.”  Marcus lowered his head to the young woman as a sign of respect, enjoying the looks of shock on the faces of those around her.

To have the Alpha identify you in such a way was an honor beyond measure. Cassandra herself stood with shaking hands, having no idea how to respond to the honor that was being bestowed upon her. She quietly thanked her Alpha before pulling back in awe.

Looking back at the cheering crowd, Marcus raised his hand for quiet before continuing. “If all of our guests and competitors would like to accompany us back to the pack house, we have breakfast waiting before the next round of the trials, the race.”

With his words, he turned to the crowd behind him on the dais. “I would like it if you would accompany me, we have much to discuss, but it will be hard to have any privacy on this day. Only those who are closest to me and my Luna understand what is going on. Most of the pack thinks she is human.”

The King looked at his team before turning to the Alpha. He could tell that they were communicating amongst themselves before the King responded, “If you do not object, I would like a few of my team to walk the path of the upcoming challenges, not only to get the lay of the land but also to scout for security concerns.”

Marcus nodded and looked at the team, “You are our welcome guests. You have my permission to go anywhere on the grounds except for our lab. We would ask you to be escorted to prevent unnecessary drama with the guards.”

The twins fought to contain their laughter at the Alpha's remarks.  As they waited for the team to react, Marcus could see that Makenzie was struggling to maintain her composure in front of her mate. With a questioning look, the two women linked to Marcus for approval and left to return to the pack house.

Immediately, the second-in-command Czar stepped forward. Turning, he nodded to Kayden, Luis, and Jose. “Boys take to the skies, report anything suspicious. Kayden, you watch from the woods, quick and quiet.”

Marcia stepped toward the identified shifters, who lowered their gazes in respect. "Please let us know what you would like to eat upon your return. We are blessed to have you here, and no one will miss a meal in my pack. I understand rotating patrols, but you will be cared for here.” Each nodded, surprised but pleased at the young woman's thoughtfulness, before leaving so quietly it was as if they were shadows.

Abe tried to focus on the team and not his mate, but as she walked toward the pack house, his panther wanted nothing more than to chase her down and claim her as his. Knowing that he needed self-control, he turned and led his team at a slower pace, allowing the King, Alpha, and Luna to lead the way.