Chapter 163 Convergence pt 1
Duncan
I stood with King Cian, Gideon, and Seren on the steps of the Blood Moon pack house. Head Elder Cassian stood off to the side, conversing quietly with Queen Gwen as we waited to greet the next incoming pack.
We had arrived on Blood Moon Territory yesterday. I admitted to myself that I’d purposefully delayed coming for as long as I could. Seren had not been back at Blood Moon since we rescued her, and I was worried about how it would affect her mental health. I shouldn’t have been. She stood tall beside me, emotions calm as she chatted with her family, not even a flicker of distress at being back in the place that had caused her so much pain. Pride swelled in my chest, and I sent a pulse of love through our bond.
She looked up at me, a small smile on her face, as she leaned into me. Her hand pressed to her belly for a moment before she squeezed my hand and turned back to her brother to respond to something he said. She threw her head back, laughing, as he went on about how ridiculous some of the suggestions for the tournament feasts had been. Her joy was like a balm on my jumpy nerves.
If things went how we expected, this tournament would do more than determine the next leaders and the new name of Blood Moon Pack. It would determine the direction the kingdom would take—blooming in the light, or falling to the dark.
I hadn’t had another vision of the future after seeing the destruction of our world. I could only have faith that we were on the right track and that good would prevail. Faith, and determination.
The SUVs from Forest Lake Pack pulled up, giving me something else to focus on besides my thoughts. I was looking forward to seeing my cousin Braxton again. He was a few years older than me and had taken over from his father, so he wouldn’t be participating. However, his younger brother had signed up, and I had to admit I was rooting for him. Finlay had a good head on his shoulders and was a strong leader in his own right. He’d make a good alpha.
As they exited their vehicles, Eric stepped forward to direct the warriors and participants where to go. I’d just clasped Braxton’s arm in greeting when I heard Eric stop mid-sentence. I looked over to see him standing, eyes wide, staring at a woman who’d just stepped out of the last SUV in the line. Her head snapped up, meeting his gaze, and they both said, “Mate,” at the same time. He started moving toward her even as she leapt into his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist as he kissed her.
Cheers went up from the crowd, congratulations and well-wishes coming from every direction as he set her down, pulling her against him. They took another moment together before he gave his head a shake and went back to organizing the guests. He kept her by his side the entire time.
Braxton turned to me, smiling. “That’s Tabitha Doyle. She’s my Delta’s sister and was planning on participating in the tournament for a slot here, but I guess she doesn’t need to do that anymore.”
“She’ll be welcome at Crescent Moon as our Delta female,” I smiled back at him. “Now, let’s get you settled.”
The day moved quickly after that. Packs and candidates were flowing in, all of them excited to be a part of such a momentous occasion. A tournament like this hadn’t been seen in hundreds of years, and everyone wanted to be a part of it. When the last group on our list checked in, we all breathed a sigh of relief.
Gideon walked over, clapping me on the back. “Whew. I expected hundreds of attendees, but somehow didn’t realize what that would actually mean! I’m glad it’s time for dinner. I could use a break.”
I nodded, agreeing with him, even as I glanced at Seren. She’d managed the flow of people so well, sweet and gracious as ever, but I could see the fatigue pulling at her. It was definitely time for a break. “Let’s go in and take our seats.”
As we walked in, I placed my hand on Seren’s back, grounding myself in her touch. Every time I entered this building, the memory of finding her in the dungeon threatened to pull me under. Seeing her near death, beaten and broken, on the cold floor of the dungeon. The shock as her scent had hit me. The hard stone beneath my knees as I gathered her to me. How frail she felt as I carried her out of here. It all swirled inside me until I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
Then I felt her warmth steady me through our bond. She stopped, turning to me, and placed her hand on my cheek. Her eyes met mine. “I’m okay, love. I’m right here.”
I brought my forehead to hers and breathed her in. We stayed like that for a moment, just us in our own little bubble, until I felt steady again. I pressed a light kiss on her lips. “I love you, little wolf. I’ll be okay.”