Chapter 182 New Dawn pt 3
Gideon
There were more people doing the same all around the hall, and I heard a voice behind me giving orders to a group of warriors.
“Keep bringing the survivors here, get them what they need, and then we’ll worry about getting them settled. Medical attention and food are the priority. We’ll figure out the rest later.”
“Yes, Kyler.” The group turned and spread out. I met the leader’s eyes and recognized him as one of the Beta’s sons from Silver Crest Pack. He bowed his head, acknowledging me, then moved on to the next task.
It suddenly hit me. I knew what Dad meant earlier. We were seeing in real time which of the candidates could function under pressure. I shoved the rest of my sandwich into my mouth before I stood and headed out to look for my father. I needed to speak with him.
I found him in the alpha’s office of the pack house. He was with Mom, looking over some documents. I knocked on the door.
He looked up and motioned me in. “What is it?”
“You’re making the selection based on how they performed during the crisis.”
He nodded, a small smile on his face. “Yes.”
I grinned. “Let’s discuss who you have in mind.”
After some back and forth, which only got louder as Cora and Seren joined us, then Duncan, then the rest of Crescent Moon’s leadership team, we had a plan in place. Dad made the announcement to join together in the tournament grounds the next day, and we all headed off to get some much-needed sleep.
In the morning, I walked beside Cora, my sister and her mate joining us as we made our way to the stage.
Cora squeezed my hand. “I can’t wait to see their reactions.”
She didn’t have to wait long. We took our places, and Dad stepped to the center of the stage, calling the crowd to order.
“Thank you for joining us this morning. I know many of you are still processing what happened yesterday. There is still grief, still pain, still anger. But today, there is also hope. Hope for a new future, one that has been hard-won. We will honor the fallen; we will grieve their loss; and we will continue to live in a way that would make them proud. We will welcome home friends and loved ones we thought lost. We will welcome a new race to our land.”
The crowd cheered. Yesterday had seen quite a few reunions, and as more details came out surrounding Mikhail’s abuse and control, sentiment changed. There was less fear and more empathy.
Dad shared the plan for the land between us and the vampires, outlined the council, and called Phineas to the stage. As Phineas climbed the steps, he looked at me, a question in his eyes. I simply smiled at him.
“Phineas, your contribution to this war directly affected our overall success. You’ve proven yourself a leader. I’m appointing you the Hybrid Liaison to the Supernatural Council, and as Acting Alpha of the Hybrids until you determine your own internal governmental structure.”
For a moment, Phineas looked stunned. Then relief broke across his face—not for himself, but for the hundreds of hybrids standing in the crowd behind him. He knelt on one knee. “I’m honored, Your Majesty.”
After a round of congratulations, Dad moved on. “Yesterday, we started in this very arena to choose new leadership for the territory through trials of combat and leadership. There are no better trials than those of war. Throughout yesterday’s battles and aftermath, the true leaders among the candidates began to shine. As such, I’d like the following to come to the stage: Finlay Thorn, Kyler Deman, and Oreias Savakis.”
When the men were in place as requested, my father moved to stand in front of them. “Oreias, you showed exemplary care for the evacuees, protecting them on the route and helping Luna Queen Gwen keep them safe. You acted precisely as a gamma should act. As such, I’m naming you the Gamma of this new pack.”
“Thank you, King Cian.”
“Kyler, you took charge in the aftermath, coordinating aid and managing the clean-up. You focused on the people first, ensuring their needs were met, while thinking strategically about what comes next. This pack could not ask for a better beta.”
Kyler bowed. “I’m grateful.”
Dad stepped up to Finlay. “And Finlay. Your performance in battle was particularly strong. You coordinated your unit, fought with them, and led by example. You aided those who fell. You stepped up and protected me after I had fallen myself.” He paused, his eyes meeting mine, then Seren’s, as he remembered his defeat. “You stayed with me, ensuring no one could take advantage of my moment of vulnerability. And you continued to step up, leading parts of the clean-up efforts. You’ve proven who you are. And you are the new Alpha here.”
The crowd roared. The applause and cheers were so loud that I almost covered my ears. Finlay’s eyes were glassy.
When the tournament grounds quieted, Finlay answered my father. “It was my honor to protect you, King Cian. And I will protect this pack.”
They clasped hands, then Dad stepped back. “Now. You need a new name for this territory. I can’t keep calling it the former Blood Moon Pack. Why don’t you take a moment and discuss it as your first act of leadership?”
The three men huddled together, heads bent, before stepping back and nodding at my father. Dad waved a hand, indicating they should announce it themselves.
Finlay stepped to the edge of the stage. Morning sunlight spilled across the arena, catching on the damp ground still dark from yesterday’s rain. He lifted his chin.
“Yesterday we survived the darkest night this land has ever known.” His voice carried across the crowd. “Today we begin again.”
He spread his arms toward the rising sun.
“We are the New Dawn Pack.”