Chapter 73 SWEAR-IN CEREMONY
\-VANCE'S POV
The big day had arrived. The white clouds drifted lazily in the soft breeze at midday, dabbing the azure sky and blazing with the fire of the lucent sun to commemorate the day's auspiciousness.
Today, one hundred and twenty-eight people will join our pack after multiple postponements. Everyone except Sianna was present for the ceremony, which was scheduled to begin in half an hour.
At my side, standing to receive our newest members is where she should be, yet she was avoiding me still. Threatening to cut all ties with me. Living at the pack house was absurd and miserable. In my opinion, her attitude was overdramatized.
Every day, my thoughts sank me into the quicksand of our rifted relationship. But today compelled me to focus on this momentous occasion.
Cleopatra had sent messengers to the rest of the rogues in the Regant Mountains to come to the territory. They stood here before me in our temple.
The Elders and I were dressed in our ceremonial robes at the Ritual House. Mine was a Crimson velvet cloak that reached to the feet and trailed somewhat on the ground at the rear, with an open front lined and bordered with ermine.
All six of the pack's elders were present, dressed in royal blue, donned drop-sleeve robes with stars and moons patterns, closed fronts that slip over the head, and attached hoods.
Large round concrete propane fire pots in rustic black flared with flames in all four corners. Two of these sat at the foot of the ritual circle, with my Beta and Gamma standing at each.
Elder Sybil Carrow lit up the altar by igniting the candles in the carved wolves' paws. At the same time, Elder George Kipling with his cane, applied incense sticks of sweet herbs and sandalwood in their mountain home's exquisite porcelain holder. Then all the elders stood in front of the altar to give a united prayer.
My Dad was also an elder. Former Alphas automatically became a part of the council. Elder Miriam carried the golden chalice with medallions of diamonds, rubies, and sapphires at the base. Dad removed the Celtic knife from its sheath, which had a metal knotted handle with an inset blue stone and a nine-inch stainless steel blade.
Elder Mitchell summoned everyone's attention. "Thank you all for being here to witness the swearing-in of our soon-to-be pack members. To our fellow family, your support as we welcome them to join us is greatly appreciated. Please allow us to start the ceremony."
Three of the Elders stood to my left while the other half took my right as they assumed their positions. In order to establish the circle's power, Miriam invoked the spiritual presence of the moon goddess while she and Dad stood immediately alongside me, as Dad sliced my hand.
As I held my blood at the top of the circle, it began to pour out, and as it become completely crimson, the center began to glow brightly. Miriam promptly placed the golden chalice under my slashed palm, allowing my blood to be trapped in it and combined with the juices of the alstroemeria root. The cup was full to the brim, with visible vapor extruding out.
"May the rogue leader, Cleopatra Carr step forward," Elder Jacob beckoned.
She walked forward with Zoe glued to her side, giving a nod to Blayne. She stopped at the base of the circle waiting on instructions. I glanced at the timid little girl beside her. Her eyes were wide with wonder, and a funny look on her face.
Glancing now at Cleo, the mark on her neck stands out. I smile with her, as I was pleased with Blayne's accomplishment to successfully claim his woman. She slightly blushed, knowing that I had seen his mark on her. I think that we all acknowledge it. One child accompanied by an adult was the order in which they would make the life oath, which had been rehearsed by the children for their swearing-in to be smooth.
Miriam passed the chalice to me.
CHAPTER 73 - SWEAR-IN CEREMONY
+25 Bonus
"Please step into the circle to make your oath." Elder Jacob commanded Cleo.
Zoe's legs caved due to the massive power that the circle exuded. Blayne displayed deep concern for her, but could not go into the circle. Cleo quickly held her upright, balancing and reassuring her that it was okay.
"Shall we proceed?" Elder Sybil sought affirmation from Cleo who nodded. "You may take the cup as an act of embracing the oath that you will make today. One sip will do, then repeat the oath."
Cleo accepted the chalice and drank, then passed it to Zoe who grimaced at the salty and metallic taste.
'I Cleopatra Carr pledge my loyalty and my life to Alpha Vance Wolverson of the Dark Wolverson Pack, to honor, serve and reverence. I swear to the pack to protect, provide for, defend, and unify us as one, and for what it stands as I uphold my duty, regardless of the cost as the Gamma Female."
Zoe repeated everything and added the Gamma Female part which should have been omitted.
We all chuckled at how adorable she could be.
Then she screamed and collapsed to the ground as my blood infiltrated her veins. Her head erupted with excruciating pain, severing the old link and replacing it with the new one. In order to support her, Cleo tightened her hold on her. Blayne struggled to maintain his composure. After a little moment, Zoe abruptly stood up as if nothing had occurred. She grinned at Elder Sybil, who had spoken to her via the mind-link, as the new bond was created.
"I accept you as a member of my pack and family. Welcome home," I told them, faintly smiling.
They both marched over to Elder George, who checked each person's wrist to make sure the pack's insignia was formed. It was the surest indication that they had fully sworn and ingested my blood.
"Next. Raj Singh," Elder Jacob declared.
Raj released his hold on Hailey and stepped forward. Loving his mate beyond the ordinary led to the decision to transfer to my pack. While he could not be my Gamma, I gave him a proposition that would pinch his interest. Today he would be sworn in as my Delta, Blayne's deputy. Hailey overflowed with joy as she watched her mate choosing her above all else.
This essentially sums up the rest of the day. I was deadbeat by the time we had completed swearing everyone in. Blayne clung to Cleo and Zoe and seemed unable to stand even a brief separation from her.
The Elders and I strolled among the newcomers, engaging in brief conversations, until five o'clock, when we dispersed the assembly so that we could shut down the Ritual house.
Blayne was tasked with getting them to the hotel I had selected for them to stay at while waiting for their homes to be built in the new neighborhood. Raj would be a huge assistance so that Blayne could devote his time to setting up security for the new community and assisting Cleo with the layout and landscaping designs. Most importantly, Hailey would be home so that Duke could rest his concerns.
As soon as the Elders and I arrived at the pack house, I unlocked the office door so that the meeting could start. Having an Alpha -like aura around me, I walk to my desk with a straight face and posture. Today, I was not in the mood for their dreck.
Elder Mitchell said, "Alpha Vance," and I turned to face the wise old man. "The tension between you and our Luna has been observed by the pack. We are quite worried that your marriage could be breaking up."
If I didn't have the self-control to restrain myself, I might have let out a loud groan. I knew that they would have touched on this topic, just not this soon. I believe I have now actually heard several different incarnations of the same lecture. Even fucking Blayne wanted to give me relationship advice. That dufus who I had to help in the first place with Cleo.
"Sianna is grieving, people handle grief differently." I made an effort to keep my groaning to myself, but I believe that some of my actual emotions and the elders' pressure on me came through in what I said.
They exchanged frustrated mutterings until one, at last, spoke up.
"You are aware that the pack would become disordered if the Alpha and his Luna were in conflict." Elder George harshly reprimanded me. "We pray that they are not irreconcilable."
Miriam caught my attention and I assumed she would have spoken up for me, but to my surprise, she kept mute, which was unlike her. Perhaps even she had assigned responsibility to me for my child's death.
For all I knew, they might be planning an intervention. Yes, Dad would certainly be in charge. Even he stood with the elders, yet I dare not be upset with them for carrying out their duties.
"Her absence at the ceremony today shows us the severity of your marital dispute," Dad said and I glared at him for being this fickle. "She has become a shut-in. Only your mom, Dr. Stone, and Hailey are permitted to visit her."
"Elders," I raised my tone to draw their attention to only me. They went silent and listened. "I have no intention of separating from Luna Sianna. We will figure things out in due course. I am sure that Dr. Stone is catering to her daughter's psychological needs."
As the Elders considered the information, there was a brief period of stillness. There was a great outcry among them after that. I wondered if they were finally departing as I watched them stand. They weren't going to get any other outcome.
Elder George, with his cane, tapped the floor, bringing order to the chaotic discussions of the rest of them. "Let's clear the air and be direct with our concerns."
"Being a part does not solve anything," Elder Sybil pointed out. "We heard about the massacre of Jazmine Wilson."
"She had every right to execute her!" I defended.
"You must console Luna Sianna or else her wolf will turn vicious, which is contrary to the ideals of the title that she holds." Elder Sybil highlighted, "We need the lively, calm, and nurturing Luna."
"The least that we expect from you, Alpha Vance, is that you go home." Elder Mitchell stated with a frown.
I simply said, "I will." In order to stop the Elders' sluggish mumbling, I raised my hand. I gave them what they asked for, didn't I? They eventually ceased conversing again after a while. I continued with a grim expression. "Please give me and my Luna some privacy. Naturally, we should end up getting back together. We are a fated match, I'm sure the moon goddess will never let us be asunder."
They appeared to agree with what I had to say, and as they nodded, I let out a mental sigh of relief. Will they get out of my damn office now?
"You are right," Elder Jacob spoke for the first time. "The moon goddess does not destine the mate bond for failure. Very well, it's only fair that we understand your plight."
Choosing to maintain silence, I nodded. I refrained from saying anything that might offend the Elders. The fact that they had subsided in their lecturing made me grateful. On that note, they departed. Thank the goddess! Miriam, on the other hand,
lingered.
"Will you give me more lectures, Miriam?" I complained leisurely, leaning back in my chair and feeling brain drained.
"Curtis is awakened."
Oh, God! Another sore topic for the day! "What the hell is he up to now?"
She shrugged, "Go home, my boy. No one knows Luna as well as you do. Believe that the moon goddess will help you reconcile.
Be as close to her as you possibly can be"
She left me in the office like that. I knew it was another warning, and my instincts told me that it had to do with Curtis.