Chapter 27 The Announcement
Sunday morning felt different.
The air was colder. The sky is darker. Or maybe that was just my anxiety talking.
Lycian made breakfast. Pancakes shaped like hearts. Trying to be cute. Trying to distract me.
“You’re stress-eating,” he said. Watching me demolish my third pancake.
“I’m comfort-eating. There’s a difference.”
“What are you worried about? My dad’s announcement?”
“Among other things.” I drowned another pancake in syrup. “What do you think he’s going to say?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t tell me anything.” He stole a piece of my bacon. “But whatever it is, we’ll handle it.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it’s true.” He reached across the table. Took my sticky, syrup-covered hand. “I love you. Remember?”
“I love you too.” The words still felt new. Exciting. Terrifying. “But love doesn’t solve everything.”
“No. But it helps.”
We got to the pack house at ten. The parking lot was already full. Everyone was here.
Elena met us at the door. Her smile was strained. Worried.
“Hey. You ready for this?”
“No. Should I be?”
“Honestly? I don’t know what Thaddeus is planning. He’s been secretive all week.” She linked her arm through mine. Led me inside. “Just stick close. And remember, you have friends here.”
The dining hall was packed. Every table is full. Conversations loud and overlapping. But they quieted when I walked in.
Eyes turned. Whispers started.
I wanted to run.
Lycian’s hand found my lower back. Warm. Steady. “Breathe.”
I breathed.
We sat with Elena’s family. Garrett waved. Emma bounced in her seat.
“Elowen! You came back! I knew you would!” She was holding a small plastic horse. “Look what I got. Her name is Sparkles.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“I know. She’s my favorite.” Emma launched into a detailed story about Sparkles’ adventures. I listened. Grateful for the distraction.
Thaddeus stood. The room went silent immediately.
“Thank you all for coming.” His voice carried across the space. Powerful. Commanding. “I know there’s been a lot of uncertainty these past few weeks. Questions about the trial. About Elowen’s place in this pack.”
My stomach clenched.
“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking. Consulting with the council. Observing.” He looked directly at me. “And I’ve made a decision.”
Oh god. This was it. He was ending the trial early. Kicking me out.
Lycian’s hand found mine under the table. Squeezed.
“The ninety-day trial was meant to give everyone time to adjust. To get to know Elowen. To see if she fits our pack.” Thaddeus paused. “But I don’t think we need ninety days.”
My heart stopped.
“I think we know enough already.” He looked around the room. “This woman has shown courage. Integrity. She stood up to Marcus Blackthorn. Defended herself with dignity. Made friends. Contributed to our community.”
Wait. What?
“She’s proven herself worthy. More than worthy.” Thaddeus’s expression softened. Just slightly. “Therefore, I’m calling an early vote. Today. Right now. We decide as a pack whether Elowen Hale stays or goes.”
The room erupted. Voices overlapping. Some excited. Some angry. Some confused.
Elena squeezed my shoulder. “This is good. He wouldn’t call an early vote unless he thought you’d win.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Thaddeus doesn’t do anything without a plan.”
Thaddeus banged his staff. Silence fell again.
“The vote will be simple. Pack members only. Eighteen and older. Raise your hand if you vote to accept Elowen Hale as a permanent member of this pack.”
My throat went dry. This was it. Right now. Not ninety days from now. Now.
I couldn’t breathe.
Lycian’s hand tightened on mine. “Look at me.”
I looked. His eyes were silver. Calm.
“Whatever happens, I love you. That doesn’t change.”
“I love you too.”
“Hands up,” Thaddeus said.
I closed my eyes. Couldn’t watch. Couldn’t bear to see how many people wanted me gone.
Lycian’s sharp intake of breath made me look.
Hands were going up. Lots of hands.
Elena’s. Thomas’s. Garrett’s. Maya’s. Damien’s. Sophia and Manuel Chen. Rachel and David Kim.
More. And more. And more.
Over half the room. Maybe more.
Sarah kept her hand down. So did a few others near her. But they were the minority.
“Votes counted,” Thaddeus said. “Seventy-three in favor. Twenty-two opposed. The motion passes.”
My legs went weak. I would have fallen if Lycian hadn’t holding me up.
“Congratulations, Elowen Hale. Welcome to the Valor Pack.”
The room erupted again. But this time with cheering. Elena was crying. Emma was bouncing. Garrett was whooping.
“You did it,” Lycian whispered. “You’re pack now. Officially.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it.” He kissed me. Right there in front of everyone. Deep and sweet and perfect.
People were coming over. Hugging me. Congratulating me. Saying welcome.
It was overwhelming. Beautiful. Terrifying.
“Speech!” someone yelled.
“Oh god, no.”
“Speech! Speech! Speech!” The chant grew louder.
Lycian grinned. “You'd better say something.”
I stood on shaky legs. The room quieted.
“I don’t really know what to say,” I started. My voice cracked. “Three weeks ago, I was just trying to survive. Trying to pay rent and pass my classes and take care of my aunt. I never expected this. Any of this.”
People were listening. Actually listening.
“I know I’m not what you expected. I’m wolfless. I’m human. I’m broke and awkward and I have no idea what I’m doing most of the time.” Nervous laughter rippled through the room. “But you voted for me anyway. You chose to give me a chance. And I promise I won’t waste it.”
Elena was crying harder now. Happy tears.
“Thank you. For accepting me. For being patient with me. For teaching me what it means to be pack.” My voice got stronger. “I’m going to mess up. A lot. But I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”
The room erupted in applause.
I sat down before I could cry. Lycian pulled me into his arms.
“That was perfect,” he whispered.
“That was terrifying.”
“That too.”
We stayed for hours. Eating. Talking. Celebrating. People kept coming up to me. Introducing themselves. Offering help. Asking questions.
It felt real now. Not temporary. Not a trial. Real.
I was packed.
Around two, my phone buzzed. Text from Aunt Clara.
How’s everything going, baby?
I smiled. Texted back.
Good. Really good. I have something to tell you. Can I call later?
Of course. Love you.
Love you too.
“Everything okay?” Lycian asked.
“Yeah. Just need to call Aunt Clara. Tell her about the vote.”
“She’ll be happy.”
“She will. She likes you, you know. Told me I was lucky.”
“She’s right. You are.” He grinned. Cocky.
I swatted his arm. “Arrogant.”
“Confident. There’s a difference.”
We left around three. Drove back to the penthouse. The sun was warm. The sky is clear. Everything felt lighter.
“I can’t believe they voted yes,” I said. “I was so sure it would be close.”
“I told you. The pack loves you.”
“Not all of them. Sarah and her friends…”
“Sarah will come around. Eventually. Or she won’t. Either way, you’re staying.” He pulled into the garage. Parked. “How does it feel? Being official pack?”
“Scary. Exciting. Like I just jumped off a cliff and I’m not sure if I’m flying or falling.”
“You’re flying. Definitely flying.”
We went inside. The penthouse felt different now too. More like home. Less like a temporary stop.
“I should study,” I said. “I have that makeup exam tomorrow.”
“You should celebrate. Studying can wait.”
“Lycian…”
“One hour. Just one hour of not thinking about school or pack or anything stressful.” He pulled me close. “Please?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“This.” He kissed me. Soft. Sweet. Then deeper when I melted into him.
We ended up on the couch. Tangled together. Kissing until we couldn’t breathe. His hands in my hair. Mine under his shirt.
It was perfect. Easy. Right.
When we finally pulled apart, we were both flushed. Breathing hard.
“I love you,” he said. For the hundredth time today. Like he couldn’t say it enough.
“I love you too.”
My phone buzzed. Loud. Insistent.
We both groaned.
“Ignore it,” Lycian said.
“I should check. Might be important.”
I grabbed my phone. Unknown number. My stomach clenched.
Not another threat. Not today. Not after everything.
I opened the message.
Congratulations on the vote. But don’t get too comfortable. Being packed just makes you easier to find. See you soon.
My blood went cold.
“What is it?” Lycian asked. Seeing my face.
I showed him.
His expression went dark. Dangerous. “That’s it. No more hiding. We’re finding out who’s doing this.”
“How?”
“I have my ways.” He grabbed his phone. Started typing. “This ends now.”
But as I stared at that message, at the threat hidden in those congratulations, I had a terrible feeling.
This wasn’t ending.
It was just beginning.