Chapter 8 Chap 8

Chelsey's point of view.

I keep my head down, afraid to look at the wolves. I can hear them breathing and sniffing the air for my scent. It's making my skin crawl, and if Hanz hadn't been by my side parting them all away from me, I'd have been taken to the ground and mounted by now. He's here, thank the goddess. Thank you, Alpha, for thinking of extra security...

When we get to the end of the isle that was built around us, there are two steps up onto a raised platform that looks like a stage. Hanz speaks quietly to me.

"Up one, kneel on the second."

"Thank you..." I respond in kind, following his lead. I take the first step and kneel on the second, my head bowed.

"You can look it up right now..." As I look up, I recognize that deep, warm voice that sends shivers down my spine. He's the one. Cain, you're the next Alpha?! Oh goddess, I'm in big trouble because I was rude to him when we first met. He could have me killed for it, but here I am again, staring into those eyes, and I can't look away, and he isn't telling me to. He extends his hand to help me up. That's not something he should do, is it? I slowly reach up and place my small hand into his, which swallows mine whole. What the hell is that electric current buzzing up my arm at the contact? He appears to sense it as well, as his stance softens slightly and he releases a breath he was unknowingly holding.

"Chelsey." That cold recognition of my name can only be from one person, and it pulls me out of my entrapped moment with Cain. Josh's smug smile makes me cold, even though it appears to be the reaction he seeks and only adds to his pride. Cain growls a quiet warning to Josh, who quickly wipes his smile away and looks down away from me. I quickly remove my hand from Cain's, hoping no one noticed our lengthy interaction.

He straightens up and nods once, and I feel Hanz tap my arm, signaling that it's time to move, and I slowly step down and follow his lead. Cain's eyes are still on me, and they melt into my skin, making me sweat again. What is happening to me, Goddess? Hanz is beside me as he eases me into the group of other she wolves. Some appear scared, as I suspect I do, while others, older and unmated, are doing everything they can to attract the attention of hungry wolves; the look in their eyes makes me uneasy. Not to mention the almost unbearable discomfort I'm experiencing.

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Cain's point of view.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?!" I growled at Josh, catching him off guard. "I am the Alpha! You don't speak unless you're told to!" I'm surprised by my rage as well, but I know Josh, and after what he just told me and what Chelsey told me... he's not fit to serve me. He is untrustworthy. He'd been with her for years and dropped her on her ass without even telling her he'd found his mate. It's sickening, and I'm not going to let it go. "I Cain Klive Connor, please remove yourself from your position as my Beta immediately. Go find your babe, pup! "Be thankful that I show you mercy!" He's hurt and furious at the same time, and it takes everything in me not to attack him for his heinous behavior. When my father steps up behind me, he begins to growl in defiance.

"You've heard from your Alpha." I take a step forward, feeling the power my father has bestowed upon me, and growl a powerful threat. He quickly backs up and moves into the crowd, no doubt in search of his mate.

My father takes a step back and pats my shoulder before silencing the pack.

"The time has come, my devoted followers. It's time for me to step down and hand over the reins to my son, your new Alpha Cain Klive Connor." My muscles twitch in response to the transfer of power from my father to me. "Pledge your loyalty to your Alpha." My father booms, and all wolves kneel. The power floods in, and the packs link is now under my control. I can feel them all, and it only takes a second for my body to adjust. Taking advantage of the fact that no one is looking up, I cast a glance over at that tiny little wolf bowed low on her knees, her flaming hair falling around her face. Nobody is going to touch her. That is something I swear to myself right there. No one will ever touch my little wolf again.

"You may rise." I boom across the pack, and their eyes slowly but steadily rise to my feet, but not any higher, and goddess forbid they look me in the eyes. Although I can feel one set of eyes looking me up and down, and I have to fight the urge to smile because I know it's Chelsey.

"You may all proceed to the gardens and prepare for your shift." First-time shifters will leave first, followed by she wolves and their guards. This is now required for all festival events." As the crowd begins to move, I tell my members who nod once. I watch as Hanz leads Chelsey out the side doors. It reminds me that I need to talk to him about taking on the role of Beta first thing in the morning. My wolf pines for her as soon as she's out of sight. Simply wait. We will be present.' I tell him this in an attempt to calm him down. When the pack is all outside, I take a deep breath and walk purposefully out the side doors.

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Chelsey's point of view.

As we walk across the grass, I can feel the earth vibrating beneath my feet, causing my steps to falter and those around me to stumble. I'm not sure why, but every time I look up at the giant moon, which is practically sitting in the gardens, it's as if a war breaks out inside me. My wolf's claws grow stronger, and I scream, but I can't focus, bending forward and clutching at my ribs. Howling and hooting erupt from all directions, as if my ears were stuffed with cotton wool. In a panic, I summon Hanz, who is already by my side.

"It's okay, it'll be tough, but you've got this." Drive yourself to the woods. It will be beneficial."

He's right, just look at the woods where the majority of the wolves are running. My heart leaps forward, my wolf pleading to join them, but I don't want to be in the woods. I'm terrified and it hurts; I can't do it.

'You certainly can!' When I turn my head to the side, I see Hanz's wolf standing tall where he once stood.

"You can hear me?" Inside my head, I say.