Chapter 3 Recognition Day

Sierra

The ceremonial knife sliced across Sierra's palm, her blood pooling on the ancient rock, as the whole pack stared in tense silence, blood offerings weren't common in recognition ceremonies anymore, but Sierra wanted every tradition on her side. The red droplets oozed slowly into the mossy gray surface and disappeared as if the rock were parched for her offering.

"Blood of my blood," Sierra murmured the ancient words, "I call to what lies beyond flesh, bone to bone, heart to heart."

Suddenly, the dream changed, and the watching faces of her pack transformed into snapping jaws, their eyes glowing red like the messenger who had arrived yesterday making everyone frantic and begin preparing for attack.

Sierra bolted awake, her heart racing. The dreams were becoming more frequent and vivid.

Sunlight shone through her window.

Today was her birthday.

Today was Recognition Day.

The soft knock preceded Maya's entrance, her best friend's arms filled with fabric and small parcels.

"Happy birthday!" Maya yelled, flinging the items on Sierra's bed. "I bring gifts and opinions about what you should wear tonight."

Struggling to regain composure, Sierra forced a wobbly smile and pushed aside the lingering uneasiness from the dream. "You're worse than Grandmother with the fussing."

"Speaking of..." Maya turned as Iris Greywood appeared, carrying a steaming mug which filled the air with soothing herbs.

"Drink," she demanded, shoving the mug into Sierra's hands. "You're making my nose burn with anxiety."

Sierra dutifully sipped the herbal concoction, familiar chamomile and lavender soothing her throat. "I dreamed of the ceremony again."

Maya and Iris shared secret glances, communicating in a way that irritated Sierra.

"What? What don't you want to tell me?"

Her grandmother sighed heavily and sat on the bed's edge. "I am deeply troubled by the timing-your visions, the silver in your hair, yesterday's messenger... These signs are connecting too quickly."

"What signs?" Sierra demanded, putting down the mug. "You've been hinting at some family secret, some prophecy, but you never actually tell me anything useful."

"Because some things are dangerous before their time," Iris's voice grew hard. "Now let me see your hair."

Reluctantly, Sierra turned so Iris could see the silver streak that had materialized two nights ago. She had spent hours yesterday trying to make it black again-commercial dye, herbal treatments-nothing worked.

"We're going to have to hide it," Maya said, pulling out hairpins. "I brought ribbons that match your ceremonial dress. We can braid that section and wrap it."

Sierra nodded gratefully. The last thing she needed was for the pack to see anything abnormal-especially today.

Werewolves don't go gray until their final years when their connection to their wolf retreats. Silver hair at twenty was unheard of, and anything unheard of was treated with suspicion in pack society.

"The entire pack will be watching tonight," Sierra murmured. "What if he rejects me?"

Iris cupped her granddaughter's face in rough palms. "Sierra Greywood. You are descended from strong healers. You possess powers you haven't discovered yet. Any wolf would be honored to call you mate-including an Alpha."

"But what if-"

"No more 'what ifs,'" Maya inserted firmly. "Besides, you two are obvious mates. I see how he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching."

Sierra wanted to believe her friends. She had felt the connection with Dominic since they first met four years ago, when she was apprenticing with her grandmother and he was the Alpha's son in training. Something had clicked between them-a recognition beyond physical attraction.

But that was before he became Alpha. Now their conversations were formal, only about pack health issues. Except for three months ago, when she was treating his infected wound...

Sierra felt her cheeks warm remembering it. The fever had impaired his usual self-control, and for a fleeting moment, neither were Alpha and healer, but man and woman. His palm had felt so warm against her cheek, his amber eyes darkening as they drew closer, his lips seeking hers...

"Earth to Sierra," Maya said, snapping her fingers. "Save the romantic fantasy until after the ceremony. We have work to do."

The next hours sped by in preparation frenzy. Sierra stood before her mirror as the sun dipped lower, hardly recognizing herself. The ceremonial attire was elegant-deep satin blue with enough sheen to reflect the silver in her eyes and complement her pale skin. Maya had artfully braided Sierra's raven hair into a masterpiece containing thin silver ribbons, making the unusual silver streak appear decorative instead of strange.

A crescent moon pendant hung from her neck-the Greywood family pendant, made from silver that had been in their family for generations. It should have burned werewolf skin, but the Greywoods had always had a strange tolerance for the element from which their pack took its name.

"The offering," Iris stated quietly, handing Sierra a small bundle wrapped in black silk.

Sierra took it reverently and slowly unwrapped it. Inside was a sprig of wolfsbane wrapped in pure silver threads. This was the traditional offering for the Recognition Ceremony, symbolizing the strength to overcome weakness for love. Few used such historically traditional items nowadays, most opting for jewelry or symbolic gifts.

"This isn't just any wolfsbane," her grandmother informed. "It was planted in soil with your blood during the full moon."

Sierra carefully rewrapped the symbolic offerings, accepting the silver thread her grandmother had been weaving for weeks.

"So you've been planning this for a while."

Iris's gaze grew far-off. "Longer than you think."

A howl rose from the compound center, announcing sunset and the celebration's start. Sierra's stomach jumped with nerves and anticipation.

"It's time," Maya said, squeezing Sierra's hand. "Remember: back straight, eyes proud. You're not asking for a favor, you are taking what destiny has already marked as yours."

They walked through the compound toward the ceremonial grounds. Pack members nodded respectfully as Sierra passed, some wishing her happy birthday, others watching with curiosity. Everyone knew what was about to take place, a healer claiming mate recognition from the Alpha was serious pack business.

The ceremonial grounds stood in Silver Moon territory's heart; a circular clearing surrounded by ancient pines, with a raised stone dais in the middle. Many pack members already filled the area with torches being lit, as the last sun rays changed the night sky to deep oranges and purples.

Elder Grayson stood near the entrance, wearing ceremonial robes indicating he was tonight's officiant. His eyebrows rose slightly seeing Sierra approaching.

"Healer Greywood," he greeted, his eyes lingering on Sierra's face. "The silver looks good on you."

Sierra was unsure about his tone, he seemed not to be referring to her ribbons. Her fingers moved instinctively to touch the hidden streak.

"The ceremony will begin with the first star," Elder Grayson continued. "Alpha Silvercloud is in the sacred grove preparing."

Sierra nodded, trying to quiet her racing heart. This was really happening. After years of waiting, preparing, and quiet wanting, tonight she would formally ask for acknowledgement as Dominic's mate. Pack law required Sierra to wait until twenty; old enough to be sure of her mind, young enough to bear strong pups. The thinking was old-fashioned and made her cringe, but tradition was the fabric of pack laws.

"I'll wait near the eastern stones," Sierra said to Maya and her grandmother. "I need a moment to calm myself."

They complied, giving her privacy while she moved toward the quieter edge. The eastern stones, three waist-high monoliths carved with the pack's original symbols, would provide privacy while she gathered courage.

Sierra took calming breaths, taking in the smell of pine, earth, and her packmates. Her wolf stirred beneath her skin, anxious and irritable. Soon, she promised her other half. Soon we will know.

Movement across the clearing made her pause. Dominic had emerged from the sacred grove, his powerful form unmistakable even at distance. He wore formal Alpha attire: dark pants and deep crimson shirt signifying the blood responsibility of leadership, with the silver cord of authority draped across his shoulder.

Sierra's breath caught. Even after all this time, seeing him stirred involuntary physical response: quickening pulse, warmth spreading through her skin. Her wolf whined in want.

However, he wasn't alone. Victor Caldone stood nearby speaking urgently, grasping Dominic's forearm in what seemed to be an intense conversation. Dominic stood rigidly, face set in stern lines as he listened to his Beta.

A movement in the shadows behind them drew Sierra's attention. At first, she thought it was a pack member, possibly Liam or one of the elders. But as she focused, she saw this figure stood too still, too concealed.

A cloaked figure, hood drawn to disguise their face, was watching the Alpha and Beta from the shadows between trees. Something about their posture, predatory and cunning, sent a chill down Sierra's spine.

As if sensing her, the figure turned slightly toward her. Though she couldn't see its face, she felt the weight of the creature's gaze lock onto her across the clearing. Apprehension washed over her, the same feeling from her prophetic visions.

The figure raised one hand, like a greeting or maybe a promise. Then, quiet as shadow, they receded into the deeper darkness, leaving Sierra wondering if she had imagined the whole thing.

Across the clearing, Dominic tensed, turning toward the spot where the figure had stood. With a deep frown, he raised his head, nostrils flaring as he scented the air.

Before Sierra could understand what she had seen, Elder Grayson's voice echoed across the clearing.

"The first star has appeared! Let the Recognition Ceremony begin!"