Some of the Pack members were nodding their heads, agreeing with him. Looking over at Lily, she was scared, worried I was going to get hurt. When the man jabbed me in the chest with his finger again, I grabbed his hand. His eyes widened, and he growled at me. Angry, I started twisting his hand. I bent it back, he tried to manoeuvre out of my grip, but I was stronger. Twisting his wrist until I heard a sickening crack. Snapping his wrist, it hung at a weird angle. Everyone took a step back. I was pissed off. He may be drunk, but that’s no reason to be disrespectful. I could feel my anger boiling bubbling in my veins. I knew my eyes were blazing, my fangs elongated. The man let out a shriek as his wrist broke, clutching it to his chest. He snapped it back into place, then glared at me.
“You bitch.” He sneered, lunging at me. I stepped out of his way. He landed face-first in the dirt. That didn’t stop him lunging again. I don’t know if it was his embarrassment or his ego, but he kept lunging trying to gain an advantage. Trying to land a blow. I was too quick, my reflexes were faster than his. It didn’t help that he was completely shitfaced either. After the third punch he tried to land, I had enough. Gripping him by the collar of his shirt, I shoved him away, making him stumble into someone. Getting to his feet, I yelled at him.
“Enough!! Sit down and shut up.” My voice echoed through the trees surrounding the yard. The man instantly dropped to his knees and went silent. I didn’t realise how much authority I put behind what I said. I used an Alpha voice, one I didn’t know I contained. Only realising the extent of my command when I looked up. The entire Pack was on the knees with their heads tilted to the side, baring their necks in submission. The whole yard had gone silent. Even Beta Zane was on his knees, though he had a silly smirk on his face.
Looking around, I noticed Reid’s imposing frame walking towards me. He looked over at the crowd of people on their knees at my feet. The man my command was aimed at started shaking and whimpering when Reid approached. Reid looked handsome in his navy-blue suit. Placing his hand around my waist, he pulled me into him. He gently placed a kiss on my cheek, his earlier anger completely gone. Now he just looked shocked but proud. Using his Alpha voice, he commanded the whimpering man that was at my feet. “Apologise to your Luna now.” The man quickly apologised, stumbling over the words. Everyone let out a breath.
“You may rise,” he said to the crowd. Everyone started to get up from their positions on the ground. Seizing my hand, Reid pulled me towards the small podium at the front. Up on the podium, Reid pulled me to his side, his fingertips rubbing circles on the small of my back.
“Well everyone, by now you have all met your Luna. You would also have distinguished by now that she is Hybrid. Despite what I have said in the past about their kind, I expect you all to show her the respect she deserves as the Alpha Female. I’m sure she will put you in your place like earlier if you do cross her.” Raising his glass which I didn’t even see him grab on the way to the podium, “To the Luna,” he said.
In unison, everyone replied before cheering. Having Alpha Reid beside me, no one dared to speak out against me, but after the little show earlier, I think they realised my ability, and I had asserted my authority. The crowd sipped their drinks. Alpha Reid waited for the cheers to stop before speaking again. Waving his hand in the air, everyone fell quiet.
“Now Lily, I would like you to please step forward and come to me.” I watched Lily excitedly skip up to the stage. Her pink dress was now covered in dirt and grass stains from playing, but she still looked adorable. The crowd watched as Alpha Reid took a knee, coming down to her height. She smiled happily gazing back at him.
“Place out your hand for me, Lily.” Lily raised her palm up in front of Alpha Reid. He clasped it gently between his own. “Now Lily I would like you to repeat after me.” Lily nodded looking out at the crowd shyly.
Lily repeated after Alpha Reid, her voice was calm, and she didn’t stumble over the words. “I, Lily Violet Blackwood, accept the Blood Moon Pack and accept you, Reid, as my Alpha.” The Alpha took a small knife and sliced Lily’s finger before slicing his own hand down the palm. It was quite unusual to have a child be brought into another Pack. Usually, this was for adult newcomers or rogues that weren’t killed, but a child was pretty much unheard of. If Lily were my child, there would be no need for him to slice her finger because she would have been a Pack member the moment Reid marked me. Children were usually born into a Pack. Since we left ours, this was the only way for her to become part of the Blood Moon Pack. I was grateful that Reid didn’t slash her palm like he did his, though. Lily’s finger would heal quickly with her wolf gene. By morning, it would probably be gone. Lily didn’t flinch when he pressed his palm to her fingertips, but she did gasp when she felt the Pack link merge, linking her to everyone.
The audience all cheered excitedly, and for the first time, I felt emotional not because I was sad but proud of how far Lily had come. She was no longer the scared little girl, like in our old Pack. Here she was vibrant, happy, and everyone loved her. Lily started jumping up and down, not being able to contain her excitement. “We are home now, Ari; we have a home.” Picking her up, I cuddled into her, hiding my tears in her shoulder.