LUKA'S POV

All of my life I had dreamed of this moment. I had everything planned out down to the pair of socks I was going to wear. I knew how my hair was going to look, what shirt I needed to iron so it wouldn't wrinkle. I knew what tie would match best with my suit and the perfect cufflinks to button on. I even knew how I was going to brush my teeth. This was the one time I knew everything that was going to happen and I was completely prepared. And yet... I never expected this.

I never expected to be holed up in my room too afraid to go outside my door. I never expected to be dreading this day. I never would have thought that this could happen. And it's not because Thomas was able to infiltrate our pack and boldly threaten both my father and myself. It's not because my girlfriend is worried about the flocking of females to me when this day ends. It's not because Naal seems to be avoiding me. It's because the one person that means the most to me may not even be outside.

That's what has me so scared. That my best friend, my angel, my Raelynn may choose to avoid this day because of the hurt I inflicted on her. Because of my negligence and lust I could stand out there searching the crowd and not see her beautiful face. And I don't want that to happen. I would rather skip the entire ceremony than have to bear that pain.

"Luka? Are you ready?" Zuri's voice on the other side of my door isn't as soothing as I thought it was. It doesn't heal the ache or clear my mind. In fact all it's doing is annoying me.

"Just give me a second. I'll be out soon." I fall against my bed another time and sigh. How could she affect me so much? When did my well-being centre on her? Why does everything I think or do of revolve around Raelynn Dawson?

"She's out there Luka. You don't have to worry. I saw her myself." My breathing stops and my heart races.

"Are you sure?" I ask, my voice sounding shaky. Why am I so reliant on her?

"Yes I'm sur-"

"Luka open the door." Her voice is sharp and annoyed and makes me want to smile. We haven't spoken a word to each other since our fight. Four months, six days and twelve hours. That's how long it's been.

I get up from my bed and make my way to the door. I can sense her on the other side. I can feel her irritation and impatience but I can deal with that. As long as she's here I can handle her.

Opening the door I come face to face with this fourteen year old girl. I wasn't allowed to attend her birthday this year because she was still upset with me. I haven't seen much of her either but right now she looks perfect. Her hair isn't curly as I am used to. Instead it is straight and curls past her shoulders. It's seems much darker in colour when it's straight than when it is curly.

The baby fat in her cheeks is gone and her teeth are straight. Her eyes are sparkling with many emotions but I can see she is just as relieved to see me as I am with her. She's wearing makeup and I don't like it. It's on her lips and her eye lids, even her eyebrows have changed. They seem to have more shape to them now.

She's grown so much... too much. Brushing past me Rae walks into the room and sighs.

"Luka why are you still up here?" I close the door on Zuri and turn to my growing angel.

"I'm getting ready." Rae turns back to me and I get a full view of what she's wearing. It's a white dress that ends at her knees. With a black collar and a black sash at her waist she looks cute and quaint and young as she's supposed to. I like that she's dressing her age.

"I heard you're in here moping." A small smile touches her face as she says this and I smile along with her.

"Well it's hard to feel excited about becoming the Alpha when one of your best friends may or may not be in attendance." Rae blushes and shakes her head.

"How could I ever miss this Luka? You're going to become my Alpha I have to be here." I walk towards her and pull her into my arms. She's stiff and won't hug me back but I don't care.

"That's not the answer I want to hear." I feel her blow out a breath on my chest and I hold her tighter.

"I love you Luka. You're my best friend too. I wouldn't miss today for the world... no matter how mad I am at you." We both laugh and I kiss the top of her head. It feels so good to hold her like this again. Her arms wrap around me slowly and a little bit of tension is released from her body.

"I've missed you Rae." She pulls back and wipes at a tear.

"I missed you too Luka but that doesn't mean all is forgiven. I will not be discarded like some doll when you find someone new to play with. I am a person and I have emotions and you toy with them too much." My smile won't leave my face as I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"I know that Raelynn and I don't know how many times I can tell you that I never meant to hurt you like that." She flinches away from my touch and wraps her arms around herself.

"If only that was enough." Steeling her spine Rae takes a deep breath and looks me in the eyes. "Now get out there and become the Alpha. Make me proud." Even in her heels she is only at my chest but she rises on the tips of her toes and kisses my cheek before leaving my room.

My hand touches my cheek before it finds its way to my necklace. Looking around my bare room I play with it before turning to leave. Her scent is all over the place... Good.

***

"Today we commemorate Luka Holden Garretson and Naal Alaric Ryon as the new Alpha and Beta of Dark Moon pack."

I glance over to Naal and raise an eyebrow.

"Your middle name is Alaric?" I ask through the mindlink. He glances at me and grimaces.

"It was my grandfather's name on my mother's side. Let's never discuss it again." We both look forward and I refrain from laughing.

"By repeating this oath that was said by myself, and my father and my father's father, Luka will become the Alpha of our pack." Father turns to me and slices his wrist with a claw. I do the same with my own wrist and we latch on to each other's arm letting our blood combine.

"I, Luka, do accept the position of Alpha. I accept the Alpha's responsibilities and the danger this position fills. I understand that I am to lead my pack by doing what is just and fair. I promise to protect my pack and all who are in it and all who wish to join. I will serve my pack with honour and responsibility. I will never dictate my pack. I will trust my pack and my elders. I will choose a mate who will fit the position of Luna appropriately. I will be the Alpha that this pack deserves."

As I finish the oath I begin to feel an odd tingle that starts in my arm that is clasped with my father's and stretches all over my body. It begins to grow in strength and I realize that this is the power surging within me. I can feel the weight of the title literally all over my body and it's exhilarating.

Father releases my arm and hugs me close before leaving the stage. Next Beta Dave steps up and has Naal repeat the same as I had done with my father. When they finish Naal looks at me slightly alarmed and I know he can feel the power surge as well.

"What is that?" Naal asks rolling out his shoulders.

"The weight of the Beta title is shifting onto you. The same happened to me with the Alpha title." I respond shaking Dave's hand.

"It's like I feel stronger and weaker all at once. And damn my head is pounding. Is this how you felt when you first shifted?" Naal says waving to the crowd as people clap for him.

"Trust me I know the feeling. It was much worse when I was younger because everything was so new. You'll learn to adjust to it quickly. It's hard to explain but I feel as though everything will forever be changed."

"Everything already has changed... we're just catching up."

Lastly Gamma Jo walks on to the stage and smiles at me before I make my announcement.

"Now it is time for us to choose your pack's new Gamma. When Naal and I discussed the candidates we wanted someone who was fierce in battle and ardent off the field as well. We wanted someone we could rely on and trust to ensure the pack's safety. Someone who could hold the position Gamma Jo had held just a well. We have chosen Yulia Remer to be the new Gamma."

The look on her face is priceless and the crowd roars in applause. Yulia makes her way on to the stage and Gamma Jo nods at her. The two repeat the oath and combine their blood. When Jo walks off the stage Yulia looks to me again with tears in her eyes. I know she didn't expect this nor did she ask for it as many others had. But unlike them Yulia deserves this title.

She's brilliant with battle strategy and a great fighter. She is always wise and well informed not only with the pack but the packs around us and the humans as well. She knows what she's doing and is always well prepared in most if not all situations that are thrown at her. I couldn't be more proud.

The three of us stand on the stage and look out towards our pack. New faces and old all cheer us on. We have become the new leaders of Dark Moon pack and it's all so much to take in.

"I can't believe you guys chose me! I thought for sure it was going to be Keegan." Yulia says as she waves to the members.

"Keegan was adamant on wanting to be the head of the trackers with Kyle." Naal responds.

"Besides Yuli you're much more qualified than half the people in this pack. This role was made for you." I tell her smiling at those watching us. Yulia smiles as well and we walk forward to speak one last time.

"Well thank you both for this. I won't let this pack down."

"We know." Naal and I both respond at the same time and all three of us laugh.

"I honour my father, David and Josephine for their hard work and dedication to this pack. They led us with honour, pride and a strong will that helped to free you from the tyranny of Thomas Mal. But today we stand before you as the new generation. We will make a difference. We will make a new. We are your new Alpha, Beta and Gamma. Let us celebrate and rejoice in this occasion."

Music begins to play and people begin to dance and mingle as the ceremony turns into a celebration. Everyone comes to congratulate us and we respond with gratitude. The power is still surging within me and it sparks every time someone new thanks us. It's a little overwhelming and yet it's exciting all the same.

"Alpha Luka we want to personally thank you for choosing our daughter to be the new Gamma of our pack. We are so honoured by this." I hug both of Yulia parents and smile.

"You both have raised a wise and resilient girl. She is more than deserving of this rank. So thank you." Her mother blushes and her father shakes my hand before going to Yulia. They engulf her in a big hug and I turn to the rest of my pack coming to greet me. And man do they greet me. It takes almost an hour before I can get to the food and not surprising at all that it's all gone.

"Don't worry I fought through the hordes of people and saved you some food." Rae walks beside me and hands me a plate heaping with all of my favourite dishes. This is why she is my best friend.

"Thanks Rae. I'm starving." I dig into the food and smile when she giggles at my gluttony. People thankfully stay away as I eat except for the occasional child that hugs my leg. And Rae stays by my side the entire time.

By the time I'm almost finished eating I see Zuri making her way through the crowd with a plate of mini sandwiches.

"Luka I'm so sorry I tried to get to the food bu-"

"Relax I already had that covered... Zuri." Rae says eating a sandwich from Zuri's plate.

The animosity between them is so thick it almost makes my skin itch. But I am the Alpha now and there's no reason for me to be squeamish about being in the same vicinity as my girlfriend and my angel. Eating the last bits of the food Rae got me I show Zuri my empty plate and she blushes before narrowing her eyes at Rae.

"Those sandwiches were not meant for you little girl. They were for Luka." Zuri says holding the plate close to her chest. Rae scoffs and shakes her head.

"Are you blind or just dumb? I know Luka can eat a lot but there's no way he could ever be full on the scraps you brought for him. Sorry sweetie but this is where my knowledge and experience with Luka always trumps yours." She pauses and looks around before smirking. "Though I'm sure that will be more than enough for the little pups... they look starved." Laughing Rae takes my empty plate and leaves the two of us alone.

"Glad to see the two of you have made up." Zuri tosses the plate onto the table causing the sandwiches to topple over.

"Don't be upset Zuri she just got to the table a little faster than you is all." I take her into my arms and kiss her sweetly but she pulls away before I can deepen it.

"I get that she was mad and whatever but she shouldn't be disrespecting me the way that she does. I mean who knows I could be the new Luna of this pack and then she'll have nothing to say." My wolf, who has been oddly dormant the past few months, chooses to growl deeply at her comment.

"We both know I haven't had the chance to look for a mate yet Zuri please don't make insinuations like that. Especially not here." The look of hurt that flashes in her eyes makes me feel guilty but the grunt that follows from my wolf says otherwise.

"Yeah I know. I know... it's just we've been together for a while now and you know the elders are going to want you to choose a mate soon. And I don't plan on going anywhere." My wolf starts to growl even deeper and my head begins to pound. This is usually what happens whenever the topic of me choosing a mate comes up.

"Not now Zuri please." I slip away from her and head towards the forest to calm my mind. I can never think too clearly with large crowds anyways.

Taking off my suit jacket and placing it on a tree I venture further in, enjoying the soothing sounds of the wind and crickets. In here I don't have to worry about mates, or pack business or fights with friends. Here I can just relax.

"You're not hiding again are you?" I don't need to turn around because I know Rae will follow. So I continue walking forward until I see that familiar branch.

"No I'm not hiding per se... I'm just getting a breather."

"As the Alpha you can't always run away when you get pressured. It shows weakness." Sitting on the branch I let my head fall forward and sigh.

"Since when did you become an expert on Alpha rules and regulations?"

"I don't need to be an expert to know the obvious. What's bothering you?" She sits down beside me, just as she did all those years ago, and rests her head on my shoulder.

"Everything and nothing. It's probably nothing."

"You're lying."

"Yeah I am."

"So talk to me you idiot. Before my anger rises back up and I avoid you for another four months, six days and fourteen hours." My heart palpitates at the fact that she's kept count as well.

"Fine. It's-"

"Hold on for one minute." She stands up and scans the tree line before whistling low. Ralph trots towards her slowly looking oddly bigger than the last time I'd seen him.

"Where's he been hiding all this time?" He walks into her awaiting hand and allows her to pet him all over.

"Wolves aren't meant to be domesticated so I let him do as he pleases and he comes back to me when he wants." Rae comes back to sit beside me and Ralph follows her.

"That's very mature of you."

"Well one of us has to be." She nudges my arm before resting against me. "Now spill."

"It's this whole finding a mate thing. I am more than willing to do it. It's just all of a sudden it's some huge rush to find her. I mean I just became the Alpha. Give me some time to adjust."

"Yeah that sucks. Can't say I will ever feel that pressure."

"Lucky you." We both laugh and Rae sits up.

"Everyone is just excited Luka don't worry. Just get through today and worry about tomorrow when it comes." Turning towards her I raise my eyebrows at her comment.

"It's only been four months and you sound like that?" Her cheeks redden and she rubs at them knowingly.

"Well I'm an official teenager now so of course I'm going to change." Standing up with her I smile and pull her into me.

"Don't change too much ok?"

"Ok." She holds me tightly before she pulls back again and whistles for Ralph. "We should get back."

"Yeah you're right. Everyone must be looking for the Alpha." Rolling my eyes and shoulders I begin walking back towards the party with Rae and Ralph in tow.

"Would you mate with Zuri?" Rae asks quietly.

"I can't say. I'm just not thinking about that right now. Honestly I'm in no rush."

"Good." I smirk at her comment. It was said under her breath but I know she wanted me to hear it.

The music from the party begins to get louder and the smells of food, sweat and perfume fill my nostrils. Opening my mindlink just slightly I can feel the excitement lacing each and every pack member. The fear is gone, the worry has left them and the sadness has disappeared. Sheer joy is what I can mainly feel. And as I grab my jacket and make my way into the crowd I begin to feel and even hear the lustful thoughts that fill the young she-wolves' minds causing me to block the mindlink once again.

"Where were you man?" Keegan slaps my back grinning like an idiot.

Tyffany isn't too far behind him and I can smell the wolf on her. Father turned her about three weeks ago and I can tell she's still adjusting. But having a wolf looks good on her; her usual confidence has doubled and she has a glow on her that shows a newly turned wolf. Her eye colour has brightened and her hair has gotten longer. The mating mark on her shoulder is practically a beacon to all of the lustful male wolves watching her. She's taken and she's more than proud.

"I needed a breather. You will be on time tomorrow right?" Keegan high fives an enforcer walking past him before he focuses on me.

"Are you kidding me? I wouldn't miss tomorrow for anything. It's my dream come true." Laughing I shake my head and pull him in for a quick hug.

"Congrats Keegan."

"Congrats to you Alpha! I can finally call you that!" We both burst into laughter and Tyffany slides into Keegan's arms.

"Alpha Luka! It's so weird saying that now!" Her face nuzzles Keegan's neck and she nips at his mark making his eyes flash black briefly.

"Sucks for you. I've had years of practice." Keegan replies pulling her into him. They're probably one of my favourite couples out of my friends. They complement each other very well.

"Well I'm just gonna have to catch up then Alpha. Alpha... Alpha, Alpha, Alpha." Tyff says smiling. Shaking my head I leave the lovebirds behind and search out Rae's scent. It's gotten stronger and more potent with her age and sweeter too. I don't know how to explain it but it's always been the calm to the storm of my wolf.

I can sense her nearby and her scent is mixed another's ... it's a male's scent. I can tell that he's younger than me but older than Raelynn by the presence of his wolf. He's somewhere close to her that's for sure.

My eyes scan the crowd to find her and this mysterious male but Zuri pops into my line of sight.

"Are you feeling better now? Actually never mind I don't know why I asked. I can smell Raelynn on you so of course you're feeling better." I can tell she's restraining her wolf and by the look on her face she isn't succeeding.

"What's wrong with you today?" I ask pulling her aside. Her temper flares at my question and I feel my own wolf's irritation rise.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? This little girl doesn't talk to you for a few days and you become a mopey little boy. But oh no, when I try to comfort you, Goddess be damned, if I want to help make you feel better then it's a problem. Me! Your girlfriend can't even kiss you without you shutting me out. And yet... AND YET!" Her voice raises and I growl to keep her in check.

"Calm down Zuri and stop causing a scene." I tell her, a growl slipping into every other word. Her face is bright red and her claws are out but at my command she begins to relax.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I haven't shifted in a few days because I was so stressed about today. I know I need to relax. I apologize. It's just..." She pauses and her lower lip trembles. "Why is she more important to you than I am?"

"Zuri don't compare yourself to Rae please. The bond that Rae and I have is something that even I can't comprehend sometimes but it's there and it's ours. What you and I have, it's still growing. We're still getting to know each other and still growing to like each other while I've known Rae the majority of my life." I take her in my arms and nip at her neck.

"I care about you Zuri but when you attack Rae like this it irritates my wolf. He almost attacked Willow for harming her and she's my sister. So please understand that there is no comparison between you two. You are Zuri and Rae is Rae and you're both important to me in very different ways." Zuri laughs and snuggles into me.

"I liked the rhyme and I appreciate your honesty. And you're so right. Rae is just a little girl. As your girlfriend I will always be able to give you things she will never do." Her breath is hot on my neck and her arousal is more than apparent. But for some reason I'm oddly flustered at her little comment.

More than I should be.

HEY EVERYONE! HERE IT IS! And sorry it's so late but I had to do SO much rewriting and editing until I thought it was good enough. So talk to me and let me know what you think! And welcome back to the Dark Moon Pack!

-Myeerrz

PICTURE OF LUKA ABOVE!!