Previously, on Love bite. 

"I wanted to thank you again for setting this up for me. You're much too kind, how can I ever repay you?"

"Oh, you're more than welcome. Just don't try to kidnap my mate again." Duke gives me a smirk in response.

"Don't worry, Alpha Sophie, I've already learned my mistake the hard way."

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Now Sophie's P.O.V

On first leaving the hospital, my uncle started out following out with me, but upon shifting and taking off, he went in the opposite direction to get things ready for the ceremony tonight while I head back towards the house.

I shift back just as I come up to the door. I speed walk inside, heading straight upstairs towards our room, closing the door behind me. The house is early quiet, a bit unusual for this time of day. About the only ones inside stirring are Heather and Cody,

Getting to our room, I head over towards closet, pushing apart the clothes hanging down from the rack. Behind all my clothes sits a small simple looking safe, I bend down and carefully punch in the combination. The safe is empty apart from the shape of a fancy looking knife

 Slowly, I take the knife out of it's hiding spot where it's been hiding for the past three years, having to lower it slightly to get it out of the safe 

Once I do have it out, I carefully look it over with my eyes, taking in every detail of the ancient looking weapon. The handle is a shade of dark grey with hand-carved ornate silver looking vines that sprout up towards the sharp edge. I  adjust my hands slightly wanting to avoid the blade at any costs. The blade itself is the truly unique thing about this knife. It's a blade, not made out of metal, but one of solidly polished emerald.

I look closer. Whitish and brownish line drag across the surface of the stone, giving it the look of a map that would lead you to nowhere if you look hard enough. This is a relic, a true wonder. , This knife was forged by my ancestors many years ago, it's all we have left to remember them by. This object has belonged to us for as long as we've been a pack.

I shift the knife in my left hand, looking at my right. My stomach begins to flutter as if a cage has been set free inside. A slight smile creeps onto my face. 

I remember when I had to face the blade when I became Alpha, and now the time has come for Luka to take my place as leader of The Emerald  Stone Pack. I've taught him everything I could, now I sure do hope he's ready.

I hear the door open from downstairs and my aunt comes walking into the house. Closing the safe back up and making sure that it's locked up tight, I get up and walk out of my closet.                  

I take each down each step-down, one after the other till I reach the bottom. Once there, I find aunt Sherry waiting for me, I walk up and greet her with a slight embrace, she puts her arms around me in return.

"Wow Aunt Sherry, that was fast." She pulls apart from me slightly.

"Well Little Sophie, pretty soon after you and your Uncle left, Martha arrived and Jake told her what you instructed. Afterward, I excused myself to come over here." I nod.

"Thought as much, that's why I left the front door unlocked." 

I hold the knife out to her, my hand careful to avoid the blade. My heart flutters again, my eyes closing for a moment. I let out a slight sorrow filled sigh This is it no turning back, like the passing of a torch.

"Here it is," I inform, opening my eyes again.    

"Relax Sophie, you know it's still going to be in the same house."     

"I know, it's just..."

I know how you feel, Sophie. Trust me, Luka's going to be a great Alpha, you and I both know it," she then places her free hand gently on my shoulder, "But between you and me, I think you were one of the best."  I feel my cheeks heat up and a slight plush come onto my face

"Aw, thank you, Aunt Sherry.". I then take a step back from her increasing the distance between us a bit. "So I'd take it Uncle is getting everything set up at the..." She removes her hand.

"Yep, Chris and Art are both helping him out over there," she then looks down at the knife still in her hand, "And I've got to run this by there and start helping out myself." 

I nod again, "Well, goodbye for now aunt Sherry, and thanks, thanks for everything."

My aunt smiles, "You're quite welcome, Little Sophie," her smile then spreads. "Now you better get going, you still have a birthday party to throw."

***

Hearing Luka get out of the car after returning home, I and everyone else inside get into their hiding spots, listening to the sound of scurrying around the kitchen for a moment before it all goes silent. I hide beside one of the counters, listening to Luka's footsteps as he nears the door.

I hear Luka open the door and step through along with Elliot, I turn and face all of the pack member scattered all throughout the. Smiling, I whisper.

"Ready?" They all nod. "Okay, on three.One, two, three."

"Surprise! Happy birthday Luka."

On the other end of his connection. I can feel Luka's heart rate increase His eyes bulge and a slight red hue dots his cheeks, he puts his hand up and touches his slightly parted lips. Elliot holds his arms out wide, Luka sees this and accepts his adopted brother's embrace. I hear Elliot mutter to him

"Happy birthday my brother."

"Thanks, bro."

"I love you man."

"I love you too, bro," Elliot and Luka break apart slightly, "And thanks for this, it means a lot to me." Elliot shakes his head slightly. 

"Don't thank me. Thank your mate, she's the one that planned this whole thing, I just played along."

Next thing I know, Luka practically scoops me up and wraps me in a bear hug. I relax and smile, resting my head on his shoulder. The sparks shooting between us is so powerful, I swear it would be able to blow a fuse. Luka gets close to my ear and whispers.

"You're the best mate ever, SophieJane."

"There's no help for it, Luka. It's my job." We stay like that for a moment. I try to pull away, but Luka doesn't release. I give an exasperated sigh, "Uh, Luka, the ice cream is melting,"

"Oh right, my bad."

He releases me in the second those words leave his lips. I walk over and get Luka's birthday cake, carefully taking it over to the table, the boy following behind me like eager little children.

As soon as I set the cake down, my aunt, uncle, Quinn, his father, and Art all walk in through the door followed by Keith, carrying Alex in his arms. They all enter the kitchen and my uncle looks slightly down at the floor like he's done something wrong

"Sorry, we're a bit late, Sophie." 

I just smile at him, "No worries Uncle, you didn't miss anything big, so you guys are good."

Keith looks towards Luka, "Thought we were just joking around when we said we would come back over here huh?"

"You had me wondering there for a while Keith."

The rest of the guests gather around the table while Luka sits in a chai. I pull the top of the cake box. It's just a standard birthday cake, with white icing. It has a green Mustang designed on the top...and who better to be inside then three little gummy bears. Luka's eyes go wide looking over every detail of the cake, he then looks up me.

"Sophie, did you do this?"

I shake my head, "No, Luka your adoptive mother did. She brought it over soon after I returned from the pack hospital, she then helped me set the rest of this up before you yourself got home." Luka Looks at Debby gratefully.

"Thank you, Momma."

"You're very welcome my son."  

Aunt Sherry walks around to the kitchen light switch and dims the lights over the table, creating a slight glow around the cake. The reason we didn't turn off all the lights when we were getting ready to surprise Luka was he's afraid of the dark, so we decided against it.

I light the candles on top of the cake, all of us singing happy birthday, Afterward, my aunt hands Luka a knife. Luka takes it, cutting the first piece himself. Like a true gentleman, he paces the slice over to me. I blush slightly but take it

My uncle then asks with a smile on his face, "How does your car run?"                  

"Like a kitten."

***

Luka and I walk into the living room after finishing the cake, leaving the box open on the table for anyone who might want another piece later. My mate sits down on the floor, the party guests standing in the empty space or sitting on the couch around the room, I myself sitting beside him.

Beside me sits a small pile of presents, a few in bags, others wrapped. IAfter everyone else is seated, I turn towards Luka.

"So Luka, which one do you want to open first?"

"Umm," is his reply.

From the couch full of guest, Elliot's voice rings out.

"Luka, please pick mine first. It's the small bag in front."

I look to find the present in question. I slightly smile, only Elliot would put a present for a birthday in the summer in a bag dotted with more than a dozen, tiny and large snowflakes. Only Elliot.

"Hmm," Luka looks towards the gift bag, "Alright, let's see." I pass it to him.         

Elliot looks on with wide eyes and quick eager movements as the seconds go by, watching his brother tearing through the tissue paper. It takes Luka no time at all to get to the object or objects it the bottom, he reaches in and pulls out said object. I gleaming package of gummy bears. Luka holds it up and raising his towards Elliot.  

"Gummy bears dude?" Elliot nods.

"Yeah," Elliot rubs the back of his neck, "I uh. Well forgot to buy a package after you won our bet when we were back in training. so, I decided to make that your present. Is that okay?" Luka smiles back at him.

"It's okay bro. To tell you the truth, I actually forgot about that bet as well. thank you though, I'll be sure to enjoy each and every one of them." Luka puts the bears back in the gift bag and passes it to the side.

I just reach for a random present in the pile and pull a nicely wrapped box, I look at the name tag to see who it's from. Heat spreads across my face. I turn.

"Luka. This one's from Ace and Shelby, why don't you open this one next." Luka takes it from me and starts to unwrap it slowly as if just in case whatever's inside jumps out and bites him.

From where they're sitting on the couch, Ace, and Shelby hold each other close and their hands tightly. My stomach's back in butterflies again but this time from excitement. I'm just as eager for Luka to open this one up as much as they do, I try not to think about it so he doesn't see it on my connection. 

It seems like minutes before Luka unwraps the gift. Opening the box slightly slower than before, Luka pulls out the folded piece of fabric and looks it over. I help him unfold it so he can see the design in it's entirely. A beautiful hand made quilt is now splade out in both our laps, showing off months of hard work. 

I might have stepped in their room a few times between start to finish just to check up this masterpiece's progress.

Luka's hand travels over each the design on the surface of the quilt itself. In the first square. a blue one, there are two cutziefided versions of our wolves, one brown, one cream. Above both of them, in the top center of the square, is a small pink heart. Luka drags his hand through the second patch, a light brown one a cup of hot chocolate, light gray seam coming off the top. Above my mate's slow-moving hand, is a sharp looking emerald stone.

Luka's hand stops, a weight forming in his chest and getting an inward gage. I look down to see what he's so focused in on. My mate's hand has stopped on a black square is a design of the necklace Luka keeps around his neck at all times, the one his mother gave him. Each stitch of the image expertly crafted. Luka's dark brown eyes go misty for a moment.

Realizing I'm watching him, Luka takes his hand away and looks up towards Ace and Shelby. He smirks towards their directions. The weight on Luka's chest vanishes.

"Ace, I didn't know you can sew."  Ace gives him a death glare but decides not to act on it.

"No," Ace shakes his head, "Shelby's the one who actually sewed it, I just helped her box and wrap it." Luka turns his attention towards Shelby.

"Shelby, when did you learn how to tow sew and stitch?"   

"Luka, it got pretty boring around here while you were away at Alpha training."

He looks back down at his gift and smiles. "Well, it's beautiful regardless. Thank you, Shelby, I'm very grateful.

An hour goes by with Luka opening his gifts, one after the other and thanking the giver. I continue to help him, all the while the butterflies keep growing in my stomach. By the time Luka reaches the last present, I can't even feel my stomach or any part of my upper body.

"Okay, Luka," I say as I reach around to the pile, "it's time for the last one." I bring it around in order to for Luka to see it. "It's from your adopted mom, I've saved this one for last."

It's true, I wanted Luka to open this one for last. Even though Shelby's gift seemed like the best, once Debby showed me what it was, I had to rearrange the present pile slightly. "She even had to wrap the box at the very last second, just before Luka and Elliot returned home. in fact, just looking at the box now, I don't think the tape has had time to set yet.

Luka takes the box from me and begins to unwrap it eagerly, a little bit too eagerly for Debby.    

"Be careful, it's a bit fragile."

Luka looks up at her and nods, going back to unwrapping the box, a little slower this time. After a moment, he uncovers the white cardboard box, pulling back what remains of the wrapping paper.

"Thanks, mom."

After taking the top off the box, Luka picks up the wod of tissue paper and places it gently in his lap. Using his free hand to set the now empty box off to the side, Luka fumbles with the edges of the white paper. Slowly, he uncovers what's beneath.

Luka's eyes widen. His gaze then becomes unfocused, like he's just seen a ghost. I can feel his chest start to tingle. He then lets out a shocked gasp. Starring back at Luka, are two very small plaster handprints. Still, a bit overwhelmed, Luka, takes his larger hand and puts it over the much smaller  impression 

"Are those my?" Debby nods from her spot on the couch. "Momma, where did you find these?" Debby smiles.

"Actually, Luka," Debby starts to reply, "After you were kidnapped, I also misplaced your handprints and couldn't find them anywhere. Then just a few days ago, I found them again."           

I look towards her, "Debby, how old did you say he was when this was done again?" 

"He was two."

I look at Luka who smiles, he then slowly and carefully puts the handprints back in the box. He stands with the box in hand.

"Thank you, everyone, for the nice gifts, I appreciated them very much. Please excuse me while I put them upstairs." Gathering up the bags and boxes, Luka heads up the stairs.

For a little while after Luka comes back down, he thanks those who took the time to give him a present. I look at the clock on the wall, the sky growing even darker outside. At the sight of the time, I let out a deep sigh. Luka looks at me.

"What is it, Sophie?" 

"It's time. It's time to get going, Luka," I look up and face everyone, "It's time to start heading to the  Alpha ceremony. "

Everyone nods. Those sitting on the couch get up and start making their way towards the front door, with Elliot and I starting to guide Luka towards our destination. Because of Ace's cane, he has to get to the location with the help of Shelby.

As approach the thick darkened trees, Luka turns towards me.

"So where are we going, Sophie?" I smile back at him.

"Somewhere that means a lot to us both, Luka."

As the pack and I ender the dark forest, we all pick up speed. We won't be traveling to the ceremony in wolf form, not going to it anyway, it's the tradition. A few of the younger members of the pack do shift to jump longs, but they always shift back as soon as they hit the ground.

The anxious butterflies start to making another appearance in my stomach, making my chest tingle slightly.

"You've learned everything you've need Luka, you're ready to fulfill your destiny and become Alpha of this pack." From the other end of my connection, Luka chuckles.

"I hope so too, Sophie. Now, where are we going?"

I look towards him and smile. "We're getting there Luka, we're getting there."

Surely if he were to look around, he would recognize where we're going, but then again, it's been a while since we've headed this way at night. The last couple of full moon's, we've spent with both packs in the forest close to the meadow. In the brush around us, I can hear crickets chirping as we move closer. As we approach the other side of the treeline, all of us slow down to avoid slipping,

When our group emerges on the other side, Luka's feet hit the ground causing the rocks underneath him to shift slightly. Instantly as soon as Luka's eyes adjust he finally realized where he's at and where the ceremony will be taking place. The Northern Shore. I come alongside him. giving him a slight kiss on the cheek and sliding my hand into his.

"This was Uncle's idea, he wanted to surprise you." 

When we move further out onto the shoreline, I notice that there is a steady stream of pack members coming out of the trees as well. In actuality, some of the pack members got here a bit early. I spot Art and Dylan talking to Mia, Jason, and even Angie surprisingly. That's why Dylan wasn't at the party earlier, he was driving into town to pick up his mate. The three of us have to carefully doge a giggling Chloe as she quickly zips by followed by Asher playfully chasing after her.  Elliot's face uplifts and a smile spread across his face, slowly starting to chase after the two young pups. Luka faces me.

"You know something SophieJane, I don't think Elliot will ever grow up." I smile and reply.

"I have a feeling he won't either, not that we'd want him, It'd be too boring." Out of the corner of my eye, I see someone reaching out towards Luka from behind, he feels the tap and turns around to find that it's just Debby. Luka smiles lovingly at her.

 "Hi mamma, thanks for coming and for raising me for all those years." Debby places a gentle hand on his shoulder. her eyes looking deeply into his, the way a parent would.

 "No need to thank me, Luka, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat, but remember this and don't ever forget. I will always be there for you my special boy and you will always be my son." Luka's smile grows so big it reaches his eyes.

"and I know that no matter what happens or what the future may hold, you will always be my mother." Luka embraces his mother in a hug. not wanting to spoil the mood, I turn around to see what else there is to look at on the beach. 

From where Luka and I are standing, I can see Greg and Amanda standing by the shoreline as the water, Amanda holding onto Victoria's hand as the waves roll in. Cody and Heather are standing on one of the dunes, they've even got their pups out. Keith's even got Alex with him, they're in the shallow water lightly splashing each other. My eyes shift to the center of the beath, a chill then runs down my spine. 

My aunt and uncle stand there, my uncle holding the emerald knife carefully. Between both of them, on a tall slab of stone, sits an iron bowl filled with water. it's not as old as the knife, but it's been with this pack for as long as can remember. The last time I saw it was on the night I became Alpha. My stomach clinches but I shove it down before it can get to me, My uncle takes one last look at the sky. Once he's made sure all the color's gone from it, he clears his throat.

"Luka, it's time," Luka slowly lets his mom go, but before we start walking over, Debby looks towards me, her smile still there but now filled with tears

"Sophie, look after my son." I nod. Luka then takes my hand again and we slowly make our way over towards the center of the beach, Debby following behind us.

Hearing my uncle's statement a lot of pack members start to make their way over as well. Luka and get to my aunt and uncle first, the others starting to encircle us with a few scattered outside the circle, Keith and Alex being two of then. From where he stopped casing Chloe, Elliot ends up standing right across from us. My uncle eyes us and is about ready to speak when we hear the unmistakable foot footfalls of Ace and Shelby.

"Hold up Mister Liam," Ace calls out, running so fast he's practically losing his cane and tripping over the rocks. Shelby catches up with him and braces his weaker side with her arm.

'Careful Ace, I don't want to fall on me," I hear Shelby tell him as they make there way over, "because if that happens then we are both going down. They get over to the circle, Ace breathing heavily as he gives my uncle a nod.

"Alright we're here, now you can start." My unce addresses everyone, clears his throat again, and begins to speak.

"Good evening. Throughout the history of our kind, there have been many great packs and many amazing wolves to fill those packs, each with there own role and job to keep the pack running smoothly. There are the Omegas, the fun and free-spirited ones of the pack. There the subordinate, the parents and peacemakers of the pack. The scouts patrol the territory, they protect their family and are the first to sound the alarm when trouble arises. The Warriors are the first to rush into battle, ready to lay down their lives if need be. The healers..." My chest goes hollow at the word healer. An image of my mother flutters up to my mind. Feeling this, Luka leans and places his head on my shoulder for a second. "But there is but one wolf in a pack that had not a job but a duty in a pack. There leader. There guide, There Alpha. The Alpha's job is to lead the pack and make sure everything's stable and well cared for. An Alpha's duty, however, is much more decisive. An Alpha's duty is to protect and serve as a leader of the pack to give the other wolves guidance and direction in order for it to run An Alpha needs to jump into harm's way to protect his or her family at any price, willing to jump into a fight courageously and without fear. Mostly though, an Alpha's main duty is standing up for something they believe is right"  Uncle turns towards me, Luka raises his head from my shoulder, "Sophie Peterson, step forward."   

I swallow the hollow feeling in my chest and let out a sigh. I walk the slow few steps to the center of the gathering, being careful to avoid the bowl and go around the slab. I get to my aunt first and hug her. She wraps her arms around me, putting her mouth by my ear and tearing up slightly.

"Well done Little Sophie, I love you so much." The heat stirs in my chest.

"I love you too Aunt Sherry, thank you so much" I pull away from her fighting back tears and turn towards my uncle. I do the same for him and he does the same thing for me as my aunt did.

"Okay Little Sophie, I love you and nice job. You will and always have been one of the greatest Alpha's I have ever known," he whispers

"I love you too Uncle and thanks, thanks for everything." I turn towards the crowd. The members of my family facing there gazes on me, one final time.

 I give the best smile I can muster.  "Emerald Stone Pack," warmth spreads its way through my limbs. "It's been an honor and a privilege to serve your Alpha. " Only about a second after my voice leaves the air, the first clap rings out followed by another, and another, and another until all members of both packs are giving me a standing ovation, even the pups. My eyes gleam as I'm finally able to let one tear slide down my face.  Thank you all." My uncle clears his throat once more.

"As with everything from the phasing of the moon to the mysterious thing we call life, there's a cycle, the role of Alpha is no exception to this. There comes a time in every pack where the current Alpha must step down and give their duty to the next one in line." uncle looks at Luka, my heart's hammering in my chest. "Luka, step forward," Like me, Luka clutches his pendant and takes a few tentative steps until he's standing his standing before my aunt, uncle me, and the bowl. My uncle then steps around to be in front of Luka, he looks back at the pack members "And now, on a beautiful night like this, the cycle of the Alpha begins a new, " uncle looks back towards Luka, readying the knife. "Luka, present your palm." my mate does what he's told, stretching out his hand.

Uncle drags the sharp blade across the surface of Luka's palm, causing a slight gash in his skin. Luka winces slightly as the blade makes contact but stays surprisingly calm. My uncle's silent for a moment as he waits for enough blood to pool in Luka's hand. Unlike normal circumstances where Luka's blood would be red, there's something special about Luka's blood tonight. Under the moonlight tonight, Luka's blood is mixed with a slight shade of green. 

"You know what to do," my uncle says softly to him. Luka nods and slowly walks over to the bowl of water, coming to a stop in front of it. Luka stretches his arm, holding his hand out above the lip. Taking a shaky breath, he tilts his wrist and causing a few drops of his blood to fall unto the water. Taking that as my cue, I get back feeling a sensation as if I'm falling on the inside.

For a moment, nothing happens but suddenly slowly at first and then quickly the water starts to change color from clear to green. Soon enough, the surface of the water becomes as breathtaking as a newly cut emerald, the stone our pack was named for. When the water reaches its darkest shade, small shrouds of emerald, smaller than glass start to appear from below, but as quickly as the come they start to completely dissolve as if they were never there. 

***

As soon as the emerald shrouds in the water start to dissipate from view, Luka looks up at my uncle, who nods back. From the pack connection, I along with everyone else can also feel it. The shift in power's complete. From this moment forward, I'm no longer the Alpha of the Emerald Stone Pack. Gaining the courage, I look up at my mate, my legs starting to tremble. Luka's glowing with radiance and strength that's hard to describe, the heat and power rolling off him in waves.

Not having experienced an alpha's hold on me in a while, my head starts throbbing. I begin to get dizzy, wanting to remove my gaze and bow my head in submission.  Just when it feels like my head's going to explode, he catches my gaze with his own. He links me instantly. a slide show of us  and our time as mates flashing through his eyes

"It's alright Sophie Jane. You are my Luna, remember that. "          

At his words, everything comes into view. I'm Luka's Luna, his future wife, and mother to his pups. His newfound grip shouldn't affect me, we're equals, an unbreakable and unstable team. The headache stops as soon as this realization hits me, the hold he has on me slipping away, and when I look at him again, he's still the same wolf  I've always known and loved. My legs stop shaking and Luka smiles at me.

Without warning, Elliot approaches us from the circle, a smile reaching his eyes which are a bit glossy and his heart rate raising slightly. My uncle's eyebrows draw together, his head turning to look at Elliot sharply.

"Elliot, what is?" Ignoring my uncle, Elliot stops in front of Luka, his face growing much more serious but still not losing its smile. Working up the bravery, Elliot opens his mouth and begins to speak.

"Alpha," he bows his head respectively.

Elliot's action is followed by another, and then another, and another. One by one all the pack members. bowing their heads in tangent, the Ruby Stone wolves joining in, including Shelby and Ace.

"Alpha."         

"Alpha."

"Alpha."

I feel Luka grow a bit lightheaded. his face darts around at the rest of the packs, his hand wanting to cover his face, not being sure what to make of it, but after a few moments, it begins to sink in. He holds his shoulder back and his chin held high, a gleam forming in his eyes. From my connection, Luka feels like he's on top of the world as if all the world has come full circle around him.

Even though I don't have to when the bow chain comes to me, I bow to out of respect for my mate. My aunt Sherry follows.

  "Alpha."

"Alpha."

Looking around at the display, my uncle turns towards Luka, smiles at him and begins to speak again, trying to hold back the emotion that thread to bubble up to the surface if this keeps going on for much longer.

"Members of the Emerald Stone and Ruby Stone Pack's, please join me in welcoming, Alpha Luka." My uncle then bows his head.

All around us, the pack's erupts in deafening shouts of congrats, happiness, and joy, but Luka stays silent, a sense of calm washing over him.  Luka's eyes slowly start to change from his human's dark brown to his wolf's honey brown as feel him begin to shift. Within a blink of an eye, he's in wolf form, the new alpha wolf looking as strong as ever.

Following their new leader, the rest of the pack's shifts into their own wolves, I do the same. With his tail and held eye Luka takes in a breath, looks towards the sky, and lets out a bellow of a howl. We all howl along with him, two packs singing together in harmony. While I'm in the middle of howling, something occurs to me. Luka's journey has now come full circle, from Omega to Alpha.

He has truly embraced his birthright.

From somewhere amongst the two packs, there is a stir of confidence from one of the wolves. The stir becomes a ripple, building, and building. I search the sea of connections, trying to find the source of the interruption. I find his connection before I hear his voice. In a way, I'm shocked, but in the same way, not, How poetic, he couldn't do it when Luka first got home from Alpha training, so he thought he'd try again here. The rest of the packs figures it almost as soon as I do. That's Keith for you.

"You're not done yet young Alpha," Keith has left Alex's side and is now walking slowly towards Luka," Let's see if you've got the guts to put me in my place and put your past behind you." all the wolves turn towards him. Both Keith's tail and head are held high, indicating just one thing at a time like this, a challenge. this causes an uproar from the others but they let him pass. Luka turns toward Keith as he approaches, feeling a bit offensive but also curious.

"What do you mean by that Keith?" Keith cocks one of his ears slightly as if trying to recall a memory.

"If I can recall correctly. we didn't have our little fight after you got back, did we?"

"We were about to but we had a Rogue situation, and then we had that thing come up with Ace and his pack, so we never got around to having a rematch.

"I want to test you and see if you're ready to lead this pack or not. I mean, it is my job to make sure the pack is well protected." Luka ponders this for a moment.

"I guess it is," Luka lets out a slight huff, "I assume this would be as good of a time as any,"

In other words, challenge accepted.

Luka's words cause everyone to take a few steps back, myself included, creating a much larger circle. Elliot's fur bristles and he shows his teeth in warning, hot anger, and rage boiling from within him.

"I may have given you Alex Keith, but if you so much as hurt Luka, I'll charge in with him and kick your furry little butt." Keith's ears go back slightly and slouches for a second. 

"Elliot, cool your jets. It's not going to be like that, At the end of this, Luka's still going to have Sophie, he's still going to be walking, and he's still going to be Alpha. I just want to see if he's up for the job." Elliot's anger decreases somewhat but it doesn't go away completely. Elliot looks back over towards Luka.

"Do you really need to fight this guy bro?"

"Yes Elliot, I do. I made a promise to Keith, and I have to uphold that promise."

"Alright Luka, just promise me one thing,' Elliot looks directly on Luka's eyes, " just be careful." Standing with his new family in wolf form while his mate is holding both their babies in human form, Cody looks over towards his brother.

"I know you don't need it but, good luck."

'"Thanks bro, I'm going to need it this time around" Noticing something in the middle of the two  boys, I speak  up before the fight begins

"Uncle, before Luka and Keith get on with there fight, would you please remove the priceless family airlume from the firing line. I don't want it to turn into shattered pieces of pottery on the beach." My uncle nods and shifts back, he then carefully removes the iron pot and gets it out of harms way before shifting back again. I look over and see Alex's still by herself. Her body's shaking and her eyes appear to be blinking quickly. "And Shelby would you mine Alex for Keith, please? I don't  want her to be alone when the action starts." Shelby nods. 

"Of course I can Sophie," I then see A dash of red as Shelby leaves Ace's side and heads towards Alex's direction. Man, now that her secret's out, Shelby's not afraid to show how fast she is, I see her reach Alex a mouth a gentle 'hi' and come to stand at her side before I turn again.

When I turn back to Luka, he too has his head upright and his high/ The two boys also have their hunches raised and nostrils flaring as they start circling one another, the fur on the backs of each of their necks starting to stand up on end.. Luka is the first to let out a snarl and expose his teeth, Keith responds by letting a deeper snarl sleep through his own teeth. I then notice something I hadn't up until now since he's been back, Luka has now grown taller than Keith. The electricity in the night air is s intense, it's got the pack hyped up.

"Come on Luka, you can do this," encourages my uncle 

"Come on Luka, make us proud," from my aunt while she and Shelby softly clap.

"Do your best honey," I send on his connection.

Similar to their last failed showdown, both boys have now circled each other for about the sixth time, their snarls and slight growls only growing in intensity. Once again, Keith and Luka have their eyes locked on one another's, listening to their paws hit the loose rocks on the beach, just waiting for one to make the first move.  Keith then lets out a powerful growl and crouches down, tensing his body like a spring. Luka does the same, countering with his opponent. 

"Here we go," Elliot chimes in excided.

For a moment, nothing happens, the atmosphere is silent nothing but the sound of the waves as hit the rocky shore. There's a loud roar from Keith as he suddenly leaps forwards towards Luka, nearing getting him in the hindquarters. Luka's fast on his feet though, jumping away slightly at the last second.  Unsuccessful with his first attempt, Keith tries lunging at Luka again. Luka thinking fast,  gets on Keith's blindside, making sure not to be seen. Within a second, Luka tackles Keith, knocking the dark gray wolf off his guard and turning the fight in his favor. Clashing with Keith, Luka goes for his throat and pinneds him to the ground. Before it can go overboard, Keith rolls over on his side, letting out slight whimpers. A sign of submission.

Luka did it, he actually did it. My heart picks up and my limbs become light.   

"You win," Keith then whimpers, his body slowly relaxing and his eyes growing soft. Standing over Keith Luka lets out a howl of victory, which the rest of the pack joins in. A moment later, Luka takes a step back, allowing Keith to get up, After shaking himself, he turns back towards Luka and addresses him.

"So if you're my new Alpha, what do I call you?" 

"Call me Luka Keith," Luka lets Keith walk away from him before he continues. Keith stops in order to listen. "Just Luka, Keith."  Keith then looks back and nods.

"Yes Sir," He turns ahead, going back into his part of the circle and prancing back over towards Alex who happily licks at his neck wound upon his arrival back to her. Unable to help himself, Elliot trots up and playfully pounces on Luka's back again. Luka turns around and looks.

"Luka you did it, you finally beat him. Let's go for a pack run," he gets off of Luka's back and goes into a play bow. 

"You want to go for a run?" he asks his brother. Luka then looks to my uncle who gives him a nod. My new Alpha and mate then address the rest of the wolves around him who are by now gitty with anticipation with the chance of getting to let off some steam.

 Luka returns Elliot's play bow, causing Elliot to turn around so that he's now facing the ridges that overlook the shoreline. Luka looks between my uncle and me. Elliot then takes off running, Luka hot on his heels. This stirs the rest of the packs up, mirroring a disturbed beehive as the rest of the wolves prepare to join the chase.

I set out myself, quickly catching up to Elliot and Luka who's now in the lead. When I reach my mate I, give him a little nuzzle. As I start, however, I end up having to go past my aunt. Her face and eyes are splotchy and puffy as if she's been crying and I have a feeling it's not about Luka this time. She's definitely been saddened about something, feeling on the inside as though time is slowing down for her. My uncle follows after me, letting put a slight howl as he goes.

From my connection with Ruba Stone, I see Shelby look at Ace for approval and take off when he gives her the go-ahead. My aunt looks after her longingly as she watches Shelby break into a sprint to catch up with up.  The last one left is Cody, he's still standing on the shore as we reach the ridges, nut wanting to leave his mate and two children. Suddenly Debby approaches him and Heather.

"I'll watch after them till you get back Cody. you go out and enjoy a run with your brother and your pack. "Cody thanks her and gives his mate a nose to the cheek before taking off, quickly catching up with the rest of the group.        

My stomach becomes hallow as we dash into the treeline, the realization finally hits me right in the gut. The replay of Shelby taking of flashes through my aunt's mind and my heart goes out to her.

She is not looking forward to when we get back home. 

 ==========================================

A/N Okay the moment we've all been waiting for finally happened, Luka has become Alpha. Yey, Man that a hard chapter to write. First I wasn't ready for Luka to leave the nest, that took me almost three months to get through, and then just when I was getting over that, something unexpected came up with my dad, so I put this chapter on hold again. I won't tell you what happened, but I'm sure by now I've updated you on the situation through my newsfeed.

What do you guys think aunt Sherry's suddenly sad about?

How did I do with this chapter? (I tried my best.)

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