Kale's POV-

We stood at the head of the tables, easily gaining everyone's attention. They were all standing up behind their seats to show us respect. The new additions to our pack caused another table to have to be added to the room. It shifted everything over slightly, but it was not a bad setup.

The added table actually made everything in the hall look a lot more complete, aside from the only half-full table. The table that should have been filled with the other members of The Smith pack as well as Cory's pack that had been so badly wounded. It should have been filled with the people that The North had taken away from us.

"Thank you," I said with a nod of respect to everyone, letting them know that they could sit. "I would like to formally announce the completion of mine and Lucine's bond," I announced very calmly. "I would like everyone to welcome in your new Luna, along with her pack members!" I raised my glass in a salute towards my mate with a grin, giddy with the fact that I did in fact have a mate.

Everyone began clapping. The warriors added in some hoots and hollers which made the puppies howl in delight too. It was obvious that Lucy was beginning to win people over. Unfortunately, it was also obvious that she had not won some people over too.

There were some members that were clapping rather reluctantly with unimpressed looks on their faces. It was mostly Renee and her friends that seemed to be having the biggest issue accepting her, all whispering to each other frantically as the others cheered. However, there were still a few others that seemed to be having a problem accepting Lucy as well, questioning her rank and abilities. The majority, though, seemed to be accepting her easily. I hoped everyone would be coming around soon. Lucy was going to be a great Luna.

"Thank you," Lucy said graciously with a respectful bow to everyone in the room.

After everyone quieted down again, I continued with the announcements. "With the completion of the lodging for Cory's pack, the third packhouse is now available along with some of the newer family homes. With the new members of our pack, it is time to revisit the living accommodations. We left a survey at everyone's seat, please fill out your preferences by number. We will go over the housing and inform everyone of the changes made to it. Feel free to leave any comments or questions at the bottom of the pages, and we will address your concerns promptly."

Everyone was surprised, but we had all known that the housing was going to be redistributed with all the extra members, so it wasn't too far-fetched. It shouldn't have been that much of a surprise.

"We will be participating in the acceptance ritual tomorrow. It will begin at sunset so we can welcome and accept our new Luna as well as our new pack members," I announced with a smile.

Almost everyone else looked excited to be participating in the accepting ritual. It has been said to be a very loving and wonderful time for the whole pack.

"Why should we give up our homes for her pack?! Why should we accept her?!" Renee said with a growl.

"They are now a part of our pack," I replied sternly.

"What if we don't accept her or them?" She bellowed.

Lucy sucked in a deep breath full of hurt. It hurt to not be accepted by her pack. She just wanted acceptance- it's what she's always wanted.

"What are you saying, Renee?" I asked.

"She is not my Luna."

"Are you challenging her?" Someone asked from the crowd.

Before she could reply, I cut her off, "Think about it, Renee... You know that the result of challenges will most likely end in death."

"Yes, her death," Renee said. "Yes, I am challenging Lucy for the Luna position."

"I don't want to fight you, Renee," Lucy finally spoke.

"He was supposed to be mine!" Renee growled. "I have been groomed for him since we were pups! We don't need you, a weak little she-wolf, to be our Luna. You'll bring us down! I am right for him."

Someone from Lucy's pack growled ferociously along with some of my warriors.

"Kale hand-picked me from the womb, Renee. The Moon Goddess made us for each other," Lucy said sternly. "I am sorry that your father made you believe that he was yours... but he has always been mine," she continued. "Stand down, Renee. I am more powerful than you know; I do not want to have to hurt you."

"Are you denying my challenge?" Renee asked smugly.

"You have to accept or forfeit, Luce," I told my mate softly.

"I don't want to kill her," Lucy almost whimpered.

"I know... but she's not giving you much of a choice."

"No weapons!" Renee called with a smug smile. "Kale deserves someone that can hold her own by herself."

Lucy growled loudly at her goading. "Fine, you want a fight? You've got it then." The golden eyes of her wolf were on full display. Lucy was not going to play. She was disrespected, and challenged for her mate... She was ready to kill.

"You will lose," Lucy said with force.

If I hadn't known her and what the swirling in her eyes meant, I would have shaken it off just like Renee had. However, I did know Lucy and the swirling in her eyes... She was going to win. There was no doubt about it.

I sighed loudly. "Training fields, now," I finally announced.

Everyone looked around with wide eyes. There had never been a severe challenge within our pack. This was a big deal.

----

Lucy's wolf was still in charge as we all gathered around the training fields. She was watching Renee closely as she readied herself for a fight. She was extremely focused.

"I'm assuming that I don't need to tell you how serious this is?" I asked softly. She shook her head wordlessly. "You can do this, my Alpha," I whispered to her gently. "You are stronger than her, even if you are not bigger. You have Alpha blood in you. You are her Alpha and her Luna. You will win," I spoke gently as I caressed her cheek.

She smiled at me with a nod. She looked towards Renee with a smirk then brought me in for a long and deep kiss. She was making it clear to Renee that I was her mate. She was my Luna. Renee was making a big mistake.

Lucy turned to the girl who challenged her and dipped her head as customary when training. This, however, was not training, so Renee steeled her neck and spine and looked Lucy directly in the eye. She was purposefully disrespecting her. She did not understand the Alpha blood that ran through Lucy's veins. Her wolf would not deal with disrespect lightly. The disrespect was going to be her fuel in her fight.

With no words, both women shifted. Renee was in her full large wolf form, and Lucy was as shifted as possible. Everyone was nervous for Lucy. I was too to an extent, but I knew that Lucy could foresee everything that Renee was going to do. I knew that Lucy had foreseen her own win.

So, when Renee went for the most obvious attack at Lucy's neck, I was not scared; just as Lucy was not. Lucy simply dodged her then clawed her neck too quickly for Renee to recover. Renee's blood instantly began dripping and she let out a pained howl.

Renee then went in for another attack, angrier than ever. However, Lucy was already out of the way and behind her. Lucy kicked her in the ribs, we all heard the cracks as she did so. Renee let out another whimper.

"Renee..." Lucy spoke softly. "That's enough," she tried to reason.

Renee simply twisted around and tried to snap at her. Lucy sighed and jabbed her throat as she did so, obviously annoyed at the bitch.

Renee got up panting but wouldn't back down. She was desperate as she came at her. Her blood was dripping down her neck, but she wouldn't stop her attacks.

So, with each move, Lucy made a bigger and smarter move. Those few weeks of warrior training had really paid off. Though, she was an Alpha, so it was quite literally in her blood to fight. She was born to lead and born to be good.

"Renee!" Lucy tried again.

That time, at Lucy's distraction of trying to be merciful, Renee snapped at Lucy and caught her shoulder in between her jaws. Lucy didn't scream, whine, or act brashly. She simply grabbed Renee by her throat with her other hand and squeezed hard.

In Renee's desperation to breathe, she let go of Lucy's shoulder. However, Lucy did not let her go. She squeezed harder and slammed Renee into the hard ground. A thunderous crack echoed through the ground and shook under everyone's feet.

"I do not want to kill you. Submit. Submit to me as your Luna, and all will be forgiven. Just do not forget who I am ever again," Lucy said, though it was in a fairly animalistic voice. "Submit!"

Finally, Renee shifted back. She showed her throat to Lucy and Lucy instantly let her go. Renee painfully rolled over on her belly and bowed before Lucy with her nose to the ground.

"I apologize my Luna... My Alpha. I submit to you," Renee said. Her eyes and voice both reflected that her wolf was the one in control. Her wolf had recognized Lucy as her superior. She would never challenge Lucy again, that was for sure.

Lucy accepted her submission with grace and helped the girl up. "Let's get you to Doc. Those injuries need to be looked over," Lucy said softly.

I came up beside Lucy and took her arm, pulling it off Renee. "Someone else can help her to Doc. I will help you to Doc," I told her firmly.

Someone from The Smith pack came up and graciously helped Renee go to the doctor. Lucy and all her pack were full of graciousness. I sincerely hoped that it would rub off on me and the rest of my pack. It was a much-needed trait that we seemed to severely lack.

"Everyone else may go enjoy dinner now," I announced as I wrapped my arm around Lucy's waist.

"Alpha?" Someone asked. "Why did she call her Alpha?"

"Look within. Feel with your wolf-side. Tell me that she is not your Alpha as well," I said cryptically as I began leading Lucy away.

"Alpha..." the word was being whispered all around as I took my mate to go get fixed up.

"You did amazing, Luce," I told her as we walked, finally far enough away from everyone to have some privacy. "Merciful and loving as always," I commented.

"She is a part of my pack; I did not want to fatally harm her. She is just a stubborn bitch," Lucy snorted.

"That is for sure. Still... You are so gracious. It is so amazing to witness," I told her once again.

Lucy just smiled up at me. "I see all, Kale. Usually, graciousness is the best way to go..."

"So, it is..."