CHARLIE
I was slightly nervous. But I kept it to myself. I stood straight and walked past all the people staring at me towards the platform at the very front of the very large, open space. I climbed the few steps behind Bishop as we stood in front of over 1,000 people. Men, women and children. Strangely enough as I faced them I didn't feel any ill will directed at me. A lot of curiosity. Concern. Worry. A few tendrils of fear that I couldn't help but reach out and sooth. I heard the quiet gasps of three little boys near the front. A few more scattered through out the room.
"I have called this meeting today to introduce your new Luna and any questions that you may have." He turned towards me. I was standing a little behind him. He took my hand and tugged me forward. "Her name is Charlie and she is my SoulMate." I looked at them all. They looked at me. They broke out in applause. The happiness that flooded the space lit me up from the inside. I laughed softly at the wonderful feeling. Bishop looked down at me with his bright brown eyes and I knew he saw and felt the happiness that I was feeling right that moment.

When the crowd quieted a few hands shot in the air. "Yes, Jason Boone." Bishop pointed at a man towards the back.
"My wolf is anxious to know when she will be pack?" The man called Jason projected his voice to be heard. There were mummers of agreement.
"Well, my mate and your Luna has something that she needs to ask of you." I was nervous again as he waved his arm for me to step forward. I looked out over the crowd and projected my voice so I too could be heard.
"It would be my honor and great privilege to join this pack. I want nothing more that to be your Luna and lead beside my mate." I pause for a moment.
"I am different." I stated confidently. "I am different in a way that I do not yet understand. I do know this. If you accept me into this pack, a small piece of me will reside in you and a small piece of you will reside in me." I could see some confusion. "When we bond through the ceremony it will be...uncomfortable." I hated that part. When Maddie, Avery and I had created our own pack, with the instructions of our wolves, we had found out how different we were. The scientists weren't very pleased with what we had done. This time a person stood, no hand raised.
"I'm Tyler Mox. And I know I speak for us all when we say that frankly we do not care if we feel discomfort. You are our Luna. We want the connection with you." This man stated firmly. And not a single soul disagreed with his statement.

Bishop turned to a table beside him. Slicing his palm with a small, sharp ceremonial knife he let blood flow into a goblet set there. He wrapped his hand in a handkerchief and handed the knife, handle first, to me. I was supposed to cut my hand and mix our blood. "I heal faster. I'm going to have to do more than slice my hand." I whispered to him. He looked at me worriedly but nodded. I stepped up to the small table and stuck my upper arm over the goblet. I took the knife and starting at my wrist stabbed it in and sliced deep. I only cut down 2 inches or so. I had my back to Bishop so he could not see. I didn't utter a sound but the few who saw did. Watching with wide eyes as a flow of blood spilled into the cup below. Then just a few second later more gasps as the deep cut healed. Bishop quickly stepped around me to see but it had happened so fast that there was nothing left to look at but the blood left on my arm. He picked up the goblet and I stepped to the side of him.
"With this mixing of my blood and hers, to our pack she is welcomed." He announced as he drank deeply from the cup. He passed the cup to me. I looked at the mixture of blood. This was not going to be pleasant. This was going to be a lot at one time. And it might have been wiser to do it slowly. The pack bond wouldn't be the same if it wasn't done all at once though and I wanted what you get from going through it together. I lifted the cup and drank. I swallowed. "Everyone should be sitting." I told them. They all sat. The first tiny piece of myself tore away. I heard a cry of pain as someone in the room lost a tiny piece of themselves. Then we sighed together as the missing pieces were replaced. A piece of me inside them and a piece of them inside me. Then it all hit. A thousand souls having pieces ripped and replaced. My own soul notched a thousand times. I made no sound as I hit my knees and bowed my head. I sunk lower with my head on the floor and my arms supporting me. I breathed through it, hearing Bishop worriedly calling me, asking me what was wrong. His warm hands that brought sparks to my body helped soothe the aching hurt of my soul. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. I slowly lifted my body, still on my knees, and I looked at my pack. They all looked at me. Some in tears. Others looking at me in wonder as they absently rubbed their chests. They felt the ache I did but on a smaller scale. I was tired. My eyes grew heavy. Before I hit the floor strong arms surrounded me. I snuggled into the sparks and let the soothing darkness take me.

BISHOP
I couldn't believe what had just happened! When my mate had drank the blood from the cup a small scream, coming from the back, drew my attention. My wolf came forward to access. When the screamer and my mate let out a small sigh of relief as one I grew confused. An intense, fiery pain stabbed me. I gasped. A small piece of myself was ripped from me. I felt it deep in my spirit. A piece of soul were wolf and human are one. Then just as suddenly the piece was replaced. It was her! I felt her. That small piece of myself that had just been yanked from me had been replaced my a piece of herself.

I barely caught her as her tired body toppled over. If the intense pain that I had only felt for a moment was painful I can only imagine what hers was like. And she had blocked me from it. Not wanting me to hurt anymore than I was going to. I looked down at my mate, she was so fragile and small. Then I lifted my head and looked out at my pack. The oldest of us all, Minerva, made her way slowly to the front. She was the oldest living werewolf. At almost 1,000 years old and was the wisest of us all. Other wolves came from all over to speak with her. She made her way to the front of the platform. Her long white hair fell almost to her feet. Her skin was wrinkly and pale. Her grey eyes still full of intelligence. "If I may Alpha I would like to tell you some things." Alone. She said the last through a mind-link.
"The Luna will be fine. The ceremony has drained my mate." I projected my voice to be heard and hurried down the steps. I'm heading home. I'll meet you in my office.
Yes alpha. Minerva replied. She was a wise woman and knew more about wolves than anyone. I didn't know if I was prepared to hear what she had to say.