Page 69 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

EJ paced back and forth. Alexander said, “She’ll be here.” I groaned, “What if she’s not?” He replied, “Cassie will get back for our ceremony. Even if she pops in to pop back out for her mission. She’s coming.” I narrowed my eyes, “Did you askAngela?” He grinned, “Of course I did.” I snorted, “I can’t believe Toby didn’t think to do that.”

Toby replied, “Toby did think of that.” He had just walked in with Phil. I asked, “Is everything ready?” He answered, “That it is.” Toby’s sister, Tory, came in behind him. She was sixteen, but she would be Cassie’s Beta when she turned eighteen. They had a whole plan worked out for what Tory would be doing since Cassie was doing this as a flex position.

Cassie popped in and grinned at me. I hugged her, “I’m so glad you’re here.” Toby said, “Me, Phil, and Tory are happier than he is.” Phil snorted, “My Alpha had complete chill about this.” Our gamma’s came in. I nodded to mine, “Genevieve.” She grinned at me, “I’m so nervous.” I told her, “Don’t be. You’re perfect to be the Gamma of this pack. You were born into the roll as the oldest and you want it.”

Her brother, and Alexander’s Gamma, Gage said, “You’re going to crush this, big sister.” Their youngest sister and Cassie’s Future Gamma, Gia, squealed, “Yeah! You’re carving the way for me and our first Female Ranked wolves group.” It was true. Cassie, Tory, and Gia would be the first Alpha, Beta, and Gamma that were all women. We winked at them.

I said, “And I know you’ll kick ass and take names.” Gia saluted me which had Brutus chuckling. My mom popped in. She had tears in her eyes and she hugged me and Alexander. She said, “I’m just so damn proud of you guys.” She turned, “All of you. I came because it’s time for you to head out there.” I conjured her a tissue. She wiped at her eyes and walked with us muttering, “I have so much empathy for mom now with the whole Operation Flood thing. It’s so fucking emotional seeing your kids grow up.” I chuckled along with everyone else.

My Beta and Gamma followed me onto the stage with Alexander and his. Cassie’s actually came with her. I probably should’ve asked how they planned to do this. I liked that theywere up here with her even though they weren’t having their ceremony.

My dad loudly addressed the pack, “I would like to welcome everyone who came to witness this momentous day. Today, my triplet pups become the Alpha’s of this pack. EJ will be our lead Alpha while Cassie and Alexander become Alpha’s of their respective packs. They will stay together as my brother’s and I did. Alexander will also be serving as EJ’s enforcer.” I sent my brother my pride. My dad’s voice softened, “And Cassie will be in a flex Alpha position she worked out with her brothers as we know where her path is.” He choked up.

He cleared his throat, “I am so proud of three of them for coming up with this innovated way so that my daughter can honor all sides of herself along with them. Toby and Phil will become Beta’s today, and Gage and Genevieve become Gamma’s. You’ll notice we have Tory and Gia up here too. It’s to show you what’s coming. Cassie has chosen her Beta and Gamma. When they come of age and are ready we will have their official ceremonies.” Everyone cheered.

My dad said, “My sons decided last year to change how this was done. They slowly started taking on responsibilities when they passed all the tests and were ready to be Alpha’s of this pack. They wanted to do a slow transition of power and today is the fruit of that labor. I can honestly say we’ve never had a smoother transition. It felt sudden that I didn’t have mountains of paperwork to do, and I spent that extra time wisely.” He winked at my mom.

I heard Dylan Frost whisper yell, “IS HE CRACKING JOKES NOW?! SGAP, you can’t just do that! He already splits his face open, and now he thinks he can retire and tell jokes. The NERVE!” Several people chuckled. My dad shook his head and rolled his eyes.

My dad continued, “My pups have more than exceeded the standard requirements for paperwork and disputes. We welcome our new pack leadership and look forward to the new era they bring in with them. He took the ceremonial knife, a nine inch stainless steel blade with an embellished black wolf on the handle and raised it.

Caleb Kruthers did the same standing in front Toby. Jim Kruthers had wanted to do Jim’s part of the ceremony. My dad asked me, “Do you swear by blood to protect this pack?” I answered, “I do.” He questioned, “Will you lead this pack in aspect it may need?” I answered, “I do.” He cut his palm and mine and we shook hands. I felt the power transfer knowing I was the Lead Alpha of Black Mountain pack. My eyes quickly searched out for my mate while Caleb did his part with Toby.

My eye’s locked with Elise’s proud eyes. She blew me a kiss and grinned at her. I didn’t think there was anything that could bring me down today. I still had pledges to make and then we were all going to make speeches before celebrating our exchange of power. I would stand strong with my family and I would make everyone involved with the Ring suffer. I would justice to my mom like my family had done before me.

Flashback Ends

The second my dad retired, the Werewolf Council had wanted him to join. He’d taken a little break, but they snatched him up a month ago. My mom encouraged him knowing he’d love it now that he didn’t have a pack to take care of. She said he could do more good things for the Werewolf community.

Elise has basically been running things from the Luna side since I took over. My mom was still around to guide her, and I couldn’t be prouder of how both of them were handling this. It was a smooth transition. My mom helped Elise, but she didn’tmake her decisions for her. She’d let her make mistakes, but Elise learned quickly.

It was a lot like how my mom raised us. She just wasn’t one to hover. She was always around and would give advice, but if you didn't take her advice, she never got upset with you. She never even said I told you so. She just wasn’t like that.

I called, “I’ll see you later, Melanie.” Melanie squealed, “I’m not leaving the house for the entire day! I’m coming for sure! I’m so excited! I’ll see Black Mountain Pack! I’ll get to meet everyone!” She meant Alexander. To be honest, I was excited too. I was over this shit.

It was always something with Mel. Competitions, science fairs, broken down car, or a car accident. That one still pissed me the fuck off. Mostly because they told us it wasn’t an emergency so we couldn’t pop to Melanie. Alexander or my mom would have healed her and Sam. Melanie couldn’t dance for a month because of the injury to her head. Something about her inner ear. Alexander had been enraged and I’m sure he had one of the doctors in our family explain the inner ear deal to him. I didn’t even blame him for being so pissed off about that one. I was pretty irked too whenever I thought about it. Like now.

Flashback

EJ was excited. Alexander squeezed my shoulders, “You’re getting married today.” I grinned, “I know.” He was my best man. Everyone was around me laughing and having a good time. I said, “I’ll just go see mom and how everything’s coming.” I knew Elise’s vision for our mating ceremony and reception.

I walked in and looked at all the photos that were around. They were of Elise and I together since she was born. I basically walked through our entire timeline. Me in Chelsea’s arms when she was pregnant all the way to our engagement pictures. I loved the one of us on a swing set in the Hackura realm. She was sittingon it, and I was leaned down with my hands on her thighs about to kiss her. Our noses were just touching.

Looking at it I had to admit that my mom had been right about taking them. They were some of my favorite photos and we took them a few days ago. We were getting married in the same glass chapel my parents had.

Elise had wanted an outdoors look and feel. My mom had come up with several design/theme ideas for us to look at. Elise chose one with white fabric that attached to the ceiling in a circus tent type feel. They were covered in leaves with what looked branches coming down. There was a big chandelier in the middle of it all. White and light green flowers hung down over every pew.

My mom asked, “What do you think?” I answered, “It looks like everything Elise dreamed it would be. Thanks, mom.” She said, “Let’s see the outside.” We wanted to have our reception outside. She walked me beside the lake, and I couldn’t help but admire it all.

I told her, “This is amazing.” She shrugged that off, “It was Elise’s vision. I just brought it to life.” I grinned, “My mate is smart.” There were alternating circle tables with round tablecloths that had white and light green flowers at them with white Christmas lights hanging off a wood structure to hold decorations but had no top so you could see the night sky. The dance floor was like a checkerboard with black and white squares.

My mom bumped me, “People are arriving. You should get inside the chapel.” I hugged her and popped inside. Alexander linked, “You ready?” I replied, “Are you serious? I’ve been ready for years.” Angela came down the aisle with her flower petals while TJ shot his bubble gun and everyone chuckled.

Elise’s bridesmaids came in. I ignored the stab of annoyance I felt. Brutus said, “You ignore it. I’ll still be upset about it.” Samhad declined Melanie’s spot in Elise’s bridal party because she didn’t want her out at a bunch of events. Plus, she had a science competition.

It felt out of character for Sam to do, but everyone else ate some cookies and got over it. Except my mom, she was pissed and cemented in the fact Melanie wasn’t real. I shoved that away knowing she’d be here today.

Cassie winked at me when she came down the aisle. She looked beautiful and her mate watched her every step. The light green color looked good on her. I linked her, “Are you trying to kill your mate?” She snorted, “You know I’m not. I didn’t even pick the dress. That was all your mate.” She stood up at the front in the maid of honor spot.

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