Page 15 of Violet Moon
“Thanks,” Wilma said quietly, her fingers playing with the hem of her shawl.“I’ll try to follow your example.”
Sera laughed.“Oh, please don’t do that.We don’t need someone else like me trying to lead the pack.”
Wilma looked at her.“What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m definitely not the right role model.Watch Parisa if you need to know how to be.”
“But my role is much closer to yours,” she started, looking confused.“You’re the bridge between the Alpha and the pack.Now I’ll be a part of that bridge, too.”
“Just be a part of that bridge in your own way.Don’t follow me.”
“But you’re an excellent Beta.”
Sera wished she could believe her.She cracked a smile anyway because she didn’t want to be rude.“Thanks, Wil.I think I try, but I’m a mess.I just do my best, is all.”
“The pack doesn’t expect more than that.And they love you, you know.We all do.”Wilma’s voice grew quieter.“I do, too.”
“Wil.”Warmth flooded Sera’s chest and she moved to pull Wilma into a hug, but remembered to ask, “Is it alright if I hug you?”
Wilma smiled and nodded.
Sera hugged her, Wilma’s curls pressing against her cheek.
Wilma squeezed her back in return.“We’re going to tell everyone tomorrow,” she said over Sera’s shoulder.“The plan is to close the bakery and have a dinner.”
Sera patted her back and stepped away.“It’ll be nice to have everyone together.And to celebrate you, of course.”
Despite her own selfish thoughts about the situation, it was an event worth celebrating.Wilma was definitely worth celebrating.
Members of the pack often ate together because it was impossible to be alone in a house of thirteen, but it was rare for everyone to sit around the giant oak table in their dining room.It was good to see her pack all together, even if Sera’s stomach was a knot of nerves.
Parisa stood at the head of the table, back straight, shoulders squared.She spoke in her commanding voice, the one Sera didn’t often hear, and ran through the preparations for the moon cycle while Sera felt like she was about to burst with the news.
“I think we all need a reminder that the moon cycle is both exhilarating and draining, so we need to all be preparing so that we are both physically and mentally ready for the change.We have excellent cooks in our midst providing nutritious meals, but I’ve noticed a sharp increase in the amount of, well, less than substantive snacks around the house.”
Some of the wolves shared guilty grins with one another.Sera thought about the store-bought, overly sweet chocolate sandwich cookies in her bedside table drawer.
“So please make sure you pay close attention to your nutrition in the days ahead of the moon cycle so you are able to care for both your pack and yourself.In addition, physical training shouldn’t be ignored.I, myself, fall into this trap with a busy schedule, but being physically ready for the change is paramount.If we keep the health of the pack in mind, we should all be set to have an exciting two days in the country this month.”
She took a deep breath and let it out.“Additionally, I know that, even though we’ve kept a tight lid on any gossip, every single one of you knows about the Alpha situation at Crooked Creek.I’ve been there several times over the past few weeks and please know that Clyde’s level of concern has dropped after some initial well-founded concerns.However, he has suggested that we move deeper into our borrowed area to give this newly presented Alpha the space he needs during this challenging time.”
Any wolf was more aggressive and territorial during the full moon, so a new Alpha was a wild card.Giving him more space was a wise idea, though she wished they had other options.As the only city-bound pack in the region, their choices for places where werewolves could roam free was limited.
“And with that out of the way, I have much more exciting news for our pack.The Pitch Mountain Pack has grown over the past several decades.”She smiled at the newer wolves before landing on Jo.“With growth comes the need to adapt.As we change and look to the future, we must also reflect on tradition and what makes us who we are in order to secure the health and safety of this pack for generations to come.And with that —”
Parisa glanced at Sera to her right, Wilma to her left, and reached for her wine glass, filled with one of her favorite reds, and raised it in a toast.There were whispers as the other wolves did the same.
“I’d like to present to you all our new pack Gamma, with all her strength, creativity, and stellar character, our dearest Wilma.”
The others raised their glasses, but Jo leapt out of their seat and threw their arms around Wilma’s shoulders before pulling back, confused.“Wait, what’s that mean?”
A chorus of laughter rang out across the table.“It means she’s pack leadership now,” Olive explained, beaming from beneath a crown of bright red hair, freckles dotting her cheeks.“And a wonderful choice.”
Benjamin, or Benny, one of the youngest wolves, jumped up from his seat.“This is huge!Congrats, Wil!”
Jo hugged Wil tighter, still squealing with delight until they locked eyes with Parisa.They slid back into their chair and looked down at their hands, a blush spreading across their cheeks.
“So you’re like a Beta now?”Jo asked under their breath, but in a house full of wolves few things went unheard.
