Page 70 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
Harrison gave his son a slight smile proudly. "Tonight. Under the waxing moon."
***
That night, the pack assembled in the ceremonial clearing. Dominic was standing at the edge of the crowd, watching the pack members of all ages, their faces lit by the torches all around them.
Dominic was in his traditional ceremonial garb, all black. Gold cuffs around his biceps, with the pack's symbol—a crescent moon cradling a wolf's silhouette—engraved on it.
At the altar stood Harrison, dressed similarly, but he also had the alpha's ceremonial cloak on, a mantle of midnight fur.
Dominic scanned the crowd.
Where is she?
And then he saw her; she was near the back, slightly apart from the others. He met Luna’s eyes, as blue as the simple dress she wore, her hair pulled back in a braid. Simple yet elegant.
Moon, she’s beautiful.
Elder Thorne cleared his throat. "It's time."
With a nod, Dominic followed the Elder into the clearing. The pack parted ways for them, in silent reverence. All Dominic could hear was the crackling of torches as he felt the soft whisper of the night breeze through the surrounding trees.
As Dominic took measured steps to the altar, he could feel every eye on him. His father stepped forward when he got there, pride washing off him in waves.
"Silverlight Valley Pack," Harrison raised his voice. "We are gathered here tonight under the waxing moon to witness the passing of the mantle of alpha."
As was custom, Dominic knelt before his father.
"My son, Dominic Blackwood, and my only heir," Harrison spoke clearly. "You stand before the pack tonight to take them as your pack and to claim the alpha’s mantle. Are you prepared to protect them with your life and lead them wisely and with strength?"
Dominic met his father's gaze. "I am."
Harrison turned to address the pack once more. "Does any member challenge Dominic Blackwood's right to lead?"
There was no response from the gathered members of the Silverlight Valley Pack, with only the hoot of an owl in the distance breaking the silence.
"Now rise, not as son and heir," Harrison continued. "Take your rightful place as Alpha of the Silverlight Valley."
Dominic rose, towering over his father for a second, and then bent slightly as his father removed the ceremonial cloak and placed it on his son’s shoulders. The moment they switched, the pack erupted into applause and hails.
Father and son’s eyes flashed silver as their wolves acknowledged the shift in power. "You rule the pack now, Alpha."
Dominic felt the weight of the cloak settle on his shoulders. The fur was warm on his skin, and the energy of the countless alphas who had worn it before him hummed against his skin.
He turned to face his pack—hispack now. On their faces, he could see respect, curiosity, hope, and, from some of the older members, a hint of uncertainty.
His found Luna again at the back of the crowd, and then something fierce and protective rose inside of him. When his eyes met hers this time, he made a promise to himself.
I won’t let anyone hurt you again.
"Silverlight Valley," Dominic’s voice carried effortlessly across the clearing. "I stand before you as your alpha. It is my burden that I am not your leader in a time of peace. This is a time of danger. Many of you have heard rumors of demons infiltrating the Hunter Organization, of dark magic corrupting wolves. This is a threat that could endanger not just our Pack, but all supernatural beings."
Dominic paused then.
"The rumors are true. With my own eyes, I saw it, and I fell under the dark influence myself."
Better they know now.
Dominic didn’t stop. "For years, I served, believing I was protecting us and the rest of the world from supernatural threats. Instead, we were corrupted from within."
