Page 102 of Hybrid Moon Rising

His wolf let out a low purr, thrilled that she saw his men as family. He nuzzled into her fur and nipped her neck.“You chose to shift.”

Flora had expressed on the flight she wasn’t sure if she was ready to shift in front of the elders and Alphas. And he couldn’t blame her. She was being forced to jump into the deep end without a life vest. He explained to her that they needed to show a united front, but as much as he wanted her to embrace her role as his Luna, he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable at his side.

“Seeing you with Mateo and Kade, with our pack, reminded me this isn’t just about me or you anymore. We are stronger together, and the Alphas need to see that,”Flora replied.

Pride swelled in his chest. He could sense her nerves and despite the fact he really didn’t want the Alphas to see his mate naked when they shifted, this was the correct way to approach them. United as one.

* * *

Wolves and humans alike stopped and stared as the four of them padded down the main street of Moon Ridge. The small town was always alive with pack members, but that day it was different. Pack members lined the town in both wolf and human skins, and even though they looked as though they were going about their daily business, the underlying tension and distant stares Flora and his presence brought were almost too much to handle.

This was his pack. His family. But sometimes the right thing didn’t align with one's wants and needs; ensuring the safety of his people, those in Moon Ridge and those hybrids around the world, was his priority.

The Howler smelled like it always did, like alcohol and pack gossip. It was crowded, much like it was the last time he’d been there. Only this time, the pack members were there to witness more than Draven’s ascension to alphahood. This time they were there to witness history.

Draven’s chest tightened as they made their way to the front. The members of his pack parted for his wolf, with Flora at his side and Mateo and Kade at their backs. There were whispers, some speculating what their presence meant and others confident that the Alphas would exile him.

On the stage, the Moon Ridge elders and pack tribe members sat in a semi-circle, which included his father, and a few of the Alphas from the other American packs. Behind them, screens were set up, each illuminated with the face of an Alpha from a pack located in a far away part of the world.

Draven had planned this moment with his father. With Flora’s help, they’d developed a plan to address all of the governing bodies at once, hoping it would set the precedent that they were all equal in his book. None would be getting preferential treatment from him, including his father.

“Hello, Draven. It’s nice of you to join us.” Elijah’s words echoed through the room, silencing the whispers. His words were meant to be the welcoming of the Moon Ridge Pack elder, but Draven could taste the disdain dripping from every syllable.

“Well he seems like a prick,”Flora let slip through the pack bond.

“You have no idea,”Kade snorted, which was out of character for him. Usually he took on the role of silent observer, but from the moment he’d met Flora, he’d developed a soft spot for her. His wolf hated it, but Draven liked the idea of Kade coming out of his shell. This really was a new beginning for all of them.

Draven halted before the counsel and turned, nodding to Flora, Kade, and Mateo. His enforcers were the first to shift which allowed him a moment with Flora.

“You don’t have to shift,”he reassured.

“I do.”Flora leaned her head in and pressed it to his. She had no idea it was a sign of love for wolves in his pack. Or maybe she did. Rea’s instincts had proven a huge help in easing her into their world.

“I love you,”Draven whispered.

“Forever.”

With more ease than should be afforded a two-day-old wolf, Flora shifted beside him. She stood with pride at his side, not cowering before his pack or the wolves who sought to judge them.

Draven was the last to shift, but before he had the chance to answer Elijah’s greeting, a wave of gasps fell from the mouths of the elders and Alphas. Their eyes were locked on his mate’s chest where the moonstone was securely fastened around her neck.

His wolf let out a low warning growl, effectively silencing the room once more.

The Alpha from Pine Shore in Washington broke the silence. “Curious. Not only does she wear the stone of our people, but she wears the bite of moon mates and a scar on her chest.”

Draven clenched his fists at his sides and puffed out his chest. He looked down at Flora and took her hand in his. “She is my Luna.”

“You are not an Alpha, Draven,” Elijah spat, a vein bulging from his neck. “Not yet, and not so long as your father still communes with the Goddess on behalf of Moon Ridge.”

“You are right. I am not the Alpha of Moon Ridge, but that does not make me any less of an Alpha. Rieka bestowed this gift to me. We are her heirs intended, and I am the Alpha of hybrids. I will gladly lead Moon Ridge if that is my father’s wish, but regardless, you will treat me and my mate with the respect that is demanded of our station.”

His father stood from his makeshift throne and gestured for Elijah to sit. The old man hesitated, but ultimately listened to his Alpha. His father then returned his gaze to Draven. “First off, I’d like to welcome my son and his mate. I could not be more proud to welcome Flora into our family. I look forward to getting to know you, dear. “

“As do I, you,” Flora stated, her castle diplomacy shining through.

“Now,” his father continued, “I think it would be best if you started this story from the beginning, son.”

Flora slid her hand into his, and gave him a reassuring squeeze. He needed more than that, though. More of her strength. More of her compassion. More of everything that was Flora Valentine if he was going to make it through his retelling of the last few weeks in the realm of the Goddess. Draven tugged her against him and crashed his lips to hers, claiming her. She molded her body to his, giving him everything he needed to face those who sought to discredit them.

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