Page 7 of Wolf Heart

CHAPTER3

JUNIPER

The night sky is dark blue with a hint of pink as the fire rises in the middle of the circle.

I try to look around and see if Michael is here, but the elders are guiding us all in muttering about how we must first see the werewolf in us before allowing us to shift and how we must be in human form to be accepted by our mates.

Words I’ve heard my entire life, but somehow tonight they are full of promise. And I can’t stop smiling while I feel like I’m shaking on the inside and about to burst.

A young man with sandy hair stands next to me and keeps giving me curious glances. I can tell he’s nervous like me, but I’m restless, eager for Michael to claim me. When he does, it will bring out my wolf completely.

I look around the fire and all the other girls look just as anxious as I feel. Yet, I’m the oldest one here that hasn’t been claimed and I lift my chin despite a few snickers.

The elders stand in front of us with the moon at their backs. They have a glow about them and my heart skips a beat.

Oh shit, this is really happening. This time I'll shift. I know it.

Michael hasn’t shown yet. I chew on my lip, glancing around the circle again to see if there’s anyone else missing. At the edge of the group, all the Alphas are huddled in a circle before disbanding with laughter and smacks on the shoulders. They head into the center in front of us and the talking and whispers before cease.

“We welcome these clans to our pack, to our fires, and to claim any mate they wish,” our Alpha' bellows to be heard over the vast crowd. Casey stands beside him with his chest puffed out like he did anything except be an asshole. “Though a few of our pack have already been promised this night.”

Goosebumps dance along my arms. Has Michael spoken to my Alpha about me? I clasp my hands in front of me to keep from jumping up and shouting like a lunatic.

“Welcome the Ash Band Pack,” he continues and all of us clap with a few who whistle and yell in joy. “The Aurara clan.”

The two Alphas bow along with their next-in-line offspring who are both girls. One has light brown hair and the other a blond. Both of them look terrified and hide behind their father’s legs.

“Give your applause to the Blacktooth Pack.”

A burly man with jet black hair and his son who is just as tall as his father, but yet to grow facial hair, nods.

“And the Crescent Moon pack.”

Michael marches forward and my stomach flutters. He’s with a man who looks old enough to be his grandfather. His grey hair is wild and uneven, his skin is tanned by the sun and his eyes look weary. A scar bisects his face with a white line that runs from his chin to his temple. He holds himself proudly and Michael and him have the same cleft chin.

My Michael is next in line to be an Alpha? My breath hitches in my chest. Damn when my wolf chooses, she goes all out.

Our own Alpha continues to spout pack names, but I can’t hear him anymore. All my focus is on Michael and when he meets my gaze with a smile, my wolf howls inside my chest.

I’m tugged down onto my knees by one of the elders. A few of the married women from the pack braid and adorn my hair with flowers like I’m some kind of sacrifice.

After we’re prepared, our Alpha marches before us in line and pauses in front of me.

Does he sense my wolf is finally awakening? I hold my breath.

“You will be mated to the son of the Alpha of the Crescent Moon,” he says loud enough that many of our clan gasp in surprise and murmurs of both shock and wonder fan out around us. Then he lowers his voice and says with a snarl, “Don’t fuck this up.”

I open my mouth to protest, but then I know better. Contradicting him won’t help me and I want this night to be perfect.

The drums start to beat in a rhythm that echoes through me. The Alpha moves down the line, patting some wolves’ heads, kissing others on the cheek, and giving words of encouragement.

The fire burns higher and higher. The heat becomes almost unbearable. I feel like I’m burning alive and my heart pounds in my chest.

I shuffle back and forth on my feet. I can’t help but wonder what Michael will look like when he shifts. Will my wolf recognize him as our mate? Will his wolf claim mine as he will my human form? Deep in my chest, I feel a stirring and I place my hand on my breastbone to will my wolf forward.

It’s like she’s waiting for this too. For Michael and the start of our lives together. An Alpha’s son. I shake my head unbelieving that my wolf has such high expectations. And I feel like this is the first day of the rest of my life. That I’m finally doing something right and my life from this moment on will change forever.

The elders continue their chanting and the power of the words fills me with excitement.

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