Page 7 of Fated to the Rogue

“Thank you, Mrs. Robinson.” I returned her smile before glancing at the plate in front of me.

She would cook special dishes for every single one of my birthdays, but this year, she had gone all out by preparing a full birthday menu. Even as a legal adult, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the cute way she organized each element on the fancy plate; the pancake, the two eggs and a few bacon strips had been shaped together like a smiley face. There were also croissants filled with brie cheese and blackberry jelly, fruit salad, and the cherry on top - a giant cupcake with green and gold candles.

“It’s my pleasure, sweet boy. Enjoy!” The cook bowed her head curtly as she turned around to leave, but she soon stopped dead in her tracks. “Oh! And for the millionth time, don’t bother bringing us your empty plates. My staff will be here to collect them when you’re done.”

“But-”

“No buts!” she insisted. “You’ll be officially Alpha after your ceremony tonight. You have more important things to worry about than your dirty dishes.” I watched as she walked away, considering whether I should argue with her or not. In the end, I just realized doing so would only be a waste of time, because she wouldn’t change her mind.

“How come you’re the one who gets all of the attention?” Malin pouted, pointing at my croissant. “Are you gonna eat that by the way?”

I rolled my eyes, sliding the plate over to him. It was a wonder how he could still be in good shape when he was such aglutton. “Well, I’m the Alpha. Besides, what’s there not to love about me?”

“That’s not fair. The Beta and Gamma are just as important as the Alpha,” he observed, ignoring my last sentence.

“I’m fine with being under his shadow. The spotlight makes my eyes hurt,” Zach mumbled, finally lifting his head up again to remind us of his presence.

Malin stared at him in disbelief for a good while before shaking his head. “Alright, Lame Eagle. Let’s go make our own plates since the cooks don’t spoil us like they do the Alpha-to-be.”

“For fuck’s sake, Malin! Stop calling me that!” my third-in-command growled at our friend, who was already heading for the line. Utterly annoyed, Zach followed after him.

A small laugh escaped my lips, and I smiled as I realized that Malin was right. I sure had a lot on my plate, but as long as I had these two with me, I would always find my way.

???

By the time I left the cafeteria, I was feeling a lot lighter. The weight of the responsibility I was about to take on was still on my shoulders, but I managed to ignore it for a while to allow myself to be excited about tonight. A flicker of hope also lit up inside my chest as I wondered if I would finally feel whole after my first shift.

My mother was the only one I ever felt comfortable enough to talk about the emptiness I felt. It had bothered me since I was a pup, until I couldn’t keep it in any longer. Mom told me it was normal for shifters to feel this way before they meet their counterparts, and her theory helped ease my worries. Although it didn’t seem like anyone else faced the same troubles as me, Iheld on to that possibility. I guess I would find out if she was right in a few hours.

A wolf’s connection with their human was fully established at their exact time of birth on their eighteenth birthday. Our counterparts remained asleep inside our minds until then, and for the few months preceding our birthday, our heightened senses gradually kicked in as they slowly left their hibernation. I was born precisely one minute before midnight, so by the time the clock turned twelve tonight, I would be standing in animal form before my entire pack. They’ll hail me, and I will lead Wind Howlers for the first time in a run across the dandelion fields.

It was around 2:00 p.m. when I returned to the Alpha suite to get ready after hanging out with the boys. Though my First Shift Ceremony would only happen late at night, there were a number of rituals I had to endure before it was finally time - bathing in special salts, meditating to help guide my wolf to the surface of my mind, cracking bones and stretching to physically prepare my body for the transformation. While the entire pack arranged the details for the event, two Omegas were sent to my room to help me with all the fun activities I’d have to go through.

The best - and probably the only enjoyable - part of the first shift traditions was the special dinner. At ten o’clock, the kitchen staff arrived at the Alpha suite to set a large table with a variety of steaks, and I was to eat all of the dishes by myself. It was a common belief that the consumption of fresh meat triggered our animal side to come forth, which would help my wolf feel more active once he awoke.

After I was done, all there was left for me to do was get dressed. A very expensive outfit had been tailor-made for my ceremony, consisting of a green and gold camo tuxedo and dark green trousers. A golden bowtie around my neck and a single dandelion sticking out of the pocket on the left side of my chest complemented my look.

I was fixing my hair in front of the full-sized mirror when I heard a knock on the door. “Come in,” I muttered, not bothering to turn around.

“Oh wow, puppers! You look handsome.” Alex’s voice took me by surprise.

I glanced at her in the mirror with a smirk. “If Victor isn’t careful enough, I might just steal you from him.”

“You wish.” She scoffed, taking a few steps in my direction. When she was close enough, she turned me around and held me at arm’s length to get a good look at me. “You’ve grown so fast. It seems like just yesterday when I would babysit you and your friends. Now, look at you…all ready to take on the Alpha role.” The green in her hazel eyes turned brighter.

“You’re not gonna cry, are you?” I said playfully. “You’re not even that much older than us.”

“Old enough to boss you around,” she observed, laughing.

“Not for long though.” I winked at her, making her roll her eyes in response.

“Anyway, just wanted to make sure you were ready. Gotta be at the front hall in ten.”

“I’ll be there. Thank you, Alex.” I nodded, and she returned the gesture before turning around to leave.

Ten minutes, I reminded myself. In ten minutes, my whole life would change.

I took a deep breath, not to calm my nerves down, but to focus. If I had been insecure since the meeting of the previous night, all of my doubts had now vanished. Even with the challenges I knew I would have to face, I was confident; I had been born for this, and I had been training my entire life to take over the pack. I was ready.

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