Page 43 of Eclipse Pack

Chapter 22

BRONZE

That has to have been the worst night's sleep I’ve had in a long time, or should I say, the lack of. Knowing that Taria is here but not being able to see, or speak to her, before today's ceremony has been the most difficult thing I have ever had to go through.

‘And most of last night’s lack of sleep is down to you, Titan. Thank you very much.’

Is not my fault. You should not have let mate arrive until ceremony. Her scent is everywhere and is driving me insane.

‘We are both wanting our mate, but one of us has a one-track mind,’ I reply.

We need heirs. I’m sure Maya feels the same, and why wouldn’t she when she sees what she’s getting as a mate.

‘I have never known a wolf to be so confident as you can be. If you get any more egotistical, I’ll have to have the doors widenedso you can get your head through. I sincerely hope Maya has you jumping through hoops before she lets you get your way with her.’

Unlikely.Titan sits and gives a regal tilt of his head, as though dismissing such a ridiculous thought.

Putting my focus back on the day's upcoming events, I take a shower and wear some casual clothes while I wait for my father. He’s bringing breakfast to the room and we’ll go over the schedule for the day once more. Not that I need to, as it’s already been burned into my brain by him, and Flint, so many times already.

The door opens and my father steps in with Flint following. A kitchen assistant follows with a trolley containing enough food to last a week, never mind breakfast. I quickly reel off the schedule for the day and they look at each other before bursting into laughter.

“Well. It’s obvious we don’t need to go over that again, then. Are you ready for the day's events, son?” My father begins taking items from the breakfast trolley and Flint soon follows suit.

“I’ll be glad when the day is over and things get back to normal,” I breathe a sigh and grab some food myself.

“Your life will never be normal again, my friend,” Flint smirks as he says this while chewing on a piece of meat. “As if taking over the pack isn’t a big enough change, you’re taking a mate, too. I’m not sure which is going to create the biggest change overall.”

“Having Taria by my side will help with the running of the pack, I’m sure. Didn’t you find Mother's advice and counsel helpful, Father?” Waiting for him to finish chewing, he swallows and looks a little guilty.

“I have to be honest, Bronze. Your mother was always a behind the scenes kinda gal. She did more than she ever got credit for, and usually before I even asked for her help with anything. I remember many years ago, there was what could only be described as a crime spree, a strange thing in a pack of shifters. Things were being stolen at an alarming rate and although we all suspected the same shifter, we had no evidence to act on. When there were murmurs going around the pack that I wasn’t in control, the said shifter disappeared and the thefts stopped. It wasn’t until several months later that your mother hinted that she had had a hand in it. To say I was shocked would be an understatement.” Raising his eyebrows, he takes another bite of his breakfast.

“Mother arranged for someone to disappear? I can’t believe it, Father. You’re making it up,” I shake my head at him. I’m not gullible enough to fall for that one.

“He didn’t just disappear, and there was more than one involved. Sage asked for my help when I was visiting the pack and we took care of the problem.” Flint looks at my father rather sheepishly. “I’m sorry, Chet, but she swore me to secrecy, and if I hadn’t helped, she was going to do it alone. If anything had happened to her, I would never have been able to live with myself. As it happened, I need never have worried. She was nothing short of awesome. Needless to say, she took no prisoners and told them she was not having such low life’s causing her mate to look bad in the eyes of others. I’ll never forget that night as long as I live.”

“No wonder she wasn’t in the least bothered by Taria dealing with Savannah,” I state to the room in general.

“I always thought it was some of the warriors that had banded together and taken matters into their own hands ather instigation. I never imagined that she would have been physically involved.” I see a look on my father’s face that can only be described as pride.

“It seems, Father, we have similar tastes in feisty females.” I can’t help but grin as I look at Flint’s very guilty expression at having kept such a secret from his good friend.

Finally, it is time to dress for the handover ceremony. Wearing the suit, supplied by Taria and the tailor's shop, it feels remarkably comfortable and I have to admit, I look darn good. If Taria’s suit makes her look anywhere this good, and I don’t doubt it will for a moment, she is going to take my breath away.

Walking through the packhouse to where the ceremony will be held outside, I have never felt so nervous. I don’t think it is the handover that is causing it, it is seeing Taria again after so long.

The staging area that has been set up for the pack handover ceremony looks surprisingly austere. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it was certainly not something as impersonal as this. My mother certainly hasn’t had her hand in this, I think to myself.

The pack is present other than essential duties, such as the border guards, and they all watch as my father takes his place on the stage with Flint. I can’t help but scan the crowd for any sign of Taria, but find none. I would have been surprised if she had been here as our mating bond may have caused issues with our concentration on the handover.

You are wrong. Mate is here. She is present somewhere watching the proceedings. She would not miss your ascension but has cleverly masked her scent, so I can hardly tell. Concentrate on the task at hand. Let me worry about our mate.

Listening to my father and Flint give their speeches, I wonder if my voice will be as steady and confident as theirs. I still can’t see any sign of Taria anywhere…

Stop looking for mate! She doesn’t want to be seen until she is ready to make her entrance. Don’t spoil this for her. It will be how the Pack remembers her for years to come. Focus on your highlight of the day. You are becoming the Alpha of your pack. She is becoming Luna of a pack new to her and also a mate at the same time. This will be the biggest day of her life, except for meeting me and having pups, of course.

‘Don’t make me laugh now, Titan!’

My father ends his speech and both he and Flint beckon me forward. Taking my place, the blood oath is completed and the pack becomes mine. As the pack’s new Alpha, I give my acceptance speech in a clear voice that carries well. It isn’t as long as their speeches were, but I hope that the content shows the pack that I am dedicated to them and their future. As soon as I’m finished, there is a roar of cheers and I’m taken from the stage to be congratulated by the pack.

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