My thoughts? My head spun just thinking about it, but I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “I’ll do my best.”
We turned our attention back to Liam, who had a broad smile on his face. “I’m happy to hear that. I am going to give you some of my warriors to help you get started. I’ve sent for Nathan and his two brothers to join you. I would like to invite you to come and train with me for a few months, so you can get better acquainted with the roles of being an Alpha.” He looked at my grandparents. “Remos, Emery, do you have any objections?”
They looked at each other as if mentally communicating with one another. “No, we don’t have any. It’ll allow her to learn about pack life.”
Liam nodded. “Everyone in favor of Dahlia coming to train in the manor for a few months?”
All the guests nodded their approval, but no one spoke. I could still feel their eyes burning into me. He cleared his throat. “With that settled, let us prepare for the Alpha ceremony a month from now.”
WHEN THE MEETING concluded Liam, who was easily six foot four, pulled me aside. “I’ll be over at the end of the day. Have your bags packed and out front when I arrive.”
Liam climbed into a large black SUV that had driven up beside the house and zoomed off.
I sighed. What did I just get myself into?
No one spoke on the ride home and my thoughts were all over the place. When Grandpa pulled into the driveway, I climbed out first, ignoring Grandma’s requests, which were being subdued in my head. My grandparents got out after me.
“Dandelion! How can you ignore your Grandma like that?!” Grandpa was furious, pointing a finger at me.
I knew I was acting childish, but I was just given news of becoming Alpha at the age of twenty! How was I supposed to lead a pack? I didn’t even know the first thing about being an Alpha.
At the front door, a brown package caught my attention; it was wrapped neatly in a red ribbon. Strangely, it was addressed to me.
I didn’t know anyone around here, so I didn’t know who it could be from.
Picking it up, I responded to Grandpa’s question as I walked back to them with the box in hand. “I’m sorry; I’ve just been trying to wrap my head around everything.”
He shook his head.
Grandma burst into tears, placing her purse down on the hood of the car. She wiped vigorously at her face to make the moisture go away.
“My sweet Dahlia,” she whispered as she rubbed my cheek and turned to the backyard. I knew where she was going and it broke my heart. A few years back, Grandpa built her a she-shed after my parents died. She often went back there when she would have a bad day or missed them. Only this time, it was my fault.
“I wish you would consider how hard this is for your Memaw. You’re not the only one going through it. Liam will be here within the hour. I’ll head in and start dinner. She needs some space.” He tried to hide his frustrations as he walked past me.
He finally noticed the box. “Who sent that to you?”
I shrugged, following him into the house. “I honestly don’t know.”
He smirked, moving to the sink to wash his hands. “Maybe it’s your secret admirer.” He winked.
I rolled my eyes and smiled down at the box. “Maybe it is.”
I shook the package, and it made a rattling noise. I wondered what was inside.
Upstairs, I tossed the box on my comforter and pulled out a duffel bag from underneath my bed. Setting it on the floor by my closet, I reached in to pull out some clothes. Only, curiosity got the best of me and I found myself wandering back to the mattress and to the package.
I picked it up, sat back down and put it in my lap.
Drawing in a deep breath, I pulled at the ribbon to untie the bow. The first thing I noticed was a note folded neatly and hidden by the large bow. I took the paper and opened it, my eyes widened when I saw the message.
I’ll take everything from you, like you did to me
I didn’t know what the note meant, or who would have such a harsh grudge against me. I was pretty sure I hadn’t wronged anyone.
Setting the odd letter down beside me, I opened the rest of the box. Inside was a blood-stained knife, a single golden rose, and a purple gem that glistened against the rays of sun that came in through my bedroom window.
Now, I was even more confused. I pushed it aside and finished packing, then grabbed it and headed back downstairs.
In the kitchen, Grandpa was nowhere to be found. I set the box down on the table, as I heard the front door open.
“I’m glad you were able to make it without any issues, Liam.” Grandpa’s voice filled the house.
I looked into the living room.
Grandpa and Alpha Liam stood side by side, whispering quietly. I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, but when they noticed I was standing there, they stopped talking.
“I see you’ve opened the box.” Grandpa gave me a mischievous grin, as he went to the oven and peeked inside.
An aroma filled the air, homemade lasagna. Hmm, my favorite.
Liam and I sat at the table, as Grandpa finished up.
Joining us, he pointed to the box. “What’s inside?”
“A couple of things,” I said, handing him the note. “This was under the bow.”
Both Liam and Grandpa read it. “I’ll take everything from you, like you did to me?” They spoke in unison, looking as confused as I was when I read it.
I pushed the box over to them.
Liam opened it, stating flatly, “Who leaves a golden rose, a blood- stained knife and a purple gem inside a box for you?”
Grandpa snatched the box from him, pouring the contents out onto the table. With his eyes wide, he leapt from his chair, sending it falling backwards.
Rushing to the door with lightning speed, he flung it open. It smashed into the wall, causing a hole in its wake. He moved so fast I didn’t know what was going on.
Liam and I exchanged a glance, before going after him. “What’s going on, Remos?” Liam yelled, hot on his heels.
He reached the she-shed, breaking the door down with surprising strength that seemed to come out of nowhere. He hollered, “Emery! Emery! Where are you?!” No response.
I looked around, finding nothing. No footprints, no evidence, not a single bit of anything. There was nothing.
“Fuck!” he shouted and covered his face with his hands, before dropping to the grassy earth.
“What happened?” I asked, worry picked at me as Eva whined from within.
His eyes filled with tears, and anger, as he turned to me. “Whoever did this, did so carefully that they left no trace of ever being here. She’s just gone.”
Fear set in from those words. I wasn’t ready to process what was happening and by my delayed reaction, it showed. Grandpa just silently stared at me through his tear streaked eyes. He was under- standing yet his facial expression was something I couldn’t figure out.
All I knew was that I had to be strong for both of us. For Grandma.
Liam sighed. “That leaves us with no choice. We have to make Dahlia an Alpha today. If someone was able to get past my men without being noticed that easily, we have a big problem on our hands. These people are left unprotected right now. There’s no time to train. We need to set up the borders for your new territory, as soon as possible.”
My jaw dropped. Just when I thought I had a time frame for being able to learn how to be an Alpha, it all gets thrown in my face the same day.
Grandpa wiped tears from his eyes. They were red and puffy. “Yes, I agree completely. Let’s call the Elders’ and bring the people together to meet their new Alpha.”
CHAPTER 2
DAHLIA
MY NERVES GREW as I watched more and more wolves pull up to my grandfather’s house. I guess the arrival of a new Alpha spread quickly. It was like a high school party.
“Don’t be nervous.” Liam scared me, coming to stand behind me. He watched me stare out of the bay window in
the living room. “They’re here to meet their new Alpha, so no need to be anxious.”
“But what if they don’t like me? How do I prove my loyalty to them?” I asked the window, not bothering to turn to Liam. I whis-pered it, but I knew he heard it. My throat was becoming dry the longer I waited for his answer.
He smiled, stepping to my left side before bringing me in for a hug. “I’ll be right here to help you with anything you need. So, relax, put your game face on and show them you mean business.”
I looked up at him, smiling, and hugged him back. “Thank you.” Since my parents died, Liam’s been a father to me, always supportive of everything I did. I looked up to him.
“Now,” he said, breaking the hug as he smiled at me with love in his eyes. “Go take a shower and get cleaned up. Wear something nice. It’s almost time for the ceremony. All we’re waiting on are the Elders and a few more pack members. After that, we’ll be ready to go.”
I nodded, turning away from him and making my way to the stairs.
I closed my door behind me, heading to my redwood wardrobe. I picked out the nicest dress I had. It was a knee-length, light pink dress with a thin strap for my left shoulder. It had a thin black waist- band around the middle, with a classy black rose sewed to the right side.
After my shower, I did my hair in a simple bun. Putting in a pair of pink earrings, I applied some light pink lip gloss and a small dabble of mascara. In the bedroom, I opened the top drawer of my dresser, revealing a small beautifully wrapped red package. It was a gift from my grandma on my 18th birthday, though I didn’t really feel the need to wear it until now. The necklace was stunning. It changed colors to whatever dress I was wearing. It was unique, I didn’t know where she had gotten it from but I loved it. It sparkled a gentle pink. The chain was solid gold with little jewels that dangled around the main jewel itself. I was smitten by its beauty, in a sudden daydream, remem-bering the day Grandma had given it to me.
A knock on the door brought me back to reality. “Dahlia?” It was Amy, and she wore a blue sundress and white sandals. Her hair was brown and pulled up into a tight ponytail. She was Liam’s mate, his Alpha female. “Are you ready?”
I hobbled to the door, jumping on one foot to put my sandal on. The nervousness creeped up on me again. “I suppose. Do I look okay?”
She grinned from ear to ear, flashing her pearly whites while easing some of my nerves. “Are you kidding? Dear, you look amaz- ing!” She took my hand and led us downstairs and out the front door.
We moved around back, my eyes going wide at the amount of people waiting to be seated as they finished setting the area up for the ceremony. There had to have been hundreds of chairs. I hadn’t realized the backyard was this big. There definitely were more people than I had anticipated.
Amy led me through the crowds of people; all eyes gravitated toward me, my face turning red from the attention. She didn’t seem to notice.
Around me, voices filled the air. “Is she supposed to be our Alpha?” “She looks like a spoiled brat. I am not taking orders from her. Maybe she’ll be as useless as her grandmother.”
I yanked my hand from Amy’s, stopping. The aura that radi- ated from me scared me, but it made the crowd shut up. I turned around. Even if I didn’t fully have my own wolf yet, I knew I had the intimidation factor down. My Alpha presence made everyone stop what they were doing to look at what was happening before them.
The younger wolves cowered, quickly bowing their heads.
“No one,” I spat, my voice changing. “And I mean no one, will speak of my grandmother like that. Especially behind my back. Come and say it to my face.”
No one came forward, instead they were silent, lowering their gazes in shame.
I smirked. “That’s what I thought. I don’t care if you say things about me, but never speak ill of my grandparents. Does everyone understand?”
Everyone was eerily quiet, I could hear the chirping of crickets with how silent it was, their eyes wide. While the crowd continued to bow their heads, one woman bravely spoke, “We apologize, Alpha. Please forgive us.”
Satisfied, I turned back to Amy, who had a surprised look on her face.
“What?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Nothing,” she said and continued to move forward with me beside her. “I just didn’t think you had that in you.”
I smiled, noticing Liam carrying a bottle of wine and a golden chalice. Engraved on the chalice was a moon and a howling wolf.
Nathan was close behind me, carrying a small table before setting it up beside his Alpha.
There was something sticking out of the back of Nathan’s jeans; it was wrapped in a white cloth. I couldn’t help but admire how good his ass looked in those fitted pants. I blushed at my thoughts as we made it closer to the front. I brushed the thought away, just as Nathan turned to look at me with a smile on his face and something strange in his emerald eyes.
Liam set the items down on the table, as Nathan handed the object to him.
Reaching the front, Amy went to stand beside her mate, motioning me to stand opposite of Liam.
Once everyone had settled down and was seated, Liam addressed the crowd. “Greetings, everyone. I’m sorry for bringing you all together on such a short notice.”
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Liam cleared his throat to hush them. “We’ve come together to welcome and initiate our new Alpha! Let us begin the ceremony.”
Cheers broke out and everyone clapped, easing my tense body. This was the most nerve-wracking thing I’d done in my entire life. I wasn’t used to big crowds like this.
“Hold out your left hand,” he said, holding out his right. I held my hand out, positioning it next to his.
“Now, repeat after me,” he began, “I, Dahlia Miller, do swear to pledge my loyalty to the Gods, to honor our ancestors, and to protect my pack with my life.”
I felt a lump form in my throat, the anticipation killing me.
I shook my head, clearing my throat. “I, Dahlia Miller, do swear to pledge my loyalty to the Gods, to honor our ancestors, and to protect my pack with my life.”
Liam continued. “To hold dear and trust each one with my life. To judge fairly and to gain the knowledge to lead my pack down the right path. May we be given blessings upon blessings from the Gods in light of our gratitude.”
I breathed slowly, repeating the phrase.
Amy moved to us, facing the crowd, as she unfolded the neatly wrapped object. It was a knife; its handle had a golden tint to it and the blade sparkled in the setting sun.
She handed it to Liam, who sliced the palm of his hand, before connecting the blade to mine without a blink of an eye, and not breaking skin contact. It stung badly, but I didn’t flinch. We watched as the blood began to drip off our hands, mixing together, into the empty chalice. Next, Amy opened the bottle of wine, pouring it into the glass.
One of the healers from Liam’s pack moved forward, handing me some gauze to wrap my hand in before going back to her place among the crowd.
Liam nodded to me, motioning with his finger toward the cup for me to take it.
When I reached out with my right hand, he held up his hand to stop me. “You have to use your left.”
My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I changed hands. Lifting the cup, I pressed the cold metal against my lips. The wine was sweet and tangy. I quickly drank it down, feeling a sudden surge pass through me.
Everyone in the crowd gasped as a strange light filled the air. My temperature began to rise; my body felt like it was on fire from the inside out. It caused my heart to pound in my chest. I wanted to crumble over and scream, but I held myself steady. I couldn’t look weak in front of them.
I noticed the glow begin to fade, the crowd quieting down along with it.
My temperature slowly cooled and my heartbeat returned to normal.
“Ouch.” I felt a burn on my left wrist. I looked down to see a sudden tattoo on my wrist that wasn’t
there before. It was red and slightly irritated. It was of an arrow with a feather swirling around it. It was beautiful.
“What is this?”
Liam laughed, his chest bouncing up and down with the move- ment. “That’s your Alpha mark. It proves to the world you’re an Alpha. No one will question your authority—”
Someone from the crowd interrupted him. “Aren’t Alphas supposed to shift after they drink the wine? What’s wrong with her? Are you sure she’s a wolf?”
I stayed silent, not knowing what to say.
Luckily, Liam pitched in. “The Gods have chosen her. We don’t know why, but we don’t question it. Nothing is wrong with her, her body just hasn’t completely transitioned so it will take time. And she is most definitely a wolf, believe me. There’s no doubt about that.”
That shut the man up before Liam turned back to me. “I have talked to four of my warriors, and they agreed to join your pack. They will help you get settled and lay down the law for you. Anything you tell them, they will do.”
I nodded, as he waved for me to speak to the crowd.
I shot him a glance, before biting my tongue and facing my pack. Everyone fell silent, their eyes either held judgment or curiosity. “My name is Dahlia. I am pleased to be your Alpha, and I swear to each and every one of you that I will lead this pack to greatness. I have a lot to learn, but I’m sure with you guys by my side I will have no prob- lems. Thank you for being here.”
My eyes searched the crowd for my grandpa. My heart sank when I found him. He had his head down, his facial expression empty. This was a time to be happy, but he was broken. The mate bond really held you by the heartstrings.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, everyone was dismissed.
We decided to just hold the meeting here since everyone was already gathered, no need to
Rise of the Alpha (The Rise Series Book 1) Page 2
