Chapter One
Rowan
Rowan took a step outside on the back porch of the pack house and looked to the sky; the moon radiated its perfect light through the trees of the forest. It’s slow decent gave him goosebumps as he stared. Soon the ritual will start he thought to himself. The ritual would decide his fate within his pack and meant that Rowan was either to be shunned or to stand with the rest as Alpha. No matter the training, the hunting and trying to prove himself, nothing could prepare him for tonight.79Please respect copyright.PENANAAIP0skU5of
“Do not worry Rowan, I got this,” Rowan’s wolf, Olcan spoke.
His soft, low growl forced Rowan to relax a little. Rowan felt more confident that he had a wolf that he could communicate with. Another being, shared his soul. Olcan brought Rowan’s mind great comfort. He loved that Olcan would bare all and exert himself to achieve what they both deserved. As Rowan was lost in thought, Olcan tried to push forward, willing him to take his clothes off so that he could shift into his wolf-self. Olcan preferred to run off nerves and use his excess energy, especially since Rowan hadn't allowed his wolf to shift in a while.79Please respect copyright.PENANArgq2VyECes
The pack saw Rowan different, not as a young lad growing up and defying boundaries; but as a young man who killed one of their own. It was a mistake but nevertheless, pack members were wary around him now and especially around Olcan. 79Please respect copyright.PENANABChzZcV1hR
The ground under Olcan’s feet felt soft as they cut through the meadow, leaping, and bounding and Rowan could feel his wolf’s muscles as if they were his own. Rowan took in the scents around them and felt the wind glide through the wolf’s fur. Olcan stopped running, panting slightly.79Please respect copyright.PENANAQKSXH2KEV3
“What’s wrong Olcan?” Rowan asked, using their mind link to communicate.79Please respect copyright.PENANASkLr6QueS8
“It is unusually quite in the forest tonight, Rowan something does not seem right.”79Please respect copyright.PENANAbLNc4Adqpa
Rowan felt Olcan shudder at the cool breeze that blew through his warm fur and realised that he was right. It was silent and all they could hear was the sound of Olcan’s slow breathing.79Please respect copyright.PENANAZsw5my8nwd
“Olcan, I think we better leave and get back to the pack house. We can tell Father when we return.”
As the words connected through the mind link, the ritual horn blew in the distance.79Please respect copyright.PENANA9ukjmRDAQf
“We better hurry, do you enough strength to get us back and complete the ritual?”79Please respect copyright.PENANA2w2bANzdzk
“Yes Rowan, I would never let us down.”79Please respect copyright.PENANACDoH1Q5XhY
Olcan took off at full speed, much faster than before and Rowan felt so much more connected to him when he was calm and respectful. Rowan used Olcan’s vision to look around and he could see that the pack house was fast approaching. The horn blew again as they got closer and Rowan heard the other members of the pack chanting, “Alpha, Alpha, Alpha,” repeatedly.79Please respect copyright.PENANA1S4mECwcHK
Just as they got closer to the house grounds, Olcan quickly dropped back, forcing Rowan to shift back to human form and he desperately started to look for his clothes. Rowan would never get used to the cracking of bones and popping of joints. Olcan was so forceful with shifting, to complete the process as quickly as possible. He always said that in combat as Alpha, they need to train their bodies to be more agile and faster than the enemy.79Please respect copyright.PENANAnpCma894GL
“ROWAN! ROWAN! ARE YOU HERE?” Father yelled from the door.79Please respect copyright.PENANAohWCQ8TUYs
Rowan managed to reply in a squeak of panic as he tried to put on his clothes.79Please respect copyright.PENANAW11ZyCw9Ka
“Yes, I am here, I’m coming!”79Please respect copyright.PENANAfi5nF406Aj
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He ran to the door from where he was hidden to get dressed and Father shook his head.79Please respect copyright.PENANANhlgi2wj6k
“Olcan can’t help himself huh? Reminds me of when I was younger, all my wolf wanted to do was to be free. Hard to control sometimes and that, you will have to learn.”79Please respect copyright.PENANALQTIHvvL1I
Father was silent for a moment as he walked alongside Rowan, steering him to the clearing where the ritual was held. He turned and looked at Rowan.79Please respect copyright.PENANAigdNzTTy7X
“Are you ready for this son? All of the training, and all of the wisdom that I could bestow on you will be needed as you take my place as Alpha.”79Please respect copyright.PENANAjyOVtRGl2y
There was some hurt in his eyes as he continued to look at Rowan, causing Olcan to stir uncomfortably. Rowan knew that his father wished that his mother, Luna Margaret, was here to witness the night that her pup became an Alpha.79Please respect copyright.PENANAgNW6P0BspC
“Father, I am not looking forward to fighting you and neither is Olcan. I know that really, we are no match for Aspen.”79Please respect copyright.PENANA0u6Y0lVm9q
His father’s eyes flickered between his bright blue eyes to brown and Rowan knew that he was mind-linking with Aspen. Father looked back at Rowan, smiled, and said,79Please respect copyright.PENANANQYhrs5Bog
“All good things must come to an end my son.”79Please respect copyright.PENANATl8ImuthcC
Aspen was Rowan’s father’s wolf. He’s tall, strong and a confident killer. He helped protect the pack for the past thirty years and now the time had come for Olcan to face him through strength and brutality; it was a hard pill to swallow.79Please respect copyright.PENANA2sxvjz8xJ7
Rowan did not want to kill his own father to prove his worthiness or hurt him, but that is how things were done. He secretly prayed that Father would surrender before it got to that point so that Father was free to live out the rest of his life as an Elder in the community. God, I hope that is what he has planned, thought Rowan.79Please respect copyright.PENANAYn9g8jHZMV
“Come Rowan, we can’t keep them waiting forever.”
As they reached the clearing, the pack cheered and carried on, howling to the moon and the general rabble was enough to give anyone a headache.79Please respect copyright.PENANAkTgaRI663g
Rowan’s father walked into the clearing with his Beta, Adrian and an instant quiet fell among the pack.79Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2plaIGs0m
“Thank-you all for joining us tonight, as you know this is a special night to see if my son Rowan, has what it takes to become your new Alpha!”
Father threw his hands in the air and the pack whistled, screamed, and cheered.79Please respect copyright.PENANANhg8HkdIu8
Rowan watched his father continue his speech in awe. The respect that he had gained through the years of Alpha was remarkable. Each one of his wolves would die for him in an instant and would never cross their Alpha, not out of fear but out of respect. Rowan’s family is part of a long line of leaders within the community, which spanned to the beginning of their kind. There’s a lot of expectation that had fallen upon Rowan to ensure the pack’s successful future. He must be sharp, cunning, aware, and strong if he is to succeed, just as those before him.79Please respect copyright.PENANAhcGCG1Vyrk
A hush fell over the pack as Father called Rowan to the clearing. He decided that there is no way that he was going to hurt a family member, whether it was his Father or not, the thought didn’t sit right. For a moment, Rowan thought about running and becoming Rogue so that he didn’t have to. As he moved slowly towards the clearing, a familiar voice called out his name.79Please respect copyright.PENANAcA9uKw6QCm
“Rowan!” the voice yelled. 79Please respect copyright.PENANA9YDNqgSiyh
Rowan turned his head and searched for the voice. He realised when the sound came closer that it was his best friend, Alex. Alex jogged up to Rowan and grabbed his face, as he shook it roughly,79Please respect copyright.PENANA5VmjaxSb2R
“Are you okay? If I, were you, I would have vomited ten times already!”79Please respect copyright.PENANAj4xfx787fI
“I am fine Alex,” Rowan responded in a harsh, low tone. Alex immediately felt the tension and backed away.79Please respect copyright.PENANAby6p5D2oOq
“I know you are man. Goodluck out there, I know Olcan has your back.”79Please respect copyright.PENANAPxDoAFCtGL
Alex looked over warily as if he was expecting Olcan to quickly shift and rip him to shreds. Even Rowan’s best friend, feared him.79Please respect copyright.PENANA9wzH9yKgst
The tension mounted as the pack were silent and the horn blew again, signalling the start of the ritual. An Alpha ritual, where a previous Alpha refuses to step down to allow their heir to take over, is traditionally performed under the first full moon of the season. The timing is a sacred tradition that has been passed down over centuries and is believed that it will bring the new Alpha the strength of the Moon Goddess to protect their pack. It has also been believed that the winner of this fight would also gain the strength of the full moon and be forever energised by its power and forever be protected by the Moon Goddess until their next opponent.79Please respect copyright.PENANA77L8K30nZ2
Rowan walked out into the clearing, and he could feel his pack hold their breath in silence. His father stood on the other side of the clearing. Olcan stirred inside of him, preparing for what’s to come. Father made the first move, and sprinted toward Rowan. Rowan planted his feet into the ground and saw Father’s eyes flicker in the moonlight. It meant that he was going to unleash Aspen at that moment. As he lunged forward and Aspen shifts, Rowan pivoted out of the way and skipped back to the other side, never turning his back. Olcan tried to gain control and Rowan used all his force to push him back, “Wait Olcan,” Rowan commanded.79Please respect copyright.PENANAxIGSbS8CKl
He felt Olcan’s need for blood surge through him just as Aspen moved to strike again. This time Rowan stood his ground,79Please respect copyright.PENANAk0jwgzZLuK
“What are you doing Rowan! Olcan yelled through the mind link, “MOVE! He will kill us!”79Please respect copyright.PENANAawqch1XkcW
Olcan tried to surge forward but Rowan blocked him in his mind. “NO OLCAN!”79Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0bG0Iy2mC
Rowan watched as Aspen sprinted toward him, his canines outstretched, as he got closer. As soon as Aspen was close enough, he lunged for Rowan’s neck. Rowan swooped to the ground underneath him and made contact by kicking Aspen in the ribs. Rowan heard a break and a snap. The fight in Olcan stirred, as Aspen fell to the ground. 79Please respect copyright.PENANAMDH9CspxWd
There was nothing worse than having your full body outstretched mid-lunge and exposing your weakness to the enemy underneath you. Aspen took a moment to get up and shook off the blow. Whilst he gained back his feet, Olcan forced a shift. The shift was so painful and quick which enraged Rowan. It could have left them exposed for an attack. Olcan fed off Rowan’s anger and started to run towards Aspen.79Please respect copyright.PENANAWO59oqjHAe
Aspen reacted and lungesd at Olcan quickly. Olcan tried to block the attack and pivoted around Aspen, but Rowan felt Aspen’s teeth grind through Olcan’s thigh. He winced and felt Olcan cower slightly. Olcan used his fiery pit of rage that developed deep in his stomach when he was mad, and the anger burnt inside of him. Aspen quickly turned around, ready for the next attack, but the intense anger that Olcan held on to for the past few weeks suddenly burst. 79Please respect copyright.PENANAfEUm2bXDu8
Rowan closed his eyes and tried to block out Olcan’s mind link so that he couldnt hear the carnage and just before he did, he heard Aspen cry out as Olcan connected his canines into Aspen’s back.79Please respect copyright.PENANAnNVaat8Fvr
Olcan had a grip like lock jaw and proceeded to pick up Aspen off the floor with the strength of his mouth and tossed him across the clearing. Rowan opened his eyes to use Olcan’s vision and he noticed a chunk of flesh missing from Aspen’s back. Olcan doesn’t give Aspen a second into a position as he is already running towards him for the next attack. He made contact and immediately started to scratch, punch and bite. Rowan saw chunks of Aspen’s flesh and fur thrown into the air.79Please respect copyright.PENANArWooANjfcK
Just as Olcan was about to finish him off entirely, there came a harrowing howl from Aspen, the howl of defeat. It was strong enough to make hairs stand on end and feel it through the tingling of your toes. 79Please respect copyright.PENANAwKGKulfomK
“I am sorry Rowan,” Olcan said, “I had to win.”79Please respect copyright.PENANAOwQCqm4W5N
“It’s okay Olcan… it’s over.”
They completely forgot that the rest of the pack surrounded them as Rowan commanded control back from Olcan. He wanted to shift back and help nurse his father off the ground.79Please respect copyright.PENANAwCO0JTpkOv
Rowan watched as his father healed so slowly after the fight. The sight cemented something in him that he was getting old and too weak to be Alpha now, so he was ready to take Father’s place. The old man stood to address his pack, somehow with a grin as he beamed with pride. Rowan was perplexed by his reaction, like he planned to surrender to Olcan. Father always said that Olcan was no match for anyone, but he didn’t think that he meant for Aspen either.79Please respect copyright.PENANA8MmMFW73VS
“Come and stand with me Rowan,” he mind-linked.79Please respect copyright.PENANADAWhf5W5nT
“I, Alpha Calvin of the Black Alder Pack, appoint your new Alpha, Rowan, Son of Alpha Calvin of the Black Alder Pack and in turn, denounce myself as your Alpha to live my days as your Elder!”
Father finished his sentence and Rowan felt one bond break and weaken. He heard an awful ringing in his ears, enough that Olcan retreated to the back of his mind, wincing in pain. Rowan dropped to the ground with his hands over his ears, willing it to stop. It lasted only a minute but felt like an eternity, but suddenly a greater bond began to form. The bond was like a rubber band, it began to flex and pull him towards the pack. Rowan could feel every one of the pack’s bonds and pledges to him as he was pulled through the crowd. He opened his eyes and saw that they were all on their knees, bowing to him with their necks bared. The pack showed submission and acceptance of him as Alpha. Olcan stirred again, and Rowan showed confidence and prowess as his whole demeanour changed. 79Please respect copyright.PENANANAgUPRVv8k
Rowan approached the last few members and he felt the bond snap into fruition. He was now responsible for their safety and their training. He was responsible for their hunger and their needs. Olcan was too excited, and Rowan struggled to control him.79Please respect copyright.PENANAhnMFm2pSH4
“Pipe down Olcan, honestly, you are making me dizzy from doing circles in there. I will let you out in a minute.”79Please respect copyright.PENANAPJhozJ7s7e
After the ritual it was also tradition to host a dinner in the pack house so that the members are able to mingle and come together as one. Even though it was a tradition, the pack did this all the time because it was imperative to keep morale high.79Please respect copyright.PENANAT6tByFbQU0
Rowan could smell the food that would have already been served from a mile away and realised that the battle had left him exhausted. It was more than likely the emotions and nerves, than physically.
“LAST ONE TO THE HOUSE HAS TO EAT THE OFFAL!” Rowan shouted, releasing his inner youth. Everyone started sprinting towards the house. Between howling and cheering, there was laughter and heavy breathing.79Please respect copyright.PENANAKYCeJOXhAk
The run had exerted all energy from Rowan and so he quietly took his meal into the office. He slumped into the sofa and smelt the delicious selections of meats and vegetables that the Omega’s had prepared. Rowan looked up as there was a faint knock on the door.79Please respect copyright.PENANAuXh5hXxjDu
“Alpha, sir, can I please come in?”79Please respect copyright.PENANALdbFrE9WvK
Rowan instantly smelt the scent of the person by the door. It was Alex.79Please respect copyright.PENANAnLRCIWLlZ4
“Alex, close the door, I need to ask you something as well and please just call me Rowan, there is no need for titles between us,” he said, slightly agitated that Alex would think that Rowan wanted him to refer to him as Alpha.79Please respect copyright.PENANAXHhjlkIn5m
Alex and Rowan grew up together and were best friends. Alex is the brother that Rowan never had and trusted him with his life. Alex was a huge brute; he’s tall and built like a brick shithouse. Rowan punched him once, whilst mucking around and felt his hand heal itself from a break. With his shoulder length hair and deep, dark brown eyes, in the moonlight he looked terrifying. 79Please respect copyright.PENANA6UJfFhivv1
Alex walked into the office and sat by Rowan’s side.79Please respect copyright.PENANAw0nwyJCGJG
“Dude that was really something. Olcan is a force to be reckoned with, honestly. He was probably going to finish Aspen off with one more swoop,” he commented, whilst re-enacting Olcan’s actions.79Please respect copyright.PENANADwP475jO33
“I cannot believe that you are Alpha! This is insane! Think of all the ladies that will want a slice of you now!”79Please respect copyright.PENANA5bf3NI4Tvq
“All the ladies will want…us,” sniggered Rowan, waiting to see if Alex caught on.79Please respect copyright.PENANAvK2C0ivVga
Rowan watched Alex’s face and the cogs turning in his head as he is thought about what Rowan proposed. It took Alex about thirty seconds to realise what his best friend said and his mouth dropped open.79Please respect copyright.PENANAFY4Ipn0gbz
“Seriously Rowan?” he questioned. Rowan couldn’t help but laugh.79Please respect copyright.PENANAMbmTgi1Cvi
“I want you to be my Beta Alex, only if you would like too. Beta Adrian will be retiring with Father in the Elder House, and I need someone by my side,” he said.79Please respect copyright.PENANAnfdSeISN0p
“It will be my honour, Alpha,” Alex eventually replied. 79Please respect copyright.PENANApAE6qWwb85
He took his time answering the question as if he were seriously thinking about it, but Rowan could tell that Alex just wanted to jump up and down with excitement.79Please respect copyright.PENANAK79yCpRUup
“Right, then let’s go and announce this so we can get the formalities over and done with,” suggested Rowan, clapping his hands on his legs as he stood.79Please respect copyright.PENANApe6ZRDRmDn
“Ah-hem, sorry Rowan, but you may just want to go and clean yourself up first before joining the pack.”79Please respect copyright.PENANAkA3Xu5x87V
Alex was looking at Rowan up and down. He had completely forgotten that he was covered in blood under his clothes from earlier and had certainly become immune to his own stench.79Please respect copyright.PENANAPpPAaOfiyi
“Okay, let me sneak off to have a shower and I will be right back.”
Rowan skipped up the stairs, two at a time so that he could be quick. It was considered bad manners to not have the new Alpha present at this time. The pack house comprised of three levels and the basement. Level one was where the kitchen, communal showers, the office, communal hall, and dining hall were located. Further down the hall on the same level consisted of guest rooms that neighbouring or travelling packs could reside. Attached to the rooms there was an Alpha quarter so that they could stay with their own. 79Please respect copyright.PENANAJXstOxy2Jc
On the second floor, there were separate rooms for members of the pack, those who did not wish to return home for the night, for those who are going through hard times and for those who finished their hunting rounds late. There's also a communal bathroom on the same floor and other bedrooms that have adjoining bathrooms for those that are of higher rankings. The third floor housed the Beta quarters, Alpha quarters, and royalty rooms. Each room had their own adjoining bathrooms and the best furniture.79Please respect copyright.PENANAlZXWorTtwF
Rowan reached his father’s room and stepped inside. This room was to be his now and looking around he could see that an Omega had already moved his father’s belongings out. Rowan’s possessions were already placed in drawers and wardrobes and his trinkets were displayed in the room. He was lost in thought for a moment and walked over to a photo of his mother that he had kept for years. She looked so young standing there next to his father and Rowan remembered what an amazing Luna she was for the pack. She had an empathetic soul that grounded Rowan’s father and she was the most forgiving person that he ever met.79Please respect copyright.PENANAZB1W5mW6DL
“I miss her,” Olcan whined.79Please respect copyright.PENANAeWNELoTWP3
“Nice of you to join me, Olcan. Where have you been hiding?”79Please respect copyright.PENANAXTkcflErrq
“I was fatigued Rowan and needed rest. You should be showering and making Alex Beta,” he growled.79Please respect copyright.PENANA2HyKLXCYJe
Rowan grabbed his towel and headed to the bathroom. He jumped into the shower to quickly clean up. “Olcan?”79Please respect copyright.PENANApjlFBaw8wG
“Mmm, I am awake. What do you want?”79Please respect copyright.PENANAya0ikm52mN
“How do you feel about the women in the pack? Get any tingles?”79Please respect copyright.PENANAxVNSsOqaE9
“No Rowan, our mate is not with us at the moment, she will come.”79Please respect copyright.PENANAPLnbpNn0XL
Rowan sighed heavily, a breath that he didn’t know he was holding. There must be someone out there for us and I hope we find her soon. Rowan shivered and his body tingled at the thought.
“THERE HE IS!” Alex announced beaming, as Rowan descended the stairs. Alex had two women draping off him and there was no doubt that he had already told them the news of his higher ranking. Rowan overlooked the foyer and communal section of the bottom floor before getting the attention of the pack below.79Please respect copyright.PENANAywaktWDIxJ
“Attention my brethren, my ladies. Thank-you for enjoying yourselves tonight and choosing to follow me as your new Alpha. I have a small announcement to make before the night is through-,” Rowan took a short glance at Alex to make sure that he was listening and quickly sent a message through their mind-link, “This is going to hurt like hell.”79Please respect copyright.PENANAyMqweN2zYB
Alex looked at Rowan puzzled by the warning as Rowan returned his attention to the pack.79Please respect copyright.PENANAszQeK6iK6w
“- Beta Adrian will be joining my father in the Elder House to live out the rest of their days and a new Beta needs to take his place.”79Please respect copyright.PENANA3NvYZyKpkD
Rowan looked towards Alex as he began to bow.79Please respect copyright.PENANAymSFJCE7yK
“Alex Cartier, I Alpha Rowan of the Black Alder Pack, announce you Beta! To protect, to live, to command and to forever pledge to me as your Alpha.”79Please respect copyright.PENANA3rZTqIJIHi
“I accept,” he agreed.79Please respect copyright.PENANAtKZ4Zbv1Hu
The shock could not be wiped from Alex’s face as he stood from the kneeling position and taking in all the glory. The pack began to bow and bare their necks towards Alex. Why did he not have the same reaction with the pack bond as I did? Why did I have such a huge bond shift? Thought Rowan.79Please respect copyright.PENANAnB6RF87LXV
He felt that his knees were going to snap if he did not bend down and succumb to the change. This confused Rowan immensely. Alex walked through the pack accepting his congratulations from family and friends whilst they all stood. Rowan searched the room to satisfaction that there were no objections to Alex becoming Beta. Rowan’s father approached through the crowd and bowed his head when he reached Rowan. He could never get used to that amount of respect.79Please respect copyright.PENANAo8hwGeYp7L
“Alpha Rowan, Adrian and I will be going now and taking our leave. I am proud of you my son and have full faith that you will do our family proud. You have already risen to the occasion and have chosen your Beta, that I know he will never let you down. Keep your wits about you and make sure that you visit me often. The news of tonight will quickly spread to other Alpha’s in their territories.”79Please respect copyright.PENANAHvvBYbGh6X
Rowan’s father gave a small nod and turned to walk out the door with Adrian behind him, as faithful as ever.79Please respect copyright.PENANAiZJfOB6oJo
Rowan felt exhausted and told Alex that he was retiring for the night. He warned Alex not to keep the party going too long and to keep it quiet with whoever he chose to bed.79Please respect copyright.PENANAPNDV8XryAG
They were to participate in the pack's first hunt as Alpha and Beta at dawn.
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