Alarik scrubs his thick fingers through my matted hair, my eyes are closed in ecstasy as I allow my male to take care of my battered body. The entire time he bathes me, he is sending compliments to me. One after another, he tells me of how they took down the vampires around the area easily and how we were lucky enough to only lose a few pack members.

Their burial would be held in a few hours, more of a celebration for life and we'd be introducing not only myself into the pack but also Leslie. I was hoping Xanth would decide to stay as well, but I understood he would be watching the woman he loved to be with someone else. I could not ask that of him, even if it would hurt to see him leave.

Valda would be relieved to see him go, Asger as well and I would be happy for their official beginning towards becoming mates. They deserved that happiness and peace, but at the cost of my brother I questioned my approval for it. It is selfish to choose my true happiness over their comfortability in a home they've always known.

That would be my first sacrifice for the pack.

Alarik finishes cleaning me, his hands roaming all over my body and massaging the tense muscles that were stretched and twisted in every direction. He'd promised the pain would subside with every shift, and when I'd turned back to my normal skin m teeth no longer held points. My fangs had, however, remained and I'd filled my stomach with bags of blood.

The change had not taken the vampire out of me, but I did notice a sudden craving for meat that I'd never noticed. My new mix of forms was going to be hard to keep up with, I could already tell.

"Come on, let's dry you off." My mate lifts me from the tub, and I lean into the warmth of his bare chest. He doesn't seem to care about the water that's now running down his perfect form as he carries me to the counter, my naked bottom meets the cool granite and I jump at the temperature. Alarik grins, and I scowl.

So many adjustments.

I note the way his silver eyes move over me, the way his tongue slips out to wet the lips that have made me cry out in pleasure on more than one occasion. As the rest of my body dries, the place between my thighs does not. My mind going from focused to lost in only a few moments, every time he was this close my body didn't know what to do.

Nature called for my legs to wrap around him, to drag my nails down his muscled form and moan in his ear as he gave me everything that belonged to me. Every inch of this male, mine. Made just for me to enjoy, to love...forever. One large hand reaches upward, tilting my chin so that I am no longer staring at the familiar bulge in his pants.

My hungry Alpha.

"You're so perfect." His whispered words go straight to my heart, a small smiling coming to my lips as I try to come up with all of the things, I want to say to him. I loved this man so much that it hurt. My heart beats in sync with his, and I press my lips to hover over the place where it sits.

"Did you still think that while I was decapitating a man?" I ask, all the while continuing and the onslaught of kisses and tiny bites across his broad body. The warm skin beneath my lips heating even more as I hear that sultry growl rise from him, I grin.

"Especially during that." With one hand in my hair, he pulls my lips to meet his and within moments he's taken control. My body bends to his demand, but I begin finding his zipper and then pushing the pants off of his waist. Just enough to set his hardness free.

My hands wrap around him, pumping slowly just to hear those groans that are sure to ensue. His tongue moves with mine, palms moving to enjoy every piece of me that he can reach as I line him up with my center. Alarik pulls back for a moment, forehead against mine as he leans forward slowly. Our eyes stay locked as he pushes into me, when I think he is about to take his time Alarik slams into me.

A cry of pleasure and the smallest amount t of pain leaves my mouth as my hand moves to grip his shoulder. The way he was moving, I was holding on for dear life—and I loved it.

---------------

Hundreds of Lycans stand in the field, although they are conversing amongst one another and seeming to enjoy the gathering they are still lined up perfectly. An army waiting for their commander. I squeeze Alarik's hand nervously as we move towards them all, receiving smiles and waves from each. Asger and Valda stand in front of them, gazing out at the crowd without speaking a word to one another—that worries me. When they see us coming the seriousness is wiped from their faces, replaced with grins and I'm immediately wrapped in a hug as the female Lycan laughs.

"Our vampire has claws!" She rejoices, and I find myself laughing alongside her. Asger shakes my mates' hand, whispering something in his ear that has Alarik raising his brows. I don't question either of them, knowing I'll be told soon.

I look across the crowd of men and women once more, hoping to see Xanth amongst them and finding myself disappointed when he isn't here. Had he left already, without a goodbye? I frown. Valda's hand rubs my back, and I find she's giving me a look of concern and she tilts her head.

"Leslie and your brother walked off a few minutes ago to find some food, she said something about not wanting her stomach to growl in front of everyone." My mood immediately lifts at that, allowing her hand to move back to her side as I become more present to the people in front of me. I note the seven holes that are dug right before the tree line, and my nose picks up the smell of death.

I feel an ache in my chest at the thought of my fellow pack members filling those graves, their bodies wasting away because of a crazy vampire's attack. Their families were here, mates probably standing in the back and waiting for their loved one's name to be called so they can hear them be pronounced a hero. The confidence I had standing in front of them is smothered, anxiety filling me.

"No one seems distraught..." Alarik's gaze finds mine at the strange observation, and he pats his second command arm before stepping against me. A kiss to my forehead brings a surprising amount of comfort.

"Why would anyone be sad about their destiny? These," he gestures to the fresh graves, "where some of our best warriors. They gave their lives not only to make sure we would have a Luna, but a few ripped other pack members out of those vampires' hands. Every day our pack knows what can become of them in a battle, and the only thing they fear is a failure to protect their own. To protect you." His eyes look over the hundreds of Lycans before us.

A few of them look our way, smiling and nodding at the words their Alpha has given to them. The respect that he holds for every one of these people is obvious in his eyes, his stance, and the way those lips smile. This is his family, and I've been blessed to be allowed to join.

"Your brother and friend have been gone for a while now." Asger makes me jump as he whispers in my ear, I throw a hand at his chest as I spin around with a glare. The sweet moment is lost as I throw threats at the Beta whose ass I'd already beat once.

"Knowing Leslie, they're probably in the packhouse getting a pre-ceremony fuck in." I slap Alarik as well, mouth gaping at their daring statements.

The two males laugh, and I find myself wanting to join in, but keep my aggravated façade strong. Perhaps they would get along nicely, that would mean Xanth could stay on the pack lands and I wouldn't have to worry as much about his wellbeing. Valda gives her male a look that has him shutting that big trap of his and making his shoulders sag.

"What's the matter, Beta? Female got your tongue?" I tease him and barely jump away before his hand grabs onto me. I laugh as he spends a few minutes chasing me back and forth, no one seeming to be upset by the spectacle we are creating.

Eventually, Asger gives up his fight and stalks back to my mate's side, muttering something about an unfair advantage. Alarik just rolls his eyes and tells him to practice harder, embarrassing the second in command. I laugh harder.

"You look a lot better when you're on two legs, Eira." I turn towards Leslie, her grin bringing me a sense of ease as the last time I'd seen her she was being carried away in another arms. Her skin was unblemished, and the only thing out of place was the drop of blood that hadn't been wiped from her lip.

I use my thumb to remove the red substance, wiping it on my pants before hugging her. She accepts me affection easily, and I stare at my brother who stands awkwardly a few feet behind her. His eyes stay locked on the ground, his jaw is clenched as I would guess he is getting large whiffs of the mate who'd never accept him.

Had this been new territory to me I would have taken my brother's side, begging Valda to give him a chance and try to earn him an opportunity to have the same blessing of love that I've been given. It's not like that, however, and I know that my friend will be happier with Asger than with the Moons gift. It would hurt them both, but I'm sure what's meant to be will eventually come to happen.

"I'm a sexy dog, don't try and lie to yourself." My playful push has those around us laughing, even my brother breaks into a small smile. I'm surprised when Valda takes a few steps closer to him, Asger's body goes rigid but I can tell they've talked about this. Otherwise, he would've been pulling her back.

"We're going to need some help with the final burial, do you mind helping us with that? Shouldn't take too long." Something in my brother's eyes sparkles at her question, and he nods enthusiastically at the way she's including him in the pack.

After a few moments, she smiles and makes her way back to her males' side, where he pulls her in and nudges her neck with his nose. Not in a protective or claiming way, but to show her he is happy with what she's just done. I am very happy as well.

Instead of continuing to stand by her, Xanth moves a few feet away and begins easily conversing with a few of the pack members. I look around, noting that everyone seems to be here. Alarik's fingers inch their way through mine, lacing them together and pulling my hand to his warm lips. My lips curve upwards as I watch him, amused at the devilish twinkle in his handsome eyes.

"Are you ready to begin, our Luna?" He doesn't whisper the question, instead, the words seem to make the entire pack stand to attention and wait for my answer.

I nod solemnly, unsure of the process we are about to follow for the fallen warriors set behind us. I follow when Asger, Valda, and Alarik make their way to the graves, the Lycans in perfect formation move forward slowly. Staying in line. We stand in front of them, now only a few feet between me and the Lycans who had given their lives, even after my mates touching talk, I still can't shake the guilt.

Asger starts us off, his booming voice bringing all attention to us as the joyous mood that floated around us dissipates. No one laughs, no one speaks, and all eyes lock onto the Beta of our pack—mine eventually follow the lead.

"The Moon blessed us with many things in our centuries of life." He looks around, hands crossed in front of him as his furrowed brows show the emotions the Lycan is holding back. "We've been given the gift of family, love, friends and after some time we were blessed with this land. Everything we were handed, was earned and no one understands that more than our warriors. The ones who fought beside me in every war, our friends and family who understood the most honorable death was one that came from protecting the ones we love.

Although their souls are no longer sitting beside us at dinner or standing in the circle while we train, their effects on our lives will be with us every day. Their mates will share stories, their children with grow up knowing their mother of father died for every single one of us standing here today. We've been blessed with a Luna, and our friends who now stand beside the Moon were blessed enough to meet her.

When you find yourself saddened over their absences, look around and see what their sacrifices have done to better each one pack member beside you, in front of you, or behind. Let today's loss also bring us to live every day as if it may be our last, never take another person for granted. Love everyone while you can, as hard as you can."

I feel the tears running down my cheeks before I can stop them, but I quickly bend my head to begin wiping them away. My mind races as I wait for the next person to speak and am lucky when a Lycan at the front of the crowd steps forward. He looks young, but the serious expression he holds tell of his experience.

When his words begin pouring easily, I am stuck on every one of them, and then when he is done talking the next pack members steps forward. We go on like that for over half an hour. People tell of the lives we lost, their names, and family that they left behind. We hear stories that make us laugh and even more that make us cry. My heart aches with each life that is spoken of, as I see mates cry for their lost love and a child or two shed tears for a lost parent.

Once everyone has spoken we stand there in silence, my eyes locked on my feet that have somehow held me through this heartbreaking experience. I feel Alarik touch my shoulder and my head shoots up, noticing that all eyes are on me. My mouth goes dry. He gives me a smile and gestures for me to begin, my eyes widening as I realize they want me to speak. Oh, sweet fucks.

My eyes desperately search the crowd as I reach for words to use, not knowing what to say to a pack that has only recently taken me in. Their loss of pack members was my fault, to begin with...why would they want to hear me speak? I take a deep breath and decide to just...start talking.

"I-I want to thank you all for many of the things I've experienced since arriving here." Everyone perks up. "The first time I set foot on this land I was angry because in my own eyes I'd been ripped away from a life I thought was best for me. I was running from a past that still found a way to catch me and coming here seemed more like an inconvenience than a fun adventure. But even when I was rude and even though my species wasn't entirely accepted most of you still gave me a hand.

You smiled at me, you pointed me in the right direction of a hall or warned me when Alarik was in an extra bad mood. Of all the things you've done for me, training with me was one of the most unforgettable. I know the members we lost spent hours training, becoming the toughest of many, and I have never felt more honored than to stand before them today." I turn towards the graves, wiping a stray tear as those behind me move just a few steps closer. I begin speaking to the men and women who I can only hope will hear this as they stand beside their Moon.

"Thank you for fighting for my future, for a Luna that could never express how proud she is of everything you'd accomplished even before I joined your pack. Thank you for helping me end the nightmare of a shadow I'd been running from and saving not only my friends but so many of these people in the process. Every day that I live, I will remember your sacrifice and I will look to you every night to express my thankfulness.

One day, when it is my time to stand beside you, I will take you into my arms and we will rejoice in the lives we have lived with and without one another. Until then, I vow to you that I will help lead the people you loved. I will protect them with everything I have, and make sure that there is not a day that goes by where they feel unsure of your love for them."

I'm too scared to turn around and face those Lycans behind me, fearful that what I've said will not live up to what someone in my position should say. I'd spoken from my heart, but that isn't always enough. My shoulders tense as the first pack members howls, and only when many more have joined in do, I begin turning to view the crowd of Lycans who've bent to one knee. Their eyes are shut as they sing to their Moon, to their friends and family and I feel my tears coming back once more. Alarik takes my hand in his and stares down at me with a look of pride, those lips pressed against mine in a promise of forever.

When he pulls away, I am smiling, and he brings my hand into the air as the howling calms down but that's only because everyone's eyes are locked on us. I'm confused for a moment as they seem to be holding their breath, waiting for the next move which is sure to be made by our Alpha.

"Eira, you have declared the mother we turn to, the heart that we follow in times of turmoil, the one who will take care of each one of us in our times of need. You are the mate this packs Alpha and officially...the Luna of this pack!"

The howling begins once more, mixed with hoots and hollers and eventually I am being surrounded by the Lycans who have just accepted me as one of their own. My heart is so full as I realize that my worry of losing my only family had been a stupid thought, considering I was now apart of one bigger than my old one. The men and women around me are brothers and sisters that I will have for the rest of my life, and soon I am following their lead.

My head tilted back as I howl into the sky, hoping the Moon can see just how happy this life of blessings has made me.