Omega Bound (Never Ending Darkness) novel Chapter 162

Three Stars

Ayla

It is close to the start of the ceremony, and I am trying not to throw up from nervousness. I dig my fingernails into my palms trying to give myself something else to focus on. I am sitting on the stage next to Thane with Raven on the other side of me. Raven sits, picking her nails looking disinterested. I wish I could feel the same. She is wearing tight leather pants and a long–sleeved white button–up blouse. Raven missed a few buttons though, but Cyrus doesn’t seem to mind since he is sitting in the front row, never taking his eyes off of his mate.

The crowd fills with several nodding, waving, or bowing before taking their seats. I want to tell them it isn’t necessary but Thane states many of them are set in more traditional ways of showing respect and to allow them free will to do it. So, I oblige. Once everyone has gathered. Thane walks to the microphone, looking back at me before speaking.

“Thank you everyone for coming. I have called this pack meeting to inform you all of a few things that are transpiring within the pack and changes to come. I appreciate you all and I strive to be as transparent as possible. I put the well–being of this pack and all within it first and anything that may affect your lives, you should be aware of. The first thing on the agenda is to inform everyone that we will officially have a new pack member tonight.”

“Raven Longsfellow comes to us from our most recent trafficking ring raid. The events she had to suffer through were horrific, but they brought her to us and for that, we are grateful. Raven has a strong military background as a trained fighter and having seen her in action, I know that the Midnight Pack will be much safer with her in it. Once Raven accepts our pack mark and becomes a member, she will start her new job as bodyguard for your Luna Ayla. There will be more on that later but let us use this time to give Raven a warm welcome to our pack

Thane starts clapping and we soon follow. Raven fakes a smile that I know probably hurts her face to make.

“Raven, would you please step up here.” Thane asks and she walks up to the podium and bares her neck to him in a show of respect I didn’t know she had in her.

Raven steps up to the podium as Thane turns to her. “Raven Longsfellow. Do you swear an oath to the Midnight Pack of your undying loyalty. To protect the pack and its members against all threats, those from within and from the outside?”

“I do,”

“Raven, do you swear your loyalty to Ayla Knight, your future Luna?”

“I do.”

“Raven, do you promise to respect and honor the pack traditions of the Midnight Pack?”

“I do.”

As the alpha of the Midnight Pack I now officially accept your oath of loyalty and declare you a new pack member of the Midnight Pack. Please, give me your hand.” Thane states and I have goosebumps now that this is official. She is one of us. I smile brightly as Thane can feel my emotions in the bond and he too is happy. I look over at Cyrus and I swear his eyes look watery, I hope he sees this as progress.

Raven gives Thane her hand and when she takes it, I see a pack mark forming on her w wrist. Three stars mark her as ours and I won’t dare return

“Raven, I would now like to provide you with the opportunity to say a few words.” Thane steps out of the way and gestures for Raven to step up to the microphone.

“Thanks.” Raven turns and takes a seat. Well, there’s that, I guess.

“Okay…a she wolf of few words. Some alphas may say that is a rarity. The crowd laughs and I shake my head. He would never suggest I stay

“Give a round of applause and help me welcome our newest pack member and guard. We all start clapping as Raven nods and now I know that it’s my turn soon. I can feel my palms turning clammy and my forehead start to dampen. When I told Thane I wanted to address the pack he simply reminded me that I am the luna and can do whatever I want. So, I am.

“On a more somber note, I need to give an update on our fight the trafficking ring and how it affects you all today. As you are all aware, we acquired Raven in our latest raid. A raid that we barely made it out of. It gave us a true sense of what we are up against and the reach that the ring has. We also found out the names of key players and the leader themselves. We have secured alliances with three new packs that will strengthen our forces, pool resources and give us an advantage over the ring themselves. Unfortunately, we feel that the ring is now aware of who

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