Rejected By the Alpha (Forbidden Alpha Kings #5)

70. Kaylee

70

Kaylee

Standing under the willow tree in the same white dress I wore to my own initiation, I watch as the Oak Fur refugees line up before us, their excitement filling the air. Ivory Fangs has grown because of them. Because they wanted a fresh start and a safe place away from Ramos and Marilyn. All of this was thanks to Lucas finally growing a backbone and standing up against Ramos too.

My eyes scan the crowd, and I notice Lucas instantly. His scars have healed up a lot more since we returned from Shadow Moon. They are starting to fade, and I have a feeling it is because I am starting to forgive him. He did what he did to protect Oak Fur, and I can’t fault him for that anymore. It doesn’t stop me from being afraid to try again, though.

“Welcome, everyone.” Amelia steps forward, a smile on her face despite the stress we have been under.

“As many of you know, nearly a month and a half ago we started opening Ivory Fangs to those in search of a second chance. Now, we have a group of wolves that have waited patiently for their second chance,” she continues, her blood humming as she releases the power of an alpha over the crowd. It feels warm and welcoming, something that causes my own blood to hum with power that soon joins hers.

“Today, we welcome them into Ivory Fangs. They have proven to be true to our pack, and it is time they become a part of our family.” I step forward, a list of names in my hand, and begin to read the first name. A woman named Cheryl is the first to step forward with her daughter, the little girl looking up at me with big, bright green eyes. I give her a smile before she turns to look at Amelia. Since she is under the age of fifteen—the age a wolf gains a pack link and the hormones for the shift begin—the little girl won’t need to cut her hand and become initiated into the pack, as she is too young. Instead, as soon as her mother accepts Amelia as her alpha, the pup will feel it too and be part of the pack.

“Mommy, why are you cutting your hand?” the little girl asks, causing the onlookers to laugh.

“It’s so that mommy can join the pack. See, Alpha Amelia did it too,” Cheryl explains, before Amelia and she grasp hands. The link vibrates, until I feel Cheryl’s presence with a smaller hum attached. That small hum will turn into a link of the pup’s own when she comes of age.

The ceremony continues, each wolf stepping forward as their name is called. It makes me smile with each new hum that joins the pack link, their excitement clear for us to feel. Amelia is going strong, her hand being cut over and over again to connect the bond between the pack and those joining, but there are a few that accept her without the need of cutting their hands. I think back to my initiation. How I never had to cut my hand to form the bond, and wonder if it is because I already considered Amelia my alpha, my family.

Maybe those that don’t need to forge a bond through blood feel the same way.

“Simon Thorn,” I call out, watching Simon stride forward, a smile on his face. He kneels in front of Amelia, bowing his head. I can feel his blood call out to Amelia’s, a grin spreading on my face.

“Simon Thorn, you bow before me with the hopes of joining Ivory Fangs as a hunter,” Amelia begins, surprising me. I knew Simon was fast and on the lanky side, but I never thought he would choose a hunter role.

“I do,” Simon answers, his blood pulsing with power.

“Then do you swear to provide for the pack as a hunter?”

“I swear to provide for Ivory Fangs.”

“Do you swear to protect the pack from dangers, should the need arise?”

“I do.”

“Finally, do you, Simon Thorn, accept me wholeheartedly as your alpha and leader?” Simon looks up at Amelia, their eyes meeting. I can feel her power reaching for his and I believe so can the rest of the pack.

“I accept you, Amelia Saint, as my alpha and leader, and swear my loyalty to you,” he states calmly. I feel a snap in the pack bond as Simon’s presence joins the link. It is bright and friendly, just like his personality. Amelia and I turn to look at one another. Simon didn’t need to cut his hand like I thought. He stands, coming to stand beside me for a moment, his eyes filled with relief and happiness.

[Now I am stuck in your head again!] he links me, making me laugh.

[I can still block you out,] is my answer before I shut out his link, getting a playful growl in response. I shake my head in amusement as Simon returns to join the others, finding Evette and wrapping her in a hug. Amelia and I will need to talk about promoting her, now that she has grown stronger being mated to Simon.

Looking down at the list of names, I freeze when I notice that there is only one name left.

“Lucas Rider.” Lucas steps forward after I call his name. His blood is already humming with the power of a pure-blooded alpha, but it is subdued under Amelia’s power. He looks at me, a smile on his face before he kneels before Amelia, head bowed in respect.

“Lucas Rider,” Amelia starts, her voice calm with a hint of pride hidden in the depths.

“You came to Ivory Fangs in the beginning not to join it, but to make sure your fellow packmates found a pack that would accept and protect them. Is this correct?”

“It is.” His voice is neither quiet nor loud, and full of respect.

“Now, you wish to join Ivory Fangs as a warrior, willing to put your life on the line if need be, to serve and protect those weaker than you. Is this correct?” Amelia’s blood throbs as the power within meets the power of Lucas’ head-on. I shiver, my own blood humming stronger as our energies fill the air. All eyes are on the three of us, but I focus on my alpha and my ex-mate. It seems that Lucas is not fighting back, being as he is an alpha, but accepting and even reaching out for Amelia, wanting to be accepted by her.

“This is correct.” I shiver again, his voice deep and mesmerizing. The mate bond hums, wanting to reach out and accept Lucas, but I hold back. I am still not sure how I feel about him, but I am happy to be packmates again.

“Then do you, Lucas Rider, accept me as your alpha and leader, and do you swear your loyalty to the pack and the bonds it provides?” Amelia asks, her eyes filling with tears. Lucas looks up, his eyes meeting my gaze first as he sends me a questioning look. It’s as if he is asking if I am okay with him joining. I find myself nodding, sending him an encouraging smile before he breaks our eye contact and turns to look at Amelia.

“I swear my loyalty to you as my alpha, and to Ivory Fangs as my pack and family.” His words seal his fate as I feel his power clasping onto mine and Amelia’s. The mate bond mends a little more and after probing it, I realize it needs just a little push to mend completely. I am shocked when his bond clicks into place on the pack link. It is bright and welcoming, commanding respect. But it slowly is subdued, as if accepting its new spot on the pack hierarchy.

Amelia helps Lucas to stand, her tears flowing as she pulls him in for a hug. His shoulders slump with relief, and without a second thought, I step forward and place my hand on his shoulder.

“Welcome to the pack, Lucas,” I congratulate him, watching as he pulls away from Amelia to turn to me.

“Thank you. I am happy to be here.”