[ 10 ] - celebration
Celebration [noun] - the action of celebrating an important day or event.
author's note: happy birthday to Kane haha.
???????? ? ????????
A week later, birthday preparations were in full swing.
I was with Carmen in her kitchen and she was baking cupcakes for the banquet. "You came at a nice time. His birthday has always been a day the pack looks forward to since he came back."
I smiled and leaned my elbows on the countertop. "I'm excited to experience it with him. He must be an excellent alpha."
Carmen nodded with a soft smile. "He is. He was gone for a long time but that didn't stop him from bonding with the pack as soon as he returned. He cares about us all and we saw that instantly."
I related to the sentiment. From the moment we knew we were mates, Kane had shown me that he cared about me, from carrying me when I injured my leg to helping me fall asleep in his arms.
"Do you make cupcakes every year?"
Carmen laughed as she began piping the frosting onto the first cupcake. "Ever since he came back. I made it the first year and he loved them so I try and make it for special occasions. It'll be one of the options on the dessert table." She held it out to me. "Here. Try one."
Surprised, I took it from her. I bit into the cupcake and instantly hummed. It was red velvet with cream cheese frosting. "This is amazing. You know, red velvet is my favourite flavour too."
Her eyes crinkled with her smile. "Well, now we know why you're soulmates."
I chuckled and scarfed down the cupcake in two more bites. If only it were that simple. "We're still getting used to each other but I'm glad we have something in common."
Carmen began decorating the other cupcakes. "How has it been getting to know each other? It must be a shock to the system having a mate after thinking you didn't have one."
I sighed. Just the mention of him made warmth spread through me. "It's been nice. He's been a bit busy but he's made sure we've eaten all our meals together since I've come here."
Other than it being his twenty-fifth birthday, Kane was going into his fifth year as an alpha. It was a pack tradition that at every fifth-year mark, the alpha completed a challenging task to show his skill and ability to his pack. It reinforced his capability to lead.
Kane had chosen combat with five of his best warriors.
The challenging part? He would remain in human form and wouldn't be able to see them.
He tasked himself to fight blindfolded. It was a true test of his instincts and how in touch he was with his other senses.
He was proving he had all the marks of a master of the battlefield.
For the past week, he had spent more time training.
It gave us the space to take things slowly, and ever since he told me that he would wait for me to make the first move, I was grateful. He truly was giving me time to acclimatise to my new world.
"We're all really glad you're here, Luna." Carmen's voice had softened, and when I looked at her, she had a little smile on her face.
"That means a lot," I replied, glancing at my hands. "I thought you had all accepted...her as your luna."
Carmen shook her head. "Some of the girls do have a crush on him but for Celeste, it was all about protecting the pack. Trust me when I say we were all hoping Alpha would somehow find his true mate. It's not an easy decision to move on with someone who isn't fated for you."
I tried to focus on one thing at a time.
I wasn't surprised that some of the she-wolves had a crush on him.
He was incredibly handsome, and to them, available.
I couldn't dwell on Celeste because I had already asserted my dominance over her.
I was still, however, ruminating over what could have happened between them.
It was my mind torturing me. There was an overwhelming pull in my heart towards Kane. I also felt so possessive over him that even the thought of him with another woman pained me. It threatened to bring the wolf out of me and would no doubt do so if anyone else challenged me for him.
It wasn't lost on me that he had felt these feelings too and they were the reason why he had no issue beating Levi unconscious. It was even clearer to me now that I could never have been with Levi. He was my best friend but that was it.
"I'm glad he didn't," I responded.
Carmen finished decorating the last cupcake.
"And that's all that matters. All done." She placed the piping bag down and clapped her hands.
She was about to say something before her eyes misted over.
She was in a mind-link for a few moments and chuckled when it was done.
"All in good timing too. Alpha said if you're ready for lunch, he's picked something up for you two. "
The thought of him being near me sent my heart rate soaring. I tried to calm it down as I nodded. "I'll walk back now."
She packaged up one cupcake in a box and handed it to me by its handle. "A little surprise for him so he doesn't think I'm playing favourites."
I chuckled and took it from her. "Thank you. I'll see you out in the field?"
She nodded. "I'll be there with Finn."
Finn was one of the fighters as he was the beta.
I left her with a departing smile and made my way back to Kane's house with his small gift. When I walked through the door, I tracked his scent upstairs and heard the water running in the bathroom. The bag of food was on the countertop in the kitchen so I made myself busy and set the table.
He had bought burrito bowls and it took a lot of willpower to wait for him. Ten minutes later, he entered the kitchen, dressed in a black shirt and shorts. It was cold but it was the most practical choice for a fight.
He was drying his dark hair with a towel and tossed it into the washing machine when he was done. "Hey, Rina." He leaned down and pressed a kiss on my forehead.
I relished the feel of his lips against my skin, closing my eyes momentarily before I forced them open to look at him.
For the past week, he had made that a habit and I wasn't complaining.
"Hi, Kane. Happy birthday." I turned to slide the cupcake across the table to him.
"A little gift from Carmen. I learned that we have a favourite flavour in common. "
His eyes widened with excitement and he inhaled to catch the scent. "I swear that I look forward to my birthday just for these cupcakes." He took the box but begrudgingly set it aside. "We should eat first though."
I immediately obliged and dug into my food. "How are you feeling about the challenge?"
Kane finished his mouthful and flashed me a confident smile. "I'm ready. Something feels different about me this year."
I tilted my head in curiosity. "How so?"
"My power has gotten stronger. I feel a sense of invigoration that I've never felt before." He laid his hand gently on my arm and I felt the power that ran through his veins. "It started the second you touched me."
My eyebrows raised in surprise. "I made you stronger?"
He nodded. "Surely you feel it too? My father said he felt the same after he met my mother."
I looked down at my food. "I feel so much, I don't know what any of it is."
He was silent for a moment. "We have time to navigate it all. Don't worry."
I forced my gaze up again and smiled in response. I needed to change the subject. "What was your father's last challenge?"
Kane slowly pushed his food around the bowl with his spoon, and my eyebrows creased slightly until he answered.
"My father never completed any challenges.
" A shadow of sadness crossed his face. "His father, my grandfather, died during his last one so he never had the heart to complete any.
When my grandmother died shortly after him, the pack was weak and that's why Leander struck. "
My heart plummeted. I couldn't imagine the pain that it all must have caused everyone.
Wolves in a pack were linked to each other; they felt a strong bond.
When a pack lost their alpha and luna, the foundations shattered.
It was no wonder why Leander struck when he did.
What Kane said at the treaty revision was right.
The land was taken from them when they were too weak to do anything about it.
I watched Kane for a long moment until I summoned the courage to comfort him properly. I stood up and placed my hand on his shoulder to push him back slightly. He slid the chair backwards and looked up at me questioningly. I took a seat on his lap and twisted my upper body to hug him.
His body instantly relaxed against mine and his arms wrapped around me. His breath was soft against my shoulder and I threaded my fingers through the back of his hair.
He had been training so much because it was the first challenge in twenty-one years.
"You're a good leader, Kane. You've got this." I pulled back and tried to calm my heart after our proximity dawned on me.
His eyes were scanning every inch of my face. His thumbs began gently caressing my sides. "It means a lot that you believe in me."
The smile pulled at my lips in response. I slid my hands across his broad shoulders, pressing my fingers against his muscles as I felt his power radiate off him. The connection hummed between us and touching him sent gentle and pleasant shockwaves throughout my entire body.
His eyes had lowered to my hand on his right shoulder and he stared at it with me as my thumb traced where his collarbone met his shoulder. It was as if I were being compelled to commit everything about him to memory.
He shivered underneath my touch, and I watched him with a sense of awe. I was learning just how intense the mate bond was. I was in a daze until I suddenly remembered that I was still on his lap.
I slowly dropped my hand from his shoulder and leaned back. "Sorry. I should let you finish your food," I spoke as I got up and walked back to my seat. My face was warm once I turned away from him.
Kane's eyes hadn't left me. "Don't apologise." His tone was gentle. "I'm your mate. You never have to apologise for touching me."
My breath was shaky and I nodded. "Okay."
We then ate in silence, and through it all, my mind was occupied with thoughts of him.
When we were leaving, he grabbed his keys from its hanger and shut the door behind us. He fell into step with me and his warm hand slid into mine. I squeezed his hand and leaned into the way he made me feel.
The pack had gathered at the edge of the forest where there was a vast clearing. It ended where the frozen lake started. The sun had just begun to set and the water reflected the myriad of colours, blending into each other harmoniously.
As soon as the pack saw us, everyone cheered and began singing happy birthday. A grin broke out on Kane's face. I turned to join in. His parents were at the front of the crowd and his father was the first to step forward when we finished singing.
Lachlan pulled him into a rough hug. "Happy birthday, son." He clapped his hand on Kane's back.
"Thanks, Dad," he replied, returning the hug.
He turned to the pack after he hugged his mum.
"Thank you all for gathering here today.
Being your alpha the past four years has been amazing.
As I go into my fifth year, I want to publicly renew my commitment to you all—to lead with love and compassion. " He beckoned his fighters forward.
The line-up began with Finn and there were four other warriors I hadn't met yet.
"The challenge I have chosen is hand to hand combat. The conditions are as follows: I will be blindfolded and cannot shift. I'll face each of you individually and you're free to shift and approach me in any way you wish. As this is a challenge, you are not to hold back in any way."
My stomach twisted slightly. I knew it had to be a real challenge but the thought of it was terrifying. I had never seen Kane in combat but had to believe that he could hold his own—even if he was blindfolded and restricted to human form.
"Finn, you're first," Kane said. He then pulled a piece of silk from his pocket.
I stepped forward and placed my hand on his. I looked up at him and took the soft material between my fingers. "Let me."
When he turned to face me, it was as if the rest of the pack faded away. His gaze, soft and warm, was on mine and I was sure that everyone could hear the way my heart began to race. I stepped onto my tiptoes and kept eye contact until I gently placed the silk across his eyes.
I tied it securely around his head. My arms fell onto his shoulders and my hands cupped his face. I leaned forward and my mouth brushed against the shell of his ear. "I believe in you," I whispered only for him to hear.
He shuddered and I closed my eyes briefly as I pressed a soft kiss on his cheek. His fingertips brushed against my hips fleetingly before I took a step back and looked at Finn.
Kane took a moment to compose himself before he turned on his heel and walked the short distance to the middle of the field. His steps were steady and confident. He turned to face the pack and Finn approached him.
When Kane nodded his head once, the fight began.
Finn lurched forward and landed on all fours in his wolf form.
His wolf was large in stature and dark grey.
He was impressive but I instantly knew he was no match for Kane.
I had seen Kane's wolf enough in my nightmares to know that his was larger and had more muscle.
That alone told me Kane was stronger even in human form.
Finn went low, pouncing towards Kane's legs.
Kane's heartbeat was steady as he threw his body in the air, narrowly missing Finn's attack.
He leapt over Finn's back and landed in a roll before standing to his full height again.
Finn didn't let up and quickly pivoted to face him again.
Fighting a wolf while in human form wasn't an easy feat.
You had less to defend yourself with since you were not on equal ground.
It was a test of Kane's senses. He dodged every attack and was quick on his feet.
Finn's tactic seemed to be to tire him out.
He leapt forward again, forcing Kane off his feet with his heavy paws against his chest. They fell onto the snow but Kane didn't allow himself to be under him for more than a second.
His hands gripped Finn's fur and he kicked upwards into his underbelly.
With that momentum, he flipped Finn over him onto his back.
He was quick to stand and clamped his hand around Finn's neck.
His claws had descended slightly and dug into his fur.
The muscles in his arm flexed as he used his strength to keep Finn pinned against the snow. A fire started to burn in my belly at the sight of him. Every atom in my body hummed at the display of his strength. It was entrancing to see that my mate was so strong.
Finn bared his neck to his alpha and the first fight was over.
"Callum, you're next," Kane spoke, bracing himself.
Callum stepped forward and remained in human form. He stalked Kane, walking around him slowly. Kane tilted his head and I could see as he focused on the way the snow crunched under Callum's shoes. He moved with him and when Callum threw the first punch, he was able to dodge it.
Close combat was easier to deal with but the blindfold complicated things for Kane.
He made a fist and swung it, but Callum dodged it too.
It was like a dance, each of them dodging the other's attack until Kane got visibly riled.
His body language shifted and it was like he completely dived into his remaining senses, letting it guide him as he honed in on Callum's movements.
His breathing slowed as if to allow him to hear better and when Callum moved again, he growled and slammed into him.
Callum stumbled back but recovered quickly as he landed a punch square on Kane's jaw.
I winced as he followed it up with an elbow to his face.
Kane spat out blood and wiped at his mouth as he ducked under Callum's swinging arm.
Kane drove his fist upward into Callum's chin and sent him into the air from the force.
Callum dropped against the snow and almost had the wind knocked out of him.
He groaned and tried to get up when Kane growled and pinned him to the ground with a knee to the chest.
He won the second fight too.
By the final fight, Kane had taken a few hits but was trying his best to find the upper hand in the fight.
His last fighter, Rollo, chose to fight in wolf form and did exactly as his alpha had demanded—he didn't hold back.
He had clawed at Kane's chest and arms, scratching his skin and attempted to nip at his legs with his canines.
Rollo bounded forward and launched himself at Kane.
My heart was by my feet and I had to keep faith that Kane could get his way out of this one.
Kane leaned forward and sent his shoulder into Rollo's chest, using it and his hands to send him backwards over his head. A sickening snap sounded and I watched in horror as his shoulder popped out of place. I gasped when he gritted his teeth, refusing to make a sound.
The rest of the pack was on edge and I could tell that Moira and Lachlan were scared. Lachlan's eyes were wide as if he was anticipating losing another to the quinquennial challenge.
Rollo scrambled to his feet but when he launched for Kane again, Kane caught him by his neck. The pain from his shoulder, however, sent him to his knees and he exerted the last of his strength to bring Rollo with him, slamming him into the snow by his neck.
Rollo immediately submitted and the fifth fight was over.
I let out a sigh of relief and ran to Kane as he yanked off his blindfold. He gritted his teeth again as he popped his shoulder back into place. I became close enough to catch the quiet groan of pain that fell from his shaky lips.
He was still on his knees when he faced his pack and watched them take a knee, showing their continued allegiance to him. Their voices were in unison and rang across the clearing when they said "Alpha."
His amber eyes, filled with anticipation, looked up into mine. He had shown me courtesy before, accepted me in front of my pack and his, and I knew it was time for me to do the same.
My knee met the snow as I lowered myself before him. Our faces were close and our noses almost touched. I leaned forward and pressed my forehead against his. I was accepting him as my alpha and my mate, and sealed it with the very thing that had tied me to him forever.
"Alpha Kane."