Chapter 27
POV: Cain?
I sensed what was about to happen before it unfolded.
The shift in the air, the look in her eyes, the way my heart began to race—it all told me what was coming long before either of us moved.
I knew that they wouldn’t accept her immediately. I knew they wouldn’t bare their necks. I knew they wouldn’t smile or clap. I knew they would sneer and whisper.
I knew that a human Luna would never be outright accepted.
But I vowed that I would ensure she was at least respected and on the way to becoming accepted as the pack’s Luna.
But as I stood with Kiera beside me, looking out over the pack houses and the pack members beginning to gather below, my wolf stirred restlessly inside me, growing more frantic by the second. It felt like my nerves had exploded all at once, fear, confusion, and worry crashing through me in a chaotic wave.
Xavier stood 10 feet away from us—watching me, watching Kiera, watching the pack members’ expressions as they approached.
I should have felt confident, grounded in the calm authority that usually defined my Alpha presence. But as their expressions slowly turned toward Kiera, something deep in my chest tightened, leaving me more unsettled with each moment.
I took a step towards her, curling my arm around her waist protectively and tugging her against my body.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as they exchanged whispers and glances. I could hear every word, even though Kiera couldn’t.
Disgusting.
A human Luna? Never.
She’s weak. She can’t lead.
I opened the meeting with a growl, loud and commanding, the sound echoing through the valley beyond and instantly silencing my pack.
All of their eyes turned towards me, in respect and submission.
Xavier gave me a wary look before I proceeded, exchanging glances between him and Kiera.
Kiera was holding it together by a thread. I could tell by the way beads of sweat went down her forehead, the way her hands shook slowly, the way she remained tight lipped, glancing down towards her feet.
I tightened my hold around her waist, pressing her further into me and trying to calm her with our bond.
Her hand stopped shaking and she let out a deep breath of relief.
So, I began.
“By now, you’ve all heard why I called this meeting.” I paused, looking towards the crowd for their reactions. Indifference. Disgust. Even anger. “Today, we welcome a new addition to our pack. My Luna, Kiera.” I motioned towards Kiera.
She wasn’t trembling, not like before. Instead she held her head high, her eyes level with those of my pack members.
And in that moment, she gave me the confidence I needed. She was strong. She could make it through this. She could become part of this pack.
The murmurs started shortly after,their gazes skeptical as they looked her over.
They didn’t see what I saw. They didn’t see how caring she was. They didn’t see how strong she was. They didn’t see the future inside of her. They didn’t know the legacy she would bring us.
I continued, “yes, Kiera is a human but she is strong. She will be a fine Luna.”
But their murmurs said they believed otherwise.
One of the pack members stepped forward, Brian. Brian was one of the members that always gave me trouble.
I narrowed my eyes upon him and watched his every move.
Brian only took a few steps and stopped where he was, his eyes fixated on Kiera. “A human doesn’t belong in a pack.”
A growl rippled from my mouth as I took a step forward, shielding Kiera behind me as I did. “You do not have a say who belongs in this pack.”
Brian looked around at the doubtful faces and waved his hand over the crowd. “This pack should have a say who is welcomed into it!”
I bared my teeth, clenching my fists at my side and taking another step forward. I stopped inches away from his face. “Are you this pack’s Alpha?”
With that, Brian cowered, looking for guidance from the pack members. “She will not be accepted.”
I growled loudly, causing Brian to lose his balance, fall to the ground and cower, along with a few more pack members. “This is not a discussion. This is my Goddess given mate! You will respect her as you respect me. You will treat her as if she is part of this pack. Is there anyone else that has anything to say—that thinks they deserve an opinion of who the Goddess has chosen for my mate?” I boomed loud enough that even the leaves of the trees shook.
Slowly, I looked around at my pack members’ faces—at the elders, Xavier, the men, women and children. The children were terrified. Most of the women looked jealous. The men were either indifferent or disgusted. The elders looked skeptical. And Brian was terrified while Xavier looked wary.
But as I turned and met Kiera’s gaze, she looked…proud?
“Meeting adjourned!” I called out.
As customary in our pack, my members were expected to bare their necks, and half bow after a meeting adjourned.
Some of my members submitted by baring their necks and bowing, while some refused, their gazes narrowed on Kiera.
“Bow!” I boomed, my voice a definite command to my pack members.
None hesitated physically.
But I knew that mentally, some were still refusing to submit.