All her family was present for this momentous occasion. Aside from her parents and siblings, her uncle Dante and his family, her human half-uncles Enzo, Matt, Rafe, and their families were there. Mika was also in attendance, along with her parents, brothers, and sister. Their paternal grandmother had flown in from Paris and her mother’s father, a quiet, older Lycan named Noah was observing in the back. And, since she wanted to feel like everyone was here, there were three portraits sitting on the mantle—two older women whom she explained was her great-grandmother Guilia, and grandmother Adrianna, whom she was named after, and of course, her beloved Nonna Gianna.
“Are we ready?” Sergios Anastos, the head of the Lycan High Council asked. He was standing by the mantle and the four other members were standing behind him. One of them was holding a large, mother-of-pearl inlaid box.
“Yes,” Frankie said as she gestured for Adrianna to come stand next to her.
Adrianna took a deep breath and grabbed his hand, tugging him forward. He was surprised that she had asked him to stand to her right, as this was the place reserved for an Alpha’s significant other during official events. But he would have gladly stood anywhere—behind her, with everyone else, or even in the back of the room, as long as he was here to witness her ascension. He didn’t need a special place of honor, as he would still be her mate no matter what.
“Francesca Anderson,” Anastos began. “Do you relinquish your position as Alpha of New Jersey freely and of your own will?”
“I do,” Frankie said. “And I nominate my daughter, Adrianna Callista Anderson as my successor.”
Anastos turned to Adrianna. “And you accept, Adrianna Callista Anderson?”
“I accept,” she replied.
He turned to the council members behind him and gestured toward the woman carrying the ornate box. She opened it, and he reached inside, withdrawing a long, sharp dagger. It was longer than any dagger he’d ever seen, but not quite as long as a sword. The pommel was flat and circular and had a large green gem in the center.
“Adrianna Callista Anderson, the position of Alpha requires many things. Responsibility, loyalty, and an unwavering commitment to protect your clan. Do you vow to protect your territory and those under your care?”
“I do.”
“And do you vow to protect our kind?”
“I do.”
“And do you vow to abide by our laws and never reveal our true nature to anyone who may harm us?”
“I do.” Her voice was strong and steadfast as she answered each question, like the beating of her heart.
Anastos lifted the blade in his hand and turned the tip toward the ceiling. “To show your commitment to the position, you must make your vow with blood.”
Though he had already been briefed about the next part of the ceremony, Darius’s stomach clenched. However, he stifled the urge to take her hand. This was something she had to do on her own.
Adrianna raised her right hand and then grasped the blade. As her fist squeezed, blood began to flow down the shiny edge of the dagger. The thick, dark liquid dripped down toward the hilt and when a drop hit the jewel, he swore he saw the facets shimmer and change color. Blue. Yellow. Then red. He blinked. Must have been my imagination. The green jewel remained as it was.
He turned his attention back to his mate. She didn’t make a sound nor did her expression change, and Darius felt a surge of pride in him. She was Alpha. His Alpha.
“The vow has been spoken and sealed with your blood.” The serious expression on Anastos’s face changed into a wide smile. “Congratulations.” He bowed his head low. “Alpha.”
The hushed silence in the room was broken by cheers. Adrianna’s shoulders relaxed and before she could say anything, Frankie enveloped her in a hug. “I’m so proud of you, mimma. You’ll be a great Alpha.”
“Thank you, Mama.” She turned to Darius, but before he could say anything, she was surrounded by her exuberant and lively family members, all seemingly in a competition to get to her first.
“Congratulations, Primul!” Gio exclaimed as he lifted her up and spun her around.
“Hey!” she laughed. “I don’t think this is how you’re supposed to treat your Alpha.” When he put her down, she let him kiss her on the cheek.
“I know you’ll do great,” her father said as he embraced her.
“Thank you, Papa.”
“Well, you now outrank me.” Lucas’s face, however, was shining with pride.
“I think I’ve established from the beginning that I’ve always been the boss,” she shot back but wrapped her arms around him when he stepped forward for a hug.
“Bossy,” he corrected, then stood back and ruffled her hair.
Darius backed away as more family came forward to congratulate her. He didn’t mind at all, wanting her to bask in their love and joy. This way, she could feel what he knew all along: that she was going to be an amazing Alpha.
“C’mon, the food’s getting cold.” Gio waved his hands in the air dramatically. “Dom and I worked hard all day making sure everything was perfect.”
“Well, at least we all know where the men in this family belong,” Julianna chuckled. “In the kitchen.”
As everyone laughed and joked and filed out of the living room, Adrianna went against the crushing tide of bodies—and headed straight for him. He bowed his head low, but before he could say anything, she put a hand up to his lips.
“Don’t you dare call me Primul.” But she said the words with mirth in her tone.
“I wouldn’t dare.”
“Good. What would you call me then?”
The words came out with ease. “Mine.”
She reached up and pulled him down for a kiss. The touch of her lips warmed all the cold places inside him, as if she was reaching inside to banish the darkness from his soul. And though he had claimed his Alpha, he knew that she too, now owned his heart, body, and his soul.
Dear Reader,
It’s not THE END
There’s
