Page 84 of Alpha Awakening

“It’s a mixture of being excited and pure horror.”

As they left the house, they followed a small crowd that was also walking toward the Goddess’ Tree. Pulling strength from one another, they were both relieved when they saw Ann and Kareem. They quickly walked over to join them.

“How did you two get settled in?” Kareem asked.

“I wanted to offer to help, but also thought you two might just wanna have some time for each other and then I saw you both on a stroll…” Ann trailed off.

“It would’ve been boring for you anyways. We just unpacked everything and kept moving stuff all around. We thought we had found a spot for something but then we just moved it again a few moments later,” Blake reassured her.

“It might have just been my pregnancy brain and Blake was just too sweet to tell me how annoying I was.”

“But you like the house?” Ann asked excitedly.

“Yes, especially the huge bathtub!”

“Blake mentioned that you enjoy baths. I’m sure the girls will love it too as soon as they can sit and splash in it.”

Raymond’s voice echoed through the air and the whole crowd fell silent. Laying his arm around Niev’s waist, Blake turned toward the roots of the tree and saw his soon-to-be alpha standing before the pack.

“Today is a very special day for our pack. Yesterday, two new members arrived and today we will welcome them to our family. Their arrival is very special to my heart as I have found a son and daughter within them. They have come to us in our hour of need and will be carrying our pack’s future in their hearts.”

The pack was so silent that Blake could hear each of their heartbeats, the faster ones of the children and the stronger and louder ones of the wolves.

“Blake and Niev, would you please step forward so your pack may welcome you?”

The pack parted before them, forming a path that he and Niev followed. The eyes laying on them were beaming, curious and excited.

Niev’s heart was racing, as was his own. Worry started to manifest in his mind. All these people were placing their hope into him and his ability to lead and protect them. Everyone here, including his growing family, were counting on him for their well being–even their survival.

Niev’s small arm wrapped around his waist, her presence immediately calming him. She flooded the bond with confidence and reassured him that she believed in him.

Raymond welcomed them with a proud smile as they stepped before him. “I will ask you before everyone once more and I want you two to answer truthfully. Do you want to join the Montanha Pack and let us become part of your family?”

“I do,” Niev and Blake simultaneously answered.

Their answer only made Raymond smile brighter. “Then I, as your new Alpha, swear to protect you, through dark and light days. I will provide and care for you to the best of my abilities.”

At first, a dark cloud wrapped around him, and a shiver ran down his spine as if someone had poured ice water over his head.

Niev must have felt the same, her face full of worry. He scolded himself for not having warned her and quickly explained, “Your bond with the Timber Pack is being severed.”

Before he could finish the sentence, warmth chased away the chill. Something within him shifted. A sense of belonging awoke and through the bond, he could feel Niev’s relief. He was a little baffled because he’d expected to feel something more. Something like he’d felt when Niev had joined the Timber Pack. As he thought about it, he realized that though he’d witnessed many people joining the pack, that was the only time he had felt someone joining so clearly.

“Welcome home.”

As soon as the words left Raymond’s mouth, the pack behind them started to cheer. Blake and Niev turned just in time to see a few men shift, their wolves howling excitingly.

Charlotte and Carissa were the first to welcome them with a hug.

Next were Fallon, Viviane, and their daughter Kira.

Viviane seemed nervous as she held Kira on her hip and stepped beside Fallon. “It is a pleasure meeting both.”

“The pleasure is all ours.”

Blake tried to hide how nervous he was and deep down, hoped that Niev and Viviane would get along well. Fallon and Blake would spend a lot of time together and automatically so would their mates and children.

As if Niev had read his mind, she suggested, “We should get together soon. Maybe the five of us could have dinner sometime soon?”