She was certain that, as a teenager, he was always together with Mason, laughing. Until what transpired with them. Subsequently, there was an absence of activity. She presumed it transformed him into an irate individual. Ceased taking photographs following the formal announcement of his entire Alpha Unit and their pledge of loyalty to him and his pack.
Stood and awaited her turn, observed her father approach to pledge his loyalty, having not seen him in a decade. He appeared largely unchanged, albeit discontented. Subsequently, her stepmother and half-sisters exhibited visible annoyance. Caelan appeared to be utterly enraged, much to her astonishment. Why did she ponder?
At last, it was her turn. She ascended the stage and heard several astonished gasps and remarks, which dissipated immediately when Caelan growled furiously at his pack. His Alpha Aura emanated from him towards them, for once it was not aimed at her. A marvel, she contemplated vacantly. She approached him with unwavering confidence, and his gaze was fixed upon hers. She observed that his jaw was twitching uncontrollably.
She discerned that he was reluctant to proceed as she extended her hand, palm upward. He needed to make a minor incision on her palm, no more than a centimetre, and then he would require her to pledge her loyalty. Subsequently, they would press their palms together to acknowledge her allegiance; the entire process would take less than a minute.
He stared at her for a full minute, yet he remained inactive; he was not going to proceed. She acknowledged, “It’s acceptable, Alpha,” addressing him with his formal title. “If you prefer not to.” “I will comprehend if you choose to betray me.” The atmosphere in the room abruptly shifted; she was aware that the entire pack was attentive, fully cognisant of her past relationship with Caelan as ex-Mates. He continued to gaze at her. She descended her hand. “I depart for Canada tomorrow; it is acceptable, Alpha,” she assured him. A part of her had always anticipated this day would arrive, that he would sever ties with her. Today appeared to be that day.
He abruptly seized her left wrist with a vice-like grip. “I require you to pledge your loyalty,” he nearly growled at her. She experienced the blade cutting through her entire palm.
Daisy’s eyes expanded as she glanced at her hand. It was intended to be a minor incision. His blade had severed her palm completely. She observed her blood cascading from her hand onto the floor. Understood that the wound would not heal until his blood integrated with hers. It was a distinctive ceremonial blade. Designed specifically to maintain the wound until loyalty was affirmed and acknowledged.
Overheard Alpha Ronan curse from his position on the stage.
“Pledge,” she heard Caelan say. Alpha issued her instructions approximately ten seconds later.
Her astonished gaze shifted to his, and she compelled the words from her: “I, Daisy Clinton, vow my allegiance to you, Alpha Caelan Caldwell, and your pack, The Lunar Moon Pack.”
Caelan remained motionless, gazing at her as her blood flowed uncontrollably. He had not yet even injured his own hand. She was abruptly pulled forward, bringing her face close to his, his lips brushing against her ear. “You shall not depart from this pack, Daisy.” “I prohibit you from entering Canada.” His words were ominously hushed in her ear, audible only to those in proximity to him.
Her eyes expanded once more at his utterance. He was unable to accomplish that. She possessed a contract from his father permitting her departure. He then stepped back and incised his palm, pressing his hand against hers, her fingers instinctively intertwining with his. “Welcome home, Daisy,” he declared, his tone noticeably more composed. “I accept your pledge of loyalty to me.” She sensed it—the connection to him—now permanently established in her mind, allowing him to monitor her at his discretion.
He released her hand immediately upon completion and turned to his pack, thereby dismissing her. Daisy observed a small pool of blood on the floor. She observed the sleeve of his dress shirt, then turned and walked away as the cut on her hand finally healed. She sighed softly and exited the stage. That concludes the matter. She caressed the scar, fearing it might impact her painting.
As the hour grew late, he was delivering a speech to the pack. Recognised that Caelan would be indifferent to her departure, and thus proceeded to leave. Completely exiting the ballroom and entering the refreshing night air. She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. All would be well; she shook her head to regain clarity and proceeded to her room.
She stowed her camera and proceeded outdoors, ready to embark on her run. Mason stated that it would be acceptable following the swearing-in ceremony. The task has been completed, thus it should be satisfactory. She disrobed just outside the mudroom and allowed Amelia to transfer her garments into her silver wolf, guiding her away from the ballroom and the festivities celebrating the new Alpha, which would continue throughout the night.
Amelia ventured south into the forest, appearing content to return to pack territory, running unrestrained. She pursued several rabbits and roamed, inhaling various scents from trees to ground vegetation, engaged in excavating a small burrow, but yielded no results, before proceeding to recline by the lake after quenching her thirst. I sat and gazed at the night sky, feeling a sense of tranquilly.
She turned her head at the sound of paws on the ground behind her and wagged her tail upon seeing Hudson. He approached her with intent, and she rose to acknowledge him, her head bowed slightly in deference.
“Amelia, depart; he is no longer your Mate,” Daisy urged, but Amelia remained stationary, as it was the first occasion she had encountered him in a decade. Daisy observed that she felt joy in his presence.
“Caelan, what are you engaged in?”She severed the mental connection with her new Alpha, deeply troubled by his wolf’s conduct.
“It is not me,” he retorted, his tone conveying considerable anger.
Hudson proceeded to mate with her, and Amelia made no attempt to resist, acquiescing to her ex-Mate, now her Alpha. Daisy appeared to lack control, as did Caelan.
