Alpha Divided (Alpha Girl Book 3) (5 page)

I borrowed Meredith’s computer to show her the latest clip of
Finding Bigfoot
. We were laughing when I realized that maybe I was the dumb one. Could they really be onto something?

“Wait. Is there a bigfoot?”

Meredith snorted. “No. Not that I’ve ever heard of.”

“Thank God. If those morons were right, I was going to freak out.”

“Even if they were real, I doubt leaving a half-eaten donut in the middle of the forest is going to attract one. And what is with that crazy screaming bigfoot noise that guy makes? Does he really think that it’s going to attract a bigfoot? I mean, how does he know that’s what a bigfoot even sounds like?”

I laughed. “I know! Right? Because they’re not real. It’s horrible.”

Meredith stepped away from me. “Okay. Done.”

“Really?”

“Yup.”

I got up to look in the mirror. My hair had gotten pretty long—the dark brown wavy-curls reached halfway down my back. Meredith had shaped the mess into lots of little braids that twisted together and formed a crown. “Wow. This is amazing.”

“Thanks.”

“How did you learn to do this?”

“The same way anyone learns anything these days—the Internet.”

I picked up a compact mirror so I could see it from all angles. “Seriously. I’m impressed.”

“Happy to be of service. So, makeup?”

I gave myself an honest once-over. Ever since I became a werewolf, I hadn’t used much. My complexion was pretty perfect—which it had never been before. I put on a little shadow, some eyeliner, and mascara.

My hands were sweating as I slipped the robe on over my towel.

This was it. Today was the day that I was going to do this whole werewolf ceremony thingy.

You okay?
Dastien’s voice rumbled through the bond.

I tied the robe and ran a hand over my trembling stomach.
Fine.

I’ll see you soon, okay?

I closed my eyes as his love and support washed over me.
Okay
.

The nerves were still there, but lessened. I still had the nagging feeling like something bad was going to happen, but I hoped that was just me being a pessimistic worrier. I was ignoring my gut and trusting my heart.

What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Four

The pack was supposed to meet up in the quad. The whole area was grassy, and on nice days people lay out doing their homework. Besides the cafeteria, it was probably the biggest gathering spot on campus.

I wasn’t sure how many people went to a typical ceremony. I assumed everyone in the school pack, but since we had so many visitors, I wasn’t sure. Maybe everyone would come.

I’d avoided the ceremony during the last full moon. I was still a little weak from the vampire bite and not at all comfortable with the idea of shifting, so I’d let Dr. Gonzales at me with one of her needles. I’d slept through the whole thing. Meredith and Dastien had explained that everyone got together as a pack, shifted, and ran. I had an idea of what was going to happen, but knowing about it and actually doing it were two totally different things.

As soon as I stepped outside the dorm, I stopped walking. “Oh my God.” In the hour or so I’d been inside, campus had become a zoo. People streamed into the quad from the path to the parking lot. Already, a crowd of at least a few hundred filled the square plot of grass.

How had everyone even found parking?

Meredith bumped her shoulder against mine. “Bonding ceremonies don’t happen very often, and people really like to see them.”

“I thought all the girls got paired up.” Even if I thought it was odd that girls got matched before they turned eighteen, that was the norm among the Weres. That meant my ceremony was nothing special—or at least it definitely shouldn’t have been such a big draw.

“Lots of people are mated, but only True Mates do this exact ceremony. It’s been a long time since the last formal bonding. Plus, people are already in town for the Tribunal and you made a lot of people interested… So…”

“This blows. And I totally blame you.” Only the students had really heard about me before Meredith’s curse fiasco.

“Me? No. You should be blaming Dastien. Breaking the spell was one thing, but he bit you and that was a huge freaking deal. Word’s gotten around about the True Mate thing.”

True Mates were extremely rare, but that was what Dastien and I were. Nothing could’ve kept us apart. We were two halves. And apparently ‘True Mate’ was Were for ‘freak show.’ I wiped my sweaty palms down my robe. I wished I wasn’t totally nakey under the damned thing. It must’ve been wishful thinking that the ceremony was only a big deal to Dastien and me. Crowds weren’t my thing, but since I showed up at St. Ailbe’s, I’d found myself in the center of a few of them. It never got any easier.

I made my way through the quad and past the stares. Each surrounding building was only a few stories tall. The dark brick was lit by lights hidden in the trees. People stood around, chatting as they waited for the ceremony to start. Everyone was dressed in robes, but theirs were plain black like the one Meredith was wearing.

“This looks really cultish.”

Meredith laughed. “You’d rather see everyone in their birthday suits?”

“Well…I mean some of these guys—”

A growl rang through the crowd, and I rolled my eyes. I recognized that special timbre. “It was a joke. Jeez.”

“
Cherie.
” Dastien’s voice had more than a little wolf in it.

The crowd parted and I finally saw him. He wore a red robe, too. His dark curls were tucked back behind his ears. I met his golden gaze. There wasn’t any turning back now, and crowd or not, I didn’t care. I didn’t want to turn back. “Let’s do this.”

We moved as a group to a clearing in the woods. The moon rose as we walked, and I could feel its energy burning through me. My skin itched as the wolf rose to the surface. Only Dastien’s firm grip on my hand kept me from shifting.

Why do I feel like I can’t hold this form?

It’s hard during the full moon. That’s why we have the ceremony. It’s important to be together as a pack and get out in the wild. The newer or less dominant the wolf is, the harder it is to keep the human form. It gets worse as the moon rises.

Perfect.
I scratched my arm, but it didn’t help alleviate the itch at all.

When we got to the spot for the ceremony, I was surprised that I recognized it. We’d held the meeting here when we discussed whether to kick Imogene out of the pack. The moon provided more than enough light to see by, illuminating the unlit bonfire area off to the side. Slightly deeper into the woods, piled rocks and boulders from the nearby creek formed a circle of seats, and a stone dais sat in the center of the ring. The platform part probably weighed a million pounds.

Mr. Dawson, Donovan, and Sebastian all stood on the oblong stone wearing black robes with the hoods down. Donovan and Sebastian were both members of the Seven—the council that ruled all werewolves—and Mr. Dawson ruled the local pack. All three were seriously strong alphas. I was sure some of the other alphas called in for the Tribunal were around, but I wouldn’t know them if I saw them. Not unless they tried to push their power at me.

Dastien pulled me along until we were standing in front of the dais. Everyone else crowded around behind us, some taking seats on the stones, others just standing, waiting for the ceremony to be over so they could shift.

Mr. Dawson and Donovan stood in relaxed poses, while Sebastian stood a little off to the side. He was grinning, and his blue eyes glowed bright.

Donovan had been really easy to get along with. He was only intimidating when he needed to be, but Sebastian was a little more so. When I first got to St. Ailbe’s, he’d pushed himself into my mind, which wasn’t fun at all, but ever since that one unpleasant experience, he’d been really nice. Super smiley. It was kind of weird, but I’d take that over scary Sebastian any day. I’d never fully gotten over that first impression.

Donovan stepped forward and the few whispers of the gathered wolves immediately died. “The moon has risen, and the ceremony shall begin. Have you both approached clear of heart and mind?”

“Yes,” Dastien said.

Donovan turned to me.

Right. I had to say something now. “Yeah.” My voice cracked. “I mean, yes.” God. I’d been over it in my mind a million times the past couple of days and I still managed to mess it up.

Donovan gave me a wink. “Good. Then let’s get started.”

Sebastian stepped to the edge of the rock. His white-blond hair looked even whiter against his stark black robe. “This is the joining of two wolves whose like I’ve not seen before. Both more alpha than Dono or I were in our youth. When I was called here to assess them and determine what had happened, I was not prepared for this one.” He pointed to me. “Her strength and magic will do well for the pack.”

I was really grateful that my hood blocked out my peripheral vision. Only the three on the stage could see my face and how red it was getting.

Donovan held up his hands, and the whispering crowd finally settled. He looked at me for a second and it felt like he was seeing into my soul. I struggled not to move under his inspection. “Before we proceed with the incantation, you must complete the exchange of flesh.”

Dastien turned me so we were facing each other. He held out his arm.

Oh God. This was going to be a disaster. I suddenly felt cold. I wiped my sweaty palms on my robe. “I can’t bite you.” I’d known it was part of the ceremony, but hearing it and actually having to tear into Dastien’s arm were totally different. “That’s just…nope…not gonna happen.”

His eyes flashed to bright yellow. “You don’t want this?”

Was he messing with me? Of course I didn’t want to bite him. That didn’t mean I didn’t want to be with him. “No. I mean. Yes. I mean.” God. I was sounding like a real moron tonight and so many people were here listening. I let out a shaky breath. “I don’t want to hurt you. Because it totally hurt when you bit me. More than a little bit. It was not cool. At all.”

A few chuckles rang out through the crowd and I stared down at the ground.

“I thought we were different than vampires…” I muttered softly, but everyone heard me. Full on laughing came from the crowd.

Who knew I was such a freaking comedian?

Shit. I had to do it. And not make an idiot of myself in front of everyone. I wiped my hands on my robe again. “Fine. But don’t get all pissy when it hurts. I don’t want any whining.”

Dastien gave me a small smile. “I’m not going to whine.”

“Sure you won’t.”

He held out his arm for me again and I grasped it with both hands. I met his gaze and sucked in breath.

I so didn’t want to do this. Not even a little bit. My stomach churned at the thought.

I started to bite down, and then stopped, whining a little. I hopped from foot to foot. “This is so messed up.”

“Just do it.”

I started to put my mouth on him and then pulled back. “I can’t. Shouldn’t we just skip to the spell?”

You can do it. I’ll be okay,
he said through the bond.
One little bite and it’s done.

My stomach churned as I tried again. “Fine. Count to three. I’ll go on three.”

I rested my teeth gently against his skin.

“One.”

I squeezed my eyes tight.

“Two.”

Just do it,
I told myself.
Don’t be an idiot in front of all these people.

“Thr—”

An explosion cut off Dastien’s word.

Dastien jumped to action, shielding me as I covered my ears. My hands shook as I lowered them, looking to see what had happened.

“She’s not yours to claim.” A familiar voice called out.

Dastien growled. His spreading fur rippled under my hands. His anger was making my blood burn. I was angry, but he…he was pissed the fuck off. His emotions were so strong that the nearby Weres started wolfing out.

That couldn’t happen. Whatever was going on, I needed him in human form so we could deal with it. “Dastien. You have to calm down. Please.”

The crowd parted and suddenly our roles reversed. Dastien grabbed my arms as I lunged forward.

Luciana wore all white. A dress, flowing with many layers. The spell that lit her hands made her look like an avenging angel, but I knew she was the opposite of anything angelic. Behind her were at least ten other people dressed in white.

How in the hell had she managed to sneak up on all these wolves? Especially with the extra guards Dastien and Donovan had posted.

I felt it then. It wasn’t just the moon that was making me itch. Magic hung thick in the air. “I don’t know what you’re doing here, but you weren’t invited. Leave now.” Wary of the
brujos
, the wolves who’d already shifted flattened their ears and a few still in human form slid away, leaving space between themselves and whatever magic Luciana was working
.

“No.” Luciana looked past me, dismissing me. “We had a deal, Michael.”

“I’m not aware of any deal that would affect anything we’re doing tonight.”

“You gave your oath that the coven would be allowed to speak at the Tribunal. Now you’re breaking your word?”

Mr. Dawson pressed his lips together in a firm line. “Both this ceremony and the Tribunal are Were-only events. Outsiders can’t participate without a pack sponsor assigned on a case-by-case basis. You might have a sponsor for the Tribunal, but not for tonight. You don’t have the right to be here.”

I nearly gave a fist pump. Thank God for rules I was totally clueless about.

“I’ll sponsor her.” A voice rang out from the crowd.

The pack separated to show a woman in a black robe. Her brown hair fell in waves around her face. “I’m her sponsor for the Tribunal. I’ll sponsor her tonight as well.”

What? No. This wasn’t happening.
Who the hell is that?
I asked Dastien through our bond.

Sophia Hoel.

Related to Rupert?

His wife.

Perfect. Rupert Hoel was the asshole who’d tried to take over the pack and failed. He’d chained up Sebastian, Donovan, Mr. Dawson, and Dastien, and left them in a vampire cave. The douchebag was still on the run, but his family couldn’t be punished for his actions. Now I kind of wished they could be. They had two daughters—Imogene and Nikki. I pretty much hated both of them. Big time.