The man from earlier, the one who knocked Zane down, stopped fighting.Walking towards me, he stopped directly in front of me.I could smell the bourbon on his breath.His white shirt had been torn from the fighting, he had a cut on his lip, and his blue jeans had blood on them from the other man.He had leaves in his blonde hair, which was all matted.Christine was right about one thing; having so many Pack warriors under one roof would be a disaster waiting to happen.The amount of testosterone in the air was ridiculous.
The man smiled cruelly.I could tell he was up to no good.I also knew if I backed down, he would see me as weak and no one in the Pack would respect me.The man started jabbing me in the chest with his index finger.Zane went to walk over, but I put my hand up waving him off.
“You’re not fit to be Luna.Even the Alpha agrees because he isn’t even here.”
Some of the Pack members were nodding their heads, agreeing with him.Looking over at Lily, she was scared, worried I was going to get hurt.When the man jabbed me in the chest with his finger again, I grabbed his hand.His eyes widened, and he growled at me.Angry, I started twisting his hand.I bent it back, he tried to manoeuvre out of my grip, but I was stronger.Twisting his wrist until I heard a sickening crack.Snapping his wrist, it hung at a weird angle.Everyone took a step back.I was pissed off.He may be drunk, but that’s no reason to be disrespectful.I could feel my anger boiling bubbling in my veins.I knew my eyes were blazing, my fangs elongated.The man let out a shriek as his wrist broke, clutching it to his chest.He snapped it back into place, then glared at me.
“You bitch.” He sneered, lunging at me.I stepped out of his way.He landed face-first in the dirt.That didn’t stop him lunging again.I don’t know if it was his embarrassment or his ego, but he kept lunging trying to gain an advantage.Trying to land a blow.I was too quick, my reflexes were faster than his.It didn’t help that he was completely shitfaced either.After the third punch he tried to land, I had enough.Gripping him by the collar of his shirt, I shoved him away, making him stumble into someone.Getting to his feet, I yelled at him.
“Enough!!Sit down and shut up.” My voice echoed through the trees surrounding the yard.The man instantly dropped to his knees and went silent.I didn’t realise how much authority I put behind what I said.I used an Alpha voice, one I didn’t know I contained.Only realising the extent of my command when I looked up.The entire Pack was on the knees with their heads tilted to the side, baring their necks in submission.The whole yard had gone silent.Even Beta Zane was on his knees, though he had a silly smirk on his face.
Looking around, I noticed Reid’s imposing frame walking towards me.He looked over at the crowd of people on their knees at my feet.The man my command was aimed at started shaking and whimpering when Reid approached.Reid looked handsome in his navy-blue suit.Placing his hand around my waist, he pulled me into him.He gently placed a kiss on my cheek, his earlier anger completely gone.Now he just looked shocked but proud.Using his Alpha voice, he commanded the whimpering man that was at my feet.“Apologise to your Luna now.” The man quickly apologised, stumbling over the words.Everyone let out a breath.
“You may rise,” he said to the crowd.Everyone started to get up from their positions on the ground.Seizing my hand, Reid pulled me towards the small podium at the front.Up on the podium, Reid pulled me to his side, his fingertips rubbing circles on the small of my back.
“Well everyone, by now you have all met your Luna.You would also have distinguished by now that she is Hybrid.Despite what I have said in the past about their kind, I expect you all to show her the respect she deserves as the Alpha Female.I’m sure she will put you in your place like earlier if you do cross her.” Raising his glass which I didn’t even see him grab on the way to the podium, “To the Luna,” he said.
In unison, everyone replied before cheering.Having Alpha Reid beside me, no one dared to speak out against me, but after the little show earlier, I think they realised my ability, and I had asserted my authority.The crowd sipped their drinks.Alpha Reid waited for the cheers to stop before speaking again.Waving his hand in the air, everyone fell quiet.
“Now Lily, I would like you to please step forward and come to me.” I watched Lily excitedly skip up to the stage.Her pink dress was now covered in dirt and grass stains from playing, but she still looked adorable.The crowd watched as Alpha Reid took a knee, coming down to her height.She smiled happily gazing back at him.
“Place out your hand for me, Lily.” Lily raised her palm up in front of Alpha Reid.He clasped it gently between his own.“Now Lily I would like you to repeat after me.” Lily nodded looking out at the crowd shyly.
Lily repeated after Alpha Reid, her voice was calm, and she didn’t stumble over the words.“I, Lily Violet Blackwood, accept the Blood Moon Pack and accept you, Reid, as my Alpha.” The Alpha took a small knife and sliced Lily’s finger before slicing his own hand down the palm.It was quite unusual to have a child be brought into another Pack.Usually, this was for adult newcomers or rogues that weren’t killed, but a child was pretty much unheard of.If Lily were my child, there would be no need for him to slice her finger because she would have been a Pack member the moment Reid marked me.Children were usually born into a Pack.Since we left ours, this was the only way for her to become part of the Blood Moon Pack.I was grateful that Reid didn’t slash her palm like he did his, though.Lily’s finger would heal quickly with her wolf gene.By morning, it would probably be gone.Lily didn’t flinch when he pressed his palm to her fingertips, but she did gasp when she felt the Pack link merge, linking her to everyone.
The audience all cheered excitedly, and for the first time, I felt emotional not because I was sad but proud of how far Lily had come.She was no longer the scared little girl, like in our old Pack.Here she was vibrant, happy, and everyone loved her.Lily started jumping up and down, not being able to contain her excitement.“We are home now, Ari; we have a home.” Picking her up, I cuddled into her, hiding my tears in her shoulder.
Chapter 20
Aria’s POV
After Lily’s Pack initiation,the party went on for a few more hours.Reid went off to talk to other Pack members.Looking for Lily, I found her asleep next to one of the fire pits.Lily was laying on a chair cosied up next to the fire.Taking a seat next to her, I took off my heels because my feet were absolutely killing me.I felt relieved taking them off, rubbing my heel.A few minutes passed, I decided to pick Lily up and put her to bed.Getting up with Lily in my arms, I looked around for Reid, but he was still busy talking to Zane and Damien at the bar.Walking up the stairs, I made my way inside and to Lily’s room, placing her on the bed before removing her sandals.Tucking her in, I sat on the end of her bed.Tonight had been a long night.I still wasn’t sure where I stood with Reid, because as soon as Lily’s little ceremony was over, he disappeared into the crowd.
Feeling tired myself, I climbed in beside Lily, pulling the covers up.I snuggled into her tiny frame.It didn’t take long before I fell asleep.
I felt like I had only just fallen into a deep sleep when I was jostled awake by movement.I felt familiar tingles running up my back and legs.Reid’s familiar scent hitting me, I nestled into his chest.Reid had found me and had taken it upon himself to put me in bed.Leaning into his warmth, I fell back asleep.I vaguely remember him unzipping my dress, but I was too tired to care.The next morning, I woke to find Reid leaning over me, intently staring.Opening my eyes to see his face so close made me jump in fright.
“Good morning,” he said, before pushing his face into the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent.
“You seem in a better mood.”
“Hmm,” was the only reply I got.His hands running along my body before slowing just under my bare breasts.Reid’s palm ran up and over my nipple, causing me to shiver and nipple to harden.
“So receptive,” his deep voice whispered just below my ear.I could feel his breath on my neck.Reid sucked on my mark, sending pleasure all through my body straight to my core, making me lean into him.I could feel him chuckle against my skin, his lips curving up into a smile against my skin at my reaction.
Turning to face him, I placed my hand on his hips and pulled him towards me.Reid’s hand running along my side then my arse before pulling my leg up, so it was draped over his hip.Just as his lips smashed into mine, the door burst open, and Lily bounced into the room.Reid groaned in annoyance, disappointed.I could only laugh at his reaction at being cock blocked.Lily, unaware of what she nearly ran in on, jumped on the end of the bed, jumping up down like it was a trampoline.“Wake up, wake up,” she squealed.Reid rolled on to his back.
“And why must we get up?”
“I want to play outside.Zane’s setting up a jumping castle in the backyard for me and Amber.”
Reid shook his head.“So why must we get up?” he groaned.
“So you can play too.” I heard him mumble something annoyed.
“We will meet you down there, Lil,” he told her.Lily bounced off the bed, jumping to the floor with a thud and went to run out the door when Reid called to her.“Shut the door.” Lily obeyed before darting back down the stairs.Turning back to me, he nuzzled my neck.“Now where were we?” I laughed, pushing him away.
“I’m having a shower.”