49

The compound had been buzzing with the preparations for the evenings events.
In the main court yard tables had arranged for seating and dinning. In the front a table had been set up to be a stage, or platform for Mika and Ari to stand on and address everyone present. Several of the men, Zeek included, had caught a boar, and two large bucks. They had been roasting all day and smelt amazing. Hints of onions, garlic, and herbs filled the area making everyone's mouth water. Various vegetables and fruits had been located. Jaqualine had went an extra mile and made some simple sweet strawberry, blueberry, and apple tarts for the desert. Ari couldn't recall the last time she had a sweet like that and was almost giddy in anticipation. Surrounding the yard was fire places to both provide heat int eh winter, but tonight it would provide the lighting. There were several pillars of candles made from animal fat set up to be used as well. The wooden tables and benches that decorated the yard made Ari feel almost official- like she had never in her wildest dreams thought she would one day be a luna, a leader of a werewolf pack. *Look at me now momma.* she thought warmly.
When the moon had risen in the sky and the last rays of the sun had faded away. Stars came out to sparkle and made for a lovely cascade overhead. It almost all felt like a dream. The pack gathered around with the exception of several guardsmen on post to ensure the festivities would not be disturbed.

Mika entered the court yard first. As each turned to see their alpha they placed their hand over their heart and bowed their head as he passed them. He strode up to the platform and turned to face his pack. He mirrored their gesture before addressing the pack.
"Brothers. Sisters." his voice dripping with authority. "Tonight, is about the future. The future of this pack and so many others. We welcome new comers, we celebrate the naming of our Luna. And who knows who knows perhaps a new life too." he chuckled. Nodes of heads, and hushed giggles came from the group as he looked over at Talia. She smiled back rubbing at her very round belly now. "Let it be so." she hooted.
"Yes let it be so. But first I want the pack to know our plans of action. We have brothers and sisters in need of our help." He looked out over the crowd making sure everyone's attention was focused on him. Not a soul had turned away, children included.
"We will grow our numbers and free our brothers and sisters to our west before we return home to free our family." there was rustling among the pack now. Mika took note of who showed the slight disagreement. "I am not choosing allies over family. There is something darker at play here and if we can save our family damn it that is what it will take." he sent images of the black slugs, of Kevin's ashed body and of the wendigo to the pack members. Gasps and grunts of disgust erupted from the them. Some even paled at the images. Many had not known truly what it was that had infected their homeland, but now they knew. Now they all knew what monster was laying in the dark waiting to pounce.
"We will take henry. We will learn how to free our brothers without having to kill them." In unison the pack jeered their agreement. "We will begin small capture parties along the borders with in the week." Several men stepped up to the front of the crowd. "I know you wish to join, any who wish to will be welcomed. Devion will take down who will join us. I believe there will be several parties to go out, so if you do not get the first do not fret there will be more parties to attend." Mika smirked. The men smiled and laughed at Mika's light of the attacks. They had sat too long and were itching to get some action again, Mika knew this. He also knew that there would only be squads of five at a time. Small and harder to track down.
"I would like to direct everyone's attention to the next action for tonight." Mika gestured for everyone attention to the rear of the yard. Ari stood in her cotton white gown. Her long blond hair billowing around her. Her blue eyes glowing in the fire light. She was an unearthly sight of beauty as she walked toward him. Mika's breath caught for a moment, and his cock took notice of her raw sexual desire and beauty. "Crimson Moon pack I name Arianna as Luna.' Mika helped Ari step onto the table alongside him. He kissed her cheek and she knelt down to one knee facing him. He sliced the palm of his hand once more with his silver nails, allowing the droplets to drip on to her forehead. "I call you my Luna. I bleed for you. I am apart of you. I am your alpha and will protect you with my life." She placed her forearm over her heart and using a small knife she cut downward on her palm. The sting of the blade slicing through her flesh was not as intense as it had been before she learned he could heal faster. She repeated the words Mika had told her earlier. "I call you my alpha. I will bleed for you and give my life if needed." Mika helped Ari to stand sealing his vow with a kiss. Ari into Mika's eyes feeling a cold sensation trickling through her skull. It was not painful, but it was something different she had never expected. *You are beautiful my luna.* she heard Mika say, no that is incorrect she heard him, but his lips did not move. Her eyes widen, and she looked at him again. "Say again?" she whispered. *Did I say something weird? Why is she looking at me like that?* he looked a little confused then realized what was happening, *Ari can you hear my thoughts?* a devilish grin broke his perfect face. Ari's surprise was apparent when her mouth felt open. She **could** hear him! Butterflies flew up in to her stomach and she was fascinated by this new gift. *Is it because of me or because of you?*
*I think it is because I have claimed up my luna, and I your alpha.* his voice gentle against her mind. Filling her up with warmth and love. She honestly felt like she could wrap herself in his voice as if it was a blanket.
When she had stopped looking so shocked she turned back to the pack. "What say you pack?" Mika called out. they erupted in howls of agreement before each one placed their hands over their hearts, "We name you our luna." they proclaimed. "We will protect you as our alpha's mate and our leader."
Tears had come to Ari's eyes, she had not expected the emotion to sneak up on her. She had never really belong and now here she had a home, she had a family. She cleared her throat, "I claim you as my pack. I vow to guide and protect you above myself. If the pack requires my blood, it is there freely." Each member stood up their eyes glowing as if they were about to shift, but they maintained their human forms. Images of happiness, smiles, and clapping rushed through Ari's mind as the cold sensation she had felt with Mika then became much bigger and went down her spine.
It was not a cold chill, but the cool sensation made her nerve endings explode like fireworks with wonder. She heard the various voices of *Luna. or My Luna.* She had not expected this, and the mental noise was slowing becoming like a roaring fire. It was easy at first but then it became overwhelming. She brought her finger tips to her temple trying to stop the sharp pain that was beginning to throb. Mika could read into her mind and see what was happening. He took his fist out and grabbed at the then air once, closing his fist and turning it down as if he had turned a nob down. The voices in her head became low and hushed. she blinked a few times, "How? How did you do that?" she rasped.
"It is something an alpha can do for when children, or new comers come into the pack." he winked at her. It was definitely a nice trick, her head had already become a dull hum in place of the sharp needle like pain.
"Do you have anything you wish to say?" he whispered back at her directing her back to the pack. She squared her shoulders and faced her pack once more. "Yes, I am declaring that humans will not be turned unless in critical circumstances. When we sweep across the land we will not need to build our armies by conversation. We will convert wolves who are lost." nodes from the pack was their response but no one really had much to say to it. It wasn't like the old days and humans were converted on the regular, but they would trust that their new Luna had a reason behind this.
She folded her hands and stepped back as Mika again addressed the pack.
"We have members who wish to join the pack. Step forward." A group of men Ari had seen around the camp came walking into the center of the court yard. The men came down before her and Mika. They fanned out into a straight line facing them. The ceremony was repeated once more. The men made their vows to Mika, to their luna, the pack and Mika to them. The cold sensation again washed over Ari, and she heard the men before her. It was low. Their thoughts were humbling. They nearly brought tears to her eyes as she looked into each one's mind and memories.
It was the one they called Zeek that nearly brought her to her knees.