The hall that was built like the human's senate chamber is massive. So massive even the fifty-seven legislative Elders and more than a hundred Alphas that are in attendance don't take up to half of the space in the room.
As I'm being led to the front of the room, my eyes dart around, searching for my dad and his friends but I can't see them anywhere. Maybe they're sitting upstairs with the rest of the Alphas, I thought.
I follow the military man to a podium at the front where I will be able to view the entire room, including the white-haired old shifter who is obviously the leader of the house
The moment I sit down, the leader of the house announces...
"Alpha Thor, we got your letter of apology and it was well received..."
My heart leaped with joy when I heard what he said. My dad must have done a damn good job, I think as I continue to listen to him talk.
"Now shall we go ahead with the inauguration ceremony please?..." He says to the man standing in front of his high bench.
My eyes widen with surprise
'What!? Whose inauguration ceremony is he talking about? My own? It can't be! They're gathered today to change a particular law, not swear me in!'
A flurry of activities follows the leader of the house's announcement.
Oh, goddess! It is indeed my inauguration ceremony!
I do my best to remain expressionless and not let my excitement show as a regal-looking cape is placed over the two-piece suit I have on. Amidst the people bustling and fussing going on around me, I look around for my dad who I finally see standing aside with his friends.
Our eyes meet and he smiles proudly at me. I smile and nod back. Alphas are sworn in at their packs by Council representatives. I have never heard of any Alpha sworn in, in the presence of all fifty-seven legislative Elders and more than a hundred Alphas. I can tell from the look in his eyes that he already knew about the inauguration but deliberately didn't tell me about it.
I would have loved to have my mate standing beside me alongside Eric and the rest of my team members but I'm happy all the same. It's good that they're surprised the way I was.
The ceremony is done in no time. As instructed, I walk over to where the leader of the house is seated and respectfully bow deeply before him before doing the same to the room full of Elders and Alphas.
At the end of the ceremony, some Elders and Alphas who want to specially congratulate me gather around me. Out of politeness, I murmur pleasantries, smile, and shake hands in front of the cameras till my cheek aches.
I am the Alpha of the biggest pack in the whole of North America afterall. It's understandable that they will want to associate with me. But surely I'm not expected to remember all their faces and names or am I?
It takes more than an hour before they're finally done with the congratulations and pleasantries. Finally, I moved closer to my dad and his friends. This honor that I received today wouldn't have been possible without their help and I respectfully give each of them a deep bow in appreciation for their hard work while the cameras flash and videos record.
"You're officially the Alpha of the biggest pack in North America, after today, you bow to no one, not even me, your father." My dad says before giving me a fierce hug while slapping me heartily on the back.
"Thanks Pops. I really appreciate your efforts. I'm grateful... What about Carol and Victoria though? Nobody's talking about if they're going to be pardoned or not." I ask when he and his friends still don't say anything about them. Isn't it because of them that we fought for the law to be changed?
The three of them chuckle in amusement
"Of course, they've been pardoned. Didn't you text to inform him about it already?" Alpha Nate asks my dad as I'm being helped out of the heavy ceremonial cloak.
"They have?..." I ask with surprise, looking at my dad. Is the old wolf playing with me or what? I wonder in amusement
"Yes they have, don't you love the suspense?" My dad says and they laugh "Got you!"
"Yeah, you got me," I replied and laughed to myself.
"Finally, it's over!" I whisper to myself, heaving a sigh of relief. Now I can have the time and clear head I need to search for my mate. Now nothing will hold me back.
Eric calls me before I get the chance to call him. They arrived early at the airport and watched my swearing-in ceremony live on the television inside a coffee shop while waiting for my Uncle's private jet to arrive. Just as I thought, they were surprised, excited, and sorry they weren't there with me. By the time I was done speaking with Eric, Alpha Nate, and Judge Ricky had left.
"Eric has gone to pick up Uncle Elias and the seer from the airport. Ivar will take you home to wait for them while I hurriedly go to Council Yard with Bear to get the mother and daughter out of prison. There's no need for them to stay locked up in there for another day." I tell him as we make our way toward the entrance of the building.
I thought he would agree with me but he frowns instead.
"You're going to Council Yard Penitentiary? Why go right now? Why can't you send one or two people among your men instead?"
"I can't do that. Carol and Victoria aren't aware that Owen killed himself... The press is everywhere and I'm sure they would have camped in front of the Yard. I don't think it's proper for the news of his death to come from anyone else but me, their Alpha.
Eric is the only one that would have handled this the way I want but he's not here. It won't be fair for me to tell him to go pick them up after he returns from the airport, you understand?"
"Of course. I just feel– Never mind. Why don't we all go together then?"
I chuckle
No, Pops, we all can't go together, don't be ridiculous." I say, "bumping my" shoulder lightly with his, expecting him to loosen up but he only gives me a weak smile, his brows furrow with worry. What is there to worry about? I wonder
"You don't have to look so worried, Pops, c'mon! I'm just going to Council Yard. The place is heavily guided, what could happen to me there?" I say, chuckling in disbelief.
"Bear is coming with me, remember? See how big and strong he is. If it's any consolation, I promise I won't wander away from his strong presence." I joke but he still doesn't look amused
"Do I look like a child to you? Stop joking around! I'm not worried about you not being able to protect yourself, I'm just concerned that..." He suddenly stopped talking and looked away from me.
"Worried – concerned... What's the difference?..." I ask, smiling at him. "Okay, tell me, what are you concerned about?" I ask with a serious expression this time
Instead of replying, he exhales
"Never mind, it's nothing serious." He says, forcing a smile to assure me. Just be careful while you're there."
I've never been carefree and want to ask him why I need to be careful in a heavily guided council building but decide against it. I don't want to drag the conversation more than necessary. I know he won't hide important information from me and let me find out the hard way if the place is not safe for me to go to."
We step out of the legislative building and I see the vultures are of course still waiting around for us. They come rushing forward the moment they see us with their microphones up in our faces.
"See what I mean? I'm sure they're also camped in front of the yard right now waiting for when Carol and Victoria will come out." I whisper to my dad as we push our way through the screaming reporters
"Alpha, hold on please..."
"Alpha, just one question..."
"Alpha, answer this question, please sir. Despite what Owen did to you and your Dad, you still went ahead to fight for his wife and daughter's freedom. Now that they have been pardoned, are you still going to allow the family of the man who attempted to kill your father and frame you to continue living in your pack?"
I don't like to talk to reporters but I feel it will be good to answer that particular question because of Carol and Victoria. Being seen as the wife and daughter of a traitor isn't something anyone will want to carry around for the rest of their lives.
I stop and face the reporter who asked that question.
"Owen's wife and daughter, Carol and Victoria, are both citizens of Silver Moon pack by birth. They are both honest and hardworking women who have dedicated their lives to contributing to the growth of my pack. So what's the purpose of fighting for the law to be changed if I send them out of the only place they've ever called home?
None of them knew anything about what Owen did to me and my father. They're innocent and should be able to live their lives free without prejudice and unfair judgment.
Should we judge you for the crimes of your parents, spouses, and children?" I ask them and watch in satisfaction as they all shake their heads.
"Thank you," I say finally when I got the answer I wanted
Bear and Ivar arrive and stand on each side of my dad and me, they create way for us as the four of us make our way out of the crowd of reporters.
"Ivar, please take my dad home while I go with Bear to Council Yard to get Carol and Victoria out of prison," I say after we've left the reporters far behind us.
~^_^~
Author's Note
Hi, y'all... They're meeting soon. Thor, Ash, and Victoria. How excited are you?