“How would you know she took another female’s fated Mate?” Alpha Lincoln asks the male. “My name is Edward, I met Stella at a Full Moon party at our Pack. She wasn’t eighteen, but my Wolf and I recognized her as our Mate. When I told her, she made it clear that she would never take me as her Mate, that she deserved a High-ranking Mate. I felt it every time she slept with Bozo over there, luckily it stopped when they marked one another. I never got the chance to introduce myself. So, I will do that today. I am the future Alpha of Nightfall Warriors and I am grateful for your rejection.” Edward says. “Why didn’t you tell me you would be the Alpha someday?” Stella asks with watering eyes. “You made it clear that you were only interested in a High-ranking Mate and from what I have seen tonight, you are not Luna material.” Edward answers before he walks back into the Ballroom, leaving a stunned Stella behind. As we already established, Karma is a Bitch. Stella wants to go after the Mate she rejected, but Alpha Lincoln steps in and blocks her from following Edward. “Leave, Stella. You will not cause trouble tonight and take Rufus with you.” He says as he points at the front door. I know that, like every Pack Member, you are all waiting for midnight, wondering who and if any of them will find their fated Mate. We still have one Wolf that needs to get his Karma. After that, you might get your wish. Music drifts to the patio from the Ballroom and conversations buzz in the air. Rory walks around with Sarah hanging from his arm, talking to Alphas and Lunas as he makes his way around the patio. If Alpha Lincoln hadn’t made it clear, every Alpha would have thought that Rory would be the next Alpha of Gold Moon Pack and Sarah the next Luna. They act and talk like nothing has changed since Alpha Hank’s death. No one is aware of the catastrophe that will hit soon, another Karma coming to smack some sense into someone. A smack that will come too late. “Alpha Lincoln, I mean no disrespect, but why were we not informed about the changes within Gold Moon Pack?” Alpha Damon asks when he gets the chance. Under normal circumstances, an invitation to an Alpha Ceremony or an Alpha’s funeral would be the way for other Packs to know about the changes in leadership, but when an Alpha gets killed by another Alpha, it is the responsibility of the Elders to notify other Packs. By Elders notifying other Packs, they acknowledge that they back up the kill and taking over the territory. “It was Elder Morton’s responsibility to notify you, but he has made quite a few mistakes in his last months as an Elder. Elder Chelsea will ensure the procedure is followed and you will receive our report in a day or two.” Elder Major answers. Every Alpha has heard his statement and seems relieved to know that the Elders are backing up Alpha Lincoln’s claim. The closer it gets to midnight, the more people make their way back into the Ballroom. Everyone wants to see if their fated Mate is here or if their friends and family members might find their fated Mate. As is common during a Full Moon party, everyone gathers with their Alpha in the middle, clearing the dancefloor for those who find their Mate at midnight. An unspoken rule during every Full Moon party. Meadow is staring at her Brother, she doesn’t want to see it when the clock reaches midnight. She still hopes to find another fated Mate but fears to find out that she hasn’t or at least not tonight. Rebel was at the front of her mind, looking at every unmated male who passed them during the evening. Commenting on each of them; too thin, too short, too cocky, too arrogant. You name it, she has mentioned it to Meadow. Alpha Lincoln walks up the stage to hold a speech he prepared with a select group in mind. He wanted to use this opportunity to make it known that he will be a fair Alpha to all his Pack-members and going against him won’t be a good idea. “Good evening, everyone. My speech wasn’t made with all of you in mind. So don’t take offense. This evening has been nerve-wracking for most of you because your former Alpha kept you from events like this. Every Pack-member has his or her own skill to provide something to the Pack and as an Alpha, I believe that each of you matters. High-ranking members can’t function if they have to do everything that Low-ranking members do, just like Low-ranking members need High-ranking members to protect the borders so all of you can live here safely. Black Valley Pack has always functioned this way and I will implement more Pack-laws and Pack-rules from there. Laws and rules apply to every Pack-member, no matter their rank. Break them and you will get punished.” He allows the Pack-members to think about his speech. “Here is a small announcement for those who find their Mate tonight. No matter your rank, you have the day off tomorrow. All I ask is that you report to me or Luna Leona before you leave the Ballroom.” Alpha Lincoln says. Stepping aside to allow everyone to keep an eye on the clock, slowly watching the clock hands slowly creep toward midnight, Alpha Lincoln sends up a prayer to the Goddess for his Pack-members. This is a tradition that has been passed down from Father to Son in Black Valley Pack. He started it here at Gold Moon during the first Full Moon they spent here and discovered that only High-ranking Pack members were invited to parties. Every unmated male and female in the Ballroom looks around, hoping and praying that tonight is their night to find their fated Mate. Even our Bear twins are sending a prayer up to the Goddess, hoping that this will be the last time they will attend a Full Moon party without a mark on their neck. Suddenly, you can hear people softly starting to count back from ten. The hands of the clock are taking the last movements to get to midnight. THREE, TWO, ONE.