"I'm there to ensure our Wilting Flower has some sort of fun in her life. Sadly, I haven't had the opportunity to prove my worthy services," Saint reasoned.
"I'm backup, so my role is to keep chilling in the shadows until summoned," Jayce said, not even seeming to mind. "Being a shadow has its benefits when you need to tame a storm." His eyes purposely landed on me, and I knew he was referring to being the 'calm Willow down' person during that intense battle in the ring weeks ago.
"You guys are pretty relaxing to be around," I acknowledged.
This was the first time all seven of us were together in a rather "relaxed" setting, versus previous times when we were together based on some sort of contract agreement or for the sake of business.
"Get used to it, Wilting Flower," Saint offered with a comforting smile. "We're scary on the outside, but we're pretty fun to be around when we're not dealing with business."
"Is it okay for us to be doing this?" I inquired. "I mean, after everything, there's probably lots of stuff you all have to do, right? We don't have to run on my behalf."
We had to have a list of shit to deal with once we got a moment to sit down and review everything that'd happened thus far. I wouldn't deny I'd feel guilty knowing I was delaying the execution of our enemies over something as simple as a run.
The Pink Moon was still out, the burning energy thrumming through the sky and cool air, but was a few hours worth the sacrifice?
"I blocked this time off already," Dimitris caught our attention as he responded. "I have agents tracking down Garfield and anyone else following his lead, investigators are drilling Elliott for information with 'lighter' tactics, and we have stepped in place for our revenge," he revealed. "This entire place is sealed off with magic thanks to your best friend."
Aurelia blocked this entire forest for us? For...me?
"As your Alpha, it's not only my duty to make sure you're respected and given time for yourself, it's also my duty to acknowledge when the pack needs a run," Dimitris emphasized. "Though you've been a part of the Forbidden since the day you agreed with your bloody fingerprint, I've decided that tonight, with the blessings of the full moon that's still oozing with Pink Moon energy, we will initiate you into the pack."
The others seemed pleased by this. With a quick kiss to my cheek, Neo moved away from me to join the others - his fingers snapping and igniting a fresh set of clothes that covered his perfectly sculpted body.
Standing next to Neo, our Alpha continued with his statement.
"Before we head to it, I've decided that Willow is worthy of the Beta title in the group."
That got the others' attention as they all looked at Dimitris as if this were truly the first time they'd heard him state it.
"What?" they gasped.
Viktor was smirking like he was enjoying the pure shock on these grown men's faces, his hands in his pockets as he walked over to stand on my right side. I looked at him with appreciative eyes, before returning my gaze to Dimitris.
"Normal policies would have her fight each of you until she reached me, but due to the recent circumstances and all of us being rather exhausted, I'm only asking two of you to step forward to test Willow." He slowly looked over to Neo and Onyx, who were standing to Dimitris's left. "You two can't participate."
"Well fuck, wasn't that easy," Saint barked while Jayce was smirking at the bold move Dimitris just pulled.
"I should have seen that coming," Onyx muttered.
"I'm not even mad," Neo stated. "I want to see our Sweetness in action."
"We'll put on a nice, light show for ya," Saint assured him. "I'll gladly go first."
"Guess I'm second," Jayce concluded.
"Perfect," Dimitris declared. "Let's head to the clearing. Don't want you guys fucking up the black Royce."
They lead the way, leaving me a moment with Viktor as we stayed in place.
"Nervous?" Viktor inquired. "Or excited?"
"I'm not sure," I admitted. I noticed my wolf as she opened her eyes to acknowledge me. "I think I'm both, but I'm a tad worried."
"Why?" he inquired.
"I haven't used my wolf in battle," I voiced. "Aren't any of them afraid I'll lose control or something?"
"Your wolf is different from what I'm assuming you're comparing to when you trigger that 'other' side of yours," he elaborated, knowing well that was exactly what I