came over to try to cheer you up, but your ego remains intact.”
I turned to Royce and laughed under my breath. “Yes…” I made an offhanded gesture. “My defense mechanism.”
“A strong one, don’t ever lose it.” He smiled, then turned to give his father his undivided attention and I did the same. The conversation with Royce helped ease my anger, as I had more important things happening for me tonight. I was going to be honored.
“Wolves, we are fortunate tonight that we welcome four new pups into our pack,” Connor said, then made a sweeping gesture to include everyone. There were some cheers and clapping and I felt even more accepted. “We are stronger now than we have ever been and we will become stronger after tonight.”
More cheers and clapping.
Connor’s gaze settled upon me and I felt Royce nudge my back from behind. “Deacon, come forward.”
I obeyed and placed one foot in front of the other until I was standing in front of Connor. He clamped one hand on my shoulder and turned me around to face the pack. “This young natural-born has long since proven himself a worthy member of this pack. Loyal and fierce, he has more than earned this position that I will give him. Once he has made the final change, he will be your Capo of district ten. I will expect you all show him the respect that is due his title.”
There were some cheers and claps, but not from everyone. Elias and those around him did not celebrate my ascension. Still, no one protested, as they knew better than to challenge the Alpha on his decision. I knew many didn’t think I deserved the high rank, but I disagreed. In my time as a human, I had managed to bring in other humans into the pack. Seducing them with power and immortality, and they had become valuable members of the pack. I was so skilled at weeding out the humans who were useless that Connor had given me the position of recruiter. The money I received in bonuses I’d been saving for the time when I’d be given the title of Capo. Everything I’d been working toward was falling into place and I didn’t care if others were jealous.
I smiled and thanked my Alpha for his generous gift.
“You have earned it, Deacon,” he said. “Now, it is almost time, you should undress and prepare to make your oath and take your branding.”
I nodded, then removed my clothing. I was joined by the other three natural-borns who were also making their first change tonight. We were all lined up and Connor stepped in front of me and I felt my pride rise knowing I was about to be inducted.
“Do you swear to always be loyal to this pack and all of your brothers and sisters within until your death?” Connor asked.
“I swear, Alpha.” I said. He cut his wrist with one of his sharp claws, then offered his blood to me. I pressed my lips to his flesh and licked his blood. I could immediately feel a surge flow through me, connecting me to Connor as my Alpha and through him, to my pack. He did the same to the other three, having them swear the oath and take his blood. Next, he came back to me with the branding iron, the crest of our pack smoking as it glowed bright red. I presented my forearm for the branding.
He smiled and pressed the glowing red end of the brand to my arm. Royce had already told me how much it was going to hurt and I gritted my teeth as the iron burned the image into my smoldering skin.
Connor nodded as he pulled the branding iron away and examined the burn. I breathed a sigh of relief once the pain wasn’t as intense. “Very nice, and you took it like a man.” He winked, then went to the next wolf.
The wolf next to me, Wendel, did scream and the pack laughed, but at least he didn’t snatch his wrist away, which was where he was branded. After reheating the branding iron, Connor branded James and Marcus, and neither of them screamed, but Marcus did growl. Finally, our initiation was over and were now just waiting for the moment when nature took over. In the meantime, some of the pack took naps while others wrestled or fucked. Wolves were a frisky bunch and being idle wasn’t our strong point. I killed the time chatting with Royce