The Binding
Julia put her hand on Mike's shoulder as they walked up the driveway of the old cottage. "At least we now have somewhere to be," said Julia.
"I know, but I've always been by myself and I liked it that way," said Mike.
"Yeah, I know how you feel. I was the same, but wolves are pack animals. They need that connection. It's obvious we could have only fought that connection for so long until it sought us out," said Julia.
"I guess you're right. Even before I met you Julia, it felt like there was something missing. It wasn't a feeling I was used to," said Mike.
"Let's go in then, shall we?" said Julia as they approached the entrance.
"Welcome Alpha," said the man at the door, tilting his head forward in a sign of submission. Mike and Julia walked in through the door and the voices in the spacious cottage suddenly quieted. All the gathered people looked at them and bowed their heads in submission.
"Welcome to my home, Alpha," said a grey-haired woman with deep wrinkles etched into her worn face. "I am the pack shaman, and I will be conducting the sacred ritual of binding you both to our people."
"We don't know of any of your laws or customs, so you will have to help us with that if you expect us to lead you," said Julia.
"Of course, Alpha. I know that you both lack that knowledge, and I feel sorrow for you to have not known the warm embrace of a pack," said the shaman mournfully.
"How does this ritual work?" asked Mike.
"I will set out the ring of power in our sacred clearing that has been sanctified by my magic and the magic of each previous generation's shaman," said the shaman. "Then comes the ritual binding. It works just as the mating bond does. I will call forth the magic of the moon. That's why the power ring is needed it amplifies power."
"So when do we do this?" asked Mike.
"As soon as the moon is in the sky. I only need a small amount of moonlight to strengthen it to the majestic power of the full moon," said the shaman.
"May I ask your name?" asked Julia.
"Oh yes, it's Tala. You'll enjoy yourself more I'd say. You're the power focus for the ritual, as I know you're both mated, so it needs to work this way or it will interfere with your mating bond," said Tala. "We should set out now, Alpha, as it will be dark and the right time to perform the ritual once we arrive at the sacred clearing."
"Ok, where is this clearing?" asked Mike.
"It is in the forest where you fought our previous alpha, but it is on the other side of the forest from there. It will take some time to get there," said Tala.
"Let's get going then," said Mike.
"Right away, Alpha," said Chris.
Mike looked at him and said, "You're the one who tried to break in to my house."
"Alpha, it was only so we could wait for you to arrive," stuttered Chris.
"You didn't think to press the doorbell that's right beside the door lock?" asked Mike.
A few of the larger men in the room looked at Chris like he was crazy.
There was a tense feeling spreading through the room as the pack waited to see what Mike would do. "Don't do something so stupid again. You check to see if anybody is home first," said Mike, his eyes boring into Chris.
"Yes...Alpha. It won't happen again," stuttered Chris.
Walking through the forest silently, Julia grasped Mike's hand and said, "This is going to be wonderful. We'll have security against Tyler and a place where we can live without problems." Mike grinned. "Yeah, it will be. Tala just told me that we will be approaching the ritual area soon."
"Good, I'm getting tired of walking. I have this strange feeling. It feels like a desperate clawing, like there's something trying to get out," said Julia.
"That's exactly how I feel, too," said Mike.
Tala then called out and said. "This is the place. Prepare yourselves for the ritual. Alphas, please come with me."
Julia grasped Mike's hand as they followed Tala into the clearing, which had a stone altar in the center with vines and moss growing over it.
"Come, everybody, step into the ring," said Tala. The large group of people proceeded out of the trees to stand just inside the clearing. Tala then placed her hands on the center of the worn altar and a glowing surge of power emanated from the altar. Then there was a flare of light as a bright ring glowed to life, encircling the clearing.
"The power ring has been set. Now the ritual may begin," said Tala.