Raised by Wolves

06 The Ceremoney Plan*

Random fact...
Because wolves will adopt pups, getting wild wolves to accept pups born in captivity is thought to be a good way to increase genetic diversity within dwindling wolf populations.

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"So what is this thing you are planning?" I ask, sitting on the couch in Alic's office.

"A ceremony to make me Alpha." He answers, looking at a binder Ruby put together for the event. "It was supposed to be a couple weeks ago, but we postponed it... I can't put it off any longer."

"Why were you putting it off?" I ask.

"I had someone I wanted to partake in it... that isn't likely any time soon, so it was decided that the ceremony will take place in two days, and Ruby keeps changing the plan, making my life difficult." He sighs.

"She's gonna have a pup... she wolves get crazy while carrying... how many will she have? 4? 5? What do you think?" I ask, and he laughs.

"Where did you get those numbers?" He asks.

"That's a good number!... I once had a wolf have seven, but one was a runt it died, and its poppa wolf buried it. Only about half the pups survive. I hope all of Ruby's do." I say sincerely, and he laughs harder. "What!?" I ask.

"Okay, so Ruby is not a common wolf she is a werewolf. Now, a pup is carried for about 5-6 months for us about 120-180 days. For a common wolf, it's about 2 months or 60 days. For a human 9 months or 270 days. Common wolves may have 4-6 pups, but werewolves fall more on the human side with one. Twins are common enough, but still, she's not having 4 pups at once." He explains.

"I didn't know." I mumble embarrassed.

"Don't worry about it! You went off of what you know." He says, smiling.

"So what do you do for this ceremony?" I ask, changing the subject.

"I cut my palm, then each wolf of the pack does the same. We shake hands, combining our blood. They vow allegiance to me. Then I am the Alpha. A mind link will connect us all, and we will be one pack of over 1000 wolves." He says.

"That's insane!" I yell. "You are supposed to keep a wound clean, not mix other people's blood in it! You'll get sick!" He chuckles at me again.

"We don't get sick, Bella... have you ever been sick?" He asks. Now that I think on it, I've seen sick wolves, but I've never been sick. I shake my head. "Exactly! This is how it's done. It's how you join a pack, too."

"Can I join your pack?" I ask him.

"Not yet." He answers, and I frown. I thought he wanted me here. If I'm not part of the pack, maybe I should just move on. I'm grateful to them, but I want a pack. "No, Bella, don't give me that look! You need to know who you are first."

"I am Isabella. I am the daughter of a slain Alpha. I am a werewolf. I want a pack. I know myself, Alic. Why won't you let me join you?" I ask.

"It will make my control weaken if I were to accept you like the other members... Bella, I told you before it's different with you... you're special." He tells me.

"Because you can't control yourself, I can't have a pack! That's not fair, Alic! I miss my Pack! I don't want to leave here but I need a pack... a family... please Alic?" He sighs.

"If only your wolf would tell you." He mumbles to himself. "Bella, I'm sorry. Your wolf isn't ready, or you'd know how you joining the pack is different. It's not just me who will lose control if we share blood. Your wolf will rush it... I don't want to rush you." He explains, cupping my face in his hand.

"Fine!" I say, slapping his hand away and walking towards the door. "Have it your way, Alpha!" I spit the last word with such anger he flinches.

"Bella, wait!" He calls after me.

"No! I'm done with you two legger!" I yell, and I find my body breaking and reforming back into my wolf.

I am quickly followed by his massive brown wolf who tackles me. I struggle, and he simply lays down trapping my body. He whines, and I can't help but lay still feeling his pain. Once I am calm, he stands up. He steps away and shifts, then returns wearing a pair of loose shorts.

"Their is nothing I want more than for you to join my pack." He says, sitting in front of me. He hangs his head, showing just how upset this whole thing makes him. I step forward and lay down with my head on his knee with a slight whimper. He rests his hand on my head, scratching between my wolfie ears. With a sigh, he continues. "You mean everything to me, Bella... please don't leave me... man, I wish you understood!"

I huff at him. I don't understand because he won't tell me!

"Don't give me that little wolf! I can't tell you! You wouldn't believe me if I did. You have to figure it out yourself." He says. I walk off to find clothes shift and return.

"Try me!" I tell him poking his chest. "I trust you, Alic. Tell me the truth and I'll believe you." He sighs in frustration.

"I can't Bella...but I'd still like you to be at the ceremony. I know you want more, but we need to take things slowly.... we'll wait until you're ready." He tells me.

"Seriously!? I'm ready!" I yell. "Tell me!"

"If you were ready, your wolf would be howling in your mind right now. I want you to know more than you want to know, believe me... but I can wait and you should too." He pulls me close to him. "Once you're ready. When you understand. You will thank me. I'm not trying to hurt you, little wolf."

"Whatever... you know I'm not little. I'm bigger than most wolves." I argue the name.

"You're still little compared to me... you're my little wolf." He smiles as he leads me back to the house.

As I sit in my room, I consider the ceremony. He wants me to come... that's something, at least. Maybe I can get into the pack... if I plan it right, I can have a pack in a few days. He won't explain, so I guess I'll just have to take matters into my own hands.