Chapter 114 - 113. New Dawn

His eyelids felt heavy and his body was numb. Although it was already midday, the low light of this winter day suited the atmosphere perfectly. A slight movement of motion was smoothly rocking him and encouraged him to stay deep in sleep.

If it wasn't for his mate who was shaking him gently, Eden would have continued his escapade in the land of dreams. The dominant's hand insisted once again and the omega's eyelids slid over the eyes to reveal the golden irises with amber reflections.

His dilated pupils immediately shrunk to the size of a pinhead and he stared sleepily at his mate who offered him a gentle smile that make his heart flutter.

The blond looked around them and saw that they were in the backseat of a car. He opened his mouth to ask a question but Glen beat him.

"We're on our way back and we're almost at the cave."

Eden closed his eyes and snuggled against his alpha's chest as he looked for comfort. Sleep was gone as memories of what had happened shortly after dawn flashed through his head. Sad feelings weighed his chest.

He thought back to the loss of his packmates and the clash with the cursed Skinwalker. His thoughts drifted to the culprit behind all of it. A culprit who was also behind his mate's curse. Light. The werewolf pressed his eyelids together, and after a few seconds, a silent sigh escaped his lips.

Sorrow, worry, anger. It was all coming back to him now that he was awake. Glen felt his emotions start to swirl and he pressed his mate's body to his.

Sitting on the dominant's lap even if they were the only people in the passenger seats, Eden opened his eyes to dive into the two middle-green ocean orbs which were staring at him. As if they were the cure for his ailment, he felt the weight on his chest grow lighter. At least enough to lessen the lump in his throat and allow him to open his mouth.

"How did it end up? Did you manage to…" His voice trailed off as he guessed the answer and Glen didn't let the suspense last.

The Dominant shook his head to deny the death of the man who killed their packmates and still wanted to hurt Connor and Greg.

"The Skinwalker fled after Silphie stepped in the battle alongside us. Thanks to yours and her intervention, we have suffered no further losses."

Glen absently nodded to show his mate he had heard.

"What will happen now, to him and the Skinwalkers? Did the Alpha say something?"

"He talked briefly with Silphie. I think we can consider that she is now the head of Blue Moon because, after the events that happened and the bad decisions in which he involved them, Elias lost the trust of his people. She assured that the Skinwalkers posed a threat, neither to Bloodhood nor to Connor and Greg.

"I'm glad at least it ended on a good note even if it took a little too much death and suffering for my liking," the blond stated with a bittersweet tone.

His gaze clouded again and Glen switched his position to engulf him in a soothing embrace. The alpha stuck his nose in the crook of his neck and Eden smiled weakly, feeling the tickling of his breath against his skin.

"The Skinwalker escaped but Silphie offered to help, both the pack and Greg. She cast a protection spell on Greg and she will come and do the same thing in the cave tomorrow morning. Today…" He paused because he knew the omega's mood would turn sour again.

"Today they decided to take time to mourn their losses."

"I see."

Silence fell, but Eden didn't let his mood sink again. They finished the drive, each deep in thought. Somewhere between anticipation and fears. As the car pulled into the path leading to the main entrance, the younger werewolf fidgeted.

Glen loosened his grip to let him slide into the seat next to him. The couple felt the pressure because they knew that when they arrived, despite the pain and mourning, all eyes would be on them.

The two mates were about to join a bereaved pack, but effervescent and full of questions. Bloodhood was going through a period of turmoil the pack hadn't seen in over twenty years.

The pack certainly had its Alpha Silver Bloodhood. A strong, reassuring leader who, with the crushing of Grey Wolf, still had once demonstrated his strength.

However, in troubled times, the present wasn't the only concern. The future held a large place and the two mates were its embodiment. With the pack's mythical past brought to light, the abilities that Eden had displayed, and a powerful enemy that had appeared, the members of Bloodhood were worried.

The future was shaping up to be a change. A new wind was going to blow not only on Bloodhood but also on the rest of the Werewolves' world and they, the future Alpha and the future Luna of the original pack had to be strong enough to prevent this wind of changes from becoming devastating storm.

The car braked and stopped. Glen nodded to greet the two werewolves upfront to thank them. Eden mirrored him and added a faint smile when he recognized one of the middle-rank sentries Dante was close to.

The alpha got out of the car first and let the blond get out before turning to him. Glen remove his sweater and shifted to his werewolf form before extending his hand to him and Eden smiled.

He could tell with this simple attention, all the commitment that his dominant put in the role he was going to take on. His two-tone coat, which was an unusual combination for a Dominant, proclaimed power and submission. A perfect mix for a overpower Warrior devoted to his mate and King. A perfect complement for Eden's noble color that had finally made sense when he submitted some of his packmates.

"Are you ready?"

After a brief breath to give himself courage, the omega placed his hand in the dominant's open palm and they moved forward.

As soon as they set foot inside the cave, the already unusual atmosphere changed. The busy state of everyone paused as the couple moved forward. Serious looks and whispers accompanied their walk in the great hall.

Everyone stared without any effort to hide it, at the alpha's neck where Eden's bite mark was hidden by his fur.

While his mate was unfazed, Glen felt less comfortable. It was the first time he appeared with Eden in front of the pack and with a normal context. The realization of his role, he the alpha thrown out of his pack, gave him a blow in the stomach.

The dominant felt the younger werewolf's fingers press the back of his hand and a voice echoed in his head.

[Are you okay?]

[Yes, I'm… alright] He replied, squeezing back Eden's hand.

[Nice, because it starts now.]

The couple walked through the crowd that had parted to make way for them to join Silver. The Alpha was talking with his beta, Acher Rivers.

Standing on a natural stone rostrum that gave him an overview of the room, the leader had been notified of their arrival by the werewolves who had driven them back and he was waiting to make their official presentation to the rest of the pack. A smile made the Alpha's lips quiver as he saw his son back with his mate.

Glen climbed along with Eden on the stone dais and as soon as he was near Silver and Acher, he felt the latter's gaze on him. Eden didn't let himself be impressed. He leaned towards his father.

"How are the fighters' mates doing?"

"They're holding up given the circumstances." Silver replied in a concerned tone before looking at Eden and his mate. "Are you ready?"

Omega's face slightly twitched as he paused for a second.

"Yes."

The Alpha turned to the werewolves who had gathered after the couple arrived at his side. Silver scanned the crowd and silence fell. Heavy. Intense.

"As you already know that the Moon Goddess has bestowed my son, Eden, one of the greatest blessings a werewolf can have. They are now in front of you to accept their role and their fate."

The werewolf looked back to give them a signal that they were waiting, and the two werewolves moved forward to the front of the stone dais. Now slightly behind them, the leader put a hand on his son's shoulder, then on Glen's. He could feel the whole room holding its breath.

"Glen? Do you want to say something?"

The dominant indeed had something to say but, just before, he sent a link to his mate. The omega's head snapped at him after hearing the voice in his head and what it was suggesting. Eden locked eyes with his lover to ask him silently if he was sure. With a nod, Glen confirmed his idea and moved for him to do so.

Eden's head turned back to his packmates, curious gazes urging him on. His heart was racing as he feared the reactions. After a long breath, the omega released his domination pheromones.

The whole room flinched. The intensity of the pheromones the blond had just released wasn't enough to compel his packmates into submission, but just enough to inform them of his higher status, despite his blood rank.

Not a single whisper dared to disturb the silent message and when the pheromones finally reached the other side of the room, Glen released his pheromones. The scent that diffused in the room made all the members of Bloodhood present turn pale and, behind them, Silver smirked.

When Glen saw that several of the omegas in the room were starting to get sick, he suppressed his pheromones and finally spoke up.

"It is an honor for me to have been chosen by the Moon Goddess," He paused and turned to look at Eden with infinite tenderness. "To have been accepted by my mate, and to have finally found the place that was mine by his side and among you.

I hope to become, by Eden's side and with the help of my Alpha, Silver Bloodhood, a leader who can protect and support my pack, my family, my mate against all the enemies they may cross paths with."

A thrill of anticipation ran through the werewolves crowd. The silence gave way to a hubbub. Glen and Eden stepped back and Silver resumed his place at the front.

"Whoever the enemy, Bloodhood will prepare to face him and make them regret having dared to challenge us. Today is a day of mourning," The leader stated with emotion in his voice. "But starting tomorrow, we will get ready to fight back and destroy those who deprived us of ours dear ones and thought they could get away with it."

Screams, howls, and snarls arose as Glen's hand slid into Eden's fur to smooth it out. The dominant drew his mate's attention to him. The male omega's gaze was slightly veiled after his father's words.

"Hey. It's over now. You should go and rest. There is still a lot of time before the moon rises."

Before Eden could answer, the leader addressed both of them.

"Both of you go and rest. You had a pretty short night and a pretty tough morning. You're dismissed until tomorrow. When you wake up and the ritual is finally complete, that's when the real challenge will begin."

The two werewolves complied with the order and walked away, under the eyes of the pack members present in the main room.

When they rushed into the corridor of omega where Eden's cellar was, the latter called out to his mate.

"So, not too scared of the pressure on your shoulders?"

The alpha shrugged before raising his index finger and tapping where the mark left by the blond was.

"I can't complain, I brought it myself."

Eden chortled and stopped on the threshold of his cave before pulling aside the curtain which hid the opening of the eyes.

"And tonight it's payback I guess?"

"Yes, and I can't wait for it."