Page 18 of Rejected and Pregnant by the Alpha (Forbidden Alpha Kings #52)
Hannah
Standing in front of the mansion in a long, flowing white chiffon dress, I carefully cradle my belly with my hands as I look up at the moon.
The ceremony to transform this land into pack lands will begin soon, as soon as the clock strikes midnight and the full, glowing moon reaches its highest point in the sky.
The twenty wolves who will be joining the pack as soon as it forms are dressed in similar white clothing, with Jiya in a simple white sari with silver accents, Claira surprisingly in a white suit, and the rest of the wolves in formal attire that barely keeps us warm on this late March night.
A soft breeze brushes past me, blowing my white hair back.
The breeze is surprisingly warm, like a mother’s caress, and I smile.
It seems the Goddess is blessing this moment.
“It is almost time,” Serina whispers, the she-wolf shuddering with excitement. Everyone here is ready to belong to a pack, one that will consider their concerns and work with them to become strong and resilient.
“We should start then,” I muse, turning to look back at the group of wolves who will become my new family. The night grows silent, the soft breeze no longer stirring. I take another deep breath, looking at each wolf in turn before I return my gaze to the full moon.
“Dear Moon Goddess,” I begin, my voice carrying over the twenty wolves and Aileen, the lone vampire.
“Today I, Hannah Cross, come to ask that you grant me the power to rule over a pack, to help guide the lost and forgotten on a path of new hope and righteousness in your name,” I continue, feeling my body slowly heat up under the warm moonlight.
“I ask that you allow me to claim these lands and create a home for those in need of a second chance, to help those who feel weak and belittled find their strength within.” The mansion begins to glow with a soft, warm silver light, and my lips curve into a smile.
“I ask that you provide a haven, one that accepts every child under your care so that we may continue to live with love and abundance. Please, Moon Goddess, grant me the title of alpha of Haven Trail and these lost wolves before me a pack to call home.”
The light around the mansion grows stronger, making the crowd gasp.
I stay still, keeping my gaze on the full moon in the sky as my blood hums and shakes, shimmering with a power and strength that I have never felt before.
I take slow, deep breaths, praying with all my heart for the Goddess to hear me, to hear my sincerity in providing a home and a second chance to those in need of it.
Then it happens.
The large grandfather clock in the foyer of the mansion chimes, and the magic surrounding the mansion expands, shooting through me and the wolves in attendance.
I close my eyes, feeling the pack magic course through my blood and sensing the power reach out to the borders of the land I own.
The wolves before me gasp as their presence pops into my mind one by one, their light warm and welcoming as they accept me as their alpha.
Finally, the clock stops chiming, and the silent night ends as the magic settles.
Opening my eyes, I scan the crowd once again, seeing them in a new light. They are no longer rogues scared of being hunted and harmed. They are wolves of a pack, of my pack, and I am now their alpha.
“Claira Storm,” I call out, my eyes landing on the she-wolf in a suit, her dark curly hair tied back and bright gray eyes widening in shock. “Please, come join me as we walk into our new home as alpha and beta of Haven Trail,” I continue.
No one says anything as the wind blows past us. Then, with a grin, I hold out my hand, and the crowd cheers.
Claira is quick to join me, grasping my hand in hers. I feel the bond between us shift, sensing her transformation from a regular warrior to my second-in-command as she accepts the role of beta from me.
With my new friend beside me, we turn to the mansion—our new pack house—and we climb the steps.
I can feel the pack magic swirling around the door, waiting for me to make my claim and walk through the threshold.
Claira releases my hand, giving me a small nod of encouragement.
With tears in my eyes, I carefully place my hands on my pregnant stomach and reach for the decorative door handles, pushing them open.
The claim to my land comes instantly, and I inhale sharply, closing my eyes as the sweet scent of vanilla floats around me. This is the scent of my pack.
Opening my eyes, I take the first step inside, sending a silent prayer of thanks to the Moon Goddess as I do.
“Long live Alpha Hannah!” someone calls out, and soon the crowd follows, cheering this chant over and over again while I breathe in the scent of my new pack.
I turn back to look at my packmates, watching them cheer with excitement.
This is my family—wolves with whom I forged bonds while cleaning my mansion to become Haven Trail.
My lips turn into a wide grin, and I motion for everyone to come inside, eliciting another cheer.
“You did it,” Jiya says as she is the first to reach me.
“No,” I reply, pulling away to look at the elder she-wolf. “ We did it. We all made Haven Trail happen.”