Chapter 145 The pack’s acceptance 1

Chapter 145: Chapter 145 The pack’s acceptance 1

Talia’s POV

The pack was still cheering.

Wolves howled and clapped and shouted my name.

The sound was deafening, so beautiful, and at the same time, overwhelming. I had never heard so many voices cheering for me before. In Cresswood, the only sounds that followed me were whispers, cruel words, and laughter at my expense.

But this was different.

This was joy, acceptance, and massive love. I did not know how to hold it all, so I just stood there and let it wash over me.

The sound filled the Gathering Hall, loud and joyful, and I stood at the front with Kaelen beside me. His hand was wrapped around mine, warm and steady.

"You have done it, Talia. Congratulations," Kaelen whispered to me, and he smiled, and gave me a gentle pat on my back.

Alpha Aldric raised his hand, and the room went quiet. The cheering stopped, and every eye turned to him.

"Talia has earned her place," he said. His voice carried across the room, strong and clear. "Not because she is the Alpha’s mate, but because she is strong."

He looked around the room, and his gray eyes were sharp. "Anyone who questions her place as Luna may speak now."

The hall fell into a complete silence, and no one spoke.

The silence was louder than the cheering had been. It pressed against my ears, and against my chest, as I waited for someone to speak, to object, or to say that I did not belong.

But no one did.

The silence stretched for a long moment, but still, no one spoke.

The silence stretched across the hall, thick and heavy, as the wolves looked around themselves, as if daring anyone to say a word. I held my breath, and Kaelen’s hand tightened around mine.

But still, no one spoke.

After what felt like hours, but was actually only a few seconds, I let out a breath I did not know I was holding. This meant that they accepted me.

Not a few, but all of them accepted me with soft nods.

Alpha Aldric nodded, then he turned to face me fully, and he bowed to me. His head lowered, and his hand pressed against his chest.

I froze, seeing that the former Alpha of Shadowfang Pack bowed to me.

I had never expected this, not even in my wildest dreams. The man who had doubted me, who had warned me that Kaelen would reject me if I failed, was now bowing to me with his gray head lowered, and his hand pressed against his chest.

I did not know what to say, so I said nothing. I just stood there, frozen, as tears burned in my eyes.

My heart swelled, as one by one, the pack followed.

Warriors bowed low, with their fists pressed to their chests. Elders nodded their heads, with their old eyes filled with respect. While servants dropped to their knees, with their faces lifted toward me with wonder.

Jax walked up to me and raised his hand. I hesitated, then I raised mine, then he slapped my palm in a high-five and grinned. "You earned it, Luna," he said.

I smiled softly and nodded to him. "Thank you, Jax. I really appreciate it."

Silas stepped forward and bowed low. When he rose, his face was calm, but his eyes were warm.

Cain stood behind him. He did not smile, but he bowed, deep and slow. When he rose, he looked at me for a moment, then stepped back.

Piper pushed through the crowd. Her eyes were red, and her cheeks were wet. She threw her arms around me and hugged me tight.

"You did it," she whispered. "You really did it."

I hugged her back. "I did."

Nora appeared beside her. Her face was bright with tears, and she hugged me too.

"I am so proud of you, Luna," she said.

"Thank you, Nora," I replied.

Other wolves approached me. Some touched my hand, some just smiled, while some nodded as they passed.

But only Piper and Nora hugged me.

I looked around the room and saw Serena standing near the back. Her face was pale, her hands were clenched into fists at her sides, and her lips were pressed into a thin line.

She did not bow, she did not cheer, and she did not congratulate me either. I held her gaze for a moment. She did not look away, and neither did I.

Then Kaelen tugged my hand, and I turned away from her. And I did not look back.

The pack threw a small feast to celebrate that evening.

Tables were set up in the Gathering Hall, covered with white cloths and filled with food. There was roasted meat and fresh bread and bowls of soup. There were bowls of hot steaming rice, fresh fruits and cheeses and cups of wine.

Wolves filled their plates and raised their glasses. Toasts were made to the Shadowfang Pack, to Alpha Kaelen, and to me.

I sat at the main table with Kaelen beside me. Wolves approached one by one to congratulate me. Some shook my hand, some smiled, and some just looked at me with new eyes.

I did not know how to respond to any of it. So I just nodded, and said thank you, and tried not to let my exhaustion show on my face.