Standing out on the back porch, looking out at most of my pack singing by the pool, I hear someone come up behind me.
"Quinn," Hiram greets. I look over my shoulder and tilt my head in curiosity.
"Mr. Berry," I reply. Hiram leans against a support beam, facing me, his arms crossed loosely over his chest. His faded purple NYU t-shirt has light yellow paint splatters on the right shoulder. I smile as I picture Rachel flinging paint playfully at him after he teases her about the bright color while they paint her room. He scratches the bridge of his nose absentmindedly causing me to realize that he's not wearing his glasses. "Mr. Berry, may I ask you a question?"
"As long as I can in return," he replies seriously.
I nod apprehensively, then ask, "Why do you wear glasses sir? I mean you really have no need for them as a werewolf, so why?"
"For some funny reason I thought you'd ask about my daughter," he chuckles humorlessly. I pull on my right ear as he answers my question. "I wear them mainly out of habit and for show. My family for generations have needed glasses, and although I hate the accursed things I couldn't stand the idea of sticking my fingers into my eyes. But about a couple of months before Rachel's fifteenth birthday I was bitten. I was jogging through Central at dusk when I heard, what sounded like a wounded animal come from some bushes. While searching for it, I hear a heart stopping growl from behind me. Right as I'm turning around I feel this searing pain as the wolf sinks its teeth into my ankle. Before I could even begin to try and kick it off, the animal lets go, gives me this sort of cocky look before running off, howling until I couldn't see the wolf anymore. Actually, tonight would mark one year since I was bitten."
He takes a deep breath, clearly still shaken from the event, and scratches his nose again. He exhales rather calmly, before he continues, "So instead of explaining to why I didn't have a need for glasses anymore, I went out and got a pair of the lowest grade reading glasses I could."
"Wow, Mr. Berry, I'm really sorry," I say, empathetic.
"Quinn, I told you, its Hiram," he tells me, smiling grimly. "And its okay. It was a hard transition when I had no idea what was happening, but after the first moon I received some help from an old friend. Now for my question. What is going on between you and Rachel? What happened? Everything was fine when you two left Friday night, and then she's crying herself to sleep for the past two nights. So what my real question is, what did you do?"
Mr. Berry politely turn his head away from me as I try to discreetly wipe away a fallen tear at hearing how awful Rachel was doing. I clear my throat and answer, "I showed her what I am, sir."
His head snaps back towards me so fast, I swear he got whiplash. "She knows," he stammers.
"She knows," I repeat. Breathing in deeply I retell the entirety of what happened Friday night. The more I him, the more grave his face becomes. As I finish up the recount, he rubs his hands up and down his face. "I am so sorry sir. I was planning on asking for your permission before I let her see the other side of me. I just lost control of my anger, and I am so very sorry Mr. Berry," I rush out when I see the broken expression on his face.
"Does she know about me or any of the other members of your pack," he asks somberly.
"I'm sure she suspects some of the Glee Club, but no Hiram, I don't believe she knows about you," I tell him. I smile slightly at his relieved sigh.
"Good," he says, "I should be the one to tell her. But I should probably tell her soon, right?"
"Why's that?"
"Well, because my daughter is an Alpha's mate," he explains, his answer making me tense up. "And knowing Rachel, she'll want to know absolutely everything she can about werewolves." Seeing my tight expression, he frowns and asks, "Is she not your mate Quinn?"
Before I can answer him, I see the women's wolves walk out of the woods, summoning us. Puck and Sam whoop loudly, taking off for the woods to switch, the other males following closely behind them. Mr. Berry scrutinizingly glances over at me, then heads after the others.
As they disappear into the wood the glee girls, along with the moms, begin to strip and change. I switch quickly and walk over to my mom, watching everyone join us as wolves. Brittany and Santana make their way over to me after a couple of minutes. Britt nudges my left with her head, and I turn to look into her clear blue eyes.
"Are you ready Quinn," she asks, her voice ringing in my head.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I answer, my tone filled with fake confidence. Santana bumps her body into mine just as mom's voice grabs all of our attention.
"Okay everyone, for most of you this is your first time to the clearing," she states while looking at the glee wolves, "So stay close to each other, you'll find the boys on your way there, the older males should already be there to meet us." Her gaze falls on me as she proudly says, "Now, Quinnie, lead your pack and show them where to go."
I quickly nod my head before putting the back yard far behind me. San and Britt take up my flanks quickly as Mercedes runs behind them in the middle. Mom and her pack run through the woods a couple of yards to the right of us. I howl, calling for the boys, as the sun begins to set, and I hear the boys' answer from further ahead. As we dash past a giant oak I watch as they fill in their positions in the ranks.
"How much longer," Sam asks after a while, excitement pouring off of everyone.
"We're almost there," I tell all of them patiently. Two minutes later, we watch the adults up ahead walk through the brush, hiding the clearing. I slow to a stop in front of the entrance, my pack panting loudly behind me. I stare at the green barrier for five minutes, thoughts rushing through my head. 'So this is it,' I think, blocking everyone out as I welcome the change that'll soon take place. 'Everything is going to be different. And maybe now,' my thoughts continue before Finn interrupts them.
"Are we going or not," he ask, impatient.
"Just give me a minute Hudson," I command, trying to not turn around and face him.
"But you've had like ten," he whines.
I hear San growl from behind while saying lowly, "Shut it Jugs."
I take in one last breath before I pass through the beaches, my pack close behind. At the sight of the giant meadow, I feel my pack's awe surround me.
"This is absolutely wonderful," Kurt says, fascinated.
"Hell to the yeah," Mercedes agrees.
A shuddering breath comes from behind me and we all turn to look at Puck's astonished wolf. "It's so beautiful," he gasps. His wolf sniffles before he seems to remember that we're all here and he's not alone. Puck looks around at our dumbfounded expressions and, playing it off, he asks gruffly, "What?"
"We didn't know you were completely soft Puck," Sam guffaws.
"Shut up bro. We all know I'm the number one badass in this group of misfits," he barks before tackling Sam.
I snarl and step in-between their wrestling match, successfully breaking it. I move my head, motioning for the two to stand before avoid my glare as they sit in front of me while San and Britt go to stand beside me. Every wolf's eyes in the clearing, are trained on us.
"That is it! Tonight is one of the nights that I need to go completely flawless, and I will not have the two you ruin it by acting like idiots," I snap at them. Their heads falling further down until they're resting against the fur of their chests.
"Whoa scary Quinn," I hear Finn say to Kurt. I turn and growl at him, pulling my muzzle back to show my teeth. Kurt shakes his head slowly at Finn's folly and shuffles away from him, while I focus back on Sam and Puck.
Taking a deep breath, I continue, "This is a night that I plan to bring pride to my family, to myself." I pause and look into the eyes of each wolf who followed me here, and add, "And I plan on bringing it to you, my pack."
"We want that too, Quinn," Sam hastily exclaims, his eyes pleading as he looks up at me.
Santana scoffs at him as I harshly reply, "Really? You two could've fooled me, acting like the only thing you can be are morons in front of our elders." I tip my head back towards the parents. Puck whines as he meets his mother's disappointed gaze, making him go further into himself and for me to soften my tone. "I love you both as if you two were my actual brothers and I know you both like to show off every chance you get. But tonight can you refrain from it until after the ceremony?"
"Of course," they answer together.
Mercedes nudges Sam's side and sternly says, "Apologize Samuel." He sighs before apologizing to both Puck and me.
"You too Puck," Britt says sweetly, thought there was a slight edge to her voice. He does as she said, and I accept both before we move to the older wolves. My mom and grandpa nodding at me, pleased at how I handled Puck and Sam.
Everyone goes to stand with their parents around each family's respective stump. The head of each house, sitting a top of the cleared off wood. I take my place on my mother's left, closest to the Pierces, and Papa John is on Mom's immediate right, closest to the Lopezs. My pack immediately mimicking my position, our heads proudly held high. Straight across the burning fire, sits Mr. Berry behind his stump, knowing he yet has a position in my mother's pack. I look at each part of my extended family and smile to myself, since over half of the women sit higher than their male counterparts.
Mrs. Puckerman's mousy brown wolf sits on top of her stump, Puck to her right, next to the Lopezs' deep, dark wolves, Maribel on the stump. Beside the Puckermans are the Changs', warm brown wolves. Mr. Chang sitting at the head with Mrs. Chang to his right, and Mike to his left. Alongside the Changs are the Cohen-Changs, Mrs. Cohen-Chang's dark brown wolfsits higher than her husband's red wolf. Next to them are the Hudsons, Carol's light town wolf sitting atop of their stump, Finn to her right. Beside the Hudsons is Hiram's warm brown wolf, and next to him are the Abrams wolves. Mrs. Abrams's golden brown wolf is on top of the stump, and Mr. Abrams's slightly darker wolf is to her right. Alongside them are Burt's gray wolf and Kurt on Burt's right. Next is the Jones' rich brown wolves, Mr. Jones on the family stump, his wife on his right and Mercedes on his left. Beside them are the golden wolves of the Evans' family. Mr. Evans acts as their head of house. Finally are the Pierces' flaxen wolves, Aunt Renee representing as the head of their family.
I do one more quick sweep, snickering quietly to myself as I notice that you can really only distinguish my pack from their parents are because of the older wolves graying, along with their marks. After I finish checking to see if each wolf is here, my mom begins to speak in a strong, clear voice, her eyes briefly meeting each of her wolves except for Hiram.
"We gather here on this glorious night for two sublime events. First," she pauses as her eyes meet Hiram, "we welcome a new member to our family and a new wolf to our pack, Hiram Berry." Once she says his name, the fire in the middle crackles sending sparks into the night air as tilt our head back and howl. "Come forth Hiram," Mom says when we finish, and motions with her head to before us. He moves quickly around the bonfire, and stands directly in front of my mother. She raises her head even higher while still maintaining eye contact with Mr. Berry.
"Hiram Berry, do you swear to remain true to this pack? To never bring harm to a human, but defend them unless given no other option? To protect the integrity of this family? To bring pride to your household, to this pack, and to me? Do you swear to trust me, as your Alpha, to never guide you wrong or lead you to harm? Will you swear fealty to me and join my pack until the day you last draw breath," my mother's voice, doubled with her wolf's, rings clear in each of our heads.
"I swear to abide to each and every rule, and to never bring disgrace to this pack. I swear fealty to you, my Alpha," Hiram says, his voice unwavering. His body shifting into submission as he speaks. His tail half tucked under him, his ears down, as he lowers his front half as if he were bowing.
My mom's muzzle pulls into a slight smile and she happily says, "Brothers, sisters, and children welcome the newest addition to our family, Hiram Berry!"
We tip our head back and let out another clear howl. Bringing my head back down, I look at Mr. Berry, and find tears in his eyes. I lean my head to the side in confusion, but before I can go to him he takes his new place on his stump, and Mom continues with the ceremony.
"Now, I have the greatest honor as an Alpha, and also as a parent, to name my daughter as the new Alpha of the new generation pack of Lima," she announces. My pack, mainly Puck and Sam, go wild by dancing, yapping, and some light howls. I faintly grin then firmly command for them to settle and quiet down, they instantly listen and calm themselves, many of them looking sheepish and avoiding their parents' glares.
"As I was saying, tonight is the beginning of a new era," she states as primly hops to the ground in front of her pedestal. She sits on the grass, slightly to the stumps right in front of Papa John,and motions for me to stand in front of her. I walk with a facade of casual confidence until we are few inches apart. Her golden eyes search mine for a few seconds before she broadly grins and happiness pours off of her, intensifying the lavender in her scent. "Lucy Quinn Fabray, do you swear to uphold the Mason family honor by being the best Alpha you can? To protect your pack in every situation, and never lead them astray? To be true to your heart and self, and by doing so, be true to your pack and family?"
Her last question throws me, and I glance over at Papa John, remembering his doubts about me because of Rachel. He catches me staring and moves his head for me to answer her. I look at each of my pack, and I revel in the look of confidence and acceptance for me that I find in their eyes. I make a decision about what to do with Rachel, take a deep breath, turn back to my mother.
Confidently, I answer her, "I swear to be the greatest Alpha within my abilities, there in upholding the Mason family honor. I vow to always protect my pack and lead them in the right direction. I swear and promise to always be true to my pack by being so to my heart."
My mom grins broadly and asks for the sake of everyone there, "Who are to be your Betas?"
"Santana Diabla Lopez and brittany Susan Pierce," I answer proudly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see everyone nod their head in approval as Mom says, "Santana, Brittany come forward."
Mom and turn so that we are facing the fire as San and Britt move to stand nobly in front of us. I can smell their excitement, a slight nervousness tinges the scent, and I can almost taste their thrust to prove themselves. I want to reassure them, and as the thought passes through my mind I watch the both of them visibly relax. 'Huh, how about that,' I wonder to myself.
'You'll soon find out,' I hear my wolf say, at the same time that my mom speaks.
"Lucy Quinn, take your first action as an Alpha and have your Betas swear to you." I turn to ask her a question, but sensing what I'm about to she says, "You'll know what to say, let it come to you naturally."
I look back at S and B, take a calming breath, and with my voice mixed with my wolf's, inquire, "Will you, Santana Diabla Lopez, and you, Brittany Susan Pierce, swear to be my Betas until your last days? Will you pledge to help me protect our pack and our families, to keep me from making the wrong decisions? To act to the best of your abilities? Do you vow to bring pride to yourself and our pack in every action you take? Will you swear your allegiance to me as your Alpha?"
Simultaneously, their bodies shifting just as Mr. Berry's had as they answer me, their voices blending into perfect harmony, "I swear to act as your Beta until my last day. I swear to protect our pack and families, to assist you in making the right decisions when you're at a loss." I smile at their word change, glad they believed that being wrong couldn't be in the cards for me, while they continue, "To act as your Beta to my full potential. I vow to bring pride to myself, our pack, and to you in every action I take. I swear my allegiance to you as my Alpha." When they finish swearing to what I've asked of them, San and Britt give each other a quick glance before adding, "And we swear to follow you to the gates of Hell, both physically and metaphorically."
I chuckle at their addition as my mother jumps back to her original position, while I walk between Santana and Brittany to stand in front of them. They turn to face the fire and the group with me. I nod my head and they address the rest of the Glee Club.
"What about you? Will you," Brittany begins.
"Follow Quinn? Do you swear your loyalty to Quinn and only Quinn," Santana finishes.
Instantly, my pack lowers themselves to submissive positions and I hear a chorus of lively "Yes, I swear"s. The fire crackles and sends sparks into the air again when they stop speaking. The atmosphere shifts, the air seems to turn electric making my hair stand up. I feel myself stand taller, hold my head higher, and see that Britt and San are too. For the last time, I lean my head back and let out a long, piercing howl that permeates the liquid night. My pack begins to howl along with me a few seconds later, our families disappearing back into the woods, leaving us to celebrate.
AN: This chapter was only for the ceremony. I wanted to get it out of the way, and not have it messing with either Chapter 10 or 12.
Also don't worry guys, Quinn will be fixing it soon. Just remember: 1. Both have just gotten out of hurtful relationships. 2. Its only been 2 days since Quinn and Rachel went out. 3. Quinn has abandonment issues that she needs to work through. 4. Alpha's aren't perfect (as shown by Judy), they are allowed to have a weakness, loving Rachel just happens to be Quinn's.
And if you got really confused as to where everyone was sitting and how the counsel of wolves is set up during the ceremony, but would really like to know no fear I made a little sitting chart.
alpha-howl . tumblr . com(/)tagged(/)Alpha+Bite