Seraphina’s POV
Three days later, the doctor finally cleared to leave the hospital, though he insisted I take things slowly for at least another week. The pregnancy was progressing normally, and my body had recovered remarkably well from the trauma it had endured.
As Damien helped out of the wheelchair at the entrance to the military base where the training camp was located, I could feel the change in myself more acutely than ever. The air seed crisper, sounds were sharper, and there was a thrumming energy beneath my skin that made feel like I could take on the world.
"You ready for this?" Damien asked quietly, his hand steady on my elbow as we walked toward the main building.
"I think so," I said, though truthfully I wasn’t sure what to expect. The last ti these people had seen , I’d been an oga who’d collapsed from overexertion. Now I was... what exactly? An alpha? A Luna-to-be? A pregnant woman carrying the future heir to the most powerful pack in the region?
The weight of it all should have been overwhelming, but instead I felt oddly calm. Centered, even.
"Rember what we discussed," Damien murmured as we approached the entrance. "Don’t try to suppress your new nature. Let them feel what you’ve beco."
I nodded, straightening my shoulders and lifting my chin. Whatever happened next, I would face it head-on.
The mont we stepped through the doors, I could sense the change in the atmosphere. Conversations died mid-sentence as heads turned in our direction. The dozen or so warriors scattered throughout the lobby froze, their expressions shifting from casual recognition to sothing approaching awe.
Marcus Thompson, the gruff combat instructor who’d been skeptical of my presence at the beginning of my training, was the first to approach us. But instead of his usual confident swagger, his steps were asured, almost hesitant.
"Sera," he began, then stopped, his brow furrowing as if he were trying to process sothing he couldn’t quite understand. "You... you feel different."
I could see the exact mont when my new scent fully registered with his wolf. His eyes widened, his posture automatically straightening into sothing more deferential. Before I could say a word, he inclined his head in a gesture of respect I’d never seen him give anyone except Damien.
"Alpha," he said quietly, the title falling from his lips as naturally as breathing.
The reaction rippled through the room like a stone dropped in still water. One by one, the other warriors began to turn and look at properly, their wolves recognizing what their conscious minds were struggling to accept. I watched as each of them went through the sa process—confusion, realization, then that automatic show of respect.
Riley was approaching with what looked like the intention to give her usual enthusiastic hug. But as she got within a few feet of , her step faltered, her wolf clearly responding to my transford presence.
"Sera?" she said uncertainly, her voice higher than normal. "What... how do you...?"
I could sll her nervousness, her confusion, and underneath it all, the deep respect that her wolf was demanding she show. It was a heady feeling, this newfound authority, but I didn’t want it to drive a wedge between and the people who had welcod here.
"It’s still , Riley," I said gently, offering her a warm smile. "I’m still the sa person who couldn’t throw a proper punch when I first got here."
By now, a small crowd had gathered around us, drawn by the unmistakable aura of power that I was apparently radiating. I could see Lucas approaching from across the room, his expression intrigued but not surprised—Damien had clearly filled him in on recent developnts.
"Everyone," Damien said, his voice carrying easily across the lobby and commanding imdiate attention. "I know you all have questions about what you’re sensing, and I want to address them directly."
The room fell into complete silence, every person present focusing on their Alpha King with the kind of intense attention that important announcents commanded.
"As many of you know," Damien continued, "Seraphina risked her life to save seventeen of our wounded brothers and sisters. What you may not know is that during her recovery, certain... abilities have awakened within her."
He paused, his hand finding mine and squeezing gently before he continued.
"Seraphina is no longer the oga she once believed herself to be. Her true alpha nature has erged, and I want to make sothing very clear to all of you." His voice took on a note of unmistakable authority. "This woman is going to be your Luna."
The silence that followed was profound. I could hear the sound of my own heartbeat, could sll the mixture of surprise, respect, and curiosity coming from the assembled warriors.
"Now, I know this isn’t the formal ceremony that tradition dictates," Damien said, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "That will co later, with all the pomp and circumstance that our pack heritage demands. But I wanted you to hear it from first, because you are the ones who have trained alongside her, who have seen her courage and determination firsthand."
Marcus stepped forward, and to my amazent, he dropped to one knee. "Luna," he said simply, his gruff voice filled with sincerity.
The gesture was like a dam breaking. One by one, every warrior in the room followed suit, dropping to one knee in a show of respect that took my breath away. Even Lucas, Damien’s Beta and closest friend, knelt with the others.
"Please," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Please get up. You don’t need to—"
"Yes, we do," Riley interrupted gently, rising from her knelt position with a bright smile. "You saved our people. You nearly died protecting warriors you barely knew. If that doesn’t earn our respect and loyalty, I don’t know what would."
A murmur of agreent ran through the group as they all returned to their feet. The overwhelming acceptance, the imdiate loyalty, was almost too much to process.
"Thank you," I said quietly, trying to keep my voice steady. "All of you. I promise I won’t let you down."
Damien’s arm slipped around my waist, pulling gently against his side. "There will be more formal announcents," he told the group. "But for now, I’d ask that you spread the word among the pack. And rember—" His voice took on a warning edge. "Anyone who has a problem with my choice is welco to take it up with personally."
The implied threat was clear, and I could see several of the warriors suppressing smiles. No one would be foolish enough to challenge Damien’s authority, especially not over sothing as personal as his choice of mate.
As the crowd began to disperse, chattering excitedly among themselves, I felt a mixture of relief and apprehension.
"Lucas," I called out as Damien’s Beta started to walk away.
He turned back with a questioning look. "Yes, Luna?"
The title still made feel slightly dizzy, but I pushed through the sensation. "Are there still wounded warriors here? New injuries from recent skirmishes?"
His expression grew more serious. "Yes, unfortunately. Three new casualties ca in yesterday from a border patrol that ran into rogue activity. Why?"
"I’d like to see them," I said. "If they need healing..."
"Sera," Damien interjected, concern clear in his voice. "You just got out of the hospital. You need to rest."
I turned to face him, placing my hand on his chest. "Damien, I feel stronger now than I have in weeks. And if there are people hurt, people who could benefit from what I can do..."
He studied my face for a long mont, then sighed. "You’re not going to let this go, are you?"
"Would you?" I countered. "If you had the ability to take away soone’s pain, to heal their injuries, could you just walk away?"
A rueful smile crossed his features. "Point taken." He looked at Lucas. "Take us to see the wounded. But," he added, his voice taking on a tone of command, "if I see any sign that she’s overexerting herself, we’re leaving imdiately."
"Understood," Lucas said with a nod. "Follow ."
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