Chapter 38
Chapter 38: Oath Ceremony
The next day the Delta recruits got down to business. Liam debriefed them on their military tours,
experience, and what they learned in private security or private investigation. He asked them each
individually what their ns were and if they still wanted to join Delta team. They all answered in the
affirmative.
“You’ll have to be interviewed and vetted by the Alpha,” Liam said.
“We’ll go through the basics 0f how the team operates and see if you want to specialize in a particr
area. If everything checks out, you should be able to take your oath before Thea’s first shift.”
After their debriefing with Liam, each man went straight to the Alpha to be interviewed. As expected,
every man was trustworthy, loyal, and ready tomit.
The potential members spent the next couple of weeks training with the Delta team, shadowing the
guard detail, contributing to surveince, and investigating leads.
Each man showedpetence, devotion, focus, and adapted quickly. They also joined Thea and the
triplets for their early morning training sessions. They were all very pleased with all four of their skills.
Thea enjoyed having fresh blood to spar with her.
The time came for them to take their oath. Thea’s parents flew in for the day. Now that Thea knew
about the real purpose of Delta team, they expected her to be at the ceremony.
Alpha Ulric called her and the triplets into his office with Beta
Walter and Liam to go over what was expected of her.
“Allin all, we have four joining straight from their military tours and six who also spent time in private
security or private investigation. That’s ten new team members, bringing the total to twenty-two,” Liam
said.
“They’ ll be swearing their allegiance directly to you, Thea,” Alpha Ulric said.
“You’ll be expected to ept their oaths.”
“How do I do that?” Thea said.
“There are a few ways, traditionally. You can simply say, ‘I ept.’ You can swear something back to
them if you feel so inclined. You can cut yourself and give them each your blood.”
“What?”
“Dip your finger in your blood and wipe it on them. They may make a small cut on their foreheads for
that purpose.”
“Eesh.” Not likely.
“Blood oaths tend to be more powerful, but with your magic, you may not need it. I think the important
thing is to follow your instincts,” Alpha Ulric said.
Thea nodded. She hoped her face didn’t show the repulsion she felt at the whole situation.
“The old members would like to reswear their oath to Thea personally if you’re okay with it,” Liam said.
They all looked to Thea.
“I,” Thea said. She knew the Alpha expected her to go along with this.
“Of course. I would be honored.” More like awkwardly ufortable. Goddess, why did all these
people have to believe she was something she wasn’t?
“The oath will be to protect you, but also to serve you,” Alpha Ulric said.
“As you prepare to be Luna of this pack, as you start to take on those responsibilities, you will
start to utilize them as more than just guardians. They will be your task force.”
Her eyebrows scrunched together.
“With your gift wille responsibilities. We don’t know what they’ll be yet, but you won’t be able to do
everything yourself. When you need something done, when you want something investigated, you’ll
send someone from Delta. You’ll likely be a target your whole life. It may never be safe for you to travel
freely. Let them do it for you.”
“Yes, sir.” She regretted not leaving the packnds more when she had the chance.
No. What was she thinking? She loved this pack and these packnds. There was something about not
having the option, though. No wolf wanted to be caged.
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Alpha Ulric turned to his sons.
“It’s important you three know what the Delta team does, how they work, and that you maintain a good
rtionship with them,” Alpha Ulric said.
“You will work together your whole lives. You will swear a different oath to Thea, and she to you, when
we pass the titles to you. Together, you’ll protect and lead the pack through whatever unfolds.”
“Yes, sir,” the triplets said in unison.
“Ready?”
Thea and the triplets nodded.
Alpha Ulric, Beta Walter, and Liam led the way to a room no one ever used at the far end of the pack
house. Everyone changed into ceremonial robes. Thea changed into a flowing gown the color of the
moon.
They sat Thea at the front of the room, facing the Delta team, who were all kneeling and staring at her.
The triplets, Luna Ada, Naomi, and Beta Walter sat in chairs off to the side of the group.
The Alpha made a speech about the sacred nature of what they were about to do, the permanence,
asked if anyone wanted to back out. No one did. He went on about the specialness of Thea, the
importance of keeping her safe. Then, when it came time, he prompted each of them toe up, kneel
before her, and speak their vows. One by one, they came up, knelt in front of her, and said these
words.
“I swear by the moon goddess to protect you with my hands, my wolf, my life. I vow my life in service to
you, to do what you ask of me, to keep your secrets, to act as an extension of you, to act only in ways
that bring you honor.”
She told each man that she epted his vow. By thest one, she was ovee by the energy in the
room. It felt like the moon goddess was in the room with them, binding them all together.
Thest man took his ce with the rest of the group, and Thea stood up. She feltpelled to speak.
She didn’t notice it building inside her while each man swore their oath to her, but she was glowing.
Everyone in the room was mesmerized.
“I promise never to ask anything of you that would bring you dishonor,” Thea said.
“I promise never to ask you to do something I wouldn’t do for you. I promise I will do everything in my
power to make sure you live long, happy, fulfilled lives. Today, you be my family, my blood, my
brothers and sons. I swear it by the moon goddess.”
She noticed a dagger hanging at her waist. She didn’t remember it being there before, but it felt right to
take it and draw it across her forearm. She walked to the first man and kissed his forehead. He
instinctively knew to cut the skin where she kissed. He extended a w and made the incision.
“My brother,” Thea said. She dipped her thumb in her blood and pressed it against the open wound,
mixing their blood.
“My son.”
She walked to every man kneeling on the floor and repeated the process. She made her way back to
the front of the room and faced the men, their cuts already healed. Her glowing seemed to expand.
No, it was moving to the side.
Thea turned and saw a woman step out of her. Everyone in the room instantly knew it was the moon
goddess. Standing side by side, the resemnce was striking.
They were beautiful, dressed simrly, and had the same glowing aura. The two would be forever
synonymous in the mens’ hearts now— Thea, their Luna, avatar of the moon goddess herself.
The goddess came to sanction the oaths and strengthen the bond between them all. She used the
blood Thea gave them to establish a connection and seal Thea’s soul to theirs. They could sense Thea
now, almost like the matebond, and they would be able to protect her more effectively for the rest of
their lives. It was a gift from the goddess. The men on Delta team were honored to feel the woman they
revered.
“What you have done here is more important than you can imagine,” the goddess said to the men.
“Thank you for your sacrifices and devotion, my sons. You will be honored by all and blessed for
eternity.”
She looked to Alpha Ulric, Beta Walter, Luna Ada, and Naomi.
“Thank you for all you have done and continue to do. I chose you four for good reason.” She smiled at
them.
She looked at the triplets next.
“You’re perfect. Keep it up, my sons.” They nodded.
She turned to Thea.
Thea noticed the dagger hanging from the moon goddess’s waist. Thea felt for it at her own waist, but it
wasn’t there anymore. She wondered if the moon goddess had taken over her body during the
ceremony or just influenced her, whispering what to say and do.
The goddess held her hand in front of Thea’s arm and healed the cut. Then she took her face in her
hands and kissed her forehead. She looked into her eyes.
“Be patient and have faith, my chosen one,” she whispered to Thea.
“Follow your instincts. Yours is not an easy path, but you are the one to walk it.” Then she disappeared.