Chapter 17
"Welcome my fellow pack mates. It's glad to be here," my father said.
The crowd cheered for him like they always did. Then went quiet once he cleared his throat.
"Thank you very much for your appreciation. We gather here today for accepting a new pack mate," he said.
Everyone murmured among themselves, all confused yet excited. My father chuckled.
"You may be confused on who this new pack mate is. But you've probably seen her around these past few weeks. Let me introduce you to Iris Lace, our new pack mate. Maxwell, will you do the honors of bringing her up?" my father said.
Maxwell walked up the aisle with Iris. She looked stunning in the dress but made me sick to my stomach. Everyone watched as they walked to the stage, and to where my father stood. Maxwell kissed the top of her hand, making me clench my jaw. Iris blushed and took my father's hand. A table was brought up onto the stage. My father led Iris to the back of the table so they were facing the crowd. Mich.e.l.le and Ilene brought up a bowl and a dagger to the table. Then stood on each of their side. Then my father began speaking again.
"Do you Iris Lace accept the pack bond?" he asked.
"I do," she replied.
"Will you protect the pack with your life?" he asked.
"I will. I'll protect everyone here from our enemies
"Then I proclaim you as the first werecat in recorded history. By cutting your palm and letting your blood drip into this bowl full of dirt of the pack grounds, the pack bond will be complete," my father said handing the dagger over to Iris.
Iris took the dagger and slit her palm, then squeezed the blood into the bowl. I could feel Iris become part of the pack, so could everyone else. Iris held her hand from the impact of hearing everyone's thoughts through the pack mind link. They were all curious to see her s.h.i.+ft. It was their first werecat in 10 years. The last of the feline kind. My father put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and nodded. He must've tried to see if she could use her mind link and if she was alright. His smile told us that it went perfectly well.
"Everything went well. That's half of the ceremony complete," my father said.
Half? What does he mean by that? Iris went to where Maxwell was at.
"I would like my son to come up now," my father said wiping the blood off the dagger.
I walked up to him.
"Yes father?" I said.
"Is it true that you cheated on Iris? That you ran because she's the last of her kin?" my father questioned me.
I swallowed down my anger.
"Yes, I cheated on her. Yes, I ran away from her because she's the last of her kin. But she's also from the Minenki Clan that was in Ritsem, Sweden 10 years ago. She's the one person I don't want to be with. Why did the Moon G.o.ddess pair us together? I don't know why. But it was a mistake," I said slowly letting my anger show.
Everyone looked from one to another. Mich.e.l.le and Ilene looked at me with anger and disgust. My father was disappointed. Iris was hurt, and Maxwell, Liam, and Josephine were there helping her out. My mom had a smirk on her face, which made my dad even more frustrated and disappointed. I waited for my father to say something.
"Lucius, what are you planning on doing?" Liam asked.
"What I should've done those weeks ago. I, Lucius Lyons, reject you, Iris Lace, as my mate," I said staring straight at Iris.
Liam and everyone else gasped in shock. My father was taken back but didn't show it. My mother had a wicked grin on her face. Iris was in tears by now. She was so hurt from being rejected. Then my father spoke.
"Iris, do you accept the rejection?" he asked smoothly.
"W-would it get rid of the pain?" Iris asked.
"It should numb the pain. But you would feel incomplete and depressed," Maxwell said.
Seconds turned into minutes, which felt like hours. Iris was holding her chest while we patiently waited for her response.
"I-I accept the rejection. I, I-Iris Lace, reject you, Lucius Lyons, as my mate," Iris said weakly.
"Do you accept the rejection Lucius?" my father asked.
"Yes, I accept the rejection," I said sternly.
I felt the bond between Iris and I break. It was painful but not enough to have me screaming in agony. Iris, on the other hand, screamed b.l.o.o.d.y murder before slumping into Maxwell's arms. He held her close to him, making me even more p.i.s.sed off than I already was.
"Now since that's done, we can continue. As former Alpha of the pack and the head leader of the elders, I, Marcus Lyons, disown you as my son, strip your alpha t.i.tle from you, and ban you from the pack making you rogue. You won't be accepted by any other pack and will be lonely for the rest of your life," my used-to-be father said.
That's it. I growled, s.h.i.+fted, and took off running into the woods, not turning back to see my mother cry as she yelled my name and begged me to stay.