"Tommy, could you please take Abigail with you and begin preparations," Neal asked, never taking his eyes off me. 

"Yes, Sir." His words were clipped, but he bowed his head slightly and turned on his heel, leading Abi out of the room. 

When they were both safely away I couldn't hold it in any longer. "So what's his deal?"

Neal pursed his lips. "He's uneasy."

"I could gather that much on my own. He wasn't doing much to hide it. He doesn't like me, does he?"

"He believes that we are making a mistake."

"You mean he thinks you're making a mistake."

"I said what I mean, Cynthia. We made this decision together. He just has concerns."

"Like?"

Neal placed his hands on my hips. "Does it matter? It won't change the outcome."

"Neal, he's your second. He is going to be around you frequently; around us. It matters to me if it could end up having an impact on us." I wrapped my arms around his waist. 

"He is concerned because you're not a wolf. He is concerned that calling off the Merge with Ophelia was a blatant show of disrespect and that we are facing near certain war. He is concerned for the same reasons we are concerned. He just doesn't feel what we feel, so he's seeing things with a different lens. He is seeing only through the eyes of the strategist, the politician."

Neal cupped my face. "I was truthful when I said that he is in full support of my choices though. He will back me and he will come around in time."

"You mean if we don't all die."

Neal chuckled and shook his head. "That's one way to put it."

I pulled Neal over to the couch, sitting us down and I leaned over, laying on him and pressing my cheek against his chest. He snuggled up under me, with me between his legs and I lay there listening to his heartbeat while Neal wrapped his arms tight around me. I felt grounded and at peace with the strong beat against my cheek and the strength of his arms. 

We stayed there in silence, Neal absentmindedly stroked my head, his fingers running over the braids. 

What Neal said made sense, there were reasons to be concerned. And the fact that Tommy wasn't afraid to make his concerns known to Neal had to be a good thing. It meant that Tommy would push him to ensure Neal would think of all sides to make the correct decision. Yet I still felt uneasy about Tommy. I hoped that was just my own uncertainty and not something my abilities were picking up on that I just couldn't put my finger on. 

I could feel that primal need growing again, Neal's shields slipping. His heart started to pound a little faster, his breathing coming a little quicker. 

I looked up at him and caught an amber flash in his eyes. 

"It's the full moon." His voice was laced with a low growl. "I don't usually have this much trouble controlling it though."

"It's your first full moon as Alpha, not to mention all the stress you've been under."

"And you," he whispered."

"Me?"

His eyes flashed amber again and he nodded. 

I sat up and Neal dropped his hand. I quickly grabbed both of his, pinning them beside his head on the arm of the couch and straddled his waist. He let out a low growl and I cut him off with a hard press of my lips against his. I rocked my hips against him and he growled again before biting my lip. 

I gasped and opened my mouth. He took the opportunity to plunge his tongue inside, twisting with my own. 

Neal strained against the inside of his jeans and he pressed his hips up into me. I gasped into his mouth and I could feel him smile against me. I clenched his hands tighter, and I knew my nails would leave behind their crescent imprints. 

He pressed up against me again as I rocked my hips against him. Little by little his control on his shields slipped. His need and hunger burning a hole in the pit of my stomach. His desire mingling with my own. 

I pulled back slightly, our breath mingling as we both tried to catch our breaths. 

Late afternoon sun filtered in through the window, reflecting in Neal's eyes. 

"We should probably get ready," Neal said between pants. 

I kept my fingers entwined with his as I unwrapped myself from him and stood, pulling him with me. 

Neal walked us over to another room where two garment bags were hanging up. He handed one bag to me. "Here is your robe. You will want to strip down and wear only the robe. I will do the same. 

I grabbed the bag and walked it over to the other side of the room, hanging it up and unzipping the bag. Inside was a silver, silken robe trimmed in purple. I ran my hands down the smooth, cool fabric. 

I looked back at Neal just as he pulled his shirt up and over his head. The muscles in his back rippled with the movements. I bit my lip and looked back to my robe and began to undress. I stepped out of my panties last before pulling the silk robe on over my body. The fabric moved smoothly across my skin. It was still cool to the touch. 

When the sash was tied tight around my waist, I turned back around to find Neal staring hungrily at me, his own robe secure. It was the reverse of my own, purple trimmed in silver. 

Neal didn't take his eyes off me as he grabbed a short crown from the desk in the room and placed it atop his head. "It's time." He held his hand out. 

I went over and took his hand, and we made our way outside. 

"When we get there, you will stand off to the side while we go through the transfer of power. Once that has been completed, we will shift into the Merging ceremony."

I nodded and bit my bottom lip.

Neal looked at me as we walked. "You don't need to be nervous. Everything will work out just as it should, remember?"

I nodded again. I couldn't speak, if I did I had no idea what would come out. 

As we neared, I could feel the crowd and their energy. It was almost like walking into a wall. 

"They're nervous," I managed to whisper. 

"It's to be expected. Transfer of power is a nervous time. Mix that with the rumors already spreading of war and tensions will likely be high."

"Are we sure that the threat of war is likely to keep challengers away?"

"There is never any certainty, but I do know there isn't a single person eligible that I would be worried to face."

"Okay." It was all I could say. I didn't want to do anything that may cause Neal to lose his own confidence. I needed him ready and sure. I would just make sure to read the crowd. I could give him a heads up if I sensed anyone planning to challenge. 

Bouquets of white roses dipped in silver and purple lined the walkways as we neared the center of the village. Everyone gathered in the center, in front of a giant pergola draped in silver and purple silks and framed with more purple and silver dipped white roses. 

Murmurs filled the air as everyone mingled. tension and unease flitted throughout the crowd. It was nearly suffocating. 

The last bit of the sun peaked out just above the trees as we took our places under the pergola. 

"Welcome, all! Please take you seats as we begin tonight's ceremonies," Hal's voice boomed. 

The pack silenced and everyone made their way to their seats. The air didn't change though. Their tensions still ran strong, uncertainty palpable in the air. Thoughts on war, worries of losing their homes. Uncertainty that Neal was ready to take on this responsibility. 

I tried to zero in on those thoughts particularly. 

No, there wasn't a threat from them. They didn't believe they would be better suited to take on a rival pack, they just weren't sure Neal was either. 

"We are gathered here as our goddess moon begs to rise to transfer the power from one Alpha to another."

Neal stepped up with Tommy, standing and facing their fathers. Neal's father wore a crown as well, a taller version than the one Neal wore. 

"Alpha Stryker has dedicated over twenty-five years toward the leadership of our pack, defending from all threats, and ensuring our survival. Tonight, he wishes to pass on the power and honor of defending our home to his son, Neal. Are there any born members of this pack who wish to challenge Neal for the power of Alpha?"

Silence filled the air. Doubt growing, tensions raising. I scanned the crowd as I picked up on someone who desperately wanted to speak up. I stopped breathing, waiting for whoever it was to speak up. 

Nothing came. 

"As there are no takers, we will continue." I let out a deep breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, releasing it slowly. 

Here we go, I thought.