The Broken Warrior's Daughter

Chapter 0374

The announcements went as well as expected over dinner. Afterward, | took a much-needed soak, mentally thanking Cara for the muscle soak. The rest of the week beca whirlwind.

| began training with Eli and Carlos in the morning and again in the afternoon. Afternoons are now three hours of training, the first two are required for warriors in the pack and the last hour is for those that want to participate in the tournament. We found out that the packs can only take their top 20 individuals, so our members will have to battle for their right to represent our pack. Eli and | are both pleasantly surprised at the number of individuals that are vying for those positions. It seems our pack members are proud of their pack, officially named Safe Haven.

That’s right. On Tuesday after we returned to our pack, Eli received a verbal notification from Alpha Anders that our pack was approved. We are official. Then on Wednesday, Eli informed Liam that 250 of our nearly 300 pack members want to be hired to rebuild our pack. | was stunned by the numbers. Basically, everyone that isn’t a pup will be helping at slevel to rebuild. Eli wasn’t surprised at all. “Our people cfrom nothing Grace, the sas you and I. They left their packs with only the clothes on their backs in many instances. They understand the value of creating something for themselves and if they can make money for their family or future family in the process? Well, it’s the best opportunity that they've ever been given.”

Liam said he would bring his job superintendent over on Friday afternoon, since he and Angel will be staying for our ranked member ceremony on Saturday.. We've also invited Rik, Cara, Anders and Calista to participate and witness our pack becoming Official since they have helped us to make it happen.

We sent another group out hunting for meat in preparation for the festivities on Saturday. The packhouse is bustling with the anticipation of having three visiting Alphas and Lunas. Summer has been making sure that the rooms are cleaned and cleared, with fresh linens. Autumn and Amber are working to create new work schedules starting on Monday since nearly every omega working in the kitchens and packhouse requested to assist at slevel with the rebuilding effort.

Our hunters caught three wild hogs, allowing us to plan for a large barbeque with pork butts, loins and ribs. Because we have so many potatoes, we'll be making potato salad and since | had purchased pounds of macaroni when | went shopping a week ago, we have what we need to make a macaroni salad. We'll

round that out with sbaked beans, cooked slow with sbacon slices from the hogs and sfreshly made rolls.

On Friday morning, I’m approached by a couple of my pack members as | am finalizing everything for Saturday. As one woman approaches, everyone in the kitchen goes quiet.

“Luna.” | turn, looking at her, as my eyes take in the room. Everyone has stopped what they are doing to watch our interaction. My nis Anna, | am Jeremy’s mate.” “Anna, it’s nice to meet you.” | say, having no idea what is going on or why everyone is watching us.

“Luna, you may not know this, but | was a seamstress in my previous pack and we were able to find a sewing machine that my husband and | have restored.

“That’s wonderful. | know many people here need new clothes and as a pack we still don’t have the money to pay for store bought clothes. Your skills will be very helpful to the pack members.”

“Yes, well, that bringsto the reason | wanted to speak with you.and most of the females in this pack really appreciate what you and Alpha Eli are doing to give us a place to live where we can be happy and are treated with respect. And, we know that you don’t have the money to purchase a gown for your Luna ceremony.”

“That’s correct, but that’s okay. It’s about creating the pack, not about what | am wearing that’s important.”

She smiles at me, looking around the room. “Well, we disagree Luna. We wanted our Luna to stand in front of our neighboring packs’ Alphas and Lunas dressed as you should be for your inauguration. So, we all pitched in and found material that | have used to create a gown for you. | hope you don’t mind that Summer went to your room to get your measurements, but we wanted to surprise you with a gift from us, your pack, for your inauguration.”

| can feel my eyes burning and my throat constricting from the sudden flood of emotions | am feeling. As | stand there trying to get my emotions under control, another woman comes up carrying a beautiful rose gold dress with a V-neck, flared sleeves that will cto my elbows and a slit that will cup to mid- thigh. It's beautiful and the sequins which adorn the entire dress make it feel elegant in its simplicity.

“| don’t know what to say.” | whisper as | reach out to touch the gown. “It’s beautiful. | love it. Thank you all. Thank you all so much.” | say, and | fight hard,

but a single tear escapes as the women all start to cup and hug me. “Grace?” Eli walks in, concern etched in his voice. He must have felt my emotional turmoil.

“Eli. Look what the pack has giftedfor our ceremony tomorrow night.” | point to the dress, watching as a proud smile spreads across his face. He walks to me, wrapping his arm around my waist and kissing the side of my head.

“This is beautiful. Thank you all for doing this for your Luna. It’s very generous.” They all look at each other before turning back to us. “We were able to create dresses for Beta Amber and Gamma Sirona as

well, but we wanted to give Luna hers before Alpha Liam arrives and we lost our chance. We're all very proud to become members of this pack.”

“Would you liketo hang it in your closet, Luna?” Summer asks me.

“No, thank you, I'll take it.” | reach out, holding the dress up before turning to face the room again. “I cannot tell you all what this means to me. Thank you.”

| take the dress to my room, careful to hang it so the bottom doesn’t touch the floor. As | step back, looking at what must have cost my pack members every last penny they have, my heart is so full | feel like it might explode.

Cooper Author

Next up, ranked member ceremonies!