The Broken Warrior’s Daughter by Cooper

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 |. 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.

“I 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 becmembers of this pack.”

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

“No, thank you, Ill 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!