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I smiled broadly as I walked up to the stage. I watched Ryan as he sat on a throne from a distance. Before him, a large group of possibly hundreds of people were waiting.

He stood up and said, "I'd like you all to give a warm welcome to your Stella, Marina."

Cheers erupted from the audience as I hesitantly approached Ryan.

This is the surprise, then? As soon as I was close to Ryan, I started whispering.

He grinned, "You did say no party, but you didn't say I couldn't have your greeting ceremony."

I said the oath before the joining of the blood, and then we got began. The ritual continued until there was. It was time for Ryan to declare my membership in the North Pack.

"Alpha" a voice exclaimed over the muted murmuring in the throng.

They are approaching.

Marina's POV

They're approaching.

A pack of wolves charged in our direction before we had a chance to react or prepare. I saw a dazzling flash of yellow from the distance heading towards me, but owing to the shock I was fixed