Life After the Storm novel Chapter 81

I am shocked, I don't even know what to do. I stand as I'm watching everyone clapping. They named me their alpha. As the crowd grips hold of me and pushes me forward, my feet are moving, but it feels like I'm floating. I am trying to register what is happening, But I don't know how.

I have never seen myself much as a leader. I have always just followed those who are in charge. Not knowing what to say or do at the most important times. I become nervous, what if I'm not cut out for this. They chose me to lead them, but what if I lead them to their death.

As I make it up the steps to the stage. I look over at the crowd of people and I become terrified. Wondering why the elders of the pack feel that I am capable of being their leader. As I raise my hand for those to be silent. I begin to feel different. My doubt is leaving and confidence is taking over. Shocked as It becomes quite so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Just for a moment, I take in the silence and just enjoy it, loving the noise of the birds tripping and the leaves blowing in the wind.

I take a deep breath and I begin to move my lips. “I am surprised, probably as much as some of you are. In the recent events of the attack and Jayden's disappearance. These events have been challenging, and I am just trying to keep it together. I am grateful that the elders chose me to lead this pack.”

Landon's mom cuts in, what is she doing. I wasn't done speaking. “Applaud your new alpha. The next great leader of your time.”

As the crowd is applauding, I'm angry with Landon's mother. I go to give her a piece of my mind, but then she begins to whisper in my ear. “My sweet child I know that you did not ask for this, but this is your destiny, do not deny them for they will be alone and become a target build this pack until it becomes unstoppable.”

I calm myself as I watch all those that are cheering for me, the children who are jumping up-and-down clapping their hands. Their parents gripping on to their other little hand praying That the battle that is coming won't be their end, that I will lead them to the victory that we all deserve.

I have no other choice but to accept the honor that has been given to me. I cannot let any more pain come to this pack. I stand on the stage with my feet firm on the ground As I raise my right hand to the sky as I accept the role as their new alpha. Believe it or not, no one is more shocked than me. 

As I'm glancing over the crowd, that's when I see Landon, I can feel the anger radiating from him. I try not to let it show that it's bothering me. It's not like I was second best. They didn't choose me because he was not here. They choose me because I am the best leader for this pack. I look away from him trying To not let it bother me, but when I go to look back to see him he is gone.

The crowd begins cheering. I want to be happy, but a feeling of guilt is overcoming me. I would like to leave and go find him to make sure he's OK. But I'm aware that My duty is to this pack, not to him. The pull that I had to him is no longer there, it has disappeared. I once followed him, but now it is gone and my loyalty to him has faded. My loyalty now lies in my pack.

The crowd begins yelling. They want direction, they want revenge, but that isn't what is about to happen. I'm not having my pack turn dark and hurting Innocence. We will be better than all the rest of the packs. We will have the strengths of hundreds because I am their protector.

I take a deep breath, nervous how they will react to what I'm about to say. “ I am grateful that I was chosen to be your Alpha. I know that a lot has happened the past couple of weeks that has tested us. I want for all of us to have a fresh start to a happier future. That's why I find it in the best interest of the pack is for us to leave and not look back.”

The crowd begins to roar in anger, What you want us to run away and not fight is what cowards do."

Those that don't agree with me, I understand your confusion. I will not build my pack from hatred and revenge. Strength isn't about who is stronger. There is more strength and forgiving those that have hurt us. I'm not asking you to leave your home if you choose to stay that That is your choice I will leave it to you.

There has been so much pain, I believe everyone deserves a fresh start. And those packs to think we are weak will soon figure out how wrong they are. We will fight back, but we will not kill those that surrender. Power isn't about how many people you can kill. 

As your alpha, I will protect you the best that I can, but I will not kill if it's not needed. We are killing our own kind, and we don't even know what we're fighting for. Is it power or is it a gift that 1 of us may have? We don't deserve to be taken. I will protect those that stand beside me and fight for what actually is right. It is So easy to kill. Why not challenge yourself to forgive?

I am your leader, those that decide to follow and those that decide not to, I will leave The Choice to you. But I can promise you that I will be the best alpha that I can be, not for myself but for you. I found that my family was not killed by a car accident. But was a target for my power.

I wanted revenge more than anything. I wanted to make those that hurt my family suffer. Then I figured out, no matter if they're suffering, it's not going to bring them back. If I live my life wanting revenge, all it's going to do is build hatred and darkness in me. I choose to live a life of happiness. I will miss them always. They might be gone, but they will never be forgotten.

I then hear a familiar voice, “All bow to your new Alpha.”

As the crowd bowls down, I see a familiar face. Then I hear star screaming “mate you're alive.”