Chapter 18
Morgana's POV:
After Yaya recovered from her ordeal she was determined to wake Izz and make sure that she was officially given the title of Alpha, she would not be the first female Alpha of The Osupa, but she would be the first who is Gamma born. Her grandfather from her mother was Alpha but died in the last Great Werewolf War, so she does have Alpha blood.
"Yaya are you sure this is the right course of action right now?" I ask unsure. While grinding some herbs that are needed for the ritual. The girls Jolene and Kendra have been very helpful finding the ingredients and materials we needed, and Yaya has promised to train them as Priestess assistants. She has experience in training since she trained her own daughter Dana, but they needed permission from the Alpha.
"It's the ONLY course we have right now... she is the only one I trust to handle all of this in this moment. The Elders are just for guiding the new generation of leaders, Yadiel is dead, The Luna is in no condition to lead and we can never allow the military to take command. Good thing that Braka understands this fact more than anyone." She states while preparing the correct ingredients into a bronze goblet. Yaya will have to take the potion to overcharge her power to be able to transfer it into Iza. "I have already been training Iza to complete her High Priestess training, she still has a way to go, but since she stopped traveling so much we have been able to make a lot of progress."
I see Yaya's Mark turn orange heating the mixture in the goblet, then the light turned bright pink and the potion turned pale pink. "Are you ready to recite the enchantment?" She asks. This will be the first time assisting Yaya in this ritual, but I have assisted both of them in other rituals before and to even increase my knowledge, I had the honor to be invited to Avalon. Iza and Yaya would reminisce of the beauty of Avalon in their childhood, but it took me going there to actually understand their connection to the place. I was even presented with the ancient spell book of my ancestor Margaine Le Fey, who is also my namesake.
"Ready!" I answer, and recite the enchantment afterwards Yaya drank the entire contents of the goblet and her Mark was instantly turned into very bright ultramarine blue. At that moment Izzy's Mark shone bright ultramarine blue as well, her eyes started fluttering and she began tremble. I want to go to Izzy, but Yaya holds me... "This must be done, she is in no pain, but her body is registering the power surge, be still."
Suddenly Iza became still and opened her eyes and sat up on the bed... "How long have I been out?" She says wiping the sleep from her eyes.
"Just a few hours." Yaya responds.
"YAYA! Where the hell have you been?!" Loiza is definitely awake now.
"Sleeping more than you child!" And she starts laughing.
Iza looks at me and I nod telling her that Yaya didn't betray us. Iza just rolls her eyes... "So what is our next move? Do you think Dark Elemental power was used on the mountain?" Iza asks.
"I have that suspicion, however that is not our next move right now. We have to determine who our new Alpha is to be able to move forward with a level head, someone everyone agrees on." Yaya replies.
"Ok, you are the senior Priestes--" Iza starts.
"NO! I am an Elder, it's not my place, Loiza you know damn well it MUST be you! You have the support of the military, the Luna, the Pack and Avalon." Yaya was direct and to point. And Loiza's face was pale, she looks at me trying to find a way out, but Yaya is not wrong.
"And what will happen when I fully accept my mate and become Luna of The Blood Moon Pack?" Izzy brings up a good point.
"We will cross that bridge when we get there, besides, you are mates...it doesn't mean you will be Luna." I can see Iza's confused stare.
"Enough! We must complete this ritual before dawn. I will link Braka to get the blood of current heads of families here and representatives of anyone on the boats." I can clearly see and feel Iza is very uncomfortable with all of this, but since living with The Osupa for the past years as Bayoán's mate has taught me anything is that the Pack goes first and everyone knows their duty to it. Iza nodded in apprehensive acceptance.
"Good you came to your senses! Now let's make you Alpha! Let's see what you got in your bug out bag...ok, good we have a Priestess cloak, we will find something suitable for under it! Come, come, we have no time to waste!" We leave the pack house to go deep into the woods behind it where there is already a bond fire with most everyone of the pack.
We had found a simple cotton dress with long sleeves and a simple colar... funny enough the white dress and Izzy's red cloak made her look like Little Red Riding Hood!
The ceremony was simple... Iza drank the blood of every head or representative of a family mixed with warm wine and a combination of herbs. After Yaya and I recited an encantation, then General Braka took a knee in front of Iza swearing fealty to her from the military and the whole pack followed by kneeling and submitting to their new Alpha.
We all felt it at once...the full shift of power of the pack directed at Loiza.
Iza's Mark shined bright violet and her eyes were fully white. The entire pack started chanting: "CACIQUE! CACIQUE!" Over and over...The old Taíno word for chief, before the Greek alphabet was in use in the Western Hemisphere.
Our ceremony attracted the interest of many Blood Moon pack members including Izzy's mate, his Beta and their father. But since Loiza is a Priestess she also needs the Moon Goddess's Blessing to be in full command. And right on time her manifestation enters the ceremony... four pillars start forming around Loiza like raising tornadoes. One of fire, another of air, another of earth and lastly one of water. They reached to the heavens. Loiza's face is serene as her eyes close taking in the Blessing. And just like that, the pillars fall and everything goes quiet. Loiza opens her eyes and they are bright amber again and she steps forward taking down her hood: "I am Loiza Mirabal, Cacique and Alpha of The Osupa Pack of Karaya Island, if there is any challenger to my rule step forward and remind your loved ones on how to honor your death!" Yaya looked pleased.