Free The Club by Yvette Hines Page A

had instructed her, Olivia moved closer to his mother. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs Wulfene.”
    Waving her hand away, Ziona said, “Please don’t even bother with formalities—you will be my daughter after tonight. Call me Mother, or Ziona if it’s more comfortable.” The older woman pulled her into a hug.
    The embrace was so fierce and strong, Olivia allowed herself a moment to relax against the pack mother and accept the affection. Something she had never had from anyone except Kelsey, and now Trae.
    Pulling back, Olivia smiled at her. “I’d like to call you ‘Mother’, if you don’t mind.”
    “Perfect.” Grabbing Olivia’s hand, she turned to her son. “Trae. I’m very proud of you this night.” When Trae rounded the front of the car and stood before them, his mother kissed him on the cheek.
    “Then let’s not keep them waiting.” Trae took Olivia’s free hand and squeezed it.
    Olivia looked down at their joined hands, and at the hand his mother still held, and was filled with happiness. She allowed them to lead her through the trees and onto a short path through the woods. The echo of a multitude of voices announced that they were nearing the others way before they broke through the trees and into a large clearing. It was well-lit, with more lanterns on tall poles spiked into the ground. It looked like a huge family reunion, with tents on the outskirts of the group billowing out the delicious aromas of various types of food.
    As if sensing they had arrived, the group parted and created an opening to the centre of the circle, where two men stood. One of the men was at least six-foot-three in height, broad-shouldered and with the same colouring and stance as Trae—indomitable. The other man was shorter, with long, jet-black hair that reached his ankles, and he wore the garb of an ancient shaman.
    Ziona and Trae didn’t pause or speak to anyone as they maintained a steady pace towards the two men.
    “My son.” The tallest man placed a hand on Trae’s shoulder.
    Trae’s mother released her hand, kissed her on the cheek, then moved to stand next to her husband.
    “My Alpha, may I present my mate to you and to our pack?” Trae’s voice was strong and clear.
    “You may.” Trae’s father looked from his son to Olivia.
    Olivia’s heart began to beat faster. What if this man doesn’t like me? She hadn’t looked around, but she was sure among the massive crowd there would be were females who might have been a better choice.
    But not my mate , Trae declared. “This is Olivia, the one the Great Spirit has chosen for me.”
    “I, Romel Wulfene, welcome you to our pack, Olivia. I am sure you will lead well beside my son.” Romel didn’t smile, or hug her, but his hazel eyes were filled with pride.
    “Thank you. I will do my best to put my Alpha first and care for our pack.” Olivia recited the words Trae had instructed her to say. As she stood there beside the man she loved, she could feel the stares of the people around her. Her back felt as if it was on fire, knowing everyone was observing her mark—Trae’s mark.
    “We honour the selection of the Great Spirit.” The shaman appeared small and frail beside the large Alpha wolf, but his voice boomed and carried across the sea of people. “Olivia shall be received and accepted by all.”
    Cheers and howls went up around her and, for the first time, she looked away from the small group in the centre of the circle and allowed her gaze to roam the faces of the Wulfene pack members, her new family.
    The shaman continued to speak. “Let the induction begin!” He spoke a chant over her and Trae, speaking in a language that sounded both foreign and ancient to Olivia’s ears. Then he pulled a small phial out of his hip pouch and smeared an oily substance on Trae’s forehead. The smell reminded her of combination of ginseng and cedar wood.
    When the shaman had finished, all the men began to head towards a dark tent almost hidden by trees.