<span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">The dark heat of someone attempting to bore a hole into him with their eyes had Cyrus glancing over his shoulder, his grey-green eyes landing on Marco. The man stood away from everyone else projecting a deep loathing that had Cy’s wolf alert. Hate was an interesting scent. Holding the same sour tang as fear but more acrid and bitter. Burnt and charred around the edges. It was a hard smell to miss, made even more so when it was directed at him. Cyrus' gaze locking on the other's glare for all of a beat before he looked away. Cyrus was beyond glad that he hadn’t just gone along with the previous' Alpha's wishes. His old man hadn't been thrilled--which was an understatement--the man was livid when Cy had said fuck it to tradition and done what he'd felt was best. Of course he’d gotten all the angry lectures, was even blamed for already ruining the pack before he'd even taken proper charge of it. <br/>
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An Alpha was supposed to trust their Beta, implicitly. He didn't trust Marco. Never had and doubtfully ever would. The man was a bad decision waiting to happen. And if Cyrus couldn't allow himself to relax whenever the other male was around, how the hell was he expected to trust the man to have his back when the real bad shit happened.<br/>
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Victoria squeezing his hand drew his attention away from his <i>biggest</i> fan and onto the growing activity near the previous leaders of Blue Moon. '<i>About damn time.'</i> With how the night was going, he had a feeling he wasn't the only one who was rearing to run off some tensions. Preston's quick exit when Jay and Saoirse returned only confirming that.<br/>
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"The night is finally looking up," he said, not bothering to conceal his excitement as he pulled Victoria along after giving Jaymus and Saoirse a quick parting nod. <br/>
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"Oh sweetheart, why so nervous.“ Blue Moon's previous Luna said with a soft laugh as she noticed Victoria’s discomfort. Taking the younger woman's face between her hands she planted a soft kiss to her forehead, "Deep breath now, this is your big day.” <br/>
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The previous Alpha pulled Cy aside for a quick word.<br/>
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"Any last minute changes you want to change about this too boy?" the older male asked, his lips twisting into a wry smile. The man no doubt still bitter and working to accept Cyrus' choice of Beta. <br/>
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"Actually there was one thing," Cy quipped back, biting back a laugh at the dangerous glint in the ex Alpha's eyes as he raised an eyebrow. No doubt dreading what was about to leave his son’s mouth. "I was going to suggest you sit this one out, you’re looking a bit worn out. The party not agreeing with you?"<br/>
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"Careful boy. I may not be Alpha anymore, but I’ll have no trouble pinning you as if you were a pup."<br/>
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Cy huffed a laugh as he took a step back, the growing tingle beneath his skin alerting to his wolf pushing to be let free. "Just try to keep up old man,“ he teased before he returned to rescue his mate from his mother's doting clutches, who was asking Victoria when she and Cy planned to give her grand babies. Now that she was retired, she had plenty of time to give and with all of her own children now grown up she looked forward to the grand-babies running wild in the yard.<br/>
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"You're shameless mother. Victoria's got more important things to worry about than pups right now," he said giving his mother a quick hug before the new Alpha and Luna headed for the perimeter of the yard and the expanse of open ground that lead to the thicket of trees beyond. <br/>
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"This is really happening isn't it?" Cy muttered, low enough for only Victoria's ears. He'd had years to prepare for this night. But now that it was upon him, it was ...a lot to take in. It almost didn't seem real. "I'd ask you to pinch me, but I doubt it'd help," he chuckled, drawing a deep breath as he finally let go of his mate's hand. His wolf practically dragging him along at this point, forcing the man to turn his attention on the Change. Giving Victoria a playful wink, "Race you," he said taking off. The man and the wolf becoming one as human body gave way to the large predatory form of a wolf. A wolf with dark smoky grey--nearly black--fur that lightened into taupe along the wolf's hind legs, shoulders and thick mane.</span>