the main chamber of the large cavern. “Now, shall we name these children and celebrate their miraculous arrivals into our world?”

The young Alphas and the other Elder let out slight howls of happiness as they joined the rest of their Kingdoms in celebration. The main plateau of the room was where the two pairs of Alphas took their children to where every wolf could see. Once the wolves were settled down after waiting for so long for the celebration to begin, the Elders of each Kingdom arrived to the side of their set of Alphas, awaiting their role in the ceremony. 

“My brothers, sisters, friends from another Kingdom,” Taylor spoke up first, allowing his voice to spread throughout the room. “we gather here tonight to be joyous and celebrate the birth of the future of our Kingdoms.” The wolves howled in unison and pride for the words spoken.

“In the traditions of all heirs to the rank of Alpha, as well as all cubs born within our Kingdoms,” Sol continued. “we come to assign names to the two children born onto us nearly two nights ago and allow them to receive their official blessing from the heavenly beings that guide us day by day . . . and from the ones that shall watch them grow into Alphas that will one day make us proud to work for.” 

Again, the wolves of many colors – white, silver, black, brown, tan, and more – cried out in praise, but their loudest howls were being saved for once the names of their own kingdom’s heir was announced by their Alpha Male.

Finally, the Elders began their part of the ritual. “May the Alphas of the Sun Kingdom please step forward?” Laxel announced. Sol, followed closely behind Dionne, made their way forward close to the edge of the plateau. The light brown she-wolf carefully cradled her son within her mouth, letting the moonlight above brighten his light red-orange and white coat. Sol gazed at his tan father, who slightly nodded to him and allowed him to continue his part of the ceremony. 

“My followers of the Sun Kingdom . . . and my friends of the Moon Kingdom,” Sol introduced before proceeding. “Just a couple of days ago, my mate and I welcomed our first cub into the world. My Kingdom watched the miracle of life commence with their very eyes, but no one but me saw a wonderful sign that led to the name of my son.” He paused for a light sigh and a smile then returned to his story. “An hour after his birth, the dawning of the sun made me see something . . . amazing. I had seen the sunrise many times before, but now that I was a father . . . and my son was beside me, glowing within the light of the morning star, it was almost like . . . I was looking at the sun for the first time.” A tear swelled up and trickled down his cheeks in such pure joy and delight. “Just as my father gave me a name means “sun,” my son . . . oh, my own son shall also be given a name with the same meaning . . .” He paused again, turning to his mate and the tiny bundle that lay in her jaws. Sol smiled, nuzzling his son gently with his wet nose. “In the presence of the Great Mother who watches over us, I christen this child . . . Cyrus, my son . . . the heir of the Sun Kingdom.”

Laxel stepped beside Dionne and Sol, speaking with a surge of jubilation in his voice. “The Alpha has spoken and this child has been named! Let us praise this event with howls to the Great Mother who blesses us!” His tan muzzle was raised as a clear howl emerged deep from his throat. As he cried out, Dionne raised her mouth, raising her newly-named son into the air so that all could send him their praises by chanting out his eternal identity.  

After about two minutes of joyful cheering and chanting, the Sun Alphas stepped back and allowed the dark-gray and brown Alpha and the silver and white she-wolf to step through to name their daughter.

Just like with the Sun Kingdom’s part of the ceremony, Luna did her part as her Kingdom’s Elder Wolf. “Alphas of the Moon Kingdom, please come forward,” she spoke loud and clear. Once they halted near the edge of the plateau, the white wolf signaled to the Alpha Male with a normal voiced statement. “My Lord, it is time to reveal what name you have chosen. You can do it.” She gave him a smile of encouragement; once the Alpha Male nodded, returning the smile, Luna stepped back to where the other Alphas and Elder were. 

Taylor quickly let out a cough to clear his throat and began to speak. “Friends and Followers of our Kingdoms, we gather here to celebrate not only the birth of the young prince from the Sun Kingdom, but also the birth of my daughter of the Moon Kingdom.” He paused for a second, not really knowing what he was going to say, but the words just began to flow from his lips like water. “All my life, I have been waiting for the moment when I would have a cub of my own brought into the world, . . .” He began to let out a slight chuckle of nervousness, all while trying not to cry over the emotional moment that he was about to describe. “ . . . but I never would have dreamed of having my first-born birthed into my own paws. I thought at the time she was not so pretty to look at once she first arrived, but the moment I saw her shining coat of silver-gray, all cleaned up from being born, . . .” Now the tears he was holding back flowed through his eyes like a pair of thin-streaming waterfalls. “ . . . I truly felt so lucky to be present to have such a beautiful treasure to carry on my legacy.” Gently Renee nuzzled his cheeks with her nose, trying to dry his eyes. The pup dangling from her jaws let out a small whimper, which strangely gave the Alpha Male the strength to continue. “Only an hour after her birth, I could see the setting Moon in my daughter’s coat, and just as my friend was inspired to name his son after the Sun, I name my daughter after the Moon; now, in the presence of all members of the Moon Kingdom, both present and those that live on within the Royal Kingdom of Heaven, I would like to introduce the heir of the Moon Kingdom, . . . my shining star of a daughter, . . . Her Royal Highness, Princess Selene.”

Just as the Sun Kingdom praised the naming of the Sun Kingdom heir, Renee lifted her daughter as high as she could, allowing her people to howl their joy towards the acceptance of the cub’s new name. 

“Our heir has been named!” Luna howled, smiling in pride in her heart. “Now all have heard the christening of the princess, raise up your voices and show your praise!”

The other wolves howled with joy, while some began to chant the Moon Kingdom heir’s name aloud. Taylor’s tears were streaking down his cheeks as his daughter’s name echoed through his ears. 

“Ah, Selene . . . my little girl,” the Moon Alpha male murmured with a joyous sigh, still listening to the cries of glorification for his first-born child.

“What a perfect name for your daughter,” Sol approached his friend and showed his appreciation. “She is indeed beautiful, and it suits her well, Taylor.” 

“As does your son’s,” the gray and brown wolf replied back. “Cyrus . . . such a strong sounding name for a future Alpha; I’m sure he will truly live up to his name.”

The she-wolves finally rejoined their mates and nuzzled them sweetly as the elder Laxel stood in front to complete the ceremony and begin the feast. “Now, a final announcement before we begin our celebration. As the Elders of our Kingdoms, Luna and I have both sensed a feeling of importance with these two young cubs.” He paused for a moment, unsure of how to continue on without causing concern for the real feelings of worry within him. 

“Allow me to finish for you, Elder Laxel,” the white elder she-wolf whispered into his tan ear. He nodded and stepped aside, giving Luna the permission to complete the latest announcement. Now speaking in a louder voice, she began to explain the latest agreement from moments before. “Our world is changing, my friends, and it has come to my . . . and Elder Laxel’s attention that something is brewing within our future . . .” She paused, hearing the gasps of fear and worry from the over one hundred lupines that had gathered. Luna wasn’t afraid of telling them the truth of the situation, for she knew that the Sun Kingdom was strong enough to protect and help raise the young prince while she and the rest of the Moon Kingdom could protect the princess. “. . . but we should fear not, my friends – Destiny’s hand has paved a path for us that would secure victory for all of us, thanks to the births of the Alpha heirs.” Again she paused, allowing the words to sink into the ears of all who could hear her.

Laxel, realizing that Luna had added that slight bit of worry to their former subjects, revealed the finale of their announcement. “After speaking with both Alpha couples, it has been agreed and approved . . . that the newborn heirs be betrothed; once they reach the age of maturity and the ritual of adulthood is completed, Cyrus and Selene will be joined forever in marriage, thus their union will save us all.” 

After a couple of moments to think this sudden news over, a rush of cheers filled the entirety of the chamber. A few howls blared out, showing their approval of the idea of a joining of the two cubs once they grew old enough. Actually, most of the wolves present had never experienced a betrothal within their lifetimes, so they probably thought nothing bad of it.

“Now, let us feast and be merry, my brethren and friends,” Laxel proclaimed. “and praise our new heirs!” He again raised his muzzle, shouting his praise to the heavens so the Great Mother could hear. “Long live Prince Cyrus!” 

Luna quickly joined him. “Long live Princess Selene!”

The other wolves also followed in harmonious wails to their deities, repeating the chant and letting out a howl in near unison. “Long live Prince Cyrus! Long live Princess Selene!” 

Once the final cheer