Instead of coming into my open arms, he adjusted his suit and gave me a smug smile before looking at Caspien.
“I wanted to match Dad.”
Caspien swallowed and knelt down. Emmett walked into the elevator and gave us a spin.
“I am honored,” Caspien said, pulling him up into his arms and standing up. So much for my hug I guess.
I didn’t have to look behind me to know that our parent’s eyes were already misting over again. Emmett was showered with well-deserved praise as we descended to the main area of the packhouse.
This Luna ceremony was different than what I prepared for in the past. I wasn’t prepared actually, at all. I didn’t know the pack. I didn’t even know the packhouse that well. It was different from when I was supposed to take over the pack I had known since birth. I wondered if I would be accepted not just as Caspien’s mate but as everyones Luna. I felt like an imposter for the first time in a while.
We are going to be a d.amn good Luna, no matter what pack it is. But Crescent City is home; it’s where our family is.
I nodded at Iris’ words.
Are you okay? – Caspien asked, I looked up at him, and his gaze was fixed on me. Emmett was touching his beard, ignoring us.
I nodded.
What is it?
I just realized I don’t even know where the kitchen is in this pack. I haven’t been part of it really, and I don’t want to seem like an outsider.
You’re not, you’re their Luna, and you have been making decisions for them and protecting them for some time now. You were fated to lead this pack by my side.
Caspiens eyes shone with pride, and my heart swelled at his words.
I know, I want to do a good job more than anything. I want to make the pack proud.
Our pack. And you will. You are everything they need in a Luna and more – they will see that.
He reached for my hand and rubbed the back of it in circles.
The center of the packhouse common area was empty, leaving space for a small circular stage.
Past that, pack members pressed in. They pushed into the railings of the balconies above. Their faces were illuminated by the light of more candles than I thought possible. No other lights were on. In between the natural greenery of the plants crawling up the open hallways above, there were white flowers. The place smelled amazing.
“Is this a fire hazard?” I whispered to Caspien, trying to calm my nerves with some humor.
He laughed and looked around, shrugging, “We have a very good sprinkler system.”
It was tasteful, simple yet elegant, and even if we had more than a few days to plan it, this was everything that I wanted.
“Thank you, it’s perfect,” I looked back at Grace, and she beamed at me but still looked a little nervous.
“I didn’t have much-” She sted.are
“It’s perfect,” I cut her off. She nodded, her eyes welling up.
Caspien handed Emmett to my dad, and they went to wait by the foot of the stage while Caspien and his parents led me to the stage.
There was a microphone, and I was glad that I couldn’t see the faces around me. There were more eyes on me than I had ever had before, I wondered how Caspien got used to this, but he wasn’t one who even seemed to notice anyone around him. I wondered what part of that was learned and how much of it was truly him.
Caspien stood before me and took both my hands in his, enveloping mine in his steady warmth. He looked at me with a mix of shock, awe, and adoration.
I can’t believe this is happening – He linked me, blinking a few times.
Was he going to cry? He couldn’t because then I would just from sheer nerves alone.
The room slipped away as I studied him. His familiar face, his eyes that I saw every time I closed mine.
My perfect match, my counterpart, my Caspien.
He was the only thing that was real at this moment, and I slipped into a calming comfort despite the hundreds of curious eyes on me.
I knew I could do anything as long as it was with him.
“I know not many of you have had the pleasure of meeting your future Luna,” The King started, “But that will change soon. The person that you will meet is the most caring, strong, supportive, loving, and resilient person that I have ever met.”
My breath caught at Rendell’s words. Did he really mean that? I tore my gaze from my mates and looked at him, and Rendell was staring at me with such fatherly affection it took everything in me not to spill the happy tears I was holding back. “You will find no better leader for this pack and for the future of Crescent Moon. Your Queen and I are honored to have her by our son’s side leading you.”
He said some more formal words, but I was lost again in Caspien’s gaze. It was so intense I had never experienced anything like it, even from him.
“Now, let us welcome your Luna officially.” Caspien squeezed my hand to bring my attention back to the real world.
Since I was already part of the pack, this ceremony was slightly different than before, but still involved the chalice and my and Caspien’s blood mixing. “Wilhelmina Balfour, do you promise to protect your pack, lead with integrity, and obey your Alpha?-“
“Take out the last part.” Caspien almost growled. His voice was low.
Rendell paled, “Sorry, habits, old words.” He scrambled. Grace looked with pride at her son giving him a nod.
“Do you promise to protect your pack, lead with integrity, and lead alongside your Alpha?” He amended, looking a bit red.
“I do.”
He asked a few other questions but no matter what he said I swore it on my blood. To stand beside my mate, to protect our family and our pack.
My blood seemed to awaken; it hummed inside me. This was right; this was where I was supposed to be all along.
I didn’t feel the pain of the cut, I didn’t look away from Caspien’s icy eyes. Our blood mingled and pooled together and dripped slowly into the chalice.
A wind swept around us, blocking out everything else.
It was only us. It was only ever us.
This was destiny.
The wind died down after minutes, or maybe mere moments.
My hair settled on my back and I looked around.
The room was pitch black, all of the candles went out.
Everything was silent before cheers erupted, the only indication that anyone else was there. I smiled widely at the acceptance and thanked the Moon Goddess for the show, proving that we were a strong-fated pair.
“Okay everyone,” Grace’s voice came over the microphone, I could tell she was smiling, “Would you would all assist in re-lighting the candles, really it would be a shame to waste them. Then let’s let the party begin.”
I laughed as sheer excitement and relief overcame me.
Slowly the lights started around us like fallen stars lighting up our own constellation in this slice of the world.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.