The full moon had turned Silverpeak territory into something straight out of a fairy


    tale. Ancient oaks wrapped in silver ribbons, glowing moonflower petals scattered


    everywhere, air thick with pine and mint. Representatives from every pack formed


    a massive circle in the sacred clearing-silver robes, deep blue Shadow Creek


    traditional wear, and Silverpeak''s ck-and-gold formal gear all shimmering


    under moonlight.


    This was history in the making. The Alpha King''s Luna ceremony. Two powerful


    packs officially joining forces.


    In the prep room, Ava stood before a full-length mirror while Sarah fastened the


    traditional Luna headdress. Silver with embedded moonstones that caught the


    light like captured starlight.


    "You look like the Moon Goddess herself," Sarah whispered, tears threatening to


    spill.


    Ava took a deep breath, studying her reflection. The silver-blue gown fit perfectly,


    Sophia''s family ne catching the light at her throat, emeralds matching her


    eyes. She actually looked like a real Luna.


    "I''m ready," she said quietly.


    Meanwhile, ke stood in another room getting his Alpha King formal wear


    adjusted by Tyler. ck silk embroidered with golden wolf heads, shoulder


    badges marking his ruler status.


    "Boss, Tyler said, straightening a sleeve, "gotta say, never seen you this wound


    up."


    ke chuckled, "Not wound up. Excited. Been waiting forever to tell the whole


    world she''s mine."


    Lucas bounced around the room, carefully clutching the family ne box.


    "Dad, I won''t drop it! I practiced like a million times!"


    "I know you''ll be perfect, son." ke crouched down, adjusting Lucas''s tiny formal


    wear. "After tonight, Ava''s officially your mom."


    "She''s already my mom!" Lucas said, practically vibrating with excitement. "Now


    everyone else gets to know it!"


    When the moon hit its peak, the ceremony began.


    Ancient horn calls echoed through the forest. All chatter stopped. An elderly wolf


    elder stepped onto the central stone tform, silver beard gleaming in moonlight,


    voice carrying ancient authority.


    "Tonight, under the Moon Goddess''s witness, we gather to see the sacred union


    of Alpha King ke Morgan and Ava Rivers."


    ke stood center stage in full Alpha King regalia, moonlight making him look like


    something from old legends. His eyes swept the crowd, but when the gates


    opened, his attention lockedpletely.


    William led Ava toward the tform. Her silver-blue Luna gown flowed like liquid


    moonlight, every step graceful and regal. When their eyes met, the whole world


    seemed to hold its breath.


    Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even folks who''d questioned her before had to


    admit-she was born for this.


    Lucas followed seriously behind, clutching that ne box like his life


    depended on it, face scrunched with concentration and pride.


    "Who gives this woman to the Alpha King?" the wedding elder asked.


    "I, William Rivers, Alpha of Shadow Creek, give my daughter Ava Rivers to ke


    Morgan," William''s voice rang clear and strong. "May the Moon Goddess bless


    their union."


    ke stepped forward, taking Ava''s hand. Electric current shot through both of


    them, their golden marks glowing bright enough for everyone to


    see the sacred connection.


    "Ava Rivers, ke began the ancient vows, his voice carrying across the silent


    night, ''before the Moon Goddess, before my people, I swear to you: I''ll protect


    you with my strength, guard you with my life, love you with my heart, until the


    stars fall and the moon rises no more


    Ava''s eyes sparkled with tears, but her voice stayed rock-steady. "ke Morgan,


    before the Moon Goddess, before your people, I sweat to you. I''ll stand beside


    you in battle, share your joys and sorrows, be your strength andfort, until the


    stars fall and the moon rises no more.


    The wedding elder raised an ancient silver cup filled with mixed blood symbolizing


    the joining of two packs. "Drink this wine, let your fates be forever intertwined."


    They took turns drinking, ancient magic flowing through the air.


    Then came the most sacred moment. Since ke had already marked Ava, the


    elder was about to skip the marking part, but ke suddenly spoke up.


    "Wait." He turned to Ava, eyes full of love and request. "Ava, will you mark me?


    Let everyone know I''m yours, just like you''re mine?"


    Moved gasps swept the crowd. Mutual marking meantplete equality-


    incredibly rare in werewolf society.


    Ava nodded, tears spilling over. She gently bit that special spot on ke''s neck,


    leaving her own golden mark. When both marks glowed together, the entire


    clearing lit up with golden light.


    Magic pulled them into movement, guided by invisible forces. They began the


    traditional werewolf bonding dance, moving in perfect sync like they''d been


    dancing together for centuries.


    At the celebration''s peak, the wedding elder announced loudly, "Now I have the


    honor of presenting Alpha King ke Morgan and Luna Ava Morgan of


    Silverpeak!"


    Cheers shook the sky, startling wildlife deep in the forest.


    But during the celebration, as Ava tasted the traditional foods, something felt off.


    The honey cake had this weird metallic taste, and the wine didn''t taste right either.


    She figured it was nerves and excitement, but the feeling left her puzzled.


    The celebration feast took over ckwood Manor''s great hall. Long tables loaded


    with specialties from every pack, magical candlelight dancing in crystal sses,


    music andughter filling every corner.


    "Look at our Luna," E teased, walking up to Ava, "from training ground wild child


    to this elegant thing. I barely recognize you!"


    Ava shot back, "Don''tugh at me when you''re about to run off to the human


    world chasing artistic dreams!"


    The girls'' easy banter got everyone around themughing, warm vibes spreading


    through the room.


    Sophia stood up, raising her ss. "I need to announce something," her voice


    carried across the hall. "Soon, I''ll be following Priestess Lyra to Northern Lights


    to study ancient rituals and traditions."


    Surprised murmurs swept through the crowd, but most people seemed impressed


    by her courage.


    Even with farewellsing, nobody felt sad. This was about new beginnings,


    growth, finding their own path.


    William, as Shadow Creek''s new Alpha, was building connections with other pack


    leaders, discussing future cooperation and development.


    After the feast, ke and Ava finally got some alone time. They walked into the


    nanor gardens, moonlight casting silver halos around them.


    "How''s tonight feeling?" ke asked, pulling her close.


    "Like a dream," Avá answered softly, "But the most beautiful dream ever.


    "You mentioned helping Lyra find Thomas," Ava brought up. "When do we start?"


    "Already got Tyler doing preliminary investigation," ke said. "But we need more


    details. Just Thomas Wilson'' is way toomon.


    "We could get the team involved," Ava said excitedly. "E could help before she


    leaves, and Sophia could use her friendship with Lyra to get more details.


    "Done deal," ke kissed her forehead. "Tomorrow we start making detailed


    ns."


    They fell asleep in each other''s arms, on this perfect night, at the beginning of


    their new life together.