We have a hearty brunch at Mom’s cabin, which is a lot less rxed than it was here yesterday. Different people rush in and around us. I can barely keep up with it all as I finish eating, and I’m quickly whisked away by Aleisha to the shower. Next is hair and makeup, and three different she-wolves crowd around me as they primp and prime me to their idea of perfection. Before I know it, I’m standing in front of the silk ck dress. Am I ready for this? Fuck, it doesn’t even matter at this point if it gets me back to my mates, I’ll be happy. I take the dress off the hanger and step into it carefully, pull it up and over my shoulders and adjust the little golden chain around my waist. It fits like a glove, showing off my thin waist and curvy hips. My hair is tied up in an intricate curly bun, with bits of hair out framing my face. My brothers had apparently sent the golden tiara that sits upon my head, and the gold diamond teardrop earrings are a gift from Mom. The shoes are from Aleisha; she said she had to have some sort of say in the outfit, and they are indeed perfect. They have a wide bottom on the heel, so I won’t sink into the grass, and they tie up and around my legs with pretty ck leather straps. Sure, you can’t see thempletely under the dress, but when I walk, the slit in my dress shows it off perfectly. All in all, I look fucking hot if I say so myself.
“Are you ready, darling?” Mum asks as shees through the door. “Oh my…you look beautiful!”
“Thanks, Mum. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
“Oh, pish posh, you would have been fine without me. Come on now, the moon is just starting to rise.”
We slip out of the cabin into the early night and take the short walk to the packhouse, where I can see the ceremony in the distance. There are white chairs across thewn filled with pack members, fairy lights are strung up in trees, there’s a makeshift aisle and stage set up with rows of red roses everywhere. Behind that, to the side are marquees with tables and a dance floor, everything is decorated in different shades of reds, cks and whites, and it’s breathtaking. As we reach the end of the path, I’m met by my brothers.
“Usually it is customary for the father to walk the future Luna down the aisle, but in his absence, we would be honoured to walk with you,” Mchi says softly while Julius and Arztec hold out their arms for me.
“I would like that a lot, thank you,” I say softly in return, giving Mom and Aleisha a kiss on the cheek and a thank you as they go to take their seats.
While Arztec and Julius walk beside me, Mchi walks directly behind me, and we reach the bottom of the aisle, where soft music begins to y, and my mates turn around to face me. Their eyes are blown wide, and I swear I see a few tears that are quickly wiped away as we approach them. Mchi takes my hand when we reach the steps and leads me to one side of the stage, across from my four mates.
“We, Alpha Kings, Mchi, Julius and Arztec, present your future Luna, Evelina.
My mates bow to my brother before thetter turns to stand at the rear of the stage, facing us and the crowd.
Mchi’s voice speaks loudly, carrying across the garden as he begins the ceremony.
“It is with great honour this evening that we gather here today to witness the ascension of Xavier, Haiden, Noah and Levi to Alpha’s of the Red Moon pack, and Evelina to the ascension of their Luna, the Luna to the Red Moon pack. This quintet has been blessed by the Moon Goddess with a true mate bond, and I, Alpha King Mchi, can testify to this bond. Do you, Xavier, Haiden, Noah and Levi, ept the responsibility to protect, care for and rule over the Red Moon Pack as Alphas to the best of your abilities?”
“We do.” They say in sync.
Julius passes Xavier a knife, and Arztec stands beside him with arge bowl where Xavier slices through his hand and allows his blood to be collected. This happens with each of my mates, and then the attention
turns to me.
“Do you, Evelina, ept the responsibility to protect, care for and rule over the Red Moon pack as Luna?”
“I do.”
Julius hands me the knife, and I slice my palm and let my blood mix with my mates. As soon as the first -drop sshes into the bowl, a dark smoke begins to rise from within it. I don’t remember Mom telling me
about this part…I can’t hear or see anything but the smoke that swirls above the bowl mysteriously, slower at first and then quickly as it splits into five separate pieces and moves towards me and my mates. I watch as it drifts above my mate’s and swirls for a moment before lowering and settling on their heads in the shape of dark, misty-looking crowns. I finally hear the crowd again with a few gasps and whispered voices. I look to my brothers, unsure if this is normal, and the look on their faces tells me this is anything but. When I reach above my own head with my fingers, I feel what is definitelyrger than the petite golden tiara that was there before. It’s sharp, pointed edges with some sort of intricate design…I take a step forward to close the distance with my mates and reach out to touch the crown upon Xavier’s head. He bows slightly so I can reach it, and when my fingers connect with what was once smoke, I realise it is not. It’s a solid, ck metal of some sort. It’s like a king’s crown, but dark and dangerous looking…like death. When I step back and examine each of their crowns, I notice they’re different to one another. While Xaviers has a sword and a pale horse in the centre, Haiden’s has a bow and a white horse, Noah’s has a sword and a red horse, and Levi’s has a ck horse and a scale.
Mchi clears his throat. “And with that, I present the Alphas and Luna of the Red Moon pack! As you can see, something here tonight has happened that we have never seen before… Let’s take this as a blessing from the Gods and celebrate. Please, eat, drink, dance and enjoy yourselves.” He motions for everyone to leave for the marquees, and I stand staring at my mates in disbelief and confusion.
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