Chapter 91 Becoming Luna
983words
My mind reeled as Beta Don and I continued outside the pack house, my arm tucked tightly within his. Red lanterns hung above us at various heights, cascading well into the fields. My eyes darted in every direction, taking in all the fine details. When the blare of trumpets sounded, I pulled Beta Don closer, anxious for any type of comfort. He smirked and whispered, "You have nothing to be nervous about. You are the one chosen to lead the pack alongside our Alpha."
I knew he was trying to calm my nerves, but his gesture only made me more anxious. As fate would have it, little me was handpicked by Alpha Jaxon—an Alpha. Not just any Alpha, but the most vicious Alpha known in history. He was known to spill blood as a pastime. We had been through so much together that I often forgot who he really was and how scared I used to be of him. Instead, he revealed a different side to me. He was tender and attentive; he cared more about his pack than any other Alpha I had ever witnessed. I wondered if he was as nervous as I was. My heart hammered profusely in my chest. My wolf, however, was eager, forcing out my canines prematurely, desperate to sink our teeth into Alpha Jaxon's smooth neck. She had waited too long for this moment and was now running on overdrive, her fierce emotions demanding to taste our mate's blood wrapped around our sharp canines.
Four young pups stood off to the side. I could feel their excitement radiating in waves. "Our Luna looks like a princess!" a little girl yelped, only to be cut off by a young boy who said proudly, "She looks like the Queen! She's our Luna now!" I chuckled at the banter between them, thankful for any distraction. The four pups lined up behind me, gently picking up the long, shimmering train of my gown. The tail of my dress was easily twelve feet long. When Beta Don cleared his throat, the pups quieted immediately, sensing the urgency of the Beta's authority.
The echo of gasps made me struggle to stay composed as tables of shifters came into view. Heat built across my cheeks from the discomfort of so many sets of eyes ogling me like some prized possession. Murmured whispers floated among the tables, making it increasingly difficult to push down my nerves and put on my biggest smile. The shifters were all dressed to impress; dresses and suits made of the finest linens. Stepping onto the hard floor, clearly installed for the ceremony, my head shot up. I admired the massive canopy draped with the most gorgeous flowers hanging down. The scent of moonflowers and roses made me hum softly as I closed my eyes for a brief moment. Just when I thought I had it together, my eyes locked with Alpha Jaxon's, suffocating me with his intense glare.
His eyes twinkled with shades of gold, amber hues circling near the irises. He stared at me with such pride that my palms went clammy. Alpha Jaxon looked so damn handsome. He wore a black and red military-style suit with his hair parted to the side. The suit accentuated his broad shoulders and corded biceps. Tunnel vision overtook me; suddenly, it was as if there was no one else there—all the shifters who had come to witness the mating ceremony disappeared far into the background.
A growing urge to run into Alpha Jaxon's arms built inside me, shooting little pinpricks up my bare skin. As Beta Don and I approached closer to Alpha Jaxon, I nearly lost the last bit of control I had been harboring when he shot me a sensual grin. Alpha Jaxon, my mate, stood in front of what looked like a wooden backdrop, the pack symbol and colors painted perfectly behind him. I understood now what he meant when he told me that he was his pack and they were his: he was devoted to them, and I was now devoted to him, making us all a part of each other.
"Alpha," I said as he nodded. I released my ruthless grip on Beta Don's arm and turned to a seat at a table off to the right. When Alpha Jaxon reached out, I placed my hand in his, nearly thrown backward from the electricity pulsating through my body. I knew he felt it too as his eyes widened and he glanced down at our interlaced hands. His mesmerizing gold eyes flickered with black now, as if he was struggling to push his wolf back. My wolf must have noticed because she growled dangerously inside, desperate to be unleashed.
Alpha Jaxon raised a hand and brushed a strand of hair from my face, tucking it securely behind my ear. "You are the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes on," he said softly, his eyes refusing to break from mine. His voice was gentle and caressing, causing a small smile to form uncontrollably on my face. "You look pretty handsome yourself, Alpha," I cooed back, teasing him with my eyes.
He lifted my chin just a little higher before carefully moving forward and pressing his soft lips against mine. Our tongues wrestled against each other, both desperate for just... a little bit... more. The crowd burst into cheers, shifters now standing in ovation. I let out a slight moan when he pulled back, needing his taste, and whispered against my lips, "Mine." I pressed my forehead against his; our eyes connected as if becoming one. "Always," I murmured back. My heart felt as if it was on the verge of explosion when an Elder from the pack approached and cleared his throat.
"A fine pairing indeed," he said just lowly enough for the three of us to hear, giving us both an approving nod.
