Kate’s POV
The air was still crackling with the energy of the celebration something almost electric, maybe it was the mating bond in place of maybe it was the fact that the pack gathering was under the full moon it was just different.
There was the laughter, the music, and the smell of roasted meats filled the clearing , the scent of baked foods, and the light from the bonfires that cast long, flickering shadows across the pack members who were dancing and talking amongst themselves.
The feast, was in full swing, as it had been since sunset, and there was no end in sight.
I should have been exhausted after everything that had happened today-after the intensity of the ceremony, the weight of the vows Dimitri and I had exchanged under the full moon and the goddess blessings. But instead, I felt a kind of cheerful energy coursing through me.
I couldn’t stop smiling.
What had happened today had been unexpected and most welcome. The moment when Dimitri asked me to marry him, it had surprised me. The pack rarely ever had elaborate ceremonies like the humans.
The traditional ceremony was rare even to us, so for him to have organized it showed more of his love for me than the ceremony itself.
To have Alpha Denzel officiate the ceremony had been very lovely, considering the alpha was becoming a true friend to me.
Now Dimitri sat beside me, his hand warm and solid on the small of my back, grounding me in this moment.
His touch, familiar and steady, and more than welcome. He had barely left my side since the ceremony ended staying close to me each time as if to protect me, and each time our eyes met, there was a spark-a silent him of attraction and want that was almost hard to ignore. The bond between us, now fully there, thrumming beneath my skin like a live wire, pulling us closer with each passing minute.
That plus the understanding of what was to come, of the life we were to build together, the oath we had taken was not just for us but for our pack as well. We were pledging our live to them and their protection.
I caught sight of Louis, across the clearing, making his way through the crowd. He has been the most happy for us both and he kept grinning from ear to ear, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he approached us.
I had a feeling about what he was going to say before he even opened his mouth.
” Oh goddess” I groaned
” What ” Dimitri asked and before I had a chance to respond Louis laughed taking a drink off the table
“Well, well,” he called out loudly, catching the attention of the pack members around us.
“It’s about time you two disappeared, don’t you think?” He winked in our direction, raising his voice so the entire pack could hear.
“I’m sure we can handle the rest of the celebration without you!”
The crowd burst into cheers and laughter, and the teasing voices of our pack urging us on began.
They were calling out bits of encouragement telling us how to enjoy the rest of our night behind closed doors.
My cheeks flushed at the attention and some of their suggestions, but it didn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips.
” Your pack members are horrible” I whispered and he laughed
” Ah so they are just mine now, we mated remember” Dimitri huffed and I smiled
“Go on, Alpha!” someone shouted from the back of the crowd.
Dimitri turned to Louis
” You’re a crazy bastard” he muttered laughing as he did and Louis bowed
” Anything for my Alpha” I couldn’t help but smile at the interaction.
“Don’t keep your Luna waiting!” another voice joined in.
Dimitri chuckled beside me, his hand tightening slightly on my waist as he looked down at me, his eyes full of amusement.
“What do you say, love? Think we’ve earned a little privacy?” he asked and I nodded a rush of excitement flooding through me as I met his gaze
. “I think it’s time besides I don’t think they’ll let it go either way” I replied and he grinned, a mischievous smirk
” Don’t worry, I’ll get our revenge soon,” he mumbled looking over to where Louis stood with the young mother from the rogue pack that Dimitri had integrated
” I don’t know who’s worse, him or you” I mumbled warily
He turned to face me, I looked to him brows raised his mischief now focused on me
” Don’t do it” I said and he smiled sheepishly
” Do what ” he asked and I hissed
” Whatever it is you” I didn’t get to finish befored he lifted me off my feet and into his arms
” Don’t mind if I do” he mumbled as I squealed in surprise my breath hooking in my throat.
The pack monstrous lot of them roared their approval
” Are you crazy” I hissed and he laughed leading me away from the feast, our pack’s cheers and good-natured teasing following us as we disappeared into the darkness . The further we went the more all sounds of the celebration faded behind us, slowly replaced by the quiet rustling of the trees and the echoes of our footsteps along the grass as we made our way toward a cabin on the edge of the woods-the place Dimitri had prepared for us.
As we reached the door, Dimitri turned to me, his expression softening.
“Are you ready?”
My heart fluttered, but I nodded.
“More than ready.” He set me down holding me until I found my footing then he pushed open the door.
It creaked slowly and I stepped inside, it was warm a fire already burning making the room appear cozy.
The cabin was simple, and intimate- for just the two of us, Dimitri closed the door behind us, the click of the lock sounding louder in the quiet of the room.
For a moment, we both just stood there, facing each other, watching each other. It felt surreal, three tries it had taken me to find happiness, to find love with this man. It had worked, I was so happy.
Slowly, Dimitri stepped closer, his hand reaching up to brush a strand of hair away from my face. His touch was gentle, almost not there, his fingers grazing over my skin, and I leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his body as he wrapped his arms surround me.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.
I smiled, my hands resting against his bare chest, the warmth and the steady beat of his heart thumping beneath my fingertips.
“So do you.”
He chuckled softly, lowering his lips to mine in a kiss that was both tender and full of promise, the mate bond and connection between us sparked to life again, almost blindingly strong, it pulled me in, pulling us closer until nothing else existed but him-his warmth, his strength, his love.
He moved his hands to my shoulder, pushing off the jacket slowly, it dropped to the floor rustling softly. I moved his own robe off him to watching it drop to the floor.
His fingers fumbled over the ropes of my dress and I took over from him dragging them apart, he smiled helping me, the night stretched on, but we took our time, savoring every touch, every kiss.
This wasn’t just about passion for the moment-it was for something deeper, it was about sharing a part of ourselves that went , beyond the physical.
We finally lay together, wrapped in each other’s arms, the fire crackling softly and something shifted inside me. It was as if the final piece of myself had clicked into place.
I was not just Dimitri’s mate-I was his Luna.
Dimitri’s voice broke through my thoughts, soft and filled with affection.
“What are you thinking about?”
I looked up at him, my heart feeling full like it did every time I thought about him for so long, I had doubted myself, and my ability to become Luna, yo do a good job but now, I was no longer afraid.
“About the future. About what comes next.”
He smiled, his fingers brushing gently through my hair.
“Whatever it is, we’ll face it together like we always have ”
“The pack… they’re looking to us now. They’re ready to rebuild, to grow. We need to help them do it. We need to do a good job”
“We will,” he promised, his voice steady.
His words filled me with a confidence and hope, but most of all with the kind of love I had dreamed of-one built on respect, partnership, and on shared strength.
As the night went on and the fire burned lower, I found myself drifting off to sleep in Dimitri’s arms, my body relaxed and my heart full.
Morning came swiftly and without much fanfare at all the first rays of morning sunlight streamed through the windows, into my face waking me gently.
I blinked slowly, the warmth of Dimitri’s body next to mine still as comforting as when I fell asleep even if it was a bit too hot, I shifted to my side slightly as he stirred awake he looked to me blinking slightly his arms wrapping around me tightly as he pulled me close
For that moment we just lay there saying nothing, just basking in the quiet of the new morning
But soon, we would have to face the world again.
The pack would need us, and the other packs who had fought beside us would be returning home. We would be saying our goodbyes soon , sending them off with gratitude and promises of continued alliances.
The Werewolf Kingdom had never been more united, but that alliance was something we needed to protect.
Feeling restless now I turned into Dimitri and I I stretched beside him my bones cracking gently
“We should get up,” I murmured, even though part of me didn’t want this moment to end.
He groaned softly, pulling me closer snuggling into me his face in my hair like he couldn’t get enough of my scent
“Just a few more minutes.” he urged and I chuckled, relaxing into his arms I smiled, pressing a kiss to his chest.
“Fine. But then we have work to do.” I warned
His laugh was low and rumbling, but I knew he understood. The future was waiting for us, and it was time to face it head-on-together.
And I was ready. To be Dimitri’s mate.
To be the Luna of the Blood Moon Pack.