Damian:
Standing before the mirror, my hands trembled slightly as I adjusted my tie. In the silence of my thoughts, Marcus’s voice broke through via the mindlink.
“Alpha, everything is ready for the Luna’s welcome ceremony.”
“Alright, thanks,” I replied with a sigh of relief, taking a deep breath in an attempt to steady my nerves.
I didn’t want anything to go wrong with the celebration, and I was determined to make today perfect. It was inexplicable how I managed to convince her, and despite my past mistakes, Ruby had shown incredible bravery and forgiveness by agreeing to stand by my side as Luna. It was wrong of me to have invaded her privacy by taking her precious book without permission, and even worse, to have considered her as a replacement for my deceased mate.
It was unacceptable, and deep down, I knew I didn’t deserve her trust. But I was too selfish to let her go. After last night’s passionate time together, our bond felt stronger than ever, and I could sense it growing with each passing moment.
As I finished straightening my tie, I heard the door creak open behind me. The faint scent of my beta, James, wafted through the air. Without turning to face him, I continued adjusting my tie in the mirror, not in the mood for a conversation. An awkward silence fell between us.
“How did you manage to convince her, Alpha?” He asked, his tone curious yet tinged with admiration, as he stepped further into the room.
I sighed inwardly, my reflection staring back at me. I had expected him to start the conversation with congratulations, but he didn’t.
“It’s none of your business, James,” I replied curtly, my tone sharp as I made the final adjustments to my attire. Turning away from the mirror, I finally met James’s gaze, my expression guarded and stern.
“Do you honestly believe your beta is as loyal and trustworthy as you think? If only you knew what that man had done to you, you wouldn’t dare speak to me this way. I may be his mate, but I’m not the one he truly loves or thinks about.”
Ever since my confrontation with Selene, her words have haunted me, their insidious insinuations casting doubt upon the very foundation of my trust.
I know I should trust my beta, James. He’s been loyal and devoted to me for a long time, and I’ve always relied on him. But Selene’s words lingered in my mind, gnawing at my certainty.
Even though Selene had been a bitch by being rude to Ruby and had tried to separate us with her lies, I couldn’t dismiss her words entirely. As much as I disliked admitting it, a part of me believed there might be some truth to what she said.
After all, as his mate, Selene understood the weight of her words and the consequences they could have. Though I harboured resentment towards her, I couldn’t ignore the possibility that she wasn’t lying about this.
“Damian,” James began tentatively, his voice breaking through the fog of my turmoil, but I silenced him with a raised hand.
“James, is there anything you’re hiding from me?” I demanded as my gaze bore into his, searching for any hint of deception. James’s eyes widened in surprise, his mouth opening and closing as if struggling to find the right words.
“I’ve never lied to you, Alpha,” he said nervously, his face showing a mix of confusion and something I couldn’t understand. I looked at him for a moment longer, trying to figure out what he was feeling, but I couldn’t. With a heavy sigh, I relented, the tension draining from my shoulders.
“Very well,” I said, my voice softer now, tinged with regret for doubting him.
Feeling guilty, I walked out of the room, leaving James alone, and made my way to the pack grounds. I felt anxious as I tried to focus on the task at hand.
The Luna ceremony held immense significance, not just for the pack but for me personally, as today the woman I love would be officially introduced, and I could only hope that Alex would one day see me as a father figure in his life.
Although this would be the second Luna ceremony to happen, this would be a new chapter, a fresh beginning in my life and that of my pack.
I strolled through the clearing, illuminated by the soft moonlight that cast an ethereal glow over the assembled wolves. There was a buzz of whispered murmurs and nervous energy in the air as each member of the pack eagerly awaited the arrival of their new Luna, their curiosity evident in their eyes, and they were acutely aware of the weight of the moment.
Approaching the makeshift altar, I noticed the pack elders engaged in a silent conversation, which halted as soon as they saw me.
“Alpha,” they greeted with a bow, and I nodded in acknowledgment as I took my place at the centre.
Initially, they hadn’t been supportive when I announced that I would be having a new Luna, who is also my mate. Some of the elders argued that it was disrespectful to my first Luna. However, I stood firm in my decision, and eventually they relented, seeing the determination in my eyes.
“We may now commence the ceremony.” Elder Ethan declared this to the seated crowd, his voice brimming with authority. “Please know that this is not just a celebration of a new Luna, but a reaffirmation of our unity and strength as a pack. An alpha becomes stronger when he has Luna by his side to love and guide him.” As Elder Ethan spoke, pride swelled in my chest, knowing that my pack members would embrace and appreciate Ruby as much as I do.
“All rise for the Luna.” Elder Ethan’s voice resonated through the clearing, prompting a surge of excitement among the assembled wolves. They began clapping their hands in anticipation as all eyes turned towards the entrance.
And there she was.
Ruby glided gracefully into the clearing, a vision of ethereal beauty in her flowing white gown. With each step, she exuded grace and strength, her presence commanding attention.
A smile formed on my lips as I observed her approaching, my heart filled with pride and affection. Our eyes locked, and in that instant, it felt as if everything else faded away, leaving only the two of us in a timeless moment.
She was more than just my Luna; she was the embodiment of everything I held dear-a symbol of hope and brightness in a world that often felt dark.
Reaching out, I gently took her hand in mine, the warmth of her touch sending a shiver of electricity down my spine. “Ruby,” I began, my voice filled with genuine awe, “you look absolutely stunning. It’s hard to believe that someone as beautiful as you would choose to stand by my side.”
A delicate blush tinted her cheeks, adding to her ethereal glow as she met my gaze with a soft smile. “Thank you, Damian; you did manage to convince me,” she murmured, her words carrying a hint of playfulness.
“But it’s an honour to be here with you. I hope I won’t regret this decision,” she added sadly. I nodded in understanding, acknowledging the weight of her concerns regarding her son’s acceptance of our relationship. I made a mental note to address that issue once the ceremony was over, planning to take him on a fun date and engage in activities to bond with him, like a father and son would.
“Please, Luna Ruby, repeat after me,” Elder Ethan said, clearing his throat to gain our attention.
“I, Ruby, solemnly swear to uphold the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me as Luna of this pack,” Elder Ethan recited just as the murmurs died down, and all eyes turned to Ruby as she prepared to recite the Luna’s oath. She lifted her chin, her voice ringing clear and true, as she spoke the sacred words of allegiance.
“I, Ruby, solemnly swear to uphold the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me as Luna of this pack,” she declared, turning to look at me before continuing.
“I pledge to stand by your side, Damian, to support and protect our pack with all my strength and wisdom. Together, we shall lead our pack with honour and integrity, ensuring its prosperity and well-being for generations to come.”
As she spoke, a sense of pride swelled within me. I was tempted to kiss her passionately right then and there, in front of everyone, to show the depth of my love.
As she finished reciting the oath, the crowd erupted into applause, their cheers and congratulations filling the air with a deafening roar.
“All hail Luna Ruby,” Elder Ethan announced, his voice echoing through the clearing as all eyes turned expectantly towards Ruby, waiting for the ceremonial moment when the leaf-made crown would be placed upon her head, sealing her fate as the Luna of the pack.
I smiled lovingly at Ruby, my heart swelling with pride, but as Elder Ethan stepped forward to retrieve the crown, a sudden commotion broke the stillness. In horror, the crown slipped from his grasp, tumbling to the ground with a resounding thud, eliciting gasps of surprise and disbelief from the gathered wolves.
Confusion knotted my stomach as I turned to see what had caused the disturbance, and what I saw made my blood run cold. Standing at the edge of the clearing was Ava-my deceased mate, the one I had loved, lost, and tried to forget. Her unexpected presence sent shockwaves through the crowd, freezing us all in stunned silence.
How is this impossible?
“No, it can’t be,” I whispered to myself, unable to tear my gaze away from Ava’s figure.
“It’s Luna Ava. It’s a miracle; she’s back from the dead,” someone in the crowd exclaimed, snapping me out of my trance-like state.
“D-Damian,” Ruby’s voice called out to me, but I remained rooted to the spot, unable to tear my gaze away from the surreal sight before me to respond.
“You don’t look too happy to see me, dammy. I’m quite disappointed. I never expected you to replace me this quickly.” She sneered in Ruby’s direction before her eyes gazed at me with amusement and malice.
“Selene was right. I came at the perfect moment.”