Xander’s Point of View
The first rays of dawn stretched across the Crimson Pack’s territory, painting the horizon in soft golds and pinks. The forest, still hushed from the night, seemed to hold its breath, as if reluctant to let us leave. I stood on the balcony of the guest quarters, staring at the landscape that had become familiar over the past few weeks. It was beautiful, yes, but not home.
Behind me, Alison stirred, her soft movements like music to my ears. I turned, catching the sight of her wrapped in a blanket, her hair cascading down her back in loose waves. Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, met mine, and for a moment, the world stilled.
“Good morning,” she murmured, her voice husky from sleep.
“Good morning, my love,” I replied, crossing the room to her. I leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead, savoring the warmth of her skin against mine.
She smiled, but there was a hint of something in her expression, bittersweet, perhaps. Today was the day we would leave the Crimson Pack, and I knew the weight of saying goodbye to her family and her home was heavy on her heart.
“Are you ready?” I asked gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
She nodded, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
The farewells were as emotional as I had anticipated. Alison clung to her mother for what felt like an eternity, tears streaming down both their faces as they exchanged whispered words I couldn’t quite hear. Alpha Gaius stood nearby, his usual stoic demeanor softened by the occasion. When Alison finally pulled away from her mother, she turned to her father, and his arms enveloped her in a protective embrace.
“You’ll always have a place here,” he said, his voice low but firm. “No matter what.”
“I know,” Alison replied, her voice trembling. “And I’ll visit. I promise.”
He nodded, stepping back to look at her with a rare tenderness in his eyes. “Be happy, Alison. That’s all I ask.”
Simone was the last to approach, her ceremonial robes replaced with a simpler dress that somehow made her glow even more. She and Alison exchanged a look that spoke volumes, a silent conversation between two souls who understood each other in ways no one else could.
“I’ll keep the pack in one piece,” Simone said, her lips curving into a small smile. “You just focus on being happy.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” Alison replied, pulling her into a tight hug.
As they pulled apart, Simone’s gaze shifted to me. “Take care of her, Xander,” she said, her tone half-warning, half-plea.
“With my life,” I vowed, and I meant it.
The journey back to the NightFang Pack was quieter than I had expected. Alison sat beside me in the carriage, her hand resting in mine as she gazed out the window at the passing scenery. I could feel the weight of her thoughts, the mix of sadness and anticipation that swirled within her.
“You’re quiet,” I said after a while, squeezing her hand gently.
She turned to me, her eyes soft but distant. “Just… thinking. It’s hard to leave, even though I know this is the right step.”
I nodded, understanding more than I could put into words. “Change is never easy,” I said, my thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. “But you’re not leaving them behind. We’ll visit often, I promise. And Simone is more than capable of handling things there. She was practically born for this role.”
Alison smiled at that, a genuine curve of her lips that made my chest tighten. “I know. It’s just… it feels like the end of something.”
“It’s the beginning,” I corrected gently. “For both of us. For our packs. And for our future.”
She looked at me for a long moment, her gaze searching. Whatever she found there seemed to comfort her, because she leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder. “Thank you,” she whispered.
As the NightFang Pack’s territory came into view, a sense of anticipation began to build in my chest. This was home, the place where I had grown up, where I had built my legacy. And now, it would be Alison’s home too.
The gates to the pack’s main compound opened as we approached, revealing a sea of familiar faces waiting to welcome us. The castle loomed in the background, its stone walls standing tall and proud against the sky.
The moment the carriage came to a stop, the crowd erupted into cheers. Pack members of all ages surrounded us, their smiles wide and genuine as they welcomed their new Luna.
“Welcome home, Alpha Xander! Luna Alison!”
Alison stepped out of the carriage, her eyes widening as she took in the scene. Gifts were pressed into her hands, flowers, handcrafted trinkets, even baskets of fresh-baked goods. The staff who had served her during her previous visits were among the first to greet her, their faces alight with joy.
“Lady Alison, we missed you so much!” one of the maids said, her voice filled with warmth. “It’s such an honor to have you here as our Luna.”
Alison’s cheeks flushed with color, but she smiled graciously, thanking each person who approached her. I stayed close by, my heart swelling with pride as I watched her navigate the moment with grace and kindness.
As the crowd began to disperse, I led Alison into the castle, where the grand hall had been prepared for a private reception. The air was filled with the scent of lavender and honey, and the soft glow of lanterns created an atmosphere of warmth and welcome.
The head steward approached us, bowing low before addressing Alison. “Lady Alison, on behalf of the entire staff, I would like to present you with this.”
He held out a beautifully crafted box, its surface inlaid with intricate designs of silver and gold. Alison opened it carefully, revealing a delicate tiara adorned with moonstones.
“It’s stunning,” she breathed, her eyes shimmering with emotion.
“It belonged to the first Luna of NightFang,” the steward explained. “It’s a tradition for each Luna to wear it during her first official ceremony. We hope it brings you strength and guidance.”
Alison looked at me, her eyes searching mine for approval. I smiled, nodding. “It’s yours now,” I said.
She placed the tiara on her head, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath. She looked every bit the Luna she was destined to be, her presence commanding yet gentle, strong yet compassionate.
The steward bowed again, stepping back. “Welcome home, my Lady.”
That night, as we stood on the balcony of our chambers, looking out over the pack’s territory, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far we had come. The journey that had brought us here hadn’t been easy, but it had been worth every trial, every sacrifice.
Alison leaned against the railing, her gaze distant but peaceful. “It feels different,” she said softly. “Being here as your mate. As Luna.”
“Does it feel right?” I asked, stepping closer to her.
She turned to me, her eyes meeting mine. “It feels perfect,” she said, her voice steady.
I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. “This is just the beginning, Alison. For us, for our packs, for everything we’ve dreamed of. And I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to make this life everything you deserve.”
She smiled, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I know you will.”
As the night stretched on, we stood there together, the future spread out before us like the stars above. And for the first time in a long time, I felt truly at peace.