Kamrynn’s POV
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, but all I could hear was Calvin’s heartbeat, pounding in time with mine.
As Calvin and I stepped back, my pulse still racing from the intensity of the bond locking into place, Franklin turned to Lorien and Lysaa.
“Lorien and Lysaa, please step forward,” he said, his voice steady.
Lorien took Lysaa’s hand, guiding her toward the fire. I watched them closely, my heart swelling with happiness for my friend. Lysaa looked breathtaking, her silver gown shimmering in the firelight, and there was a serene confidence in her expression that hadn’t been there before.
Lorien, with his long red braid and striking crimson eyes, looked every bit the regal, powerful Draconian prince. But the way he looked at Lysaa-like she was the only thing in the universe that mattered-softened his sharp, otherworldly features.
They began their rounds around the fire, each saying their vows and after that, they marked each other, just like we had done.
They were also declared mates and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause once more, and I found myself clapping along, my heart full.
Before I knew it, Lysaa had thrown her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug.
“We did it!” she said, her voice breathless with excitement.
“We did,” I said, laughing as I hugged her back. “Congratulations, Lysaa. You were amazing.”
“So were you,” she said, pulling back just enough to beam at me. “You looked like a queen up there.”
Calvin and Lorien shook hands, their expressions warm and respectful.
“Congratulations, Lorien,” Calvin said.
“And to you,” Lorien replied.
Before we could say anything else, Luna Rmonica, Thalia, and the others crowded around us, showering us with hugs, kisses, and congratulations.
“You were both incredible,” Rmonica said, her eyes shining with pride. “I’m so happy for you.”
Thalia nodded, beaming. “You deserve this, Kamrynn.”
Marlana hugged me tightly, whispering a blessing in my ear, and I felt tears prick my eyes all over again.
The congratulations went on for several minutes, but eventually, Franklin cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.
“And now,” he said, his voice loud and clear, “we will begin Kamrynn’s Luna ceremony.”
The applause gradually faded as Franklin stepped forward again, his expression solemn but warm.
“Kamrynn,” he said, his voice carrying easily across the hall. “Please step forward.”
I glanced at Calvin, who gave me an encouraging nod, his hand squeezing mine gently. Taking a deep breath, I released his hand and stepped forward, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and anticipation.
Franklin smiled. “Today, we honor Kamrynn Delamorte as she takes her rightful place as the Luna of the Obsidian Pack. This ceremony is not just a tradition-it is a sacred rite, symbolizing her commitment to the pack and the pack’s commitment to her.”
He turned to face the gathered crowd. “Luna Kamrynn has proven her strength, her compassion, and her loyalty time and time again. She has faced unimaginable trials and emerged stronger. And now, she will officially take on the mantle of Luna, to lead, protect, and guide this pack alongside her mate, Alpha Calvin.”
A ripple of murmurs and nods moved through the crowd, and I felt a swell of emotion in my chest.
“Kamrynn,” Franklin continued, turning back to me, “do you vow to protect this pack, to serve it with honor and integrity, and to always put the well-being of its members above your own?”
“I do,” I said, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat.
“Do you vow to lead with kindness and courage, to be a beacon of hope and strength for your pack?”
“I do.”
“And do you vow to stand by your mate, Alpha Calvin, as his partner, his equal, and his Luna, through all of life’s trials and triumphs?”
“I do,” I said again, my heart swelling with love as I glanced at Calvin.
Franklin nodded, his expression approving. “Then by the power vested in me by the Moon Goddess and the Alpha Council, I hereby declare you Luna of the Obsidian Pack.”
A cheer erupted from the crowd, but Franklin wasn’t finished yet.
“Alpha Calvin,” he said, turning to my mate. “Please step forward and complete the ceremony.”
Calvin stepped up beside me, his eyes shining with pride and love. He reached out and gently took my hand, his touch warm and reassuring.
“Kamrynn,” he said, his voice low but strong. “By accepting this bond, you have given me the greatest honor of my life. You are my mate, my partner, my Luna. And I vow to cherish you, to protect you, and to stand by your side for all the days of my life.”
Tears welled in my eyes, but I blinked them back, focusing on the love in his gaze.
He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, and I felt a rush of warmth flood through me.
As he pulled back, he turned to the crowd, his voice ringing out loud and clear. “I present to you, Kamrynn, your Luna!”
The hall erupted in cheers and applause, and I felt a surge of pride and joy so overwhelming that it took my breath away.
Calvin wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close as we turned to face our pack.
“For too long, our pack has been without a Luna,” he said, his voice carrying over the noise. “But that ends today. From this moment forward, Kamrynn is not just my mate-she is your Luna. And I know, with all my heart, that she will bring us strength, unity, and hope.”
More cheers erupted, and I couldn’t help but smile, my heart full to bursting.
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur of hugs, congratulations, and laughter. Everyone seemed genuinely happy, and the atmosphere was electric with joy and excitement.
At some point, Calvin managed to slip away from the crowd with me in tow, leading me to a quieter corner of the hall.
“Hey,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “How are you feeling, Luna?”
I smiled, leaning into his touch. “Incredible. Overwhelmed, but… in the best way.”
He grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You were amazing up there, Kamrynn. I’m so proud of you.”
“And I’m proud of you,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.
For a moment, we just stood there, holding each other, savoring the quiet amidst the chaos.
But it wasn’t long before Franklin found us, a glass of champagne in each hand and a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said, handing us the glasses. “But we’ve got a toast to make.”
Calvin chuckled, taking one of the glasses and handing it to me before taking the other for himself.
“Alright, everyone!” Franklin called out, drawing the attention of the crowd. “Let’s raise a glass to our new Luna-and to an entire week of celebration!”
The crowd cheered, lifting their glasses high, and Calvin and I clinked ours together before taking a sip.
As the champagne fizzed on my tongue, I couldn’t help but laugh. A whole week of celebration? It was more than I could have ever imagined.
But as I looked around the hall, at the faces of the people who had become my family, I realized that this was exactly where I was meant to be.
I had come so far, from a prisoner in the darkest of cells to the Luna of the Obsidian Pack. And as I stood there, surrounded by love and laughter, with Calvin by my side and our children in my heart, I knew that the future was bright.
Whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together.
And for the first time in a long, long time, I was truly, blissfully happy.
THE END.