Chapter 7: Preparing For The Ceremony

Adelie

The thought of fleeing was shoved aside by fear. I’d never been on my own before, and I wasn’t sure I had the strength. My heart would only know loneliness…

My wolf was also urging me to stay put. Maybe, just maybe, Alpha would learn to love me. But that seemed unlikely.

I stepped inside, hearing the murmur of female voices from the living room. I assumed they were the omegas, here to help me prepare. I followed the sound, finding two women perched on a sofa. They were identical twins, with skin as white as porcelain. Their hair was styled the same, long blonde curls that were more wide than long.

They wore matching short summer dresses, one in red and the other in green. I lingered in the doorway of the living room, unnoticed by the engrossed pair.

“You know he won’t let me leave,” the one in red, Maya, said. “Maya, he’s your mate. He can’t separate you from him, and I doubt your mate will come to this pack,” the one in green, Maeve, replied.

“But Maeve, Mom is sick and I can’t leave you alone with James. With his condition, you’ll never be able to leave home,” Maya said, her voice laced with worry. “You’ve always been with me, I don’t know if I can exist without you.”

“I can take care of Mom. And you’d be making a terrible mistake leaving your mate because of me. I’ll figure something out with James,” Maeve assured her. She made a cross over her heart. “In the name of the Moon Goddess, I love our mother, but she doesn’t have much time left. You can stay until she passes.”

“If I decide to go with my mate, I’ll stay here as long as she has left. But what about Alpha?” Maya asked. Maeve nodded in defeat as Maya continued, “No one has had an outside mate since that day. And how will I explain my wandering around the neighboring pack?”

“Our Alpha will understand,” Maeve said confidently, her voice filled with fondness for him. Maya let out a heavy sigh. “I’m scared to tell Alpha.”

“Girls, I think I may have overheard your conversation,” I said, causing both girls to look at me in horror. They quickly stood and bowed. “Luna, we are so sorry.”

“I think you should go with your mate,” I told Maya, who looked surprised. “If it’s not a secret, who is James?”

The girls exchanged a glance. “He’s our stepbrother. He’s very sick and needs someone with him at all times,” Maya explained.

“I can try to speak with Alpha about getting a caretaker for James,” I offered, unsure of how I’d manage a normal conversation with him. “I’ll do everything in my power to help your family.” Maya’s eyes lit up, but Maeve looked less than thrilled.

“Luna, that’s great, but I don’t have the money for a caretaker,” Maeve admitted, looking at the floor. “It’s okay. I’m sure Alpha will understand and help pay for a caretaker. I’ll have to speak with him first.” I hoped he would understand.

“Luna, would you really do that?” Maya asked, disbelief in her voice. “Of course. It’s the least I could do. You both deserve to be happy.”

“Thank you, Luna, thank you,” Maya said, tears streaming down her face. Maeve remained emotionless. “Tomorrow, I’d like to meet your mother, if that’s okay?” I asked, and Maya nodded.

Suddenly, loud footsteps echoed in the living room. It was Beta Raphael. He clapped his hands together. “Omegas, Luna will be late if you don’t start preparing her now,” he said, his tone harsh. The girls didn’t flinch, probably used to his demeanor. Beta left, heading upstairs, likely to Alpha's study.

I glanced at the two girls, both waiting for my instructions. “Let’s get started,” I murmured, guiding them towards my room.

Upon entering, I noticed a dress laid out on my bed. I had planned to wear one of my own, but this one was far more beautiful than anything in my wardrobe.

It was a shimmering silver A-line dress, with lace sleeves that ended at the elbows. The lace pattern was intricate, resembling flowers and vines. A red ribbon cinched the waist, tying at the back and falling to the back of my knees.

“This is stunning,” I whispered.

“It really is. You’ll look incredible in it, Luna,” Maya responded.

“Of course, Alpha has impeccable taste,” Maeve chimed in.

I shifted my gaze from the dress to Maeve. “Alpha chose this?” I asked.

“Yes, we brought several other options, but Alpha didn’t like any of them. So, he picked this one himself,” she explained.

His gesture seemed sweet, caring even. But I knew better. He was Alpha. He just wanted me to look good standing next to him, perhaps for the sake of appearances.

“Luna. Are you okay?” Maya asked, noticing my distant stare out the window.

I snapped back to reality. “Yes, and... please call me Adelie,” I requested.

Maeve and Maya exchanged glances. “Luna... we can’t. We’re omegas, it would be disrespectful to our Alpha,” Maeve explained.

“Just when we’re alone then,” I suggested, understanding their concern about appearing disrespectful.

Maya smiled, while Maeve remained expressionless. And so, the preparations began.

They styled my hair in an elegant updo, with a few loose curls framing my face. Small silver leaves were woven into the braids. My makeup was minimal, barely noticeable.

When I slipped into the dress and looked in the mirror, I saw myself in a new light. For the first time, I felt beautiful. It felt vain to think so, but I finally understood why my mother always told me I was beautiful.

Despite the delicate appearance of my shoes, with their intricate metal floral heels, they were surprisingly comfortable. I felt like Cinderella, walking on clouds.

“Adelie, you look absolutely stunning,” Maya gushed, her eyes sparkling with joy.

“Yes, Luna, you look beautiful,” Maeve agreed, using my title.

“Well, girls... you’re the ones who made this happen,” I laughed.

“We’re not magicians, Adelie. We can’t transform someone from ugly to beautiful. You’re naturally beautiful, without all the glitz and glamour,” Maya said, beginning to clean up the makeup and accessories.

I started to help clean up, but Maeve stopped me, taking the earrings from my hands.

“It’s already nine o’clock. Alpha is waiting for you downstairs,” she said, hurrying me out of the room and closing the door behind me.

With no other option, I slowly descended the stairs, spotting Alpha and Beta from behind, both dressed in tuxedos.

I tried to move quietly, not wanting to draw attention to myself. The carpeted stairs helped.

But as I reached the last step, my heel clicked against the stone floor. Both Alpha and Beta turned to look at me. I heard Beta gasp, but I couldn’t quite make out what he said.

Everything seemed to slow down. Alpha looked directly into my eyes, not even glancing at my dress. His mouth hung open slightly, and he looked at me as if I were the moon. I hoped this wasn’t a dream.

Beta’s voice brought me back to reality. “Luna Adelie, you look like a true goddess. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such beauty. Our pack is blessed to have such a beautiful Luna. You are perfect e...”

His words were cut off by Alpha’s stern voice. “That’s enough, Raphael.”

My gaze fell to my shoes, my self-assurance plummeting further than the earth beneath me. For once, I felt beautiful, but I was everything the Alpha despised.

I had foolishly believed he saw something in me...

Kairos

Adelie’s gaze dropped and a knot formed in my throat. Was I feeling her pain again, or was it my own guilt for making her feel inadequate?

I hadn’t intended for my comment to come out so harsh. I didn’t want him to call her beautiful like that. I pictured lust in his eyes as he looked at Adelie, I despised that he spoke of her in that way. I wanted to be the one to say those things, but I didn’t know how.

I can’t let her get close. Either way, she’ll be my downfall, whether I let her in or not.

Even this morning during training. For the first time in a long time, I let my opponent land a hit. All because a gust of wind carried Adelie’s scent to me.

What if I let her in? Could I be so selfish again, thinking only of my own happiness, only to later feel shame for my actions?

Raphael nudged my shoulder, signaling me to say something to Adelie. “It's time to go,” I said, instead of what he wanted me to say.

I glanced at Raphael, his expression was one of disappointment. He wanted me to accept her, he was certain she wouldn’t be like Mia.

I stepped outside, Raphael and Adelie trailing behind me, walking side by side. My wolf was furious at me for letting Raphael walk so close to her, but it’s not like I had any right to object.

What was I supposed to do? Pull her into my arms, mark her, and declare to everyone that she was mine and only mine?

I wanted to. It was all I could think about lately.

“How are you liking the pack so far?” Raphael asked Adelie. What if she hated it here? Maybe she realized this was a weak pack and she needed to escape to somewhere better...

“It’s nice. I like it..” She replied softly, her sentence trailing off.

Raphael didn’t press further, so I mind-linked him. She didn’t sound certain, make her elaborate.

Raphael cleared his throat loudly behind me. I’ve known him for a long time and I knew he was glaring at me in annoyance. “You don’t sound so sure,” he said to her.

It took her a moment to respond. “I like this pack. I just ...” Just what? Want to leave. Hate me.

“I just really want to see the forest,” she said.

“Forest?” Raphael asked, a hint of mockery in his voice. That’s it?

I prayed he wouldn’t go there...

“You can’t even shift, why are you so eager to see the forest?” he asked. Damn it, Raphael.

He asked what I wanted to know, but I didn’t like that he brought up her inability to shift. For her sake.

“I... just like it. I can still enjoy nature,” she answered, but it seemed like there was more to it than just liking it.

We were nearing the ceremony site when a young pup blocked my path.

“Cassidy, why are you here?” I asked her, irritated because everyone was supposed to be in their places.

Cassidy was thirteen, with a mane of fiery red hair. But what made her stand out was the red birthmark on her right cheek, stretching from the corner of her eye all the way to her chin.

Despite her tear-streaked face, I didn’t have time for it right now. I’d have to talk to her later. I didn’t think Adelie would appreciate delaying the ceremony.

When Mia had her ceremony, it was all she could talk about, and she did everything she could to expedite the ceremony. At the time, it seemed sweet that she was so eager to rule this pack with me, but I made the mistake of giving her too much power.

“Cassidy, let’s discuss this later. I’m a bit tied up at the moment,” I told her, gently wiping away a tear from her cheek. “Now, head back to the ceremony.”

She nodded, preparing to leave, but then froze, her gaze fixed on something behind me. I turned to see Adelie approaching Cassidy, not even sparing me a glance. I stepped aside, not wanting to obstruct their path.

Adelie

“Luna,” Cassidy greeted me, her head bowed. I gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze.

“Why is such a lovely girl looking so down?” I asked, concern lacing my voice. I couldn’t let her leave in this state, something was clearly wrong. At this moment, I didn’t care whether the alpha approved or not.

Cassidy glanced back at the Alpha, seeking his permission to speak with me. But I was Luna, or would be in a few moments. Had he made it clear to the pack that my title was merely ceremonial?

The Alpha stood behind me. I glanced back, surprised to see him nodding his approval.

“Luna, it’s nothing serious. I’ll get over it, I just need some time to clear my head,” she sniffled.

“Talk to me, Cassidy,” I urged her, trying to maintain eye contact, but she kept avoiding my gaze.

“Luna, we need to proceed,” Beta interrupted from behind, causing Cassidy to flinch slightly. I assumed she was an omega, but that was just a title.

As soon as Beta spoke, I hushed him, not taking my eyes off Cassidy. This was probably the boldest thing I’d done here.

“Go on,” I encouraged Cassidy, and finally, she relented.

“These girls... they always laugh at me. They call me a mistake of nature, an ugly excuse for a wolf who will always stand out.” Tears welled up in my eyes.

“Look at me,” I commanded, and she raised her eyes to meet mine. “I think you’re extraordinary, and you’re beautiful in every way. You’re meant to stand out.” But my words didn’t seem to comfort her.

“It’s easy for you to say, Luna. You stand out because of your beauty, not because of an ugly birthmark,” she mumbled, looking down again.

“You know, my mother used to make me wear a cape to cover my face. I thought it was because I was too hideous to look at.”

I chuckled lightly before continuing.

“Now I understand it was because people judge based on looks. But you need to show everyone that you’re beautiful in every way, not just physically. They don’t understand yet, but they will.”

Her eyes sparkled as I spoke. “You are beautiful, remember that, no matter what anyone says. Okay?”

“Okay,” she sniffled.

I leaned in closer and whispered in her ear, “If it helps, you can tell them Luna said you’re beautiful.” A compliment from Luna was always a big deal.

She smiled at me. “Thank you,” she said, before running back to the ceremony.

Now, I had to face the consequences of speaking out of turn. I turned to the Alpha. “I apologize for overstepping my boundaries,” I said, avoiding his gaze, and moved to stand next to Beta, as if that was my rightful place.

The Alpha muttered something under his breath and continued towards the ceremony, while Beta laughed heartily. “Well, that’s a twist. She’s actually good,” he said, though I had no idea what he meant.

We walked behind the stage, the sounds of the pack on the other side filling my ears. My heart pounded as I imagined being the center of their attention.

I had spent my life hiding, sticking to the shadows, concealed beneath my black cloak. But now, I would be exposed... the light would shine on me, and I would have nowhere to hide.

Alpha’s gaze met mine, his eyes a whirlpool of emotions I couldn’t quite decipher. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of kindness, a hint of tenderness, but it vanished so quickly, I wondered if I’d imagined it.

~There’s no way Alpha could harbor such feelings for me.~

Beyond the curtain, an old man came into view. He was clutching a large dagger, and the sight of it sent a shiver of unease down my spine.

I was on the brink of becoming the Luna.

And that dagger was destined to draw my blood before long.