Chapter 18

Song: Natural by Imagine Dragons

[The Mute Alpha - Chapter 18]

•••

I buttoned up my shirt and fixed the blue bow tie around my neck. I glanced at myself in the mirror with satisfaction. I didn't really know what to wear. I spent a lot of time going through my closet and finding something that I'd think Autumn would like. So I just picked a black button up, black pants, and a bow tie that matched Autumn's dress. Mysha told me that Autumn went for an aqua dress and said that it would be nice if we matched. So while they were at the mall she bought me a tie.

Once I was ready, I decided to wait for Autumn by the front door. I didn't know how long it would take for her to get ready since girls usually take forever. Fortunately, it wasn't that long because Autumn appeared in the entry way with a nervous look on her face.

My mouth parted slightly as I took in her breathtaking appearance. The dress she was wearing was a light aqua color, the chest part of it decorated with aqua, silver, and white sequins. The front of it ended a little below her mid thighs and the back flowed to the floor. It looked really cute on her. Her brown hair was curled and flowed over her shoulders. Pieces of her hair were braided and pinned back with a hair clip. Her face had a light layer of makeup on it and I smiled, glad she wasn't hiding her beautiful face behind layers of that shit. My eyes couldn't leave the beautiful sight in front of me as I was left awestruck.

Her large, brown eyes stared back at me, taking me in as well. She, too, smiled. "You look hot," she breathed out in awe. You look beautiful, I wanted to say back. When she caught me staring, she sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and bit it nervously. Whatever little bit of control I had left disappeared. I moved forward and cupped her face with my hands and brought her face towards mine, capturing her lips with mine.

Her body froze as she stood there in shock. At first, I debated whether or not to pull away and apologize. Too soon. Before I could step away, she melted into my arms as my lips brushed against hers in a soft manner. Her lips felt so soft and I smiled against her mouth when she returned the kiss. My heart started beating rapidly against my chest, and I could practically hear her's as well.

Her hands moved up to my hair as she pulled my head closer. My hands moved away from her face and down to her waist so that I could bring her body to mine. I grew frustrated when the barrier between us got in the way. I just wanted to rip off her dress right then and there, but I knew that it wasn't the time for that. I moved away so that I could catch a breath, but an annoyed groan left Autumn's lips and she bit my bottom lip and tugged, making me move closer to her so that she could continue. I obviously didn't mind.

Someone cleared their throat, interrupting our moment. Autumn pulled away from me and glared at whoever just interrupted us. I turned and saw Theo poking his head in through the front door. "That was extremely disgusting," he muttered to himself. "I think I'm gonna puke."

"What do you want?" Autumn snapped, clearly annoyed.

Theo chuckled. "The ceremony, duh."

"We're finishing this later," Autumn whispered before kissing my cheek and following Theo out the door.

•••

The chairs were almost completely full, people of all ages filling them up as they walked across the sand over to the chairs. They all sat with large smiles on their faces as they talked excitedly amongst each other.

Autumn was standing on the other side of the curtains with Mysha, a nervous expression plastered on her face. I stood on the stage with a confident smile. "It was about time," Theo muttered under his breath. I chuckled, knowing exactly what he was referring to. And I couldn't help but smile because I could still feel Autumn's gentle lips against mine. The electrical tingles that soared threw my body as I felt her against me. That was my first kiss and it was a whole lot better than I had expected.

My thoughts were interrupted when I caught the scent of my mate not too far away. I glanced up and saw Autumn making her way up the stage with Mysha following behind with a large grin. When Theo saw me staring he chuckled and nudged my arm with his elbow. Excitement bubbled in the pit of my stomach.

"Try to keep it in your pants until after the ceremony," Theo whispered lowly.

'Shut up,' I shot back.

Autumn came over to where I was standing and smiled at me. "Hey!" She beamed at me, her cheeks lightly tinted pink. Aw she's blushing...

It took a few minutes before the ceremony started. All of the seats were filled and all eyes were on us. Autumn stood next to me, wearing a slightly nervous face. I reached out and enlaced our fingers together, giving her a small squeeze and smile. She seemed to have relaxed a bit as her facial expression became less worried.

Theo cleared his throat and everyone immediately stopped talking, eager displayed in their excited eyes. They all observed their future Luna, approval passing across their faces.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Theo started, his voice loud and firm, "we welcome you all here today to celebrate the initiation of our new Luna, Autumn." His voice carried across the crowd. It honestly surprised me that he wasn't the Alpha. He did more for me than anybody else. He was fully capable of running a whole pack by himself. Everyone cheered when Theo motioned towards Autumn, who gave my pack members a small wave and a beautiful smile.

"This is a tradition that has been practiced in this pack for years and it is our responsibility to continue it," he said as he raised an empty glass from a table that stood behind him, making everyone cheer once again. "This glass will be filled with the blood of the Alpha and the Luna must drink it to represent the union of the Alpha and his mate and to show that she is willing to protect her mate as well as her pack no matter what."

Theo brought over a knife and handed it to me. Autumn's eyes widened when she saw the sharp, shiny object in my hand. "What the hell are you doing?" She whispered, panic all over her face. I moved towards her and placed a kiss on her cheek.

A few people "awed" but I ignored them as I gave Autumn an encouraging smile. "Just be careful," she demanded. I nodded my head before looking down at the blade in my hand, bringing it close to the skin on my wrist.

I allowed the sharp object to puncture the skin, slitting the flesh and allowing the red liquid to ooze out from the wound. I placed the knife on the table behind me and then held the cup underneath the cut, filling the cup with blood. It wasn't suppose to be a lot of blood.

The blood dripped into the cup, covering up the bottom. Autumn nervously stared at the blood. Her skin paled when I moved my hand away as the wound began to heal. I handed her the cup and her trembling fingers gripped the glass.

Everyone waited in anticipation as she brought the rim of the glass up to her lips. The hesitation in her eyes made me feel guilty for putting her through this. To reassure her, I reached out and grasped her clammy hand, flashing her an encouraging smile. Slowly, she tilted the glass so that the liquid entered her mouth. Her face remained neutral as she swallowed every last drop. When she finished, I took the cup from her and handed it to Theo.

Cheers erupted from the audience, making a smile grow on Autumn's face. Once the audience calmed down, Theo cleared his throat once again. Then he turned to face Autumn. "Repeat after me," he commanded. "I, Autumn, promise to protect my pack at all costs and to put my pack members' needs before my own."

"I, Autumn, promise to protect my pack at all costs and to put my pack members' needs before my own," Autumn repeated, her voice strong and confident.

"I promise to remain loyal to my pack members as well as Alpha Jaxton and to work along side of the Alpha."

Autumn recited his words and everyone cheered again, clapping and screaming and whistling. I moved towards Autumn and wrapped my arms around her, overjoyed that I now have a Luna by my side.

•••

Music played on the speakers set up by the stage. A band performed songs that people danced to. Others were over by the water, swimming, playing in the sand, or relaxing. Some people ate food from the tables set up in a line. The sun was now setting, pinks and purples decorating the sky.

Autumn was in the middle of talking to an elderly couple when I approached her. The small breeze blew some strands of hair into Autumn's eyes, making her to brush them back and tuck them behind her ear.

"Hey!" she beamed when she noticed me. I waved back and hugged her waist, placing a kiss on her temple. She draped her arm over my shoulder in a casual manner.

The old couple walked away once they finished their conversation. Autumn smiled at me as she watched me. "Are you thirsty?" She asked. I thought for a moment, not knowing if she meant it literally or figuratively. Because I sure as hell was thirsty for a certain someone. Someone who kissed me and just walked away before it could become more. Then again, Theo was the one who cockblocked us.

I slowly nodded my head. She told me she'd be back before she went over to the refreshments table. As I waited, Theo appeared in front of me looking like a mess.

'Are you okay? You look like shit,' I mind-linked him, confusion lacing my voice. I wasn't lying when I said he looked like shit. His face was pale and he looked as if he was about to puke. His hair was disheveled and his skin was coated in a thin sheet of sweat.

"I honestly don't know," he muttered, sliding his hand down the side of his face. "Damn, I feel awful."

'Maybe you should go home and rest. You probably ate something that didn't agree with you.'

"How often does that happen?" Theo pointed out with a groan.

'Never...' I mumbled.

"Maybe getting laid will take my mind off of it," he said before turning and leaving.

I watched Theo's retreating figure, concern washing over me. I wonder what's up. I tried coming up with an answer and my eyes widened as realization dawned on me. I suddenly remembered what that feeling was.

I knew what was going on.

•••

Do you guys know what's going on?

Hey guys! Sorry if it's been a long time since I last updated. Lately I haven't had a lot of time to work on my writing. I've been extremely busy with school work and Color Guard, which has taken up a lot of my time. However, the season for Marching band has ended so hopefully I will be able to update again soon.

Also, happy early Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

Thank you guys so much for reading my story and I hope you all continue to do so. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)

~Jordan ❤️

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