The Mating Ceremony

Quinn

Why didn’t you tell me about the ceremony, Sky?!

Quinn

I can’t believe you’ve been training me and left that out

Sky

i wanted to!

Sky

but i didn’t feel like it was my place. 😔

Quinn

I don’t know how I’m going to go through with this

Sky

it’s not that bad, you’ll see!

Sky

you even get to wear a pretty dress... 😉

Quinn

🙄

Quinn

Sounds like a dream

I had to admit, Sky had a knack for picking out dresses. The one she chose for me was a dreamy white satin gown with a matching shawl. It was more Hollywood glamour than werewolf mating ceremony, but it hugged my curves in all the right places.

When I stepped out for Sky to see, her jaw practically dropped.

“Quinn, you look...like a true Luna,” she said, her eyes wide.

“That’s the plan,” I replied, reminding myself that this wasn’t just a fun game of dress-up.

Tonight, I was to stand before the entire pack and be officially recognized as their Luna.

Or more accurately, as ~Jaxon’s~ Luna.

The thought of being tied to him in such a way made my stomach churn, especially after the way he’d spoken to me the night before.

I’d spent the entire night tossing and turning, waiting for him to join me in bed. But he never did.

I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d found another bed to keep him warm, and the thought made my blood boil.

Why was I feeling jealous? I didn’t want anything to do with him. So why was I reacting this way?

Feeling drained, I sat down, and Sky joined me, taking my hand in hers.

“Quinn, it’s going to be okay,” she said, trying to comfort me. “Once you two are officially mated, I think things will change.”

“I wish I could share your optimism,” I replied. “But you don’t hear the way he talks to me.”

Sky looked thoughtful for a moment.

“Maybe he’s just...confused. Have you thought about that? You’re a stranger to him, and he’s expected to mate with you because of biology. That’s a lot to ask of anyone. Even an Alpha.”

~I hope that’s the only thing he’s planning to thrust upon me~, I thought.

But I realized I hadn’t really considered Jaxon’s feelings in all of this.

Was I being selfish? Now that I was becoming a werewolf and my fate as Luna of this pack was sealed, maybe it was time for me to step up and be the bigger person.

“Okay,” I finally said. “Let’s do this.”

Sky practically squealed with excitement as we stood up and headed for the staircase. But the butterflies in my stomach weren’t going anywhere.

***

When we stepped out onto the castle’s lookout, I was taken aback by the sight. It was adorned with thousands of flowers and twinkling lights. It was like something out of a fairytale.

The sun was setting, and below, the entire pack had gathered to witness what promised to be a grand ceremony.

I noticed that no one from Jaxon’s family was present. Did he have any parents or siblings? Was Jaxon all alone in this world, apart from his pack?

I saw him standing at the center of the pack house’s rampart, waiting for me. My breath hitched in my throat.

He was dressed in a suit that was both old-fashioned and modern. I’d never seen him so dressed up and...wow.

He looked good. Really good.

If only his facial expression matched his outfit. He was already scowling, as if this was the worst possible situation he could be in.

An elder was there, holding a strange, old book. It wasn’t a Bible, but it added to the wedding-like atmosphere of the event.

I turned to Sky, my nerves getting the best of me. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You can! You’re going to be fine!”

Finally, Jaxon’s eyes met mine, and when he saw how I was dressed, his expression softened.

I couldn’t quite read his emotions, but he didn’t look as hostile, that’s for sure.

I finally stopped, standing just a foot away from him.

“You look…” he started.

Was he about to compliment me?

“Very ladylike,” he finished, clearing his throat. “I’m glad Sky did her job.”

~Jerk.~

“You look quite the gentleman yourself. It’s a good thing no one knows the real you.”

I expected him to frown or snap at me, but instead, the corner of his mouth twitched, almost as if he found me amusing.

“Let’s get this over with,” he said.

With that, we turned to face the pack elder. I took a deep breath. This was the moment I would go from being a nobody to the Luna of the pack.

I wondered if Sky was right. Would I feel differently about Jaxon after this?

***

The short answer: NO.

When the mating ceremony was over, and the pack members cheered, and the sun had set, we joined a party in celebration.

There were appetizers and drinks, and a festive atmosphere that should have made me feel good.

But all the people saying, “Congratulations!” and, “Welcome!” couldn’t hide the fact that the moment the ceremony ended, Jaxon walked away as if I meant nothing to him.

After a couple of drinks with Sky, I watched him talking business with his Beta, and I could feel my anger rising.

Couldn’t he have said one nice thing? One thing to make this lifelong mating to him a little less painful?

“Uh-oh,” Sky said, noticing my expression. “Maybe we should slow down on the drinks?”

“I’m fine,” I said, downing the rest of my champagne. “He’s the one who’s not.”

A waiter passed by, and I grabbed another glass of champagne. I’d never really drunk alcohol before, so I could already feel it going to my head.

But I needed that liquid courage.

I was going to confront him. My Alpha.

No more silent treatment. No more being a jerk.

If I was his Luna, he needed to start acting like it.

“Wait, Quinn!” Sky called as I started walking toward him.

But I was done waiting. I walked right up to him.

“What’s your problem, Jaxon? Honestly?”

He glanced at the champagne glass in my hand, then back up at me.

“Don’t cause a scene. You’re drunk.”

“I’m not, actually,” I replied, relieved that my words weren’t slurred. “I’m just standing up for myself. I know that’s a new concept for you, but you need to start treating me as your equal if you want this to work.”

“Equal? Don’t be absurd. You can’t even shift yet. And who do you think you are, giving me orders?”

“Wake up, Alpha. I’ve just been made the Luna, which means I can tell you exactly what you need to hear. That’s what mates do.”

A few people began to turn their heads, sensing the rising tension in our conversation.

He placed a hand on my shoulder, trying to soothe me.

“Okay, let’s continue this—”

“NO!” I yelled, causing every head to swivel in my direction. “I won’t be ignored anymore. Either you respect me, or I’m done!”

“Quinn,” he growled, his voice laced with a threat. “You’re undermining my authority as Alpha in front of the entire pack. Stand down. Now.”

“Or what?”

My eyes were wild. My hand was clutching the champagne glass so tightly, I was surprised it didn’t shatter.

I could feel all of Sky’s training leading up to this moment—a full-blown confrontation with the Alpha, right here, in front of everyone.

“Fine,” he whispered, “I’ll respect you. When you’re sober, we can talk more. For now, go drink some water.”

With that, he turned and walked away with his Beta.

I didn’t know whether to hurl my glass at his retreating figure or break down in tears. Instead, I turned and stormed off, ignoring the curious stares.

All I wanted was to be a nobody again, living in my mother’s cottage. Not the Luna. Not Jaxon’s. Nothing.

***

I found a secluded corner of the grounds to finish my champagne and wallow in self-pity when I heard an unexpected voice behind me.

“Quinn, right?”

I spun around, surprised to see Harper, the quiet girl I’d seen training with such intensity. What could she possibly want with me?

“Can I join you?”

“Sure,” I said, gesturing to the bench I was sitting on. “It’s not like this night can get any worse.”

Harper sat next to me, her gaze focused on the dense forest surrounding us. She had a quiet strength about her that I found intriguing, and alien, and so unlike me.

“I thought you should know,” she began, “Sky probably didn’t mention this. It’s against the pack’s rules. But I’m not from this pack, so I don’t see why I should keep it a secret.”

“Keep what a secret?”

I felt like I was about to uncover some massive, terrible secret.

Harper sighed. “I saw how you were with Alpha Jaxon. If it’s not right for you, you should know…it’s possible. You can sever the bond.”

“What?” I asked, stunned. “You mean…?”

“You can reject your mate. You can leave this pack. But you have to be certain. Are you certain, Quinn?”

I stared at her in disbelief. Just moments ago, I would have done anything to escape this place. But now that it was actually an option, I had to take a serious look at myself.

Did I really want to say goodbye to Jaxon forever?