Chapter 8: The Ceremony

Adelie

Alpha and I were tucked away behind crimson satin curtains, the hum of chatter from the other side making my heart race. Alpha, however, was the picture of calm, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Do you understand how these ceremonies work?” Alpha’s question came as the lights dimmed on our side, the stage being set for our grand entrance.

His timing was questionable. It would have been more helpful if he’d asked earlier, but he chose the last possible moment. What if I didn’t know?

“Yes, Alpha. I understand.” My words came out in a shaky breath, my body feeling like it was carved from ice. Cold sweat was beginning to bead on my skin.

I could feel Alpha’s gaze on me. “It... will be okay,” he reassured me, though his tone suggested he was asking rather than telling.

Suddenly, the chatter from the ceremony hall ceased. The sound of heavy footsteps echoed as someone took to the stage.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Alpha Kairos Garcia and Adelie Murrell!”

The crowd erupted in cheers as the curtain lifted, the bright lights momentarily blinding me. The hall was more magnificent than I could have imagined, with high ceilings and stained glass windows adorned with intricate red patterns.

The attendees were on their feet, applauding us. Each wooden chair was decorated with a red ribbon, matching the one tied around my waist.

Alpha raised his hand and the crowd fell silent. Everyone bowed. “Night Walkers Pack,” Alpha’s voice boomed, echoing throughout the hall. It was a tone I’d never heard from him before, powerful and commanding.

“We are gathered here to welcome our Luna,” he announced, and the crowd erupted in cheers once more.

I felt as though I was in a trance. Everything was happening so quickly. Alpha turned to me and I instinctively mirrored his action. I must have looked like a deer caught in headlights. I knew what to expect, yet it still felt surreal.

Alpha’s gaze met mine, as if truly seeing me for the first time. “Adelie Murrell, do you swear to be a worthy Luna to the Night Walkers pack and tie your path with it?”

“Y...yes,” I stammered, my voice barely audible.

Alpha’s gaze remained steady, waiting for me to speak again. I shook off my nerves and spoke with newfound confidence. “I do.”

My voice echoed throughout the hall. Alpha nodded, a look of pride in his eyes. I swear to be one with the pack.

“Do you swear to be a worthy protector and leader?”

“I do.” I swear to do everything in my power to protect and lead this pack, even if it’s the last thing I do. I swear to sacrifice myself to keep this pack safe.

“Do you swear to be courageous, kind, strong, and fair for the Night Walkers pack?”

“I do.” I swear to be courageous for safety, kind for people, strong for spirit, and fair for equality.

An elderly man approached us, a dagger held out in both hands. Alpha took the dagger from him and the man retreated.

We faced each other, Alpha’s gaze never leaving mine. He slid the dagger across his palm, leaving a trail of red. He then flipped the dagger, offering me the handle.

I took the dagger from him, wincing as the blade cut into my palm. Alpha took the dagger back and handed it to a waiting guard.

Alpha’s left hand found its place above my elbow, his touch searing through the lace of my dress. It was the first time he’d touched me, and the sensation was overwhelming. I realized he wasn’t just holding me, he was supporting me, keeping me from collapsing.

He extended his right hand and I mirrored his action. Our blood mingled, sending a jolt through me. He was my support, his left hand on my elbow and his right hand in mine.

Beta’s voice was the one that roused me from my thoughts. “Alpha Kairos and Luna Adelie!”

The crowd erupted in cheers, their eyes glistening with tears. I was Luna now. My mother’s teachings of invisibility, of blending into the background, were no longer applicable.

The need to protect my secret was more crucial than ever. If discovered, it could lead to the destruction of the pack by those who sought me.

Alpha released his hold on me. As he did, a woman materialized at my side, offering a white cloth for my injured hand.

Without a second thought, my wound healed. But before anyone could notice, I quickly wrapped the cloth around my palm. They believed I was weak, and I intended to keep it that way.

“Alpha’s chosen ones. Prepare for the run,” Beta announced as Alpha guided me away from the stage. So, there was going to be a run. What did Alpha expect from me? Was I supposed to trail behind them?

“The run...how—” I began, my voice shaky, but Alpha cut me off.

“We won’t be running. We’ll just set them off,” he clarified as we made our way towards the forest. I felt an inexplicable pull towards it, as if it was the only thing that mattered.

Once we reached the forest’s edge, I slipped off my delicate shoes and left them by a tree. Alpha noticed but remained silent.

Perhaps he thought I was simply uncomfortable with the idea of navigating the forest in heels. But the truth was, I wanted to feel closer to nature. Being away from the forest for more than a day weakened me.

The forest was a lush green, filled with trees and plants unfamiliar to me. It was untouched, with branches scattered everywhere and fallen trees littering the ground.

A crowd had already gathered in a clearing. Lost in my thoughts, I kept pace with Alpha until we stood before his chosen ones, ready for the run.

“Luna,” Alpha addressed me, his voice loud and clear. “You need to choose the leader for the run.” He wanted me to choose? I barely knew some of these people. Would he be angry or disappointed if I chose wrongly?

I recognized Beta Raphael, my guard Nathan, and Alpha’s sister Fala. The rest were faces I’d only seen a few times.

They all watched me, waiting for my decision. “Fala,” I said. Her eyes widened in surprise, and even Alpha turned to look at me.

Of the ones I knew, Fala was the least familiar to me. I knew she didn’t like me, not as Luna or as her brother's mate. But I didn’t choose her for her approval. I chose her because she had Alpha blood. She was born to lead.

“Shift,” Alpha commanded. The women moved to one side of the forest, the men to the other, to shed their clothes.

Moments later, seven large wolves emerged, Fala leading the pack. Her wolf looked almost pitch black, her eyes sparkling. As she came closer, I saw that her coat was actually a beautiful dark brown.

Alpha and I stepped aside to let them pass. It felt like all I did was follow Alpha. The wolves took off, and Alpha turned to me, halting me in my tracks.

“Why her? This won’t make her respect you. You can’t buy her respect,” he said, sounding angry.

I looked down, “I didn’t do it for her respect,” I replied.

“Then why?” he asked.

“She has Alpha blood. I can feel her strength,” I said. “I’m sorry. I just thought it would be fair to her.”

Alpha sighed, “It is fair. I’m sorry,” he apologized, sounding genuinely remorseful. I hadn’t expected Alpha Kairos to ever apologize for anything. “I need to show you something,” Alpha said, and once again, I found myself following him. I didn’t want to leave the forest, but I knew I’d be back soon. I had to take care of this forest now.

We stepped into what seemed like a sacred place. From the outside, it appeared small yet significant, with two guards stationed at the entrance. Alpha flicked on the light as we entered, revealing a vast array of weapons before me.

I ventured further into the room, no longer trailing behind Alpha. The weapons were encased in glass boxes, not like a typical armory. These weapons had an air of opulence about them.

“My grandfather dedicated his life to amassing weapons capable of killing every mythical creature,” Alpha explained. “I haven’t encountered even half of the creatures these weapons are designed for.”

I moved past several swords adorned with gold streaks. There was a wooden dagger, presumably for vampires. A display held a silver sword next to a withered wolfsbane flower.

“Why keep this here?” I questioned, not turning to face Alpha. Why would anyone want a weapon that could end their life? Sure, werewolves weren’t immortal and any sword could kill them, but silver meant instant death.

“This collection isn’t about killing or protection,” he clarified. I glanced back at him, leaning against a case of swords that looked identical but had subtle differences.

I felt a pull towards those swords, they seemed unique. “This collection is about understanding the creatures that exist. If there’s a weapon to kill it, there’s someone who can wield it.”

His words became a distant murmur. I was drawn to the swords he was leaning against. Each one contained some sort of liquid potion. There were five in total, all identical yet slightly different. “What are these for?” I asked him.

“Nymphs,” he replied, causing my heart to tighten. “Celestial, land, water, underworld, wood, and nature nymphs.” The last one was green with a brown handle, a liquid green substance flowing through the blade.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “Have you ever encountered one...a nymph?” I asked him.

“No, I don’t know anyone who has. They might already be extinct. Or perhaps they’re just good at hiding,” he speculated.

My mother was killed by a regular blade because she wasn’t a full water nymph, but also a wolf. The same applies to me, I can be killed like any other human.

“Adelie,” he said my name. “I want to give you a gift. A gift to mark the beginning of your Luna journey. But I don’t know what. That’s why you need to tell me what you want. It could be anything, even a personal question if you wish.”

All I wanted was to know more about him, any small detail could put my mind at ease. But that wasn’t the priority right now. I pushed the thought of questions aside. “Okay. But my gift would require two parts.”

He turned to face me. “I’m listening.”

“The Omega twins, Maya and Maeve, their mother and stepbrother are ill. They say the mother doesn’t have much time left, but James, the brother, needs constant care. If you would be so kind, I would like you to bring them here and pay for his caretaker.”

Alpha was silent for a long while. “If they had come to me with this, they would have received help. They didn’t need you to speak for them.”

“The girls were managing fine, but Maya has found a mate and that would leave Maeve alone. Since Maya’s mate is from outside the pack—”

Alpha cut me off. “Outside the pack. What was she doing outside?” Alpha’s tone was angry.

“And that’s the second part of my gift, please be understanding towards her. She’s afraid to talk to you. Please, Alpha, that’s all I ask.”

He let out a heavy sigh. “Such an unusual request. Why not ask for something for yourself?” he questioned, studying me.

“It is for me. It will put my mind at ease. And I help others...that’s what I do,” I explained.

Alpha took a few steps towards me. “Adelie. Are you something more than a werewolf?” he asked. It was then I realized he had brought me here to show that no matter what I might be, he had the means to harm me.

My heart was pounding out of my chest. “No,” I declared, my voice steady and strong.

“I don’t trust you,” he retorted, yet he continued to close the distance between us until we were nearly touching.

His hand reached up to caress my cheek and I recoiled from the sensation it stirred within me. “You seem so pure, but I can’t let you hurt us again, not me or the pack.”

Hurt them again? Was he referring to the previous Luna? His gaze was on me, but it felt as if he was looking past me. “I never told you this, but you have an angelic aura.”

Suddenly, his eyes shifted. He was looking at me with an intensity I’d never seen before. His gaze was pulling me in.

His expression wasn’t one of anger, but rather, sadness. Then, he drew me into a kiss. As his lips met mine, the world around us seemed to fade away. It was just him and me. I felt like I could be my true self, share my deepest secrets with him.

Now, I understood what those sparks felt like. When he held me, it felt like I’d never stood on my own two feet before. It felt like everything to me. I yearned to be his, and for him to be mine. But I knew that was an impossible dream when he abruptly pulled away, his face twisted in anger, and stormed out of the sanctuary.

He barked at one of the guards, “Take her back to my house.”

My wolf cried out in pain, craving his proximity.

“Luna, are you ready to leave?” one of the guards asked me. I simply nodded, exiting the sanctuary as tears streamed down my face and both my mates were shaking my body from within.

I’d never felt so vulnerable before. My heart felt like glass, and both of my mates were tossing it back and forth, barely managing to catch it. But what if one of them drops it? What will be my breaking point?

At that moment, I wished for the hunters who were after me to find me and end my suffering. But my mother had spent her life protecting me, keeping me hidden. I couldn’t just throw that away.