Chapter 57: I Guess This Was My Life

Lucinda

I slowly descended the wide staircase on my mate's arm. The silence below exploded into cheers and hoots and applause.

A bright smile burst on my face. So many wolves had gathered here just to congratulate us for finding each other. They were here to celebrate the mating custom with us and to welcome me as their next Luna.

Tyler guided me to a halt halfway down. I glanced up at my Alpha mate. He beamed at me and whispered, "Welcome to the spotlight."

"I love this pack," I whispered back.

He leaned in and pressed his lips on mine.

The crowd erupted even more loudly. Cheers and whistles and awwww's showered us like confetti.

Then Tyler's dad began his speech. Everyone hushed in respect and I listened well.

"One and a half years ago," he began, "my son walked down those very steps with high hopes of discovering his mate. However, he did not find her that day because she was not present. The moon goddess had someone else in store for him: the perfect mate, who would be his Luna and rule the Crescent Pack by his side. Only one person who would be best for him and the pack. And now, finally, that one person has been found, and today she takes her place by his side as his mate, the Alpha female. She whom you will respect, admire, obey, and look up to as the one chosen by Selene herself. She who has proven her worth with fortitude, bravery, strength, and sacrifice. Need I mention her beauty too? With confidence I can say that she was well worth the wait. I am exceedingly joyful and proud to present your next leaders, my son Tyler and his mate, Lucinda!"

More cheers. More applause. More beaming faces.

I felt like I was floating with all the praise. The pack's approval was wholehearted and thunderous.

Tyler and I shared a short glance. His eyes asked silently if I was okay, and mine reassured him that I was.

Satisfied, he led the way down the rest of the stairs and we joined the pack.

Jayden met us at the bottom. "So the girl who managed to piss me off in less than ten minutes after we met became my best friend's mate. How fitting," he said. I laughed, recalling that moment. A throng of Tyler's friends encompassed us, which was followed by introduction after introduction. I nodded along, taking and cataloguing names and faces in my mind. But soon, Tyler noted my distress and told me to go find my friends.

So I did. Trish and Dylan, as well as so many upcoming Lunas or Alpha daughters flocked to me to wish me a great time. Some of the girls even offered some tips or experiences and advice.

I kept up pretty well, if I do say so myself.

"Cindy!" Trisha said, grabbing my arm and pulling me back. "Can we talk?"

I glanced at her for a second, quickly gauging that nothing was wrong. "Sure," I said anyway.

Grasping my hand, she gave a brief smile to the other girls and hauled me up the stairs.

"What?" I whispered as soon as we entered a room.

"Someone called the pack house," she said. "She was trying to reach you. She said you weren't picking your phone."

"Ugh, I don't even know where it is. Who was she?"

"She claimed to be your mom."

My eyes widened. "My Mom!" I whisper-yelled in panic. "Did she give you a number?" I asked. She nodded and handed me her own phone. I smiled and called the number already displayed on the screen.

"Hello?"

It was my mother's voice. I sighed in relief. "Hey Mum," I said. "Could you please get Tyler here?" I linked to my Beta. She nodded and left.

"Hello my dear, I heard what was going on for you today so I decided to call."

"Yeah. Sorry I forgot to tell you. I've just been super busy-"

"Oh that's quite fine. Your friend Lexi informed me. Are you happy dear?"

"Of course Mum, he's wonderful. He loves me very much."

"Well then I'm glad. Congratulations! I heard he's an Alpha too. My baby is going to be a Luna!"

I giggled. "I'm already a Luna, Mum." Tyler opened the door. "Oh here he is now. Do you want to speak to him?"

"Is that your idea or his?"

He gave me a questioning look.

"Mine. Why?"

"Just curious. Alright, put him on."

I handed Tyler the phone.

"Hello... Yes, that's me... Of course... For what?... Oh, don't mention it. I did it for her..." He grinned and pulled me close to him. I struggled hard to keep my hearing to myself and not listen to what my mom was saying on the other end. "Yes ma'am... Yes, it was a shame... That's a long story... Yes ma'am... Thank you... Of course, with pleasure... I will... Goodbye."

She hung up and he handed it back.

"What did she say?" I asked.

"Didn't you listen in?"

I shook my head.

"Oh. Well, she was very brief. She thanked me for helping find her so that he two of you could meet. Then she asked why I wasn't there last time. After that, she said to take good care of you."

I couldn't help smiling softly.

"Well we have a celebration to return to," I said briskly.

Tyler leaned in and kissed me softly. "I love you," he whispered as if afraid that I would forget. "I love you."

"As I love you," I answered back.

He kissed me again to seal our words.

He loved me.

I guess this was my life. After my mother was driven from her pack in an attempt to protect me from my father, she and a true friend worked together to snatch me from him. Eventually, both he and Cara had died because of his desire to kill me. But my mother had made it out and managed to find a life outside of her past and it's influences. And I had done the same.

I got out of the orphanage and managed to leave it behind. I closed that chapter, beginning to work on getting a new life here. I had met lots of challenges, but I'd had people by my side, my first true friends. And look what the struggle had brought me. A home, a pack, a true understanding of who and what I was. Some wonderful memories. A title. Real friends. My mother. My mate, the love I never knew existed. All things that could not be priced.

Of course, there was still a long road to go. I would be naïve to think it was over. Obviously, there would still be many things I would have to learn about being a wolf, being a pack member, and being a Luna. But I was fairly sure I could make it with Tyler to guide me, my Beta to help me, and Lexi to annoy me to the best if her ability.

The prospect was good. Dawn had broken. I felt very optimistic about the future ahead of us.

I guess all this wasn't a mistake after all.

"... Seriously, landing here must have been my lucky stars."

THE END