Mating Ceremony

ALLIE

The day of my mating ceremony has arrived, and Eleanor and Danielle are helping me get ready. The pair of them can’t seem to contain their excitement.

James’s prediction had proven to be right, and they had worked well together to organize the celebration. A little too well.

They had agreed with most of each other’s ideas and were quick to gang up on me if I tried to tone the arrangements down.

They were determined that my mating ceremony would be a magnificent event that no one in the Red Moon or Silver Fang packs would ever forget.

They hadn’t jettisoned all my ideas.

Eleanor had been happy to include elements of what she called my understated elegance in the arrangements, and the decorations we had compromised on were truly beautiful.

The decision had been made to hold the mating ceremony in the forest on the border between the Red Moon Pack and the Silver Fang Pack lands.

This way, both packs would feel that they were treated equally and were just as important to their alpha and new luna.

As Danielle puts the finishing touches on my hair and makeup, Eleanor walks toward me holding a large box.

“You look truly beautiful, my dear, but there is something missing, the final touches that will make you look perfect.

“The Silver Fang Pack has ceremonial jewelry that is traditionally worn by each luna of the pack.” She opens the box to display a large blue diamond pendant and matching blue diamond drop earrings.

“They’re beautiful,” I exclaim.

“And very rare and expensive,” Danielle observes.

“Only the best for the Silver Fang Pack luna,” Eleanor declares proudly. “They will look stunning on you.”

She fastens the pendant around my neck, and once the jewelry is in place, she guides me to the full-length mirror so I can look at my appearance.

I don’t recognize myself. I’ve never worn anything so beautiful or looked so elegant.

My long silver silk dress shimmers in the light and hugs my curves. My hair is styled in an elaborate updo, and my eyes sparkle, catching the color of the necklace.

“You look stunning my dear. My son is going to be lost for words.”

“Time to go,” Danielle breaks in. “Alexander has just messaged to say that the car is waiting outside.”

We walk down the stairs and out of the packhouse to find Alexander dressed in a smart suit, waiting beside a Rolls Royce.

“You look truly beautiful, Allie,” he greets me. “I’m proud to be the one who gets to escort you to your mating ceremony.”

I blush and take his hand as he helps me into the car.

After a twenty-minute journey, we reach our destination. The path is strewn with wildflowers, and hundreds of candles light our way.

When we reach the clearing, over five hundred wolves are sitting on chairs arranged in a circle around a raised dais.

James and David stand on the dais, both wearing tuxedos. Next to them is a wolf who is there to officiate the ceremony.

The sight of my mate calms me. I can’t wait to stand beside him, declaring our love and formalizing our bond in front of our two packs. I walk confidently toward him.

He walks down the stairs and takes my hand before pulling me close to him.

“You look so beautiful. I’m blown away by the fact that you’re my mate and that after today you will officially be mine.”

He helps me onto the dais, and we turn to face the two packs who cheer.

The wolf who will lead the ceremony clears his throat. “We are here today to witness the mating of James, the Alpha of the Silver Fang and Red Moon Packs, to Allie.

“True mates, who will be joined together as one, in the presence of their wolves, and the moon goddess. Their bond will last forever.”

He prompts James to begin his vow. “Alpha.”

“Allie, I stand here tonight, before all our family, our friends, and our pack, and ask them to bear witness while I declare my love for you.

“I pledge my devotion to you, the mate made for me; our union blessed by the moon goddess. Allie, my mate and my luna.” He clasps my hands in his.

I feel overcome by emotion but somehow I manage to respond.

“James, my mate, I stand here in the presence of the moon goddess to declare my love for you and my commitment to stand beside you forever as your luna and your mate.

“I promise to serve and protect the Silver Fang and Red Moon Packs as their luna for the rest of my life.”

Golden threads spark between us, uniting our hands. Joining us together.

I gasp in surprise.

“The moon goddess blesses this union,” the officiating wolf announces.

A loud cheer erupts from the crowd around us.

Love dances in James’s eyes. “Finally, I’ve made you mine. We just have four hours of celebrations with the pack, and then we can leave everyone behind and celebrate properly in private.”

He caresses my arm, and electricity sparks between us.

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the effect he has on me, and I hope I never will.

I could never love anyone as much as I love this man, my soulmate.