Chapter 51 - Luna

Daemon POV

"This is ridiculous," I groaned, turning to look at myself in the mirror. Sam, across the room, looked up from whatever she was doing and snorted.

"You look fine," she replied, and I turned my head and glared at her. Sam smiled cheekily, winked, and went back to looking at whatever she was doing.

"Why do I have to do this? Can't we just do, like, a normal ceremony? Something small?" I asked, my voice taking on a whiny pitch. Sam snorted, standing up and walking over to me. She stopped behind me, looking me up and down in the mirror, and smiled.

"Because this isn't something small. This is big for you, for us, this isn't something we can just sweep past." She stated, resting her hands on my shoulders. I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms across my chest.

"Besides, all you have to do is stand on a stage and look pretty. After the ceremony you can stick around for a bit, and then you can go off and do whatever Daemon things you want to do," She laughed, and I rolled my eyes again, uncrossing my arms and swatting her hands off me.

"Whatever," I mumbled, before turning back and adjusting the suit I had been stuffed into again. The jacket and pants were a light grey color, the undershirt black. The cufflinks and tie were a deep shade of blue, along with the little pocket thing that I couldn't care to remember the name of. It was a nice suit, I'm not going to lie, I just didn't want to be the one wearing it.

Sam chuckled softly, before turning on her heel and walking to the door. She stopped and looked back at me while she opened it.

"You'll be fine, I promise it isn't that bad." She gave me a reassuring smile and left the room. I sighed, turning away from the mirror and sitting on my bed, and began undoing the cufflinks.  I already knew I had to spend most of the day in here for some reason, so I wouldn't spoil the surprise of anything. Wouldn't it be better for me to know what I'm doing? You'd think, but apparently not. The only time I get to go out is shortly before the ceremony so I can get a run-through on where I have to stand and what I have to say and do, blah, blah, blah.

So I'm stuck in our room until then.

Matias is off helping set up, Jamie is probably helping Matias in his own way, and Sam just walked out so now I'm all alone for another...I check the clock...hour or two.

I sigh as I start to take the rest of the suit off so I don't wrinkle it sitting around. At least I don't have to wear it the whole day.

___

An hour and a half passed before the bedroom door was once again opened, revealing Sam in all her glory. She smirked at me as I glared at her from the couch, a controller in my hands as I played Minecraft.

"Alright dude, let's get this show on the road," She waved me over, and I quickly turned off the counsel, jumping up and walking over to her. I had changed into sweatpants and a random hoodie, knowing I would have enough time to come back up and change again before the ceremony.

We walked out of the room, and on the way down and outside, Sam explained to me everything that we had to do. We were going down right now to go over the "rehearsal", and Sam was briefly explaining what that was going to be about. Basically where I had to stand, order of events, etc.

"Any questions?" She asked as she held the door for me to head outside. I shook my head no and steeped out the big glass doors to the porch.

It was only a little after five by now, but the porch was decorated in the same fairy lights as last time, and it seemed to give the slowly fading day a bit of extra sparkle.

Fairy lights littered the deck and walls, the beanbags, chairs, and some of the other soft furniture that was usually on the deck was nowhere to be seen, replaced with more sophisticated chairs and small couches. Tables lined the edges of the deck, probably for some food, and small circular tables were spread out methodically across the yard, five chairs at each. They were all covered in short white table clothes, a small flower vase on each table.

At the very far end of the yard, past all the tables and chairs, there was a stage. Not a full-blown stage with curtains and all that, but a decent-sized stage with a small staircase at either end, a podium sitting in the middle, and fairy lights also glittering at the edges of the wood. The wood that made up the stage was a deep ash color, yet it was still surprisingly pretty, and fit in with the rest of the theme.

"So, around six-thirty or so," Sam's voice cut through my observations and I listened as she walked me over to the stage, going through everything I would have to do.

Not going to lie, I basically just stood there the whole time as Matias's mom talked, and then transferred the Luna power over.

But Sam made it seem so much more complicated. I listened, and I understood, but Goddess could this girl talk if she wanted to.

"After the ceremony, you'll be expected to hang around for a bit and introduce yourself, get to know our pack along with a few other pack's alphas and their mates. Nothing too harsh, it's basically like your introduction party again, but with the added Luna power transfer," I nodded at Sam, glancing around the yard again from up on the podium.

"And hopefully without the...intruder this time too," She added, voice soft and low. I snorted, nodding again.

"Hopefully," I replied. We stood in silence for a few minutes, just looking around. Well, I was, I think Sam was making sure everything was in place.

"Where is everyone, by the way?" I asked, looking over at my mate's sister. She shrugged, gesturing to the house.

"Either getting ready in there, or somewhere else. Technically their not supposed to see you until you're up on stage and shit. I don't know why, it's weird. That's why I kept you locked in your room all day." Sam chuckled, and I rolled my eyes.

"That is stupid," I grumbled, starting towards the stairs at the edge of the stage. Sam hummed in agreement and followed me off. We walked back through the tables and up to the porch, Sam sliding the door open and waiting for me to go in.

"Go back up and change, I'll come to get you when we're ready." She smiled and I nodded, walking over to the elevator because I was not about to take the stairs up.

___

A knock on the door had me snapping my head up from my stiff position on the couch, and I watched as Sam opened the door and poked her head in. She smiled when she saw me and I stood up, Sam opening the door all the way to reveal the rest of her. She herself was in a suit. It hugged her shape nicely and was plain black with silver accents, no tie. Her short hair was curled slightly, and I could see faint hints of makeup decorating her face. She looked nice.

"You look nice," I voiced, and she smiled.

"Thanks, you look nice too," She replied, and I smiled too. She gestured with her head out the door, and I sighed.

"I promise it'll be fine. It's not as freaky as you think it will be," She said, and I shrugged.

"Let's just get this over with."

___

"Do you take this power, swearing to use it until your time has come for the good of this pack, protecting it's inhabitants with the best of your ability, both mentally and physically?" Emilia's eyes glittered as she spoke the words, her soft hands holding mine gently. Her hair hung down her back in waves, the dress she donned perfect for her figure and not too overdone for her age. She looked stunning in the lights, including the fading sun.

"I do," I replied, smiling softly back. She squeezed my hands gently before resuming.

"Do you take this power, and swear to use it responsibly. To be a good Luna and an even better mate, and to help protect your pack alongside your fate?"

"I do," I nodded.

"Do you, Daemon, take this power from me, and hold it for as long as need be, and only release it when you have deemed the future Luna prepared?" Her hands squeezed mine lightly again, and I nodded.

"I do."

"With my power and my blessing," her hands grew warm, "I now transfer the power of the Luna of Darkwood pack, over to you, Daemon Vertori."

I could feel the rush of power flow through me, it was warm and welcoming, the feeling you get when you finally come home after so long away. I could feel a rush of emotions, some that didn't belong to me, along with voices. Voices of my pack. Feelings from my pack.

Before I could register it, Emilia pulled me into her arms and hugged me tightly, and I could hear the cheer of the crowd around below me. Emilia pulled back, her hands resting on my shoulders, and turned to the crowd. They went silent.

"I now present to you, your new Luna." Her voice was clear and ethereal, and the crowd went up in cheers again. I smiled wide as Emilia squeezed my shoulder lightly, feelings of pride and welcoming filling through me, feelings from my pack.

And Goddess, I could not have loved that feeling more.

I'm so sorry, this is probably really shit. It's coming to an end though, maybe three or four more chapters.

I was going to make this longer, but I really don't feel like writing anymore, so the next chapter will probably be the party and what happens after the party, etc.

Also, I don't think I ever formally gave the pack a name, or Daemon a last name. But if I did, please comment and let me know so I can fix it. I'm shit at remembering and don't feel like going through all the other chapters to find out. -- Also, feel free to point out grammar or spelling mistakes. :)

Thank you for sticking around and reading, love you all very very much. <3