XVIII | Miracles

"How are you feeling?" Rosy was a worrier, Kaia had realized. She was the sweetest woman, though, and Kaia knew that it was all in good spirit.

"I'm honestly fine," Kaia said, smiling to reassure her, "I get enough worrying from Kaleb, already. So, instead of talking about me, why don't we talk about this."

Rosy smiled widely, "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Rosy had brought the most glamorous dress Kaia had ever seen. It was a lovely iridescent silver, shifting and swirling as Kaia moved as if it had a life of its own. It looked almost magic, with pearls studded on the bodice and a blood red sash hugging Kaia's waist. "The colors are tradition, you know. But I don't know that we've ever had a Luna who has suited them so well."

Kaia flushed, "Tradition?"

Rosy nodded, arranging Kaia's hair to rest in delicate curls around her shoulders, "The silver is the moon. There are lycanthrope legends that hint that the moon was our creator, that we were born from it."

"And the red?" Kaia asked, touching the satin sash.

Rosy's smile faltered, "It represents blood, of course."

Kaia felt a sinking in her stomach. "Blood?"

"But I think there are two ways to look at it. One," Rosy said, taking Kaia's hand, "Is that it represents death." Kaia felt her eyes sting when she remembered what Kaleb had said. I selfishly brought you here, into my dark world.

She wouldn't lie to herself; she'd been scared. She'd lived through so much since she'd been here, and she wasn't naive. She knew she was in danger even if Kaleb watched over her. But it was that very same thought that had let her conquer that fear. As long as she was with him, she could do anything. Be anything. Bear anything.

"The other," Rosy said, taking Kaia's other hand and meeting Kaia's eyes. Rosy's expression changed to a soft yet brilliant pride, like early morning sunshine. "Is that it represents the family."

Kaia smiled, "I like the latter much more."

Rosy laughed, a warm, round sound. "Me, too."

Family. Was that what she had now? What did that even mean? Was this sort of like marriage? It felt like it at that moment, like the silver she wore was a wedding dress, shining and falling fluid against her body.

A wedding. Kaia wasn't sure she was ready for this. But, at the same time, she knew that it wasn't the same as a human wedding. It was a commitment, yes, but it didn't hold the same meaning. Still, it was a big deal, and Kaia's limbs felt weirdly weightless. Her bones had hollowed out like a bird's.

A gasp jerked Kaia from her thoughts. "You look beautiful!"

Kaia turned to the door. The girl she'd met in the entrance hall, Jaeda, was standing agape in the doorway. "Are you a goddess?" she asked, approaching Kaia.

Kaia laughed, feeling a bit awkward, "Not last I checked."

"Well, you could have fooled me," Jaeda said, smiling widely. She had a beautiful smile that lit up her brown eyes, but seconds later her smile vanished. "Listen, Luna," she started, clasping her hands together, "I wanted to apologize."

Kaia turned to face her, "What for?"

"For not taking you to see our Alpha when you needed to see him," she said, her face collapsing. Her beautiful curls fell to the side when she tilted her head. "I'm sorry."

Kaia didn't know what to say, so just stepped forward and took Jaeda into her arms. At first, the girl tensed noticeably, like she didn't know what to do in the situation. Her Luna was hugging her. That didn't usually happen, did it? She should show respect, right? But her Luna-to-be was gentle, was kind and warm. Jaeda melted.

Kaia could feel how earnest Jaeda was the moment she touched her new friend. "Thank you," Kaia whispered into her ear, giving her one last squeeze before drawing back. The two girls were opposites. Where Kaia was pale and silvery, Jaeda had dark skin and beautiful raven curls. Jaeda even wore a dark violet dress. But, at that moment, despite how different they were, there was an understanding between them.

"I'm glad you're the next Luna," Jaeda said, "Even after our Alpha announced Grayson's offense, there are still some who doubt you. They're few and far between and have their tails between their legs, though. Anyway, I think they're wrong, that you're exactly what our Pack needs."

Kaia felt moved. She'd secretly feared that the entirety of the Pack felt as Grayson had toward her. But one girl's words were enough for Kaia to give her hope room to breathe. "I hope so," Kaia said.

"Our Alpha definitely thinks so," Jaeda said, her eyes lighting up mischievously, "You know, he's probably the glummest person I've ever seen, but when he's around you he turns into quite the sap."

Kaia blushed, her eyes widening, "Oh my g...don't say that. That's embarrassing, Jaeda."

"It's true," Jaeda laughed, "I never thought he had that many expressions; between gloom and anger he didn't seem to have much space left for the rest."

Kaia laughed as Jaeda's eyes went wide. Jaeda pressed a hand to her mouth, "Oh wait, I shouldn't speak of him like that. It's not-"

"It's fine," Kaia said quickly, her voice light, "I've been waiting for someone to admit it, but no one besides Rosy and Lion has been brave enough."

Jaeda frowned, but her eyes smiled. "Jaeda, I hope to see you more often. Is that ok?" Kaia asked.

Jaeda's face lit up, "Absolutely! But you'll have to get Elias off of my back. He's my patrol leader. He thinks I talk too much."

"I'm sure we can figure something out," Kaia said, "I should probably get to know him, too."

Jaeda smiled, "So now that my awkward apology is over, we can get down to business. Lion sent me to tell you that they're ready for you. So, whenever you choose to come, your mate is waiting."

He'll be waiting. Kaleb, waiting for her. Wow, this did feel like a wedding. It felt like she'd walk down an aisle and see her mate waiting for her at the end of it, smiling at her. But Kaia didn't know what to expect. When she'd asked Rosy what she had to do for the ceremony, Rosy's only answer was a knowing smile and a curt, "It's a short ceremony, dear. Just wait."

Kaia had a feeling they were going to spring something on her, but she figured it was supposed to be that way. Maybe she wasn't supposed to know what was going to happen. Either that or everybody was pulling an elaborate prank on her.

"Are you ready, dear?" Rosy asked, stepping forward.

"Just give me a minute?" Kaia asked, feeling her throat close up for a second.

Rosy smiled, understanding. "I'll be just outside. Come out when you're ready." Kaia nodded and watched them leave. When the door shut with a quiet tapping sound, Kaia took a deep breath and turned, looking at herself in the mirror.

Kaia ran her hands over her dress, smoothing the fabric against her legs. She was beautiful, and everything should be perfect, but she couldn't help feeling a tug at her heart. You're lovely, my baby. Kaia remembered what her mom had said all those years ago, the memory forcing Kaia to look up so that she wouldn't cry. You'll be the most beautiful bride.  I'm so excited for your future.

Kaia let the memory of her mother fill her up. Even if she couldn't be here, her mother was always with her. Kaia didn't believe in ghosts, but that didn't matter. Memories are how we genuinely become immortal, and Kaia had many with her mother. In them, her mother's face was blurry, augmented by time. Her voice was always different because Kaia could barely remember it. But they were memories all the same, and Kaia treasured them.

Kaia inhaled deeply and smiled, "Ok."

☾

There was a look, Kaia had discovered, that was unique to Kaleb. She could count the number of times she'd seen the look on one hand.

It was the sort that lured you in, couldn't help but demand attention. If there were twenty people in a room, that look from Kaleb would be where Kaia's eyes were drawn. She'd never known that in another person, but then again she'd never opened herself up to anyone else. Maybe the reason she found the look so unique was because of the understanding in Kaleb's eyes.

Kaleb knew Kaia, and he looked at her with such pride and admiration that Kaia felt like an even better version of herself. One look from him, and she felt changed.

And this was the look that he was giving her now. His lips parted, and he turned his body towards her. His bright eyes bore into hers, and Kaia's steps faltered. Her dress felt too tight. He was standing in the middle of the room, and what seemed like the entire Pack was fanned out in a perfect circle around him. They all stood in the mirror room, so all of the reflective surfaces almost seemed to multiply the number of faces by a million. It was overwhelming.

But then she saw a look of concern spark in Kaleb's eyes and his hands curl into fists. It was like he was ready to fight whatever it was that was making Kaia nervous. And Lionel stepped out from the crowd, gently touching her elbow after his magic appearance. He had a knowing look in his eyes, and he leaned down and whispered in Kaia's ear, "Don't even pay attention to them. This is just about you two."

She wished for a moment that her brother was here, that she could see his face in the crowd. Instead, her eyes found Jaeda, and she smiled encouragingly at her, giving Kaia a giddy thumbs up.

When Lionel stepped out of the way again, Kaia set her eyes on Kaleb. She let the sight of him fill her up, standing there looking worried for her. He cared so much for her, would defend her until his last breath; something about that thought gave Kaia courage. And seeing how sexy he looked in a suit helped, too.

So she walked forward, eyes following her and heads turning. Step by step, her shoes echoed on the shining marble underfoot. Her dress floated behind her like it had a life of its own. When she finally arrived in the center of the circle, Kaleb immediately took her hand like he'd been aching to do it.

He gave her a questioning look, and she knew in her usual way what he was asking without him having to voice it. Are you ok? "I'm fine," Kaia whispered quickly, "Just surprised."

Kaia watched as the worry drained away, replaced by an almost unnoticeable satisfaction. "So," Kaia started, still whispering as she took Kaleb's other hand. She glanced around, feeling strange to simply be standing, surrounded by people who were staring at them...in silence. "What happens now?"

Kaleb smiled a genuine, full smile. It was the type that Kaia rarely saw from Kaleb. And when she slid her thumb along his knuckles, she could feel the brilliance of his emotions. He was at peace, full of anticipation. He was... "Kaia," Kaleb warned.

Kaia cleared her throat. He'd noticed that she'd been reading him. "Sorry," Kaia said quietly, blushing, "I can't really help it."

Kaleb's smile didn't fade as he looked up. Kaia followed his gaze to see an older man approaching them. He walked with a cane as if he'd been injured. He wore a nice tux with a small red bow tie at his neck. The man came to stand beside them, a warm smile on his weathered face. He had wrinkles that told stories.

"Today is a momentous one," he said, his voice booming despite his small stature; his presence was three times his height.

Momentous. Kaia didn't feel momentous. She felt like herself, dressed up and nerves flying, but herself all the same. And she felt small, like being only Kaia was such a little thing compared to the importance of this ceremony. Kaia knew little about it, but Kaleb had imparted to her how highly the Pack regarded their traditions.

"I have brought the hearts of many leaders together in my life," the man said with a smile in his eyes. Then there was a pang of sadness. "Including the great creator of the Accords, Alpha Alexander, and his Luna, Melody." Again, as always, there was an audible buzz as the crowd rippled with whispers. Kaia breathed in respect as it filled the air. Memories reflected off of the mirrors in the many faces of the Pack.

"So, it brings me a particular joy," the man said, "And pride to join together our Alpha and his Luna today."

Kaleb bowed his head, but before he managed to hide it, Kaia caught a precious glimpse of a blush on his face. Kaia wasn't sure who this man was, but just looking at him, Kaia could tell that he and Kaleb had a history. Perhaps that was why Kaleb was embarrassed to hear such words from this man.

"Now," the man said, resting his hands together on his cane, "You will each swear by the moon above to honor and serve your Pack to the best of your abilities. To always watch over them even in the darkest of your days. And when the time comes, you will give the last of your light to them and them alone."

Kaleb raised his head, and when he spoke his voice was firm. He was the Alpha, and he stood tall. "I swear."

Then he looked down to Kaia expectantly. The last of your light to them and them alone. It seemed a large pill to swallow, but Kaia did all the same. She hadn't known it until she'd had a light shone in her eyes and a question forced on her, but she would dedicate herself to the Prowlers in a heartbeat. If not for Kaleb, for Rosy. For Lionel and for his little brother. For Jaeda. And for all of the others like them. This was a family that Kaia could grow into, could learn to see as her own. "I swear."

"Then, Alpha," the man continued, a smile in his voice, "Now is the time to give your heart."

Kaia blushed. Give his heart? That seemed...Kaia didn't know. A lot. Was this why Rosy had given her that mischievous, knowing smile? She'd known that Kaia would have to stand in front of so many people and blush bright red like a lovesick girl. But Kaia hadn't expected what came next.

"Kaia," Kaleb said, lifting her hand between their chests and stepping closer. He looked down at her, a softness in his eyes. His expression was like a caress, barely a touch but full of meaning. "I've always known that my world was darkness. That my life is darkness. That I am darkness."

Kaia held his hands tighter. She wanted to argue with him. No, you're not darkness. You're warmth and sunshine and summer. You're my wolf, and I am no ones but yours. "And I never thought that anything could ever change that. But...there was something dangerously close to hope that lit up in me when I first saw you. And ever since, it's been getting brighter."

Kaia wanted to cry. She wanted to run away. She wanted to cling to Kaleb. She wanted to pass out. But all she could do was stand there and hold his hands and blush. "So, despite everything I've seen, I've begun to think that there might be stars in the sky, too. And that's the closest thing to a miracle I've ever seen."

Kaleb fell silent, his eyes lazily falling. His eyelashes nearly touched his cheeks when he slowly, intimately, released Kaia's hand and placed his on Kaia's chest. "That is my heart."

Kaia distantly heard the older man say, "And you, Luna. If you would, give your heart." But she felt like she was in a different world, transported there by Kaleb's confession.

The silence from the Pack mirrored the silence in Kaia's mind. Her thoughts went blank. These, Kaia realized, were like wedding vows. Kaia was too young to be married, wasn't she?

But no, that was a human thought. In the lycanthrope world, it was different. This was devotion, to Kaleb and to the Pack. And she had plenty of that. And, no matter what crevice of her heart she looked in, she couldn't find any real doubts. The silence cleared up like a fog lifting with a fresh breeze.

"I've spent my whole life falling," Kaia said, feeling her heart beat against Kaleb's palm. "I've never once reached out and touched life as it whizzed by me a hundred miles an hour. It all moved so fast that it was a blur; it was a beautiful picture, a horrible one, a quiet one, and that never bothered me or surprised me."

Kaia boldly met Kaleb's eyes. She saw her reflection in them, a beautiful, silvery girl blushing and bearing her heart. Her future with Kaleb shimmered in his golden irises. She found the truth in his eyes as if it had been waiting for her all along on an ancient pedestal. Here I am, Kaia. How have you never seen me?

"But when I met you, time stopped," Kaia said, clearing her throat because she was worried it would crack under the weight of her epiphany. "The world slowed down, and I found my feet. I found my home. This is all that I've ever wanted, I think." Kaia took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of Kaleb's hand on her chest. She stole some of his courage from it; she needed it to do this. To give her heart felt like the most terrifying thing she'd ever done, and yet it was still somehow the easiest.

"I love you and everything you've given me," Kaia said, a laugh of relief tumbling from her. The truth was out. She shook her head, trying to get the heat that surged through her body to calm down. It didn't help much.

"So," she started again, taking in a quick breath and smiling, content. "Whatever happens," Kaia said, reaching up and placing her hand flat against Kaleb's chest. "I'll be with you..." she breathed, but she barely realized the words were drifting in the air around them. She was too distracted by how violently Kaleb's heart was beating; it was like it was trying to revolt against him and tear itself from his chest, his life be damned. Kaia was worried for a second that the effect of the wolfsbane was coming back, but when she saw Kaleb's face, she realized that wasn't it.

His eyes were intense. He looked out at Kaia from behind his dark eyelashes, his bright eyes like glowing half-moons. Looking at them, Kaia thought of staring at burning coals after they snap out of the fireplace, your blood still rushing from the loud sound even as you're suspended into a quiet admiration for their beauty. But despite the beauty of the coals, you always know that they're dangerous, that they'd burn you if you dared to touch your fingertip to one.

"Ben," Kaleb said. His voice was a growl, and the silence that came next was an unspoken order. And Kaia heard it even if no one else could. Get on with it, Kaleb ordered. Now.

Ben gave an amused chuckle and nodded, "Seal it, then, boy."

And Kaia barely had time to wonder what that meant before Kaleb's hand moved from her chest to her cheek. Kaleb whispered a husky, "Come here." And then...

Colors. Smells. Sounds. Miracles.

The world lit up in a thousand ways, every one of Kaia's senses bursting to life at once. Kaia almost stumbled away, but Kaleb's arm had already found its way around her waist and held her against him, trapping her in this blinding reality.

Everything looked violet, shifting to fuchsia and a deep red and back to violet even as she closed her eyes. At first, it was too much. She wanted it to stop; it was like she'd bitten into ice cream and the cold was hurting her teeth. But after the icy shock fades, the sweetness sets in. When her eyes adjusted, she realized how beautiful it was. It was the aurora borealis. It was a field of wildflowers. It was her mom's favorite dress.

Kaia heard her blood pumping loudly, like drumbeats in a parade. There were cheers. At least, Kaia thought that's what the roaring sound was. But she also heard bells, like a tiny wind chime in an early spring breeze.

The first thing she smelled was Kaleb, of course. It was smoke from a campfire, the kind that stayed with you even after you left the flames and faced the darkness. It was fir trees and nature, breaking through even the harshest winter. And then she smelled a new scent, something sweet and fresh, sharp like cut grass.

Kaleb's kiss was such a small thing. It was a such a quick touch, a graze. Suddenly, it made sense why a thimble and a kiss could be confused; they were both so small yet changed so much. Changed you. Changed your world. Not just because of what they were, so seemingly insignificant, but because of what they meant and the promises that came with them. Because of the words unspoken. Because of the sunrise of a future they brought.

And when Kaleb eased his lips from hers, he was smiling again.

Kaia struggled to breathe, clinging to his suit. "That's why you were so excited...You knew that's what it would feel like, didn't you?"

"Hm?" he asked, his eyes smiling, "Like what?"

Kaia gave a little fake gasp, "The Alpha jests? Who are you and what have you done with Kaleb?"

"Still Alpha," Kaleb reminded her, "So let's get out of here before they realize that when I'm around you, I get significantly less intimidating." Kaia laughed. If Jaeda was any indication, they already knew as much.

It was then that Kaia realized that they were still standing in front of the entire Pack talking to each other as if the rest of the world didn't exist. "Can we just...leave?" Kaia asked, confused. "Are we done?"

"Ceremony's not over yet," Ben said, gesturing to the door.

"Wait, what?" Kaia asked as Kaleb dragged her away. The crowd parted and, soon enough, they left the rest behind them. For that night only, they'd escape the world.

As they ran, hand in hand, down the halls of the Mansion, a dull ache sprung up behind Kaia's eyes. She felt something eerie, like deja vu, almost. Her skin crept like someone was watching them. But the uneasiness vanished almost as soon as it had come and she forgot it almost immediately.

Yay! I hope you liked it. As usual, leave me a comment/vote if you've got a minute. Thanks for reading.