Chapter 57

Cassidy herself had never been a girly girl. She had never been the kind of girl who wore make up. She didn't need it. She rarely did more than throw her long dark hair up into a bun or pony tail if she didn't just leave it to fall down her back freely. She had no formal clothes to wear and as she stood in the door of her closet, looking at her meager possessions that consisted of tennis shoes , leggings and printed tee shirts she felt a new kind of anxiety rolling in on her. This was an important gathering. More important because she was the alpha’s mate and Luna to the pack. Cassidy knew James would be fine if she wore nothing but his shirt she liked to sleep in. The rest of them? She wanted to impress them. Make them proud to call her Luna.

Cassidy was very confident in most situations when it came to get togethers she and Jett had attended on their travels. Usually people Jett had known over the years from other packs who were discussing some sort of business with him. She was even confident in this role she was taking on as Luna, but throw her into a room of wolves she may or may not know and have actual expectations of her? She felt like she was drowning.

It was Macy who had come to save the day for her. With a soft knock on the door, the former Luna swept in with a beautiful black formal dress and several other wolves who had been tasked with helping make Cassidy ready. The beta’s mother, Renae, who happened to be the Luna's best friend, was incredibly gifted when it came to fashion and talented with a curling iron. It took all of an hour for them to get Cassidy cleaned up, dressed and her hair done.

The women stood back with eager, approving grins while looking over Cassidy.

“Oh she is a treasure. I hope my boy finds a girl like you Luna.” Renae said wistfully while Macy nodded in agreement.

“Cassidy is perfect for our pack and my son. We couldn't ask for a better Luna.”

Cassidy was staring at herself in the mirror, hardly recognizing herself at the moment. She never really took the time to stop and see herself and when the two elder wolves began to compliment her, she couldn't help but blush from the praise. “Thank you. Truly.” She said quietly. Turning to look at the back of the dress in the full length mirror. Her chestnut hair was gathered and styled in a loose chignon bun, pinned with black pearls throughout. The dress clung to her like a second skin, deeply v’d in the back while modestly resting just below the collarbone in the front. The ex Luna had applied just a light coat of makeup, nothing more than mascara and a light lip tint before she and Alaric's mother declared her a masterpiece.

“Oh. I almost forgot!” Macy said and Cassidy turned to her as the woman began to unclasp her necklace. “This is the BlackStone. Ironic, I know… But the first Alpha gifted it to his Luna when the pack was formed.” Macy explained as she went behind Cassidy and placed the cool gold chain around the new Luna’s neck. “She then gifted it to the next Luna. She gave it to the next Luna… So on and so forth. Thousands of years this thing has rested on the breast of women who nurtured, protected, loved and raised this pack to what it is today. I have been Luna for over a hundred years and I am passing it on to you. Its been said to have been blessed by a witch, the stone gives us strength and patience. Goddess knows we need it to deal with the men in our lives.” She teased before stepping away to look over Cassidy, nodding in approval. “Now, with my blessing, you are the Luna of BlackStone.”

Cassidy touched the smooth jet black stone that was streaked with veins of golden colors, smiling as she admired it. It was beautiful and so very fitting for the Luna of BlackStone. Tears gathered quickly in Cassidy’s eyes as emotions rolled in. Things she hadn't ever really thought of before flooding her mind. Her mother should have been here for this… She should have met James. Should have sat on Cassidy’s bed and talked about boys and school. Heartache brought out a sob of breath that Cassidy quickly covered with her hand as she struggled to contain herself.

“Oh sweet child. What is wrong?” Macy asked in concern and brought Cassidy into her arms. “Go get her a glass of water. Quickly please.” James’ mother directed one of the girls that had come up with them as Cassidy weeped for a few minutes in her embrace. By the time the water was retrieved and brought back, Cassi had composed herself and took a drink of the water, stepping back from Macy.

“I'm sorry… I love the necklace. Thank you. I just…” she started to speak and shook her head a little. “Just hope I am making my own mother proud. I know she would have loved to be here. She was always throwing parties for the pack.” Cassidy said and Macy gave a little nod, taking a cloth and cleaning up Cassidy’s face where her makeup smudged a little.

“She is here. I know the humans like to say people who are dead are watching over a loved one to help comfort themselves. I have always believed something of the same. So I believe she is here and she is proud of you. I didn't get the pleasure of having a daughter, but I would have wanted her to be like you Cassidy. Any mother would be proud of a daughter like you.” She said sweetly. Macy had her doubts about Cassidy until their standoff this morning over breakfast. She knew then, the she wolf was going to take care of not only her son, but the pack as well when she made the compromise over the meal to be moved to dinner.

“Alright girls. Enough of the feelings. You will have us all crying.” Renae said through misty eyes seeing the two Luna's having a moment together. “The men are waiting and I'm starving. I didn't get all dressed up not to eat… and we don't want to have a brawl break out from the last Luna’s reluctance to make an appearance at her own feast.”

Cassidy looked a little confused at Renae’s words and she looked to Macy when the woman gasped and went over to the other woman. “That is slander and lies Renae Frost. It is not my fault your husband challenged Julian to drink before breakfast. I recall it much differently!” The older women both laughed together, making their excuses to leave and bowing their heads in respect to their new Luna. “Come down at your leisure Luna Black. As I was once told, Luna's are never late. They are right where they are needed when they are needed.”

Finding herself alone after Macy, Renae and the others left, Cassidy turned back to the mirror. The reality of her place in the pack seeming to blow up in front of her. She was a Luna. You are also an Alpha her wolf whispered. Becoming Luna was pretty much every she-wolfs dream. She could remember her friends when she was younger day dreaming about the big strong alpha that would come and sweep them off their feet. How they would be Luna and everyone would submit just because of their pack rank. Cassidy had never wanted any of that. She had only wanted to find a wolf that would make her happy. Maybe it was because she was alpha born she didn't crave the need for power or position. She already had it. And now she had a wolf who made her happy. Insanely frustrated and angry sometimes, but happy none the less.

Touching the stone on the chain one last time, she took a breath and headed to the door. Nervous or not, all she could think about was James. It was supposed to be a small gathering James had told her. Just him and his family and Alaric and a few of the elders. A small celebration for the Luna’s bonding and first heat and a feast to ensure a healthy start to her reign.

Cassidy had made it down to the last set of stairs and was watching her feet as she went down them, willing herself not to trip or fall in the heels she had on when there was a silence followed quickly by a crash of shattering glass and a serving plate when one server crashed into another when their attention was drawn to her.

Everyone was staring and had gone quiet when Cassidy looked up at the sound of the crash, all but James who let out a low possessive growl.