Chapter 160: An Accepted Luna

Chapter 160: An Accepted Luna
(Gretel's POV)

We took our seats beside our mates at the grand table. There were many unfamiliar faces around the room. Guests from far and near it seems.

Devion leaned in to whisper into my ears. "You look like it's our wedding day already." He said. I ducked my head shyly and smiled.

Just then, my father rose, preparing to give his usual welcome speech to the gathered crowd.

“Honored guests and loyal pack members,” Father began, his tone sounding proud, “please join me in giving a warm welcome to some very special people tonight.”

He extended a hand toward my mother. She stood up with elegance, her smile making her glow even more, and every eye in the room seemed to be fixed on her.

“I am beyond thankful to destiny and fate for returning my beloved mate, Helena, back to where she truly belongs after so many painful years apart. I ask you all to welcome your rightful Luna, your Queen!” He bellowed.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the room stood up and bowed slightly to her. Mother gave a graceful dip of the head, tears in her eyes as she acknowledged them. Us.

The sight made my throat tighten with emotion. I hadn’t expected such genuine respect and regard from the crowd—but there it was, looking plain as day.

Then, something unexpected happened. Father looked at me and motioned for me to join them. Heart pounding, I stood beside Mother under the watchful gaze of the whole room.

“You all know my daughter, Luna moth Gretel,” he said, and I thought I sensed some slight tension in his voice. Pride and restraint warred inside him it seems, but still he continued his speech, determined to say what he had to.

“And as fate would have it, she is already mated to a worthy wolf—one with silver eyes, and from a noble distant pack. Tonight, I fully accept her bond with Alpha Devion. I hope this union will unify and strengthen our lands.”

Applause erupted across the room. Cheers and howls filled the air. The approval was overwhelming. I nearly fell back in my seat from the sheer relief that surged through me.

My father had publicly recognized our bond in front of these elders and wolves present. There was no turning back now, it seems.

If my father has acknowledged our bond, I feel no one else would dare challenge it—not even the elders at the Darkhowl pack.

Devion squeezed my fingers gently. His stormy silver eyes looked soft as he stared into my eyes. My heart swelled. Fate had finally opened a clear path for us after so many obstacles.

We sat back down and the celebration began, people serving food on their plates. It felt like the tension from the past days had melted away. Devion and Father, however, despite being two strong alphas, behaved like love-struck boys.

Devion’s fingers kept brushing along my thigh under the table, drawing blushes to my face I struggled to hide. Father, on the other hand, looked like he couldn’t stop gazing at Mother, whispering things into her ear that made her cheeks turn pink, visibly.

The unmated guests around us looked either envious or terribly awkward at the show of affection between us and our mates. Devion leaned in close, his warm breath brushing my ear.

“Well, beloved,” he whispered, a teasing lilt in his voice, “seems like we aren’t the only ones madly in love tonight, hmm?”

I barely held back a giggle as I watched Father wiping food from Mother’s lips with a napkin, practically showing his adoration. Thirteen years apart must have built up quite a hunger in them.

No one seemed to be surprised when Father suddenly stood and announced that the festivities should go on without him and Mother.

Then, grinning like a man half his age, he took her hand and led her away toward their private chambers, I guess.

Devion watched them go with a smirk. “Seems I have something else in common with your father,” he murmured close to my ear again.

“We both don’t care much about waiting once we’ve caught our mate’s scent in heat.”

His words made my face heat up. I smacked his chest gently, scandalized—but secretly thrilled.

I couldn’t stop the squeal of laughter when he suddenly lifted me up and spun me into the center of the dance floor.

The song that was played only seemed to intensify my emotions, heat, and longing. Devion’s hands guided me as we danced, but his eyes—those eyes—hardly left mine.

By the end of the third song, they seem to electrify me with desire so fierce it left my knees weak.

“I can’t wait any longer,” he growled softly. “We’re leaving. Now.”

His command didn't seem to leave any room for protest, not that I would’ve given one. We slipped out together, laughter trailing behind us as we climbed the stairs to our chamber.

But when we entered, my joy quickly turned to worry. Blood stained Devion’s bandages again. Maybe he had strained his arm during the dance.

My concern for him overpowered my desire. So I reached for the wound, but he caught my face gently in his hands.

“I’m fine,” he offered, his voice husky and low. “I’ve healed enough. Let's enjoy tonight. Let me love you the way I’ve longed to.”

His hands moved slowly, deliberately. He found the zipper on the back of my gown and dragged it down.

I shivered—not from the cold, it seems, but from his intense gaze unfolding me. My modesty seemed to melt away under his touch.

“You’re exquisite,” he murmured, kissing the skin exposed beneath the silk. His lips moved down my neck, across my shoulder, and lower still.

My breath hitched. Only his arm around my waist kept me standing.

He adored every part of me, undressing me fully, kissing and touching me until I could barely think straight. I whispered his name as pleasure overwhelmed my senses.

Then he laid me back onto the bed, his body covering mine with warmth and dominance, it seems. Devion’s hunger was that of a wolf denied too long, it seems.

I could almost feel his need, his longing, his love in his strokes and kisses. Our bodies seemed to find peace in each other like all the times we've made love before.

But this felt different. Like it was more real. More accepted.

When he finally entered me, it was with a growl of hunger. My wolf responded instantly, rising to the surface and giving an answer to him.

His pace was wild, unrestrained, but I welcomed the moment, wrapped tightly around him.

Our bodies moved in sync under the soft golden light. He didn’t stop after one love round. He did it again, igniting a desire in me before reaching my climax, where the sensation just felt so overwhelming and good.

And when we finally collapsed, catching our breath and tangled in each other, he still didn’t let go of me.

He stroked my skin, kissed my shoulders, nuzzled my breasts, like he couldn’t get enough. I laughed softly, threading my fingers through his hair—now messy from our passion.

This man, this strong alpha who once ruled battlefields, looked somehow completely tamed in my arms. And only I got to see this side of him, it seems.

As I drifted off in his embrace, feeling completely satisfied and loved, I whispered my silent gratitude to God.

Against many odds, we are blessed back to each other. Now I feel whole. Full and complete.