Chapter 41: Inseparable

I felt dazed as I walked out through the back of the house and into the gardens, hanging on the arm of this tall, strange man who was my father. It was like being in a strange dream where all sorts of impossible, fairy tale things can happen. In my head I was thinking... I have a father.

Byron and Wyatt went ahead of us and took their place at the front of the assembly. They looked so handsome and regal, it took my breath away. How incredible to think that they were standing there, their hands clasped behind their backs, waiting for me. For me? And all these people, sitting in rows and rows of folding chairs bedecked with ribbons and tiger lilies? They were waiting for me too. I swallowed nervously and felt my hands beginning to sweat as old fears and doubts assaulted me.

Just as the music started to play, the tall thin man put his hands on my shoulders and turned me to face him.

"I can smell your fear, Isabella."

I looked down at the ground, feeling ashamed of myself. Some Luna I would be, quaking in fear at my own induction ceremony. A gnarled and bony hand came under my chin, and forced my face up to look at him. In his craggy, and careworn face, his eyes were kind and loving. "Are they good to you?"

I blinked, not understanding.

"Those boys standing down there. Do they treat you well?"

I blushed. "Oh yes! They have been wonderful. They treat me like a..." I trailed off, realizing how silly I sounded.

"They treat you like a princess? Good. I don't want to hand my daughter off to any man, or men, without knowing that she is going into good hands. Especially now that you are carrying my grandchild."

My mind was so busy ruminating on how good Wyatt and Byron were... that I almost missed the last part. "I'm what?"

He winked at me. "Its all over you dear. You're mother had exactly the same vibrant glow when she was pregnant with you."

My mouth fell open as the music swelled, and my father once again turned back toward the front, and poked his boney elbow out toward me. I was so preoccupied with this earth-shattering piece of news, that I completely forgot the anxiety I'd been wrestling just moments before. I shut my mouth with a snap, and faced the twins. Baby?? Daphne pressed the bouquet into my hands as my father started to march down the aisle. All of the people stood and faced me. There were collective gasps and sighs, and quite a bit of whispering as many of the older attendees recognized Louis Levesque. He ignored them all, and walked straight and proud, his free hand covering mine firmly, as if to stop me from slipping out of his elbow and running away.

A baby? I couldn't be, could I? I mean I knew I could, I know how babies are made. But I didn't have any of the signs and symptoms. No nausea, no fatigue, no sore breasts. In fact, I had never felt better. I was completely distracted until Louis handed me over to the brothers. They took my hands, one on each side, and turned me to face the pack. And elder stepped forward, and began to recite the words to a ceremony that was as old as time.

My father released me with a smile and a kiss on my cheek, and then went to sit in the a seat that had been reserved for him in the front row. My hands tingled warmly within the grasp of my mates hands. I felt their love and strength flowing into me, reassuring me. I half listened to the elder speaking of the responsibilities of the Luna, of the bond that would join me to all of them, of the commitment I was making to care for their welfare, as long as there was breath in my body. As his words washed over me, I was overcome with love, stronger than anything I'd ever felt before. It was as if the softest strands of silk were wrapping themselves around me, tying me to Wyatt and Byron... and tying me to all those people out there... and even to my father. I glanced at him, and saw that tears were streaking down his face. He smiled at me and nodded at me encouragingly.

The elder came with a chalice and an ornate ceremonial knife. He handed the knife first to Wyatt, as the first born. He looked deeply into my eyes as he sliced the sharp blade across his palm. He made a fist and squeezed drops of his blood into the chalice. He handed the knife to Byron. Byron winked at me playfully before he jabbed himself and held his hand over the cup. I watched the scarlet fluid drip down his hand and mingle with the little pool of Wyatt's blood. Finally he turned the knife over, and offered me the gold, bejeweled hilt.

My hands were steady as I took the heavy knife. I felt in my soul that I was ready. I squared my shoulders and looked at each of them in turn. Their beautiful blue eyes burned into mine with passion and conviction. This was right, this was fate. We were meant to be together, bonded, inseparable, forever. I barely felt the hot sting of the blade as I swiped it across my open palm, and joined my blood together with theirs.

When the first drop fell into the cup, the mind link to the pack was opened, and I was overwhelmed with the collective cheer that went up, both through my psyche, and in person. The crowd was on their feet, clapping, shouting, and howling with joy. It was so much I was tempted to clap my hands over my ears to try and drown some of it out.

Wyatt grabbed me up in his arms and crushed his mouth against mine. "You did it baby, now open yourself up to it. Feel them. Share in their joy."

Byron's arms slipped around me as well, and I relaxed into their shared embrace, and relaxed into the bond that now joined me to the whole pack. I let their excitement wash over me and through me. I felt their joy in my body like a drug. I opened up my heart and let my love flow back to them. There were audible sighs and sniffles throughout the crowd. I forgot about my makeup and let my own tears overflow and run down my cheeks.

I never cried, not in pain, not in humiliation, and not in my utter loneliness and hopelessness.

But on that day, I cried tears of joy.