Chapter Twenty

“Jesus” I breathed out as the man next to me smiled, speaking into his microphone at the crowd.

“Introducing Miss Isabella Short, from Alpha Theo’s pack”

My eyes darted around the room looking for him until they finally fell onto the top of the room, where he sat in his throne for all to see. Even from far away, I could see him send me a cheeky grin that said, 'It’ll be alright. Just relax.' The audience down below chatted among themselves, pointing at my dress and face before clapping and cheering for me.

The large staircase in front of me looked daunting enough but now everyone’s eyes were on me as I descended down gently, making sure to milk this for all that it’s worth without falling on my face.

“Don’t fall” I spoke through gritted teeth and hope that nobody could hear me speaking to myself. Somehow it worked as my feet gently placed themselves on the floor, and I walked over beside the other girls.

I had no clue what would happen next, this was never something that I had took the time to learn about, so I was completely in the dark “And now, the first dance” The man at the top of the stairs spoke to the crowd as everyone's eyes fell onto Alpha Theo, who had stood up and was making his was over to us.

Girls next to me straightened up and pushed out their chests threateningly, I didn’t even dare look at Ruth, I could feel the anger rolling off her in waves.

He stalked past all of the girls, all of them falling over him and thinking they were being chosen but he walked past me, shooting me a look and a wink. Stopping, he bowed down and held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”

Taking a breath in, I thought for a moment, making him wait. “I suppose so” Giggling, I took his hand and we both walked out onto the middle of the floor, all eyes watching us.

“I’m glad you came” We bowed at each other. Thankfully this dance was mandatory to learn in School, it was danced at Weddings usually but I suppose it was even more appropriate here.

“Did I have a choice?” We got into frame and he chuckled at my forwardness.

“Not quite. I would've come and kidnapped you again if you decided to go home, but I think you already knew that, Isabella.” My fingers interlocked with his as the music started, and I could hear those around us stand up as a sign of respect.

“All of these girls want to kill me, you know” We started to dance together and he shook his head as we spun around.

“Let them stare and watch”

My head fell onto his shoulder. “That wasn’t the answer I was looking for”

“And what were you looking for?”

“I don’t know, why don’t you choose Ruth to be your Luna? She would be so much better than me” The music picked up and he spun me around, embracing me again with his strong arms.

“I don’t think you understand, my love. My wolf and I have fallen head over heels for you, ever since I first met you if felt this way…we’re made for each other, surely you can feel it too?” His chocolaty eyes pulled me in and I couldn’t help but swoon.

“Yes” I paused. “I feel it”

“Then tell me”

“Tell you what?” Others had joined us on the dance floor as we all twirled in and around each other rhythmically.

“Tell me you’ll be my Luna, tell me you’ll marry me and become my mate” He stopped dancing and held onto my hands.

My eyes moved to those around us who were still moving and twirling about and I shook my head. “I don’t know...It’s all happening so fast. I like you, but I’m not sure if I can make that commitment yet.”

“Isabella please, let me convince you” He leaned in and I pulled away quickly, looking all around us for a way out.

“Can we talk privately?” My breathing quickened and he nodded, taking my hand and leading me out of the main hall, into a smaller door and in a room that was filled with the coats and jackets of the guests.

My hand ran through my hair and I paced up and down, waiting for him to talk. “Talk to me”

“I’ve only known you for a week, and you’re proposing to me? Surely you can understand how that’s strange, right?” I sat down on a small couch and my head fell into my hands.

“I know it is fast, my love. But I have watched you and taken care of you for a lot longer than you realize, and I’ve found myself falling in love with your beauty and grace” He kneeled down in front of me and took my hand, kissing it. “Things happen quick in my life, and for that I am sorry. It is something that I can’t control, but I would care for your feelings and your body if you took my hand in marriage, and try and take things as slow as we could”

Looking up at him, thoughts raced through my head. “I don’t want to just be your Luna, I don’t want to be a piece of meat”

“And you will not be. We will be equals and you may do whatever you wish with your time, but I do hope that you spend it with me”

“What would happen, if I was to be Luna?” The wolf inside me was pushing me to make a decision, and I knew that it would be the right one.

“We would announce it here, tonight for everyone to see. And then we would officially become Mates and be tethered to each other for the rest of our lives” He stopped, rubbing a comforting thumb on the top of my hand. “Eventually we would get married and start our lives together”

“Alright” I nodded slowly. “Okay” A smile crept across my face, finally having made a decision. “Yes, I’ll be your Luna Theo”

Grinning at me, he leant in and encased me in a passionate kiss, our tongues dancing together before he pulled away, chest rising up and down rapidly. “Thank you. I hope to make you as happy as you have made me”

“I’m sure you will” I leaned down to kiss his again, smiling into him.

I could already feel myself changing, becoming more maternal and wanting what was in the pack's best interest. I was their Luna now and that came with a huge responsibility, for my wolf and me. We would both be going through huge changes, and I was ready for it.