Chapter 35

From somewhere above my head, loud music began to play, and I could hear the distant hum of hundreds of voices chatting excitedly. Suddenly the music stopped, and the murmur of voices slowly faded into silence.

A woman’s voice loudly boomed out, which I quickly recognised as Rachel’s. A loud knock on the door made me jump, and I spun around to see Beta Adam poking his head around the edge of the door.

“It’s time. Are you ready?” he asked gently.

“No, not really. I can't believe I'm doing this!” I replied nervously.

“Don’t worry. You will be fine. Come on,” Beta Adam soothed, holding out his hand.

I nodded silently and followed him out of the small room and up a shorter flight of metal steps that led out onto one of the side wings by the stage. I could see Rachel standing in the middle of the stage, addressing her audience loudly through a microphone. She was wearing a rose gold coloured silk suit ensemble with her famous black high heels, and her long black hair was down and poker-straight. I took my place in the wing of the stage and waited for my cue.

“Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Bluemoon packhouse. I want to thank you all for taking the time in attending this ceremony on the bonding and uniting of Xavier Black and Leah Norwood. Here, you will witness the completion of their bonding and watch them accept the Title of Alpha and Luna, ending my time as Luna. I have enjoyed leading the pack in my husband's absence and beside my son, but now, its time for me to step down. Without further ado, let me introduce you all to your Alpha, Xavier Black.”

The sound of Xavier’s name made my head snap up, and my nerves all but disappeared. I watched Xavier saunter from the opposite wing and join his mother on stage, and stand in front of a large crowd who were clapping and cheering noisily. Pecking Rachel gently on the cheek, Xavier took the microphone from her and proceeded to continue with his speech. I closed my eyes and began to breathe slowly, restraining myself from running out on to the stage towards my Mate.

“Yes, thank you guys and girls for coming here today for what is and what will be an incredibly special occasion. I always knew that my forever Mate was out there somewhere, and every time I heard Leah’s name being mentioned by her parents, I always knew that there was something special about her. It wasn’t until I finally laid eyes on her at the garden party, did I know she was the one. Together, with Leah by my side, I will lead my pack and not only be the Alpha you all want but an Alpha you will all need. Together we can, and we will lead this pack up and out from the Ashes of my Father’s untimely death. We will make the pack bigger and stronger than ever before, and we will not let anyone try to destroy our pack again! Enough from me now, so please, let me introduce you to my newly claimed Luna. Leah Norwood!”

Beta Adam, who was standing at the back of the stage, glanced over at me and nodded his head encouragingly. Taking a deep breath, I strolled out on to the stage and joined Rachel and Xavier. The sound of a thousand wolves clapping and cheering hit me and I stood on stage astounded by it all. Xavier wrapped his arms around me and gently hugged me, whispering in my ear.

“You look amazing!”

I smiled back at him before turning to Rachel and pecking her on the cheek out of respect. Xavier handed me the microphone, and I turned around to make my speech. As I turned around, I gasped in shock. Hundreds upon hundreds of faces sat staring up at me, now in an eerie silence, waiting for me to say my piece. I scanned the crowd and quickly laid eyes on my parents, who nodded in encouragement. Taking a deep breath, I held the microphone towards my mouth so that I could say what I had to say.

“Um, thank you, everyone, for coming today. It really means a lot. Thank you for allowing me to become Xavier’s Luna and accepting me as your chosen Luna. I know we didn’t have the best of starts as a couple, but we are stronger than ever. I cannot wait to stand beside him, united, and be there to support our Alpha and help lead the pack into greater success. I would also like to say thank you to you all for not giving up on me when things went a little pear-shaped.”

The audience burst into a loud round of applause and cheering once more, and I could feel the red-hot fire spreading rapidly over my face. I gingerly took a step back and shakily handed the microphone back over to Rachel, who once more addressed the audience.

“Now the speeches have been completed. It’s time to complete the bonding ritual. Beta Adam if you will,” she ordered, glancing over at the Beta who bent down and pulled out a long thin object from a box behind him.

As he walked over to us, I noticed that the long thin item he was carrying was, in fact, an ornate silver and gold dagger with the handle being made into the shape of a wolfs head. That’s when I spotted a large and incredibly old looking book bound in dark leather, sitting atop the plinth.

“I have enjoyed being Luna, but like the sun, my time rises and falls, and now it’s their turn to rise. I gladly step down from my Luna duties and accept my new position as Delta. Now it is time for the new Alpha and new Luna to sacrifice a drop of their blood for the Register of Alpha’s and to show their eternal love for one another. Please step forward, the both of you!” Rachel continued, smiling at us lovingly, watching us both walk towards the plinth.

She took the dagger and deftly made a small cut on the palm of our hands, causing me to gasp in shock at the sharp sting that ensued. Sure, enough a bright scarlet blob began to grow in my hand. I glanced over at Xavier, who’s hand was also beginning to bleed. Rachel flicked open the old book, and it fell open to reveal a new page with our names already written down, in beautiful calligraphy, in black ink.

I watched as Xavier turned his hand upside down to allow the blood to drop into the book, under our names. Quickly, I followed suit and watched as our blood mixed on the paper, before soaking into the paper and completely disappearing. I felt Xavier grab my hand with his, and I could feel the blood beginning to trickle down my wrist. A warm sensation flowed over and through my body, and it felt like I’d lifted off the ground and was hovering in the air. Heavenly music began to play faintly, but I wasn’t too sure where it was coming from.

Can you feel and hear it too? The Gods have accepted us as the new leaders. The ceremony is now complete, and you are all mine, Xavier mind-linked to me.

“The ceremony is now completed, and the Moon Goddess has accepted the new couple for our pack. Congratulations to the both of you,” Rachel beamed, slowly beginning to clap.

The rest of the audience began to clap in unison, the noise gradually becoming louder until it was almost deafening, and my ears started to ring. I stood there examining all the faces in the crowd, shocked that all these people now looked up to me as a leader.

Suddenly, the crowd went silent, and they all stared at me with open mouths. Puzzled at the audience’s sudden reaction, I turned around to see Rachel and Beta Adam both stood on the stage, behind me, beaming wildly. I looked down and saw Xavier leaning on one knee on the stage floor, in front of them, and holding up a small square box made of red velvet material. Sitting inside the box, glinting in the evening sunlight was a white gold ring with a large sparkly diamond on top.

“Leah Norwood. I love you to the moon and back, and even then, that isn’t enough. You are the air that I breathe and the blood that rushes through my veins. You are all I’ve ever wanted and all I will ever want. Will you do me the biggest honour of becoming my wife!”