Chapter 16 Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Chapter 16
KADE

Mira found me in my office the next morning. I'd been going over security reports, preparing for the pack council's arrival.

"I've made my decision," she said without preamble.

My heart hammered. "And?"

"I'll do it. I'll become your Luna."

Relief flooded through me, followed quickly by something else. Something warmer and more complicated.

"You're sure?"

"No. But I'm doing it anyway." She stepped into the office and closed the door. "I have conditions though."

"Name them."

"First, I want to learn everything about being Luna. Training, etiquette, pack law, all of it. I don't want to embarrass you or the pack."

"Done. My mother can help with that."

"Second, I want to stay involved with the library project. Having something that's mine, separate from Luna duties, is important."

"Of course."

"Third, if either of us wants out—if this arrangement becomes too much or too complicated—we talk about it honestly. No hiding, no pretending everything's fine when it's not."

"Agreed."

She studied me. "Why are you being so accommodating?"

"Because I want this to work. Because you deserve to have your needs met." I moved around the desk to stand closer to her. "And because I respect you too much to bulldoze over your boundaries."

"Even though I'm about to become your Luna?"

"Especially because of that. A good Alpha listens to his Luna. Partners with her. Doesn't dominate or control her."

"Is that how your father was with your mother?"

The question caught me off guard. "Yes. He respected her. Valued her opinion. Made her a true partner in leading the pack."

"But?"

I hesitated. "But he also put the pack above everything else. Including her. Including me. When push came to shove, duty won every time."

"And you're afraid you're the same way."

It wasn't a question. Somehow, she'd seen right through me.

"I'm trying not to be," I admitted. "But old patterns are hard to break."

She reached out and took my hand. "Then we'll break them together. Deal?"

"Deal."

We stood there for a moment, hands linked, something passing between us that felt bigger than words.

"When do we make it official?" she asked.

"Tomorrow night. Traditional Luna ceremony. The whole pack will attend."

"Tomorrow? That's really soon."

"The pack council arrives in two days. We need this done before they get here."

She nodded, looking nervous. "Okay. What do I need to do?"

"My mother will explain everything. But the basics are simple—you'll make vows to protect and serve the pack, I'll accept you as Luna, and the pack will acknowledge the bond."

"Bond? I thought this wasn't a mate bond."

"It's not. But there's still an energetic connection between Alpha and Luna. You'll feel it during the ceremony. It's how we can communicate mentally, coordinate during crises, that sort of thing."

"So I'll be in your head?"

"And I'll be in yours. Only surface thoughts unless you let me deeper. You can control what I sense."

She looked uncertain. "That's kind of intimate."

"It is. But necessary for pack leadership. A Luna needs to be able to communicate with her Alpha instantly, especially during emergencies."

"Right. Makes sense." She squeezed my hand once more and then let go. "I should go find your mother. Start learning how not to completely humiliate myself tomorrow."

"You won't humiliate anyone. You're stronger than you think."

"I hope you're right."

After she left, I allowed myself a moment of pure relief. She'd agreed. She was going to be my Luna.

Not my mate—not yet—but my Luna. My partner. The person who would stand beside me and help lead this pack.

It felt right in a way nothing else ever had.

Jax knocked and entered. "Heard the news. Congratulations."

"Thanks. Now comes the hard part."

"Getting the pack to accept her?"

"That, and making sure Derek doesn't find a way to derail this. He's going to be furious when he finds out."

"Let him be furious. Once she's Luna, he has no claim. The pack council will have to acknowledge that."

"Unless he challenges the legitimacy of a Luna without a mate bond."

Jax frowned. "Can he do that?"

"Technically, yes. He can argue it's not a real Luna designation, just a political maneuver."

"And if he's successful?"

"Then the council could invalidate the ceremony. Which would leave Mira vulnerable again."

"So we need to make sure they can't invalidate it. Make the ceremony as traditional and legitimate as possible."

"Exactly. Which means every ritual, every vow, every gesture has to be perfect. No room for criticism."

Jax pulled out his phone. "I'll get started on preparations. We'll need the ceremonial robes, the sacred herbs, witnesses from neutral packs—"

"Invite Alpha Cornelius," I interrupted.

"Derek's almost-father-in-law? Why?"

"Because he hates Derek now. Having him witness Mira's Luna ceremony sends a message—that even Derek's allies don't support him anymore."

"That's brilliant. I'll send the invitation immediately."

Over the next twenty-four hours, the pack house transformed. Decorations went up. Food was prepared. The ceremony site—an ancient stone circle in the forest—was cleaned and blessed.

I barely saw Mira during this time. She was sequestered with my mother, learning the rituals and vows she'd need to recite.

The one time I did see her, she looked exhausted.

"How's it going?" I asked.

"Your mother is terrifying. Did you know that?"

I smiled. "Yes. But she's also the best teacher you could have. If she's pushing you hard, it's because she wants you to succeed."

"She made me memorize thirty different pack laws. Thirty. My brain is full."

"You'll do great. I know you will."

"I hope so. Because if I mess this up in front of the whole pack..."

"You won't mess up. And even if you do, it doesn't matter. The pack will accept you because I've claimed you. That's what matters."

She looked at me with those wide eyes. "You really believe that?"

"I do."

The night of the ceremony arrived. The entire pack gathered at the stone circle, hundreds of wolves in both forms. Alpha Cornelius was there, looking stern and powerful. Several neutral Alphas had also come, curious about this unusual Luna designation.

I stood at the center of the circle, wearing traditional ceremonial robes. The pack elders surrounded me, each holding a lit torch.

Then Mira appeared.

She wore white, a traditional Luna gown that my mother must have found for her. Her hair was down, flowing over her shoulders. She looked young and nervous and absolutely beautiful.

The pack fell silent as she walked toward me.

I met her halfway, offering my hand. She took it, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Steady," I murmured. "You've got this."

She nodded and we walked together to the center of the circle.

The eldest pack member, a woman named Margaret's sister Ruth, stepped forward.

"We gather tonight to witness a Luna ceremony," Ruth began. "To acknowledge Mira as Luna of Northern Ridge Pack. This designation is ancient and sacred. Let all who witness remember its importance."

She turned to Mira. "Speak your vows."

Mira took a deep breath. "I, Mira of no pack, vow to serve Northern Ridge with honor and dedication. I vow to protect its members, to uphold its laws, to lead with wisdom and compassion. I accept the responsibility of Luna, knowing the weight it carries. And I pledge my loyalty to this pack and its Alpha for as long as I draw breath."

Her voice was steady. Strong. Every word perfect.

Ruth turned to me. "Alpha Kade, do you accept Mira as your Luna?"

"I do. I recognize her strength, her courage, her dedication. I claim her as my Luna, my partner in leadership, my equal in all things that matter. Let the pack witness and acknowledge this bond."

Ruth raised her hands. "Then by the power vested in me as eldest pack member, I declare Mira to be Luna of Northern Ridge. Let no wolf challenge this designation. Let no outsider question her authority."

She placed a hand on each of our foreheads. Power flowed through me, connecting me to Mira in ways I hadn't expected.

I felt her fear. Her determination. Her hope that this would work.

And underneath it all, something else. Something warm and growing.

Affection. Maybe even the beginning of love.

The bond snapped into place, not a mate bond but close. I could sense her now, feel her presence at the edge of my mind.

Can you hear me? I thought.

Her eyes widened. Yes. Oh my god, yes. This is so weird.

You'll get used to it.

Will I? Because this feels really intrusive.

Only if you let it be. You control what I can sense. Try it. Think of something private.

She concentrated, and suddenly there was a wall between us. I could still feel her presence, but her thoughts were blocked.

Like that? she asked.

Perfect. You're a natural.

Ruth was still speaking, finishing the ceremony. "Let all wolves acknowledge their Luna. Let all enemies know she is under pack protection. And let the moon goddess witness this sacred bond."

The pack howled. The sound was deafening, beautiful, a chorus of acceptance.

Mira was officially Luna now. Protected. Acknowledged. Mine in every way that mattered.

I should have felt triumphant. Relieved.

Instead, I just felt grateful. Grateful she'd trusted me enough to do this. Grateful she was giving us a chance.

The ceremony ended. Wolves approached to offer congratulations. Alpha Cornelius shook my hand, whispering, "Derek's a fool. You've chosen well."

"Thank you for coming," I said.

"I wouldn't have missed it. Especially after seeing what Derek really is." He glanced at Mira. "Protect her. She's stronger than she looks, but wolves like Derek don't give up easily."

"I know. I'm prepared."

As the night wore on, Mira mingled with pack members, accepting their congratulations with grace. My mother watched from the sidelines, looking almost proud.

I caught Mira's eye across the crowd. She smiled, and something in my chest loosened.

This could work. We could actually make this work.

Then my phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.

Congratulations on the ceremony. Shame it won't mean anything after the council invalidates it. See you in two days. - Derek

My blood ran cold.

He knew. Somehow, he knew about our plan to challenge the legitimacy of the ceremony.

Which meant he had someone inside my pack feeding him information.

I looked around at the celebrating wolves. Somewhere among them was a traitor.

And I had less than two days to find them.

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