Chapter 26 Ceremony
Chapter 26 — Aria’s POV
Ceremony
The morning air felt heavier than usual as I walked into the hall. My steps echoed softly on the polished floors, but the sound barely reached my ears—I was too busy taking in everything around me. The room… the decorations… the table.
It was nothing like I had ever imagined. Not in my dreams. Not in the stories I had heard of Luna ceremonies. The table was enormous, carved from dark wood with silver inlays, the chairs tall and regal. My name was engraved delicately on a golden placard in front of the chair I was to sit in, declaring me the Luna of this pack.
The table was set perfectly, each plate, each glass, each cutlery piece arranged as though it had been prepared for a queen. Not just for anyone. For me. Me—the Omega who had once been invisible. Me—the girl no one had seen as anything but weak and replaceable.
I swallowed hard, my throat tight with emotion. My chest lifted and fell rapidly, partly in awe, partly in disbelief. I could feel the eyes of the pack on me—some friendly, some cold, some sharp with jealousy. I noticed the whispers immediately, the way a few women nudged each other, their lips curling with envy.
But I didn’t care. Not really. Because among all of them, I saw Mina.
Her expression was perfectly composed, her back straight, her smile sharp like a blade hidden under silk. And yes, she laughed wickedly at me, soft and quiet, but I saw it. I knew exactly what she was thinking: You might have the title today, but I won’t let it be easy.
I smiled faintly, a small, serene curve of my lips. I promised myself I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. Not today. She could plan, scheme, whisper, and plot—but my day, my moment, my ceremony… I wasn’t letting her ruin it.
Then, my eyes found him.
Aiden.
He stood near the head of the hall, fully dressed in ceremonial attire, his figure tall and perfect. The uniform fit him like it was made for him alone—the dark fabric, silver embroidery, the subtle insignias of authority gleaming against the light. His shoulders were broad, chest strong, his stance firm, but his eyes… his eyes softened the harshness of the room for me.
He caught my gaze, and I saw that faint curve at the edge of his lips, the one he only reserved for me. I felt my chest tighten. My hands trembled slightly, but I straightened, determined not to show it.
He walked toward me, slow, controlled, commanding attention from everyone in the room without a word. I felt a heat rising in my face—not embarrassment, but pride. This was him. My Alpha. My protector. My partner.
I took my place at the table, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I reached out and adjusted the edge of my chair, my fingers brushing over the intricate carvings. This was real. I was really here. I was really becoming the Luna.
The hall was alive with whispers, but I ignored them. I let my gaze wander, noticing the decorations: ribbons of deep crimson, silver accents catching the light, a canopy above the table embroidered with the pack insignia and a crescent moon. Candles flickered along the edges, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. I inhaled deeply, letting it calm me.
Then, I saw something I didn’t expect.
The screen at the far end of the hall lit up. A soft blue glow at first, and then… a video started playing.
I thought it was a ceremonial introduction, something about the history of the pack, perhaps a tribute to the Alphas. But then my stomach dropped.
It wasn’t a tribute.
It was him. Aiden.
And someone else.
Someone who wasn’t me.
My heart froze. My breath caught in my throat. My hands gripped the edge of the table so tightly my knuckles went white.
I could see the way she laughed, the way he smiled at her—the intimacy, the comfort, the closeness they shared. Not a ceremonial or formal interaction. Not a pack tradition. Something… personal. Something private that now the entire hall could see.
I blinked, trying to steady myself. No, this isn’t real. This can’t be real. Maybe it’s from years ago? Maybe it’s some mistake?
I felt my pulse pound painfully in my ears. The whispers around me grew louder, some curious, some shocked. Eyes were shifting—pack members, elders, everyone trying to make sense of what they were seeing.
Mina’s laugh echoed faintly in my mind. I remembered her smile from earlier—the one that promised chaos. She had done this. It had to be her. But… Aiden?
I looked up, searching for him. His expression was calm, unreadable, but I saw it. That faint flicker in his eyes—he knew. He knew I was watching.
I swallowed hard, my voice caught in my throat. I wanted to run, to hide, to disappear. But I didn’t. Not yet. Because somewhere deep inside, a small voice whispered: This is your moment, Aria. Don’t let her win. Don’t let doubt win.
I forced myself to breathe. In. Out. In. Out.
I could feel Aiden’s presence beside me, his shadow over the table, grounding me. I could feel his hand brush lightly against mine—not touching in a ceremonial way, but a silent reassurance, a claim.
My eyes flicked back to the screen. The image continued, and I felt a mix of emotions surge inside me—shock, anger, betrayal, but also determination.
I would face this. I would.
And when the moment came… when the screen finally ended… everyone would see the real truth.
Because I was not going to let Mina’s schemes, the whispers of the pack, or any shadow of the past ruin my day.
I was Aria Starr. The Luna. And no one—not even her—would take that from me.