Chapter 5 - The Ritual

Esma’s pov.

"You are late, miss," I said, folding my hands and trying to look angry and intimidating. Diana smiled sheepishly. I swear I wanted to remain mad at her, but it was a very special day for her and for our pack. She was going to be a part of our pack. one of us, and I couldn’t wait for it to happen.

"I just caught up talking to Reed." she said in an obvious tone, but I knew she was eyeing me, gauging my reaction. And personally, his name alone could do wonders for me, but I remained silent and hummed.

"Let’s get you a dress," I said, trying to change the topic.

"Dress?" Diana squealed like a young girl, and I realized how she was just a young girl caught up in everyone’s mess trying to do the right thing for everybody. She had yet to see many things and joys to behold.

"Yes, you had to wear something good. It is not like every day; the blue moon pack conducts a blood ritual to introduce their beta-female." I said and hugged her. She was going to be my official sister.

I quickly pulled her by her hand into my room and showed her the numerous dresses I picked for her in time when she was busy going out in Reed’s pack.

"There are so many, and all of them are good." she remarked, I didn’t fail to see the shine in her eyes. 

"Consider it my present for coming to our pack." I smiled, and she started picking out each dress, putting it on herself, and looking in the mirror.

"Which one should I wear?" She pouted when I shook my head in denial at the red dress she showed me.

"It should be elegant and beautiful at the same time, something that will make my brother come on his knees for you," I muttered, just as a white dress caught my eye.

"Here, try this." I pulled out the dress and pushed her towards the bathroom. Diana’s eyes stuck to the dress, and I know she also liked it.

She quickly returned wearing the same dress, and to say she looked beautiful would be an understatement. She looked ravishing. The dress was a white double-biased cut, reaching her knees. It had blue specs here and there, and it looked beautiful. They go with her eyes.

"How am I looking?" she asked, putting the loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"You look—"

"Enchanting." August cut me off, and before I knew it, Diana turned into a blushing doll. She turned into a pink puddle of bubble gum.

August looked gorgeous as well in his black suit. His eyes were fixed only on Diana.

"Can we help you with something, Mr. Rockwood? I assume there is a purpose for your visit other than gawking at your mate mindlessly." I stood between them.

"I do." he said, and I didn’t know if he was referring to my question. Diana flushed more under his intense gaze, and I shook my head.

"Just go away; she needs time to dress up," I said, coming between both of them. He didn’t budge, and I groaned. By force, then.

I pushed him to the door, and before he could react, with the final push, I closed the door and locked it.

"He can’t take his hands away from you," I said in between my breaths. Diana blushed, and I folded my hands.

"Let’s get you ready, miss. There are matching shoes with the dress." I pointed to the dove gray suede stilettos; I choose for her. They will do the job.

She wore them and looked at least five inches taller now. She turned towards the mirror, and both of us were stunned by how much she looked good in that dress.

She leaned down to collect her silver clutch purse and looked again in the mirror. "Thank you, Emmy." She grins. I grin, and we hug again.

"No need to say it; now help me choose a dress," I said, half-groaning, and Diana turned to help me with the dresses.

"Don’t you think it’s too much?" I asked when Diana finished doing her makeup. She sure knows how to work with brushes and all. After thirty minutes, we were both fully dressed and looked ready for the evening.

I wore a red satin dress; it had a cut on the right side that starts from my mid-thigh and finishes at the knee. It looked beautiful, but somehow it also showed more cleavage, much to my liking.

Diana had already applied her makeup when I was trying on the dresses, so we were almost ready now.

"A glass of champagne before we go?"

"Please." She murmurs far too quickly. She is nervous, which is completely normal.

I handed her a champagne flute.

"You look lovely, Diana. Cheers." I raised my glass, and she clinked it with mine.

"You too."

The champagne was a pale rose color. It tastes deliciously crisp and light, and for some reason, I remembered the drink I had on my date with Reed. That was the best drink I had ever tasted.

"How are you feeling? Diana asks, her eyes worried.

"Fine, let’s go down. Everyone must be waiting for us." I said that and quickly finished my drink.

 ***

"But you said it would be a friendly pack ceremony," Diana whispered in my ear, gawking at the huge crowd gathered in the open field for the ceremony in the backyard.

"It is just some Alphas from the neighboring packs and their mates, or maybe their betas also." I smiled way too sweetly and pushed her towards the center of the stage, where August was already waiting for us.

He wore a black suit, and honestly, he looked older, cleaner, and more sophisticated. He was a replica of my father with a tiny pinch of stupidity.

Diana walked towards him and took the hand August offered. August pulled her towards him and whispered something in her ear, and she blushed profusely.

"He must have said how beautiful you are." I heard a familiar voice in my ear. I already knew whose voice it was.

"And how could you tell it just by looking at them?" I asked, turned to look, and found Dumeny standing in a black tie and a blazer. He looked handsome.

He looked into my eyes and said, "Because I thought the same when I just saw you." he said huskily, and my cheeks tinted pink. I turned so that I could defend myself from his intense gaze.

Diana, August, and my father were standing on the stage, all of us surrounding them. August looked like the happiest guy in the room.

A father motioned to someone in the crowd, and a guy approached them with two silver-gold glasses in his hands. He delivered them to my father.

"Good evening, everyone. As you can see, my idiot son had found his mate." The whole place was filled with cheers.

"Yes, poor girl. What can I say?" August pouted—literally pouted—in front of my father, and he laughed before hugging him.

"Okay, as you know, she is not from our pack. So, to make her one of us, she had to let the blood of our pack coerce in her veins." He put both glasses on the table and, with the knife, sliced his palm. A few drops spilled on the glass, and he smiled.

"Let us all welcome her to our pack." he cheered and walked sideways so that other members of our pack could come and contribute.

After half an hour, all of us have a sliced palm except me. I walked towards them and punched my brother on the arm lightly.

"If you ever hurt her, I will kill you." I said-half-threatened and sliced my palm. I put the glasses in front of them.

"Now, you both." August pulled the knife, and while looking at Diana, he sliced his palm. His blood dripped on the glass, and he handed the knife to Diana.

Diana did the same, and with that, I mixed both of their glasses.

"Now, both of you, drink from these glasses." I motioned the glasses forward, and both of them held one in their hands.

They didn’t break eye contact. Not for a second. And with one final look, both gulped down the contents of the glasses. Diana had a face of disgust, and I laughed knowingly.

I remembered the one time I drank his blood. My wolf howled inside me, and I shook my head. I can’t think about him now. This is not the right time.

And it all happened in a second. I could feel her in my mind. She closed her eyes, and I could tell she was feeling the same. all the members in her head. It was overwhelming, but all of this was worth it.

August held her right hand in his and looked directly into her eyes. "Now, as we are mates and you are their beta, I know you will be great as their beta-female. I can’t think about living a second away from you." he said, and before we all could register anything, He sinks to one knee inside her pocket, pulls out a box, and gazes up at her.

He opened the box and peered back.

"Diana, with the little time we shared, I know I love you. I want to love, cherish, and protect you for the rest of my life. Be mine, always. Share my life with me." Diana was a crying mess, and the crowd erupted in an ‘aww’ moment.

With the last tear wiped down, Diana nodded and whispered ‘yes, and August slid the ring on her finger.

"Oh god, if you had taken a minute longer, my leg would be dead." August chuckled, and Diana slapped his chest before crying some more. He pulled her against his chest and raised his hand in the air, as if posing in victory.

"Let’s celebrate, guys." he cheered, and the sound of music filled my eardrums. The night had just started.