Chapter 164: A new tradition

Christopher

The night wind caressed the city as I walked alongside Aaron through the main hallway of the pack house. The war was now in the past, along with the experimentation labs and the suffering that had occurred here. The city's lights shone in the distance, reflecting our pack's rebirth and our territories' union. Shadowmoon City and Silver Claws were now one, and I was their Alpha. It seemed impossible; we had gone through so much, but now we were a great pack. There were still many changes to make and an important integration ahead, but this was just the beginning. Our territory had been officially recognized, thanks to the support of many Alphas.

“The repairs are going well,” Aaron commented, crossing his arms over his chest. “We’ve worked hard, but the pack looks stronger than ever. The city has also benefited a lot,” he added, showing me some blueprints. He, Peggy, Orlando, and Dylan had worked tirelessly. I nodded, satisfaction swelling in my chest as I looked at the plans for the upcoming renovations.

“We’ve made great progress. Silver Claws is now part of the city, and with the help of our allies, we managed to divide the territories fairly. But there’s something even more important than any treaty or expansion…” Aaron smirked.

“The ceremony with Olivia.” I couldn’t help but smile as well.

“Yes. Nothing compares to this.”

“Tomorrow, Alpha, enjoy the night thinking about your mate,” he said cheerfully. I hadn’t seen Olivia in nearly twenty-four hours, and it was killing me.

“I will. I suppose your ceremony with Alana will be soon?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I hope so,” he replied, laughing. We continued reviewing the progress. The night passed in a whisper, and soon I found myself in the special garden where our union ceremony would take place. Torches illuminated the stone pathways, and hundreds of white and silver flowers adorned every corner. Everything was perfect, but nothing compared to the excitement vibrating in my chest.

Since we were teenagers, Olivia had been my everything. Her laughter, her strength, and her very essence had captivated me from the very first moment. She was a beautiful girl who had grown into a remarkable woman. Having her back… it had been the most important change in my life. And now, after everything we had endured, she would finally be my mate, my Luna. I stood at the altar, decorated with vines and flowers, and waited. The night breeze carried the fragrance of lilies and lavender. My hands trembled slightly, not from nerves but from sheer anticipation. I saw my sister with her two mates, warriors standing at attention, Daniel, Alana, and Aaron, and Peggy sitting with Alpha Samuel by her side. My workers, pack members, and other Alphas were all present. The moment was perfect, and I had to steady my heartbeat.

And then, I saw her.

Olivia appeared at the end of the stone path, dressed in a stunning silver gown that perfectly hugged her curves. Her wavy, reddish hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, and her freckles stood out under the moonlight, giving her an ethereal glow. She walked with natural grace, her gaze locked onto mine, as she held onto Orlando’s arm, who was bringing her forward with great excitement. My heart pounded in my chest.

“For the goddess herself,” Roy whispered in my head. Our mate’s curves were a delight. We had been separated for so long because of the war that I believed there would never be enough time to make up for that lost time.

“Alpha, here is your Luna. She has come for you, as it was always meant to be,” Orlando said, and her eyes shone. When she reached my side, I took her hands in mine and smiled at her full of love.

“For the heavens, you’re so beautiful I just want to take you away, my love,” I whispered, feeling like the luckiest man in the world. She only blushed—every time I looked at her, she seemed even more beautiful. The elder officiating the ceremony raised his hands and began to recite the sacred words of our union.

“The moon has united two souls, created them to be together. The world presents us with challenges, battles, problems… but only the hope of a mate keeps us going. Let the wolf world rejoice in this new union. An alpha and a Luna.” Olivia and I made a small cut on the palms of our hands and joined our blood, sealing our bond forever. From this moment on, she was my Luna, the Luna of Shadowmoon City and Silver Claws. I felt my power surge, and I saw the surprise on her face, her Luna’s power was palpable. A triumphant howl rose from our people, but at that moment, it was just the two of us. I squeezed her hand tightly and, looking into her eyes, spoke from the depths of my heart:

“Olivia, since we were teenagers, I knew you were meant to be part of my life. You have always been my light in the darkness, the reason I fought beyond what I thought possible. There is no greater battle than the one I fought to stand here with you. Today, in front of our pack, I promise to love you with every fiber of my being. I will protect you, honor you, and walk with you through every sunrise and every sunset. No matter what comes, my love for you will be my strength, and together we will build a future where love and hope reign. The moon goddess blessed me by placing you at my side. We were lost, but when you appeared in my office… my life came back to me, and you have no idea how much." Olivia’s eyes shimmered with happy tears as she gave me a radiant smile.

“I always knew we would be one, Christopher. You are my home, my strength, and my greatest love. There is nowhere in the world I would rather be than by your side.”

The elder smiled in approval. No one questioned anymore that we were a human and an alpha, we had earned our place in this world.

“Seal your union,” the man declared. With my heart about to burst, I lowered my head and kissed her with all the passion and love I had held back for years. The crowd erupted in cheers, but all I felt was Olivia in my arms—my mate, my eternal love. As we pulled apart, I thought this was it. But she had something planned, and apparently, the ceremony organizers knew about it. She pulled out two rings and looked at me with tenderness.

“I know this isn’t a tradition among our kind, but it’s a human custom I’d like to keep,” she said. The rings were made of dark gold, and I observed them with emotion.

“They’re beautiful,” I said, and in a trembling voice, she continued.

“They were made from two of my father’s lucky coins. Now, they will be our luck and our symbol. He will be with us too.” I took the ring with reverence, deeply moved by the gesture. A lump formed in my throat; it was the most beautiful detail I had ever seen.

“Then, this will be our new tradition.” I slid the ring onto her finger, and she did the same for me. A new celebratory howl filled the garden as we melted into another passionate kiss. This was, without a doubt, the best day of my life. I had never dreamed of being this happy.