Chapter 76 CEREMONIAL PREPARATION
Raphael's Pov
I was in my office going over the ceremony plans for the hundredth time. This had to be perfect. Better than perfect. This ceremony was going to show everyone that I was still a strong Alpha with a strong Luna who was giving me an heir.
My beta Marcus came in with more bills and his face looked stressed.
"Alpha we need to talk about the costs," Marcus said.
"Not now Marcus. The ceremony is in two days. We can worry about money after," I said.
"But Alpha the pack funds are getting really low. Between the decorations and the catering and all the gifts for the guests we're spending more than we budgeted," Marcus said.
"I don't care. This ceremony needs to be the best anyone has ever seen," I said.
“With all due respect, Alpha, we also have ongoing costs for Master Jaxon’s medical care,” Marcus said carefully, choosing his words with restraint. “And the pack infrastructure still needs significant repairs after the last quarter’s damage. We can’t keep spending like this without consequences.” He exhaled slowly. “If we don’t rebalance soon, it won’t just strain our reserves—it could weaken the pack’s long-term stability.”
I slammed my hand on the desk and Marcus jumped.
"I said not now. The ceremony happens as planned. We'll figure out the money situation later," I said.
"Yes Alpha," Marcus said and he left looking unhappy.
I knew he was right. We were spending too much money. But I needed this ceremony to work. I needed people to see that everything was fine. That I was in control.
Ever since Celestia showed up with the Lycan King, people had been whispering in corners and lowering their voices when I walked past. They questioned whether I’d made the right choice five years ago, whether my judgment had been clouded back then. Some wondered if I’d been wrong about her all along, if the story we were given had never been the full truth. I felt their doubt like a weight pressing down on my shoulders.
This ceremony would shut them all up. Once everyone saw Medea blessed by the Elders and confirmed as carrying my heir nobody would question my decisions anymore.
I called the event coordinator to check on the decorations.
"Is everything ready?" I asked.
"Yes Alpha. The pavilion is being set up now. White and gold flowers everywhere just like you requested. The ceremonial platform is ready. The seating for guests is arranged. Everything will be perfect," she said.
"Good. And the catering?" I asked.
"The finest foods from three different packs. We have options for everyone. Nobody will leave hungry," she said.
"Excellent. What about the gifts for the Elders?" I asked.
"Wrapped and ready. Expensive wines and rare herbs just like tradition demands," she said.
"Perfect. Keep me updated on any issues," I said and I hung up.
I walked through the pack house, moving from room to room to check on the preparations. The servants bustled about, scrubbing and dusting until every surface gleamed as if it were brand new. In the gardens, landscapers trimmed hedges and arranged flowers with careful precision, each path and bloom set to impress. Even the medical wing wasn’t left untouched, scrubbed and organized in case any guests happened to wander that way. Everywhere I looked, the house was transforming, brimming with meticulous order and controlled chaos, ready for whatever was coming.
I passed by Jaxon's room and stopped. I should probably visit him before the ceremony. Make sure he was presentable in case anyone asked about him.
I went inside and found him in bed surrounded by medical equipment. He looked so small and pale.
"Hey buddy. How are you feeling?" I asked.
Jaxon looked at me but didn't say anything. He was holding something in his hand. A handkerchief.
"What's that?" I asked.
"A present," Jaxon said quietly.
"From who?" I asked.
"The blanket lady," Jaxon said.
"There's no blanket lady Jaxon. I've told you that," I said.
"Yes there is. She sent me this. It smells like her," Jaxon said and he held the handkerchief close to his face.
I felt a surge of irritation I couldn’t hide. He was always talking about this blanket lady, mentioning her in the smallest moments, as if she were some constant presence I should care about. I didn’t know where he had gotten the idea from, or why it mattered so much to him, but hearing it over and over made my patience wear thin. It was a small thing, but it grated at me relentlessly, a quiet, nagging frustration I couldn’t shake.
"Jaxon you need to stop talking about imaginary people. It's not healthy," I said.
"She's not imaginary. She's real. And she's coming to see me," Jaxon said.
"Nobody is coming to see you. Now give me that handkerchief," I said.
"No. It's mine," Jaxon said and he held it tighter.
I didn't have time to argue with him so I just left. I had too many other things to worry about.
That afternoon the Elders came to discuss the ceremony details. They sat in my office drinking tea while I went over the schedule.
"The ceremony will begin at noon. Medea will be brought to the platform. You three will perform the blessing. Then we feast," I said.
"Very traditional. We approve," Elder Janice said.
"I want this to be memorable. My heir deserves the best," I said.
"Of course. Though we must remind you that the blessing ceremony is sacred. We will speak the truth of what we sense," Elder Janice said.
"I understand. But the pregnancy has already been confirmed. This is just tradition," I said.
"Even so. We must be honest about what we feel," Elder Janice said.
Something about the way she said it made me nervous but I pushed it aside.
"Of course. I would expect nothing less," I said.
After the Elders left, I went to find Medea. I found her in the nursery, quietly moving things around with meticulous care. She had been spending a lot of time in there lately, arranging toys, folding tiny clothes, and adjusting blankets as if each movement mattered more than the last. The room smelled faintly of lavender and baby powder, and watching her there, so absorbed in her own world, made the air feel heavy with anticipation and unspoken intentions.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Fine. Just excited for the ceremony," Medea said but she didn't look excited. She looked stressed.
"Everyone is going to be there. Alphas and Lunas from neighbouring packs. Even some Lycan council members," I said.
"That's great," Medea said but her voice was flat.
"Are you nervous?" I asked.
"A little. It's a big deal," Medea said.
"You'll be fine. Just let the Elders do their thing and smile. That's all you have to do," I said.
"Right. Just smile," Medea said.
I kissed her forehead and left her in the nursery. She'd been acting weird lately but I figured it was just pregnancy hormones or nerves about the ceremony.
That evening, I walked the pack grounds, making sure the final preparations were coming together perfectly. The pavilion looked incredible—white flowers draped every surface, their petals catching the fading light, and gold ribbons fluttered gently in the breeze. Lanterns hung from the trees, casting a soft, warm glow over the paths. It looked like something out of a fairy tale, almost unreal in its beauty, and for a moment I could almost forget the tension beneath it all and just take in how stunning everything had become.
Some pack members were already gossiping about the ceremony.
"I heard the Lycan King is coming," one person said.
"With her. That disgraced Luna," another person said.
"I don't understand why Alpha Raphael invited her. It's disrespectful to Luna Medea," the first person said.
I wanted to tell them I didn't invite Celestia. She invited herself. But instead I just kept walking.
The truth was having her there made me nervous. What if she caused a scene? What if she tried to ruin everything?