Chapter 200
Chapter 200
By afternoon, drinks and other foods, both raw and cooked, were coming in from neighbouring packs.
It was the first time such had happened, but no shifter alive did not know that Lightmoon had taken many hits since Christmas, and had taken bold steps in defending the entire region.
The news of their pack link had spread as well and it was known, and understood, that their pack Alpha was down.
The details were unknown, but the sentiments surrounding Lightmoon’s issues were real.
People cared.
By evening, lights were up.
No guests were around. Only deliveries and goodwill messages had been sent.
There was no music.
People were eating and drinking in muted tones.
There was a stark difference between the Christmas Eve party and this one.
At midnight, the young shifters who were ready, whose bonds were formed by the moon goddess or by their heart's choice, presented themselves to each other.
Those who accepted their mate, presented themselves to the Luna for her blessings.
The Luna was seated on the dais in the pack hall.
She, Marian, Brock and Zara, were the only leaders on the platform.
To avoid any confusion or any turmoil or gossip, no males from the family of Dax or Corien appeared before the pack.
Once the mating ceremony was over, Marian stepped forward.
All eyes turned to her.
Everyone knew who Marian was.
Everyone knew what she had done at the Bloodrayne battle.
Everyone knew there was no wolf more powerful than her.
Compared to the eyes that had been on her at Christmas, the eyes now were different. Disdain and pity were replaced with reverence and respect.
She held all gazes, unlike last time when she avoided them all.
A low rumble filled the pack hall. Dinka was calling their attention.
After a short silence, Marian spoke. Her voice was quiet, but reached the ends of the pack hall.
Her eyes scanned the gathered wolves slowly.
“Look around you.”
All eyes were fixed on her.
Warriors from the barracks, and any others who were not on patrol, had been approaching the pack hall. Marian had been waiting for them.
As they entered, she had begun speaking.
“Look around,” she said patiently, gesturing lightly with her hands.
The people looked at the person next to them.
When their attention went back to Marian, she continued.
“No one in this room is an outsider.”
“You all know me. You all know my father.”
Older shifters rose to their feet.
Marian nodded at them.
“Alpha Dax is healing. The Noble heir is with his father. Our Luna,” she turned toward Luna Diane, who nodded encouragingly, “is here. So are our Beta and Gamma.”
More wolves stood, no one dared to even blink.
“A pack cannot be without an alpha,” she continued steadily.
Half the room was standing now.
“I present myself to stand in that place for Lightmoon,” Marian declared, her eyes scanning the hall.
All shifters were on their feet.
“Anyone who wishes to challenge me for this space is free to come forward,” she continued calmly, watching the room.
No one moved.
“Anyone who has any objections, is free to speak,” she announced.
No one spoke.
“Anyone who –”
All shifters, as one, fell to their knees. Brock and Jackson included.
Only Luna Diane and Zara remained seated.
Marian pressed her lips together as she inhaled quietly.
Her eyes roamed the room.
She blinked rapidly and swallowed.
“Look behind me,” she called out fiercely.
All heads looked up, eyes on where she directed.
“This is your Luna!” she called out, her hand gesturing toward Luna Diane. “She is our mother. This has not changed. Our mother’s sister sits beside her; this has not changed.”
“Our Beta and Gamma, have not changed.”
“We are Lightmoon.”
“We, will not change!” Marian declared.
A roar filled the pack hall as every voice cried out in unison.
It was the noisiest the hall had been all day.
Marian stood tall, watching her people celebrate. Finally.
\==========
That night, Marian returned to Reyland’s home.
“My Alpha,” he droned, and Marian jumped on him. They rolled around in rapturous pleasure.
As they held each other, Marian whispered just below Reyland’s ear, “Why don’t you take the role. You can challenge me. I’ll let you win.”
Reyland laughed deeply.
He had been coming into his new voice very nicely. It was now a rich rumble, forceful yet calming.
“How could I dare such a thing? My grandfather would have a field day,” he replied laughingly.
“Will you really go to Whitehall?” she asked carefully.
“I will, one day. Not today,” he whispered, kissing her forehead.
“And if he summons you?” she pressed, her eyes searching his face.
“Then I will go with my number one guard!” he replied smoothly.
“Really?” she asked excitedly, sitting up and staring down at Reyland.
“Of course! Jackson will have to come with me!” he said confidently.
Marian pulled Reyland’s nose.
He laughed.
Marian revelled in the sound.
She kissed him.
“I am happy to support you, in every way, as my father did for yours,” he said hoarsely, his grey eyes on her green ones.
“They will love you, Reyland,” Marian stated encouragingly. Addressing words and thoughts they were both leaving unsaid.
“And I love them, from the shadows, where I always have,” he said quietly. “Besides, how can I keep an eye on Bloodrayne if I have to stand in front of Lightmoon all the time?”
He took her hand gently, drawing his gaze from hers.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, suddenly changing the subject.
“You know,” she murmured, squeezing his hand.
Reyland had been healing her, over and over, every single day. Taking it slow sometimes, and fast on others.
His work had been completed the day before, but their sessions had continued.
He laughed lightly again.
“Say it,” he rumbled.
“When did you become so bold?!” Marian chided playfully.
“I have the best trainer in the world,” he rumbled, his lips against her ear.
“You!”
“Me?”
“Yes! You…” Marian droned, falling into his lips and sliding on top of him, both ready for another session.
A long one this time, since it would be a celebration of both the New Moon and Marian’s new position as pack Alpha.
A few days later, Reyland was summoned by the Alpha King, and he left Lightmoon, with Jackson.