A Change Has Come

Still Luna Megan's POV

The rituals pass me by, I'm like a remote-controlled robot, doing what's expected of me. My eyes focus only on Alvarez, who stares back in love. In the eyes of our guests, we must look like two smitten teenagers who have just met, but we don't care.

To my surprise, Alvarez has arranged for wedding rings.

I look at him in surprise; this is not really our tradition. We mate, have ceremonies to tell everyone, and mark each other to establish our exclusive right to our mates. Wedding rings are for humans, a sign that they are already married.

"Yes, I want this too. We can mark each other and also wear a ring on our finger for the humans to see," he explains, noticing my reaction. He takes my hand and kisses each finger.

"Megan Smith, Luna of the Blue Blood pack, do you want to be not only my mate but also my wife, as humans refer to it?"

"I do," I whisper sincerely, choking up with emotion as I look deep into his eyes.

As he slips the ring onto my finger, I cannot hold back the tears of joy. The feeling of being the source of someone else's love is incredible. Alvarez makes me feel so loved in a way no one could ever imagine. He takes me in his arms for the first time as his destiny mate and I immediately feel at home. As we face the pack, I see my parents sitting in the front row, beaming with pride. My mother holds up her thumb, signaling that she has my back.

Alpha Thoseo and Luna Therse also stare at me with excitement, the triplets sitting on their laps.

But then my eyes fall on Cliara, the Alpha female of Crescent Moon. I'm immediately on alert, hoping she won't try anything on this special day. Cliara's bad news, but if she decides to be stupid, I'll be there to give her another beating.

And then I noticed something remarkable. A man is leaning over, stroking her cheek and kissing the side of her face. He looks at Cliara in love, lifts her face and kisses her on the lips.

Of all your life! Is this the same she-wolf who hatefully told me a few days ago to seek revenge? And threatened to take Romero away from Lori and throw her out of the pack? And for whom I had to leave my pack and my mate's warm bed to see how much damage Lori had done to her?

Well, it looks like she has moved on pretty fast. Here she is, flirting with an unknown man in front of almost every Alpha on the continent. Another glance at the man and I have to admit that I have never seen him before. Could he be an Alpha from another continent who just happened to be in the area and wanted to pass his best wishes to Alvarez?

Guess I'll find out soon, Alvarez and I are just about to start a round with the guests. We step off the platform, my mate holding me tightly against him.

And then I feel him backing away, his eyes fixed on the stranger. "Hedrick! Moon Goddess!" he cries, and with long strides, he walks over to the couple.

He takes the man by the shoulders and the two look at each other for a few seconds.

"My brother! Have you been here all this time? Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I would have picked you up myself. I am so grateful that you could be here, you here is all I wanted to make this an extraordinary day".

His brother! Cliara mated with Alvarez's brother. She always wanted an Alpha and made sure she got one. What is this devil up to now? I hope I don't have to deal with her any sooner than I planned.

Alpha Tristan and Luna Serene join them and it becomes an emotional welcome with many hugs and prayers for Selene.

"Come meet my mate and Luna, Hedrick. This is Meg." I step forward and shake my brother-in-law's hand.

"Sir, believe me when I say that Alvarez is genuinely happy to see you. He has told me so much about you that I could hear his longing to see you again in his voice. Please stay with us for a long time, forever if possible. We can be one happy family here."

"Thank you, Meg. And call me Heddy. I'll think about your suggestion," he hints with a wink. His resemblance to Alvarez is immediately apparent. They have the same hair color and the same masculine face. Their Alpha genes are undeniable. Heddy turns to Cliara and nudges her gently forward.

"Especially now that I have a mate as well. I'm sure you two know each other, don't you, Cliara?"

With a sweet smile around her lips, the woman's eyes flash over the family. "Yes, we know each other. Meg and Lori were in my pack," she answers before turning to her in-laws. "Alpha, Luna. I may not be the mate you wanted for your son. I hope you can accept me despite my imperfections."

A gasp goes through the crowd as Luna Serene embraces her. "No, dear. You are perfect. I couldn't ask for a better partner for my son, the moon goddess has done a great job with you".

And then Cliara turns to me, but looks over my shoulder at the one standing there.

"Hi, Lori. Good to see you again. Meg is so privileged to have a loyal friend like you. I hope you will be there for my mating ceremony as well."

What the hell!!! Seriously?

I turn to see Louise and Lori staring in shock at the woman in front of us. Lori, in particular, is not quite sure how to handle the situation.

When I turned back to look at Cliara, I saw no trace of the old hatred, nor did her aura radiate any desire for revenge.

Before me, I see a completely different Cliara.

Or is this part of her mission to destroy Lori? ..