Chapter 35: The Lumiere Ceremony

Chapter 35: The Lumiere Ceremony
Silas
I can’t seem to move my feet for a moment. My eyes are fixed on the back door; beyond that point is everyone waiting for me. I take a deep breath and gather myself. My hand is shaking as I grab the handle. My head is a mess; my stomach is in knots. I know I can’t run away. I turn the knob and step outside.
“Announcing the male of the hour Silas Youngblood-Eld.” Ambrose bellowed. I nod and make my way down the central aisle to the raised stage. Everyone stood and bowed their heads out of respect.
Every step closer, my heart pounded louder and harder in my chest. My eyes are fixed on the stage. My palms are sweating; what if I don’t get my Lumiere mark at the end of the ceremony?
“This is our destiny, our goddess-given duty.” Bram’s commanding voice echoed in my head.
“You’re right. It just still doesn’t seem real sometimes.” I straightened myself to my full height and took the last few steps to the stage. No matter how twisted my insides are, I can’t show it. I can’t let anyone look down on Sydney or my family because I’m lacking.
“Please be seated. Thank you all for gathering here today. You all already know me. I’m Alpha John Ashwood. I am honored to be part of the White Ridge Pack’s Lumiere Ceremony. The Ashwood Pack, Druit Guard, and the Amaris Pack will be participating in today’s ceremony.” Alpha John paused and looked around. This was an obvious statement of support of the Alpha couple by extremely powerful packs. It was a warning because of Joseph’s false claim made against Syd. “Now let’s welcome Alpha Sydney’s Eld’s fated Mate and the father to the next Alpha Silas Youngblood-Eld. We will now start the ceremony.”
That was my cue to go and stand in front of the Lunas and start this ceremony. I take a deep breath and try and steady my racing heart. “Our mate can feel your nervousness. We are where we need to be. Trust yourself and me.” Bram was trying to give me a boost. Had I always been like this? I’ve longed for a genuine purpose of my own, and now it’s the day of reckoning, and I’m terrified that it’s all some sick and twisted joke. My mind is twisting and turning. My body feels like it’s on autopilot.
“Wake up. Pick up the cup and start the ceremony.” Syd bond-links me, forcing me to snap back to reality. I look up at the Lunas standing before me and give them a slight smile. I pick up an oak cup sitting next to a basin of rainwater.
"I Reece Amaris, Luna of the Amaris Pack, give the blessing of the Teacher Lumiere. You are a teacher to all in your pack." She drops in a cherry blossom branch into the basin of rainwater. Then she extends a claw and cuts the palm of her hand. I raise the cup to catch the blood. How much blood is enough? When do I move the cup?
As if Luna Reece could hear my thoughts, she pulled her hand away after a few drops. "I accept the blessing of Teacher Lumiere." I bow to my former Luna, and she smiles.
As she steps back, I hear her faintly whisper, “I’m proud of you, Si.” She was always a great Luna.
Luna Amelie steps forward. "I Amelie Ashwood, Luna of the Druit Guard, gives the blessing of the provider Lumiere. You are a provider to all in your pack." She drops in white jasmine into the basin of rainwater. Then she extends a claw and cuts the palm of her hand. I raise the cup to catch the blood. It feels so serial to have Amelie Ashwood partaking in my Lumiere Ceremony. I know the Druit Guards have to help the packs rebuild, but she’s one of the most influential figures to all werewolves.
"I accept the blessing of the provider Lumiere." I bow to the small imposing figure, and she steps back. It was such an odd feeling when her blood dropped into the dry cup. It almost felt like there was a slight shock wave. I must be psyching myself out because of who she is.
Celeste steps forward. "I Celeste Ashwood, Luna of the Ashwood Pack, give the blessing of the Protector Lumiere. You are a protector to all in your pack." She drops in White Heather to the basin of rainwater. Then she extends a claw and cuts the palm of her hand. I extend the cup to catch the blood. I look down at the white heather floating in the basin of water. It’s calming to me; it represents who I am and my family. I sneak a peek over at Sydney and see a small smile on her face as she lightly touches her mate mark.
"I accept the blessing of the Protector Luna." I bow to Celeste, and she steps back.
With my new rush of confidence from seeing the white heather, I confidently dip my hand into the basin of rainwater and fill the oak cup. "Goddess Selene, I accept the blessings of the Lumiere. Please guide me in leading the White Ridge Pack." I turn and stand to the right of Alpha John, Alpha Gideon, and mate. I bow my head.
Alpha John steps forward. "I, John Ashwood, Alpha of the Ashwood Pack, ask if you are prepared to support your Alpha and mate with full devotion."
I’m standing at attention like a soldier being inspected by a general. He’s not the most physically imposing Alpha, but he’s intimidating as hell. I take a deep breath in before answering. "I promise to always devote myself to my pack, my Alpha, and children."
Alpha John cuts his palm with an extended claw, and I extend the oak chalice to catch the drops of blood. I swear I could feel pulses of energy every time a drop hit the water in the cup. Alpha John steps back, and Alpha Gideon steps forward.
"I, Gideon Alois, Alpha of the Durit Guard, ask if you are prepared to support your Alpha and mate with full encouragement."
I am still at attention. Although I have gotten to know Gideon well over the past few weeks, he’s still not someone I want ever to cross. I again take a deep breath. "I always promise to encourage my pack, my Alpha, and children."
Alpha Gideon cuts his palm with an extended claw, and I extend the oak chalice to catch the drops of blood. Maybe it’s the light of the moon playing tricks on my eyes, but when Alpha Gideon pulled his hand away, I thought I saw a faint green glow where he had cut his hand. I must have spun myself up so much I see things. Alpha Gideon steps back, and Sydney steps forward.
My heart starts to race again as I look into Sydney’s stunning Amber eyes. She takes a nervous breath. "I, Sydney Eld, Alpha of the White Ridge Pack and your fated mate, ask if you are prepared to support me….” She pauses and closes her eyes, taking another breath. “With all your love as I will support you. I will give you all that I am. All my love is for you."
Love, there it is. We had lust. We had an appreciation, but did we have love? Yet here we are making a public declaration before we knew. I want to love her; we need trust. I swallow hard before replying. "I, Silas Youngblood-Eld, promise always to love you and support you and our pack as we work together as our pack's mother and father."
Sydney cuts her palm with an extended claw, and I extend the oak chalice to catch the drops of blood. These droplets feel the most precious to me. Sydney steps forward to address the pack and guest. "White Ridge, Selene has blessed us with a strong, dedicated, and wise Lumiere. You will now witness the goddess' blessing." As Sydney steps back, I step forward.
I look out into the crowd for a moment. Most that are here are from our pack. We are a minor pack rebuilding, so we didn’t make this a grand event. It’s small, and it feels hopeful because it’s mostly just the White Ridge Pack. Maybe this is my new beginning, the purpose I always longed for. I just needed to get out of my way.
I see my parents in the front row next to my brothers and Alpha Conor as I look around. My dad gives me the cheesiest thumbs up, and my mom’s camera flash almost blinds me. They are acting like this is some school graduation ceremony. I let out a sigh. Well, I guess this is the ‘grandest’ ceremony any of their children have been in.
“Is your mom filming this?” Syd bond-links me.
“I think so. She’s also taking pictures, so we should expect a full album.” I chuckle. I give my mom a wink, and she giggles.
I turn around and raise the oak chalice, "Goddess bless me as your chosen Lumiere." I take a deep breath and drink the whole cup.
I feel a power pulsate from my heart. My back and shoulder start to feel warm as my Lumiere mark and connecting marks take shape. I feel a cooling breeze tickle my tingling skin. “You are worthy” I lift my head. I look around, trying to place the voice to anyone standing near me, but I can’t—the heat intensities. Marks don’t usually hurt, but this one stings. “You are light.” I hear it again.
“It’s the goddess. Can’t you feel her? Close your eyes and open your ears.” Bram commands.
“You are worthy. You are light.” I feel the breeze whirl around me, cooling my stinging skin. I let the words play through my mind a few times. I let them sink into my heart, and I feel a weight lifted from me for the first time in a very long time.
I look up at Syd, staring at me wide-eyed I can feel her anticipation to see my mark. I give her a grin. “I guess you are really stuck with me now.” I bond-link her.
“Oh, shut up and turn around so I can see it.” Syd links back.
“You perv staring at my body. I feel so violated.” I give her my best innocent eyes.
“I’m going to kick your ass as soon as everyone leaves.” She gives me the stink-eye.
“Help me, goddess. My mate is so violent.” I stand up straight, stretching out my back.
“Damn it turn around already.” She’s basically pouting. It’s something only for me.
“As you wish, my Alpha.” I give her a big smile and turn around. Sydney steps closer to take a look at my Lumiere mark.
Alpha John steps forward. “Please bow to the new Lumiere of the White Ridge Pack.” Everyone stands and bows and then explodes in howls and cheers. “The packhouse is now open for dinner and refreshments.”
Everyone starts to file out, and Sydney grabs my writs and drags me away into the woods. I don’t say anything because I can feel an odd jumble of her emotions, and I don’t know what to make of it.
She stops abruptly, “What the hell?” Syd is looking at me with a confused expression on her face.
“What? What happened? Why are you freaking out?” I’m starting to panic now.
“Your mark.” Syd is looking at me with a furrowed brow.
“Syd, damn it will you spit it out? What the hell are you trying to say.” I try looking over my shoulder at my mark, but that is not physically possible. I see my connecting marks; a wind swiped clouds against a dark sky. Dang, that’s why it burned so much. I have a night sky scene running from my pack mark to my mate mark and my back shoulder blade. I beat my Lumiere mark pops with all this black sky. I should have Syd take a picture so I can see it.
“Your waning crescent….”
I cut her off, “Gezz Syd, yeah, I thought you knew these Luna’s have a waxing crescent, and Lumiere’s have a waning crescent. Is that why…”
This time she cut me off. “You have a star with the waning crescent.”
“What?”