Chapter Twelve

Zion's POV

Today was a big day. Not only was it the day of the ceremony, but now I would formally be accepting not one mate but two. Ethar also decided to use the day as an opportunity to gain allies for the impending battle that was yet to come. Blood Creek pack was to attend the ceremony in support of me for saving Alpha Toto, but they also pledge to back us if called to aid.

To my surprise Ethar pulled out all the stops, even reaching out to his very old friends. Even in these modern times you couldn't call Captain Tali anything other than a pirate. She was a Caribbean Sea Alpha that commanded a fleet worthy of queen. Even though Mer-beasts can't shift on land they were ferocious in battle, and their fangs contain venom that paralyzed their enemy and could manipulate water. Count Loufy head of the council of Vetni was also set to attend. As well as our sister pack Blood Claw.

To say I was nervous was an understatement, I knew nothing about being a Luna, but I was being brought up to speed fast attending pack meetings, attending classes to help educate me on pack financing and relations. After all this I was still not sure if I was going to be Luna, everyone expected of me. The actual marking part didn’t scare me since we decided to keep that private between me and my mates, but the actual formal ceremony was freaking me out, so many eyes on us, watching us openly claim each other, it made my stomach flutter just thinking about it.

One thing I did enjoy was the spa days and beauty treatments I was getting; I did want to look my absolute best. The dress I picked was one worthy of a Luna it was a shimmer gold floor length gown, the front was collared but sleeveless, it was backless all the way down and stopped right before the tailbone, it had a high thigh slit, and it complimented my curves exactly right. I wore a white wolf broch with emerald jewels for the eyes on the collar of my dress.

My hair was a slick back high ponytail, and my makeup was flawless, I wore white eyeliner with gold eyeshadow and a light pink lip. My Gold heels wrapped all the up my leg stopping right above my knees. Even though I was feeling insecure about being a Luna, no one could say I didn’t look the part.

When I was done getting ready, I took one last look at myself before I heard a knock at the door.

“Come in .” I called out when Alpha Toto opened the door.

“Zion Calhoun, you look amazing.” he said as he bowed before walking in. He walked over to the mirror and stood beside me, and I turned to face him.

“I never got a chance to say how sorry I am for the way we treated you during your time with us, I hope that with my allegiance and my thanks for saving my life can help you forgive me and the pack.” He told me, his eyes never leaving mine as he spoke.

“I understand what happened Alpha, and I understand how everything looked from your eyes, I've put it behind me and have already forgiven. Now im just eager to start my new life in my new home.” I tell him my hand on his shoulder.

“Well, let's get you out there, I'm sure everyone is waiting.” He tells me holding his arm out for me to take. I loop mine through his and we walk out of the room towards the Hall.

The walk was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. We stopped at the grand double doors and the guards went to grab the knobs I could feel my heart skip, as they opened.

The Hall matched the theme with sheer white and gold fabric lining the back side of the pews, each section was marked by flags of each group that attended baring their crest. Blood Moon had the biggest section, and their flag was white; they had a red moon in the middle with a black wolf overlapping the moon. Kalinago Pack sea green flag with a kraken emerging from the waves Captain Tali Section was second largest section. Blood Claws flag was similar to ours but with a white wolf instead of black, and it is said the white wolf represents the Moon Goddess’s wolf. Count Loufy’s Flag was smaller flag with the emblem of more of a European family crest instead of an actual pack flag, I couldn’t really make out what the crest was. Everyone was dressed like royalty, matching the theme of black and gold and white. My home packs flag bore a red creek flowing under a bright white moon as its reflection shimmered in the bloody creek.

When the doors opened everyone turned their attention to it and stood at the sight of me and the Alpha. As soon as I took the first step on the velvet gold walkway I felt my knees go weak and I almost thought I was going to fall. I squeezed the Alphas arm and his arm tensed like he could feel my anxiety as he held my arm tight to make sure my legs didn’t give way. As I walked down the walkway everyone's smile was bright, suddenly the nervousness subsided as I felt acceptance coming from the guest. I began to hold my head high as I walked toward the altar. As I reached the first step, I looked up to see my Mates, Ethar had never looked so good. His bright blue orbs shining with adoration and pride as he watched me ascend the steps, he wore a black fitted tux with a gold bow tie and his cufflinks matched my broach, his black locks were slicked with a side part. Iliam stood right next to him wearing a white tux with a gold tie and his cufflinks matched Ethar’s, his honey brown eyes lit up with Raziel pushing through to see me, he smirked as they flickered back.

I stood in front of my mates and they both stared at me with hungry eyes like they both wanted to rip me out of the dress the moment we were alone. My mates turned their attention to Alpha Toto and nodded, Toto bowed before taking his place next to Beta Francis in the pews. I took my place in between my mates, and I placed my hand in theirs, Ethar went to speak but his voice was halter when the doors flew open.

Everyone's heads snapped in the direction of the tall dark-haired woman as she entered the hall. She wore a long white toga that covered just her breast with her whole mid area showing, with gold fleece broaches holding it on her body on her shoulders. The aura around her was powerful, so powerful you could almost see the invisible energy omitting from her. Everyone in the pews had alarm written on their faces but no one moved. When my eyes turned to Ethar he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, but he didn’t make a move either. As she passed each pew I noticed the wolves bowed their heads one pew after the other, Iliam stepped down a step as she got closer, he bowed before holding his hand out to walk her up the steps. I let out a small growl as I see her take his hand and her eyes snap towards me with surprise written on her face.

“Is that any way to greet your Goddess.” She says, holding her hand out for me to kiss.

As the realization hits me, I immediately oblige the Goddess Neoma. She walks to the pack elder who was supposed to officiate the ceremony and dismisses her.

“Everyone may be seated.” she calls out as she turns to face us all. Everyone sits and she turns her attention Ethar as we stood in front of her our backs now towards our guest.

“You have genuinely surprised me Etgar Natura, although you cannot remember your past lives, you never ceased to work tirelessly to keep history from repeating itself. “

“When you accepted your enemy's child as your mate, I was at a loss of what to do with you.” She tells him “ And when you Ethar and your brethren fought so hard to stop yourself from feeding on her and releasing the darkness, I was even more impressed. When I formed the bond between your Beta and your mate you accepted it instead of ripping your brother to pieces and unleashing a spiral of self-destruction, I began to grow fond of you to my own surprise, and not much surprises me these days” she continued

“So, you’ve come to stop the ceremony, and curse my family once more.” Ethar says, cutting her off.

“Actually, the opposite, now you will let me continue before I change my mind.” She threatened and I could feel Ethar’s tension ease a little before she spoke again.

“Zion step forward please.” she commands, and I let go of my mates hands as I do as she says.

“Is this what you really want my child.” She says placing her hand on my shoulder.

“As hard as I worked to keep you from this path, this moment still seems to find you. This life you choose won't be easy, you will have no shortage of enemies and heartbreak. Yet you will have just as much Family and Love. You have chosen your mates wisely and they will love and protect you until the end of their days. But for every moment of joy there will be an equal amount of saddness. I'm giving you a chance to choose fate over destiny.” She warned me, and suddenly my mind flickered with the images I saw when I held my family's grimoires for the first time. Those histories were somehow tied to my future, I didn’t know how yet but I could tell the Goddess's words were no ruse. However, I didn’t need to think about it. The two men standing beside me were all I needed to face whatever the future held.

“This is what I want without a doubt Goddess.” I tell her tears of joy brimming in my eyes as the words leave my lips. She kisses my cheek and steps back.

“Bow.” she commands, and I step back next to my mates before we go to our knees in front of her.

“I Goddess of The Moon bless this union between Alpha Ethar Natura, Luna Zion Calhoun, and Alpha Iliam Aghram of Bloodmoon Pack. You all will do well to remember this union was blessed by the Goddess herself and anyone who means to harm them it is your duty to answer their call and fight for them. They will be the leaders of this new world, there has never been and Alpha above Alphas, but you will follow them as such” She speaks aloud and mind links, I could feel the link stretch across continents as it rang out to not just packs but rouge settlements all over the world.

“Stand.” she commanded us; in complete tandem we got to our feet. She goes to us one by one and places a kiss on our foreheads. We bow to her before turning and watching everyone do the same as she leaves the Hall and disappears into the night.

The entire hall began to howl and applaud, Iliam pulled me to him by my waist and kissed me deeply before letting me go as Ethar pulled me in next to kiss my lips before him and Iliam began to howl with the rest of them.

The rest of the night was filled with songs and drinks as we all celebrated. Ethar’s phone was ringing off the hook as different packs called to congratulate us.He stepped out to take the call, leaving me and Iliam sitting at the table.

I went to stand to find the bathroom before I was thrown through a wall, I shut my eyes at the impact. There was a loud ringing sound in my ears, and smoke filled my lungs. When I opened my eyes my head ached and I could barely see through the thick layer of smoke that surrounded me, lifeless bodies were riddled throughout the hall, and I watched people lean down screaming and wailing as they held their loved ones. I tried to get to my feet, but they failed me, I crawled to the table we had been sitting at to find Iliam was lying unconscious, his leg was impaled with a piece of wood, and he wasn’t healing. I tried to mind link Ethar but there was no connection, my head felt like it was splitting in two. Iliam winced in pain as he came to.

‘Brigade to Luna.” I heard Iliam Mindlink followed by his scream as he pulled the wood from his leg.

The halls were on fire and were coming down around us. I felt Albizi grab my arm before lifting me and putting it around his neck.

“Get Alpha” He yells to them, Fraya grabbed his feet and Echo grabs him under his shoulders before we hurried off to the safe room. Everyone in the hall began to shift as we can see disgusting demon face dogs running towards our location.

“Ethar, where is he? I can't get a connection.” I yell to Albizi over the commotion as he ran us toward the mansion.

“Luna, we have to get you and Alpha Iliam to safety and then we will find him, we have our orders.” He says sternly

We reached the front door and Seb began to put up barriers around the mansion.

“No one In or out besides us Seb.” Albizi calls out toward Seb as she finishes the spell before she is tackled by one of the dogs.

“Fraya go!” Albizi yells as he tends to Iliam’s wounds that were still not healing.

Fraya quickly jumped into action as she pulled out her swords. I stared in horror as she sliced the head off the dog and his head rolled toward me. It looked like a regular wolf only it didn’t change back to a human head, and there was no blood, there was a pentagram carved into its head right between his eyes.

“Fraya, Echo go find Alpha Ethar, Seb I need your help over here.” Albizi orders.

I felt useless, I felt stupid at the fact I hadn't noticed anything was amiss. And where was my Mate!? The Goddess words flowed through my mind as I watched Seb trying to heal my love. Enemies, heartbreak, love, sadness, fate, destiny, and family