A Second Ceremony

**Selene's POV**

As soon as the sun came up I was out of bed and wanting to make everything perfect for today. My old pack and my new coming together when Arti first suggested it I was confused I mean why wouldn’t she want to be Luna, but she said her family were part of this pack and she wanted to be too.
Once the meeting was over with what was left of our old pack, they all spoke among themselves talking about the friendships they had made I briefly saw Dot and she looked so happy with Robbie and I spied a noticeable bump under her soft flowing summer dress, It reminded me that we haven’t spoken in so long and our lives have both changed dramatically so I make a mental note to stop by her new place soon.

As soon as I get down the stairs Freya is their clipboard in hand organising the flowers, seating and food with ease and I wonder if I will ever be as good a Luna as she is. I was not sure if I wanted to be when all this happened but now I’m living it I realise that all of that will come later first it’s about getting to know my pack and it will be much easier soon as half of them are already familiar to me.

I spend the next 7 hours following her around as she shows me how she does everything listening intently as she answers every question I ask with a bright smile, repeatedly telling me how she always wanted a daughter.

When she first said it to me I felt weird like I couldn’t like it because I have a mother, she may not be here I do have one and then it struck me that she in no way means it like that it’s about the homely feeling she gives me when I’m around her, she’s not trying to replace my mother on anyway but I know she will be there for me when I need that figure and I honestly don’t think my mother would mind all that much.

The final check is on the food, Freya told me to any celebration with wolves there should be food and plenty of it. As I enter the kitchen I feel my eyes widen at the sight and smell of the dishes line up waiting to be served later, the smell of whatever is cooking in the oven making me salivate. Trying my best to control my own hands I walk through and head to Calder’s office.

Knocking once I step inside, he is in there with Ryan and Arti all of whom are dressed up, but my eyes instantly flash to Artemis you can see underneath her eyes she is hiding dark circles like she has not slept in days, no amount of make covering it up for me as I know every inch of her face.

She gives me a short smile and then turns her head to re-join the conversation. I head to the small bathroom attached to the office where my dress is hung and Arti fills my thoughts. I have not seen her this tired for quite some time. As I zip up my dress I think more in the last few weeks she hasn’t looked well for a while like something is constantly bugging her, I thought it would go away once Calder agreed to take over the pack but she seems to have gotten worse, not better.

I link Cynthia in the hope she will be able to shed some light ensuring we block Arti so she cannot hear.

"Cynth have you noticed anything strange about Arti these past weeks ?"

*"You mean how she looks like death and how she isn’t present in a room? yeah I’ve noticed I tried to talk to her about it, but she said she was fine, and it was the stress of becoming a Luna "*

"Yeah but she doesn’t have to do that now and she looks worse than ever, I think it might be something else you know "

*"Selene, I think you are reading too much into this, they only asked Calder and you to take the pack yesterday she probably needs more than one night of sleep to look like her normal self. Just give her time "*

"I will but if she is not okay in a few days then I’m talking to her "

*"Fine Sel, but for now, don’t push it !"*

With that, she closes the link and I head back outside to join the others.

We talk about the afternoon and the packs, but my eyes are constantly returning to Artemis it’s like her mind is elsewhere as she nods or replies with simple hmm or yes, no other real conversation leaving her lips.

After 30 minutes Freya comes to get us all and we make our way downstairs and into the large hall, as we walk through the wolves lower their heads a sign of respect to both Alphas. Once we reach the front they lift their gaze to watch the handover. Arti and I taking seats to watch along with everyone else.

Calder’s father leads the exchange asking Calder if he will care for the pack as his own and a agrees and then he asks Ryan if he gives over himself and his pack to Calder, Ryan agrees and also accepts to become his new second Beta.

Once it’s over they both shift and stare at the pack linking all the new wolves and I feel them all talking accepting one another, welcoming one another I see Cynthia smiling and when I look at Arti he face shows no emotion until she catches me looking and smiles but its pretend.

The celebration begins shortly after Calder and I walk around welcoming people into the pack Arti and Ryan following as they are welcomed by current pack members, all of them showing nothing but respect and it’s quite lovely.

Soon after the party is in full swing everyone is eating and drinking, some have had a little too much to drink and have made their way over to the dance floor, the atmosphere is one of pure joy as we are united again.

After a while we find all head to a small round table in the corner Sigi and Cynth joining us, I’m amazed at how pregnant she looks in such a short space of time but then I guess she-wolves are only pregnant for five months unlike the normal nine so it would make sense.

Our conversation is dominated by baby names and baby talk, Arti even seems to perk up as she holds a hand on Cynth’s stomach. Perhaps this will be the thing to guide her back to us.

Soon the hall begins to empty and there are just a few stray wolves dancing or sleeping on chairs the six of us however still conversing like time is of no consequence.
The conversation has shifted to Arti ripping off the doors to the cage my father was in. I can tell from the look on both my sister's faces they have felt the same things I have.

Its Cynth that breaks the ice first as the other three others at the table spot our side eyes to one another.

*"You see here’s the thing, I’m pretty sure we all have our powers back and no one is talking about it because we don’t know why or want to try it but I’m betting it’s got something to do with that girl. Anyway, I’m tired Sigi lets go to bed "*

She talks so fast and then pushes herself up from the table grabbing Sigurd’s arm.

*"Cynth. Sit. "*
Unable to stop herself from obeying her new Alphas order she sits back down.

Calder leans forward onto both arms on the table and hands in a fist.

*"Were any of you planning on telling us or were you just going to keep it a secret forever if you three have powers again you’re at risk again "*

His gaze meets mine the icy stare melting any confidence I had to stand up to him.

"It’s not like that we haven’t really spoken about it everything just happened so fast that night "

The others nod in agreement, Arti now looking a little paler than she was before, she then leans forward.

*"I’m certain that the girl is the reason we have them back, ever since dad told me it’s like I can’t stop thinking about her. How she must be so alone and so confused by what going on "*

The reasoning for Artemis looking so tired just clicked, I open my mouth to speak but I feel a hand on my legs ushering me to shh. I look down and see its Cynthia's she is urging me to stay quiet.

Artemis continues her voice soft but her breathing heavy, like she’s about to say something forbidden.

*"I think about when you guys, and how we always had each other. She is out there alone, she has no one but herself and I don’t know I just feel like .. well like ..."*

Calder interrupts her sentence.

*"So, this is why the two of you have been sneaking out each night and returning in the morning, you’ve been searching for her "*
He ushers towards Ryan and Arti and they both nods.

*"Yes Calder, and every time we get close to finding a scent it’s like it disappears. But I have to ask how you know what Ryan and I have been doing ?"*

*"Well this is my pack and my lands I know when people leave them and arrive "*

He knew and he didn’t say anything to me about it.
"Well why didn’t you tell me Calder and you Arti why didn’t you say anything we could have helped you "

*"Sel I did not tell you as there was nothing to tell I thought perhaps they were leaving to get some time alone since everything that happened with your father "*

I suppose that makes sense, but it doesn’t stop my brows from creasing as I frown at him.

*"And I didn’t tell you, Selene, because the two of you have lives to live now your finally free to do what you want "*

"But what if I wanted to help you, you didn’t even ask to find out "

*"Selene please don’t be like this, I thought when all the crap went down recently that I would be able to live a normal life but it was hard my normal was caring for you two, being there for you two and I realised I don’t know how to do anything else or how to be someone different then when dad told us about Sekreta is just clicked I knew at that moment I was meant to find her and help her, I can’t explain it but I just know"*

"Well, at least now we can help you what have you found so far?"

Her face crinkles and she looks at Ryan he gives her a small nod and a smile, and I just stare at them confused by the exchange.

*"Well Selene, I mean I wasn’t planning on sharing this yet but since you’ve asked, you can’t help me she has gone beyond the borders into the uncharted territories "*

"So, she is as good as dead then " My eyes widen if she has gone that far she is probably already dead.

Arti shakes her head like what I’ve said was silly.

*"I don’t know how I know but she isn’t dead, I feel like we would feel it. To that end however Ryan and I have decided to go and look for her to bring her back here, it’s one of the reasons we handed the pack over to you and Calder "*

Cynth lets out a short gasp and then coolly replies.

*"Your leaving aren’t you ?"*






*A/N
Thank you so much for reading this so far, i just wanted to put a note here to say that there will be no update this sunday! As this story draws closer to its end i want to make sure that i close this in the best way possible . Im also working on another title that will be uploaded soon so pleae keep a look out !
Happy Reading :)*