Chapter 7 - Luna Ceremony

The couples emerged from their rooms a few hours after marking each other. Jasmine and Brandie met in the Alpha's office to get ready for the Luna ceremony that would be happening soon. Both of them were on cloud nine from marking their mates.

"Jasmine, are you ready to receive the official title of Luna?" Brandie was looking over Jasmine's dress for the ceremony. She had chosen a simple pale green knee-length dress that fit her snuggly and had short sleeves.

"Yes, but I'm a little nervous. Even though everyone has been very accepting of us, I'm scared the pack won't be happy with the danger we're bringing." Jasmine bit her lip as she thought about the scent Dakota had picked up.

"It will all work out, Jasmine; you'll see. I know it'll be scary for us all, but we'll prepare them. We also know we have the power to beat the evil forces that are coming. That's why we have our stones, and we're the only ones that can be successful. Right now, let's enjoy the moment and get you ready for the ceremony." Brandie hugged her sister.

"Alright, Brandie, let's enjoy today and worry about tomorrow when it comes. Can you believe we're mated to such great guys and get to stay together? I wouldn't be able to do this without you, Brandie." Jasmine smiled at her twin as she grabbed her dress.

With everything going on, she had convinced Aaron that she just wanted a simple Luna ceremony, nothing too flashy. He agreed, so they would announce her as the Luna and then have a large buffet-style dinner. Jasmine thought that would encourage people to mingle and feel more comfortable approaching her if it was casual.

Since she and Brandie had arrived, many people had been cautious about talking to them. Not because they didn't want them there, but because they felt they were beneath the daughters of the Emerald Stone witch. Jasmine wanted to show them that they were no different than any other pack member, other than they were also witches.

Brandie helped her sister into her dress and then had her sit in a chair so she could fix her hair. She decided to leave it down but used a curling iron to put large fat curls in her hair. Brandie then ran her fingers through the curls making nice waves down her back.

After her hair was all done, Brandie started working on Jasmine's make-up. She only used a little to accent her eyes and highlight her full lips. When she was done, Brandie stepped back and smiled at her.

"You look beautiful, Jasmine. Like a true leader." Brandie stood next to her sister and put her arm around her.

"So do you, sis." Brandie was wearing a modest cream-colored dress with a pale green belt. While Jamines hair had the thick waves that Brandie had put in it, Brandie's hair was straightened.

There was a knock on the door, and they both turned around. Aaron and Titus walked in wearing dress slacks and button-up shirts. They walked over to their mates and kissed them.

"Are you girls ready? Everyone is waiting downstairs." Aaron's heart was swelling in pride, looking at Jasmine. She looked like a queen ready to take her throne.

"Yes, Aaron, we're ready. No one is upset that we're doing a casual ceremony, are they." As outspoken as she was, Jasmine was worried about being a disappointment in the eyes of her new pack.

"Are you kidding? They loved the idea. Most are tired of the typical stuffy celebrations." Aaron put his arm around Jasmine's shoulders and led her toward the door, following Titus and Brandie.

Titus and Brandie went down the steps first. Once they were there, Titus grabbed a microphone.

"Please welcome your Alpha Aaron and your new Luna Jasmine."

Everyone started clapping as the couple came down the steps. They both had bright smiles on and waved to the crowd. Brandie couldn't have been any happier for her sister. She looked regal like their mother had always looked at special occasions.

"Thank you, everyone, for welcoming my mate and your Luna Jasmine to the pack. As we said, we are doing a more relaxed ceremony so you can mingle and speak freely to your Luna." Aaron turned toward Jasmine with a smile.

"I want to thank you all for being so kind to my sister and me since we arrived. It's always scary going to a new place in an area that's unfamiliar to you, but this pack has never made us feel like outsiders. If there is anything that you want to ask us, please don't hesitate, because we'd really like to get to know you all. As your new Luna, I will always remain approachable to all pack members regardless of their species or rank. Thank you."

Everyone cheered loudly at Jasmine's words, and the atmosphere seemed to get lighter. They hadn't expected the twins to be so down to Earth, and the pack members were thrilled to have such strong women join their pack.

Jasmine and Aaron began walking around to speak with the pack members waiting to greet their new Luna. Brandie and Titus stayed back, both smiling as they watched them.

"Your sister is going to be a great Luna. She's the perfect mate for Aaron." Titus looked down at his mate and smiled. Since they had marked each other, he felt even stronger about not wanting to leave her side.

"Yes, she's going to be amazing. Jasmine was always a leader, even when we were little. I have always been the one more hesitant and cautious. My mom always said that we complemented each other. I'm glad I mated with you, Titus, and she with Aaron so we can be together. Out of all my family, it would have been the hardest to leave my sister. I'm sorry we're bringing trouble to your pack by mating with you, though. How do you think the pack will take it, finding out that we'll be attacked soon?"

Brandie had told her sister to stop worrying about that, but the truth was she was worried too. She hadn't wanted Jasmine to think about it while she was supposed to chat with the pack.

"Honestly, Brandie, our pack has been attacked before. Most likely not like anything close to what is coming after you. However, we will all fight to keep you both safe. Do you want to sit outside while they're busy with the pack?"

Brandie didn't say anything but took his hand and pulled him toward the front door. Once outside, they sat on one of the porch swings. Titus had his arm over her shoulders, and Brandie's head rested on him. It was a cool night, and they both enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Inside the packhouse, Jasmine was going from pack member to pack member. They were all very kind, and she could tell from her speech that they had relaxed a little about talking to her.

She had seen Brandie and Titus slip outside, and she smiled. They were good together because they both had a gentle nature that preferred the quiet. Jasmine looked at Aaron and thought to herself that she was pretty lucky too.

After they had made their rounds, Jasmine and Aaron decided to sit down and eat. They were almost done with their meal when Titus mindlinked Aaron to come outside.

Jasmine and Aaron didn't waste any time. They snuck out the front door and walked over to where Brandie and Titus were standing. Brandie's eyes were huge, and she looked worried.

"Brandie, what's wrong?" Jasmine asked her sister, alarmed by the look on her face.

"Smell the air, Jasmine. Something is out there watching us. Can you feel it?" Jasmine held Aaron's hand as she sniffed the air. She recognized the same scent that Dakota had picked up earlier.

"I smell it, Brandie. It's what Dakota smelled earlier as well. What do you think it is?" Jasmine whispered.

"I don't know, but I don't like it. It feels like whatever is out there, they're waiting for something. Let's go inside. This is giving me the creeps." The four of them quickly went inside back to the festivities.

Outside, the two others were watching. They had been surprised that the twins could pick up their scent so easily. Typically, no one could tell that they were even there. They didn't move from their spots, but they decided they would need to be more cautious.

The twins obviously had a power to be reckoned with if they were able to sense the others. They decided not to report back to the being yet. Right now, they would just continue to watch and wait.