Chapter 37: Surprise

Chapter 37: Surprise
Reign

Jazlyn and Ryott started on my hair and makeup when there was a knock on the door. “That better not be you, Damien.” Ryott said peeking out the door. Ryott squealed. “Jenny! What the hell are you doing here?” She said dragging the one person who has been by my side since we were kids. “It took you long enough to get here!” I scolded her. “Well, I finally got all of your messages.” She said wrapping me in a tight hug. “I called Mac and he told me everything that happened, so I hopped a flight and here I am.” She said looking around the room. “Sorry it took me so long. So, who’s getting married and mating ceremony is being celebrated?” “It’s mi...” I gasped and looked at Jenny with surprise. “Wait?! What did you just say?” I asked her tilting my head at her. “Your mating ceremony? It’s about time Damien came round. I thought I was going to have to have a nice long discussion with him. Three years of watching you mope around was really starting to piss me off.” I looked at her like she had grown three heads. “What?” She grunted and shrugged. “You know about werewolves?” I asked shaking my head. “Well, duh, of course. I’m one also, well, half wolf/half witch. My dad, mom, and your mom.” She told me like it was no big deal. “Haven’t you had your first shift yet? Your wolf hasn’t made contact with you? She should have by now.” She said frowning. “She was supposed to start making contact with you when you turned eighteen or within a few weeks of your birthday.” Jen said out loud to no one really. “Wait!” Jaz said shaking her head. “You mean to tell us that Reign is a half breed? And you never thought to tell her or us?” She was pinching the bridge of her nose. “Her mom swore me to secrecy. I wasn’t to tell her until her 18th birthday, but I got stuck on a job in China.” She shrugged. “I kinda had to sneak outta the country, that’s why it took me this long to get back to the U.S.” She said with a frown. “I was hoping that your wolf would have emerged and had explained everything already.”

“My mom was a wolf.” I asked. Jenny nodded yes. I rubbed the back of my neck. “I-I guess that explains the voice, Nera that is. She’s the one that’s been talking to me, making me think that I had lost my mind.” I huffed. “How long has she been talking to you?” Jenny asked. “Since we picked Damien and the fuzzy ninja’s back at the end of June.” “So, she’s been talking to you? Has she explained anything to you?” She asked. “NO!” I scowled. “She’s been talkative, but she won’t tell me anything. All she ever said was that we are one, I am her and she is me. I hate all her riddle shit.” I grumbled out. Jenny and the girls laughed. “Yeah, they can be difficult.” Jen said continuing to laugh. “Difficult? No, this is way beyond difficult. She’s an annoying smartass pain in my ass. She said that she couldn’t tell me anything until Damien and I completed the mating ritual.” I grumbled. “So why has it taken you so long to complete the mating bond?” Jenny frowned. “We have been together since the end of June, then the whole kidnapping thing, Luther getting out, trying to heal, we just got time alone a few weeks ago. She hasn’t said much since then and then she decided to speak up a bit ago.” “Once you and Damien complete mating she can full surface and you’ll have your first shift.” Jenny said scrunching her nose. “But why not until then?” Ryott asked. “That’s the way her mom wanted it. My dad’s a wolf and my mom is a hybrid wolf/witch, so when your dad died, she asked my mom to bind your wolf and your shift until you found your one true mate, your fated mate.” “I don’t understand why she never said anything.” I said to myself. “I can’t answer that, I’m not sure if mom even knows, I can ask. I know your mom begged her do it, all she said was that it was for your safety.” “Do you think your mom will tell us. Can you ask her and your dad to come here?” I pleaded. “No need to call them, they came with me.” Jenny said with a lopsided smile.

“Shit!” Jaz cried. “We really need to tell Damien.” She sighed. “I mean once the ceremony is complete, we need to be ready in case you shift.” “Her shift won’t come until after they…you know…bow chicka bow wow...” Jenny started giving me a smile and wiggling her brows. “...they get it on.” She giggled wiggling her hips, as I felt my face heat up. “Jjjjeeeennnnnnyyyyy!” I cringed blushing really hard. “What? It’s true. Not my fault.” She kept giggling. “It was your mom.” She said rolling her eyes at me. “We only have about 20 minutes; she still needs to get her dress on.” Ryott said. “Okay, Ryott, you help her finish getting dressed. Jenny, you come with me, we will meet up with Damien and our dad in his office. Let’s make this quick, we don’t have much time before the ceremony starts.” Jaz said squeezing my hand. “Once you’re dressed meet us in the living room.” I nodded okay and they walked out, and Ryott helped me get into my dress. I love the dress that Jaz had made for me and was made by my favorite designer, Christian Siriano. It was a beautiful satin and lace puff tea length lavender dress that hugged my curves in all the right places, it was sleeveless and backless with spaghetti straps. Ryott put on some final touches and stood me in front of the floor length mirror. Wow, they did a great job, I didn’t even recognize myself. This was a different look, even different from my stage look and persona.

There was a knock at the door. “Who is it?” Ryott asked. “It’s Shadow. I’m supposed to escort Luna outside.” He said, I could see the smirk on his face as he calls me Luna. He knows I hate it when he calls me Luna, I guess it’s his way of payback for calling him fuzzball. Ryott opened the door and Shadow’s jaw dropped. “You look beautiful Squeaks. Damien is one lucky bastard or is it fuzzball?” He chuckled. He extended his arm, wrapped my hand around his elbow and walked me to the garden where the ceremony is going to be held. Moses, Spyder and Spencer were walking behind me. “You three better not be staring at my ass!” I whisper-yelled. All I heard were chuckles. “Damien is gonna kill the three of you if you keep this up.” I scolded. “Better them than me.” Shadow snorted. We made our way to the gazebo that is behind the stage area where the ceremony will take place. It was set to start in about five minutes, “where is everybody?” I started getting nervous, “did he change his mind, was he going to leave me at the altar?” Shadow put his arm around my shoulder. “Not to worry, he will be here, he loves you more than life itself.” He assured me. I gave him a weak smile.

“Gentlemen, Ladies and pups, please take your seats.” I heard dad say. “Thank you all for joining us on this joyous occasion. We are here to celebrate the love of your future Alpha Damien and Luna Reign.” There were cheers and applause. “Hey, are you rea...” Jenny started but froze in her spot as she and Shadow inhaled sharply. “MATE” her and Shadow said in unison. Shadow stood in front of Jenny gazing at her with lust filled eyes. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her. Moses, Spyder, Spencer and I just stood there wide eyed, and jaws dropped. My best friend is mated to my favorite fuzzball. “Hey you two.” Moses said clearing his throat. “Shadow, you’re supposed to escort Reign to the stage.” He said nudging Shadow, which earned him a growl. “Shut up, Damien is waiting.” Spyder grunted at his big brother. Jenny pulled away from Shadow. “We need to get Reign married and then you and I can mate.” She told him licking his lips. He growled lowly at her. “You should probably hang back for a bit.” I told him. “Why?” Shadow frowned. I scrunched my nose and motioned for him to look down. “Oh shit. Sorry.” He said pulling Jenny in front of him. I let out a giggle. “Please allow me to officially introduce you to your new Luna, Reign Rose Raven.” Dad signaled for me to make my way to the stage. Shadow smoothed his pants, tucked my hand in his elbow, I wiped lipstick from his face, and he walked me to the steps of the stage where I was then escorted by Jyden to Damien’s side. Everyone oooed and awed. I looked up at Damien, he looked at me with so much love, adoration, and lust in his eyes.

Damien

“Wait! You’re telling me that Reign is a half breed?” Jyden said in disbelief. Jenny, Reign’s best friend since childhood, nodded yes. “Her mom fled when her pack was attacked, she was also the Alpha’s first-born pup.” She explained. “Reign has Alpha blood?” Dad gasped. “That makes her an Alpha, an Alpha female.” “That would explain her healing.” Jaz thought to herself. “She's healed?” I asked. “That's what Aunt Ebbie told us an hour ago. She doesn't need a boot or crutches. The only proof of her injury is the rod and pins in her leg.” Jaz explained. “So, what about her wolf, she’s never said anything about a wolf.” Jyden asked. “She told me that her wolf has been talking to her but not telling her anything else, other than to kill every she-wolf that flirts with me.” I explained with a small smile.

“Her mom asked my mom, who’s a hybrid wolf/witch, to bind her wolf and shift until she turned eighteen or found her fated mate.” Jenny started to explain and turned to look at me. “Who found her three years ago but decided it was better to wait to tell her anything until she was eighteen to make her his. When his wolf could’ve helped her, and her wolf would’ve appeared sooner with help from him.” She glared at me. “I’ve already apologized to her for that, and she’s forgiven me. Yes, it was stupid of me, but I have her now and no one is going to take her from me.” I growled. “When you found out about me, why didn’t you say anything?” I shot back at her. “I was bound to secrecy by her mom. She knew that I would tell Reign. I didn’t want to keep it from her but my mom, dad and I were bound to not tell her until she found her mate.” Jenny sighed. “I couldn’t even tell you…her mate. I wanted to…but I couldn’t. If you had just told her, I could have revealed everything but nnnnooooo, you…” she started as I interrupted her. “Okay, okay. I get it.” I grumbled. “I fucked up.”

“Hey, hey.” Dad said. “We will discuss this more later.” He said looking at me. “You have a beauty waiting on you. You don’t want her to think you’ve changed your mind, do you?” He asked raising his brows. “Of course not! But we need to prepare in case she shifts.” I was still surprised at the news that was just dropped on me. My mate is a half breed. Some wolves would turn their backs and reject her but not me, I’ve been waiting for her since I was sixteen and I am not going to let her go. “Jaz, get Spencer to help Ana and Cloie make sure there’s enough groceries at the house and to make sure the clearing is free from prying eyes. We need to make sure that there is safe place for her to shift safely when the time comes.” I instructed. “You got it; I’ll link him right now.” She said with her eyes clouding over. “Okay, let’s go, we have about five minutes.” Jyden said pushing all of us out the door. “Your mate is waiting for her knight in shining armor.” Jyd smiled. “But she’s stuck with you.” Dad smacked the back of his head. “Ouch!” He whined. Dad glared at him. “Sorry, just kidding.” He grunted. We made our way to the backyard where the pack members and our friends and family were waiting for us. As we got closer, I could feel my mate, she was happy, nervous, and excited. Our pack greeted me with cheers. I could feel their love and happiness through our pack bond. I stood center stage waiting for my mate to be brought to me. Shadow placed her hand in Jyden’s, and he escorted her to my side. Jyden placed her tiny hand in my hand, the jolts of sparks flowed through our bodies as we both gasped. They were going to get stronger over the next few days as we cemented our bond, and I can’t wait. Dad stood proudly and introduced Reign as the pack’s new Luna, they cheered and applauded. The elder of our pack, Elder Nathan, would be conducting our mating ceremony and my dad would induct Reign into the pack along with Jenny, who as it turns out it mated to Shadow.

“Dearest family, friends, we are here to join Alpha Damien and Luna Reign as one.” Elder Nathan started. “Please kneel.” Elder Nathan motioned to us. We both kneeled and I squeezed Reign’s hand in assurance. “As your past Alpha’s and Luna’s, you both will be branded with the Moon Hunt crest. I won’t lie, this will be painful but must be done as it is tradition.” He explained to the both of us. I knew I could handle the branding, but I’m worried about my little mate. Ayres was pacing and growling, I kept telling him to be calm, that it had to be done. “She maybe our little mate but remember she is of Alpha blood and is strong, she will get through this, and she will be ours forever and no one will be able to take her without us knowing.” I told Ayres trying to calm him down. “Yes, ours til the end of the time.” He purred. “Do you Damien Ayres Hunt, freely accept the role of Alpha of the Moon Hunt pack? Do you swear to put your pack above all and protect them with your life? And do you take Reign Rose Raven as your mate, wife, and Luna of the Moon Hunt pack? Do you promise to protect, love, honor, care and be true to her and only her for as long as the Moon Goddess gives you?” Elder Nathan recited. I do. I declared smiling down at my mate like a fool. Elder Nathan took the hot branding iron and placed it over the spot to be branded on my arm. When he was satisfied with the position, he slowly brought it to my shoulder and then quickly branded my left arm, he let it sit for a few seconds and pulled it away. Dammitt! That shit hurt like nothing I have ever felt. When he was done, Aunt Ebony rubbed a salve on the brand and wrapped it so it could start healing. My father stood in front of Reign and Elder Nathan next to her left arm. “Do you Reign Rose Raven, freely accept the role of Luna of the Moon Hunt pack? Do you swear to put your pack above all and protect them with your life? And do you take Damien Ayres Hunt as your mate, husband, and Alpha of the Moon Hunt pack? Do you promise to protect, love, honor, care and be true to him and only him for as long as the Moon Goddess gives you?” Elder Nathan asked her. “I do.” She said smiling at me. My mom took her left hand and cut her palm in the middle, she then took Reign’s hand and did the same as she clasped her hand in hers allowing their blood to mix. Elder Nathan branded her left upper arm, she let out a high pitch scream of pain before she slumped over. I caught her before her head hit the ground. Aunt Ebony checked her arm and hand, she treated both the branding and the cut on her palm.

“Give her a few minutes, she will be fine. Make sure she gets something to eat and drink.” Aunt Ebony instructed. “There’s more to your mate than you’re telling me. I will see you two tomorrow to check her wounds.” I smiled and nodded at her. I carried her to the gazebo to let her recover. “Hey, how is she?” Jenny asked. “She’s okay.” I breathed out. “Of course, I’m okay. I not a wussy like Moses.” She snorted. “Hey, why you bring me into this?” He whined. She shook her head. “Don’t sound like such a girl.” She snickered. “Yup, she’s feeling better.” Jenny joked. She sat up, rolled her neck, and tried to stand. She stumbled a little but caught herself quickly. “You ready to go out and meet the pack?” I asked her. “Sure, let’s get this rolling.” She said stretching a little. “What happened?” She rubbed the bandage on her arm. “You passed out after the branding; Ebbie put a salve on it to help with healing. Why does yours look like it’s already healed?” She frowned. “Well, our wolf helps us to heal quicker but since yours hasn’t made her appearance yet, your wounds will heal slower.” I told her and she huffed at me. I chuckled at her. “I guess that's why it took over a month for your leg to heal.” I winked at her. She rolled her eyes at me. “C’mon, I need to eat something.” She said hugging me. “Wholly cheese balls! The sparks, they…they got stronger!” She yelped. “They will get a whole lot stronger over the next several days.” I whispered. She leaned into me, and she inhaled. She’s never done that before, her wolf starting to make herself known. “Nera is getting ready to surface soon.” Ayres cooed. “C’mon, there are a few people waiting to see you.” I told her tugging her to follow me.

We walked over to where our parents, family, friends, and pack members were waiting for us. “Alpha, Luna! Congratulations!” We heard yelled out as we walked by them. “See, they love you, but not as much as I love you.” I whispered and she blushed. I love it when you blush. That made her blush even harder. We talked and visited with as many people as we could over the next four hours or so. I could tell she was starting to get tired; she was yawning more than usual. “Hey you two.” Jenny called out. “You okay Reign? You look like you’re about to pass out.” She grinned. “Yeah, I am a bit tired. It’s been a long day.” She said covering another yawn. “OMG, you dirty bitch!” She said to Jenny with a huge smile. “Where’s my fuzzball?” She asked. “Right behind you.” He said making us all jump and making Reign shrieked. “Aaahhh...dammitt Shadow, you sneaky fuzzball! Stop doing that shit!” She said punching his arm. Jenny and I chuckled out loud. Shadow wrapped Reign in a big hug which earned him a growl from me. He raised his brow at me and then put his hands up in the air in surrender. “Not interested in her like that, you know that.” He told me with a frown. “Sorry Shadow.” I told him. “It’s the Alpha in you.” He chuckled. Reign glared at me, but I shot her one of my thousand-watt smiles, and she shook her head at me. “Can we go, please. I’m tired.” She yawned and leaned on my shoulder. “We will talk about your Alphaness later.” She grunted. “Jenny, you, and I will talk tomorrow. “You have some explaining to do, like why the hell were you in China?” She glared at Jenny. “Okay.” Jenny frowned.

I smiled at her and told my parents that we were calling it a night. They hugged us tightly and we all said our good nights. I took her hand in mine and guided her back to our little home. “You want me to carry you the rest of the way love?” “If you don’t mind, I’m still quite tired after the branding and all plus my leg hurts a little.” I picked her up and carried her the rest of the way. Ayres said that he could feel her wolf trying to surface. He’s all excited and prancing around I keep telling him he needs to calm down, he might scare her away. I chuckled. “Let’s get her to our room and let her rest a bit.” Ayres sighed. “Want to mark little mate.” He sounded so sad. “We will but she needs to rest, don’t you think?” I asked him. He rolled his eyes, “I guess so,” and he retreated to the back of my mind. By the time we got home, she’d fallen asleep. I carefully laid her on the bed, removed her dress, shoes, and took her hair down. She’s mine, all mine, Luther will die if he tries to take her from me. I undressed down to my boxers and crawled into bed with my mate, my wife. She immediately scooted to my side and press her body against mine. Her warm body against mine was driving me insane, her sweet scent filled every part of me.

“You’re being a creeper again.” She giggled tilting her head up to look at me. “Well, I’m your creeper now”. I smiled bring her hand to my lips. “Do you want to go out and shift?” I asked her. “I don’t know, I can’t feel her.” She said with a little concern. “I still can’t believe it. I mean mom never talked about her family. All she ever said was that they all died in a house fire, and no one survived. I don’t think dad even knew about her family. How could she not have told him or me and why didn’t she heal herself? I’ve been talking with some pack members, and they mentioned that werewolves can heal quickly and that they don’t get sick or suffer from diseases that affect humans, like cancer.” As she went on she looked like she wanted to cry. “Why wouldn’t she heal herself? Why wouldn’t she say anything?” She asked as tears silently fell down her cheek. I used the pad of my thumb to whip her tears. “If she hadn’t let her wolf out on a regular basis then she would have eventually lost her wolf.” “Lost her?” She asked with so much sadness. “Yes, her wolf would have died if she wasn’t able to be let out on a regular basis.” I explained holding her tight. Her tears began to fall freely. It pained me to watch her cry for her lost mother. Ayres howled as he felt her pain also. She cried herself to sleep in my arms. I drifted off to sleep not long after my mate. She’d finally relaxed as her sobbing turned to soft hiccups.