Chapter 114: Long Live The Luna

Chapter 114: Long Live The Luna

Elena

Bernard had been pretty much silent after our meeting with Alpha Kaba. I knew that he was upset and on edge about everything but he was icing me out in the process. It was sunset now and the pack meeting was in the next thirty minutes. Alisha had come over to help me get ready for the night. She had styled my hair and done my makeup to perfection.

I picked out a simple black knee-length dress for the occasion. It was a sweetheart neckline and the bodice was tight on my torso. It gave a little more cleavage than I was used to.

"Alpha Bernard is going to have a hard time taking his eyes off you." Alisha squealed in excitement.

"Yes," I replied a little unenthusiastically, the smile dropped from my face.

"What is wrong?"

"Nothing." I lifted my hands in exasperation.

"Everything is just all over the place right now. I feel like I am suffocating and gasping for air. I don't know if I can do any of this, I am trying to hold it together for Bernard's sake but I feel like picking up everything and leaving."

Richard is after me and I am putting the whole Pack in danger. Not to mention, I don't even know how people are going to receive me tonight. Will they love me? Will they trust me to be their Luna?

By the end of my little rant, I was gasping for air and my heart was beating fast. The world around me felt like it was spinning and closing in on me. This huge wave of panic set in and I felt like there was an impending danger headed my way.

I doubled over in the dress and placed my hands on my knees. Alisha grabbed my shoulder and lifted me to my full height. She then placed her hand in the middle of my chest and looked into my eyes.

"I need you to breathe with me, okay?"

We breathed together, we did that a few more times before my heart finally calmed and the fog that had covered my mind was gone. She smiled.

"Better?" I nodded.

"Thank you, how did you learn how to do this?" She shrugged.

"Practice, my mother used to do it to me when she wanted me to calm down."

"Don't tell Bernard about this, he had enough to worry about already. I don't want him worrying over me panicking over nothing."

"I don't think it is nothing, your whole world flipped on its axis in just two months and you are still trying to adapt. But from what you have done so far, you are doing better than most. A lot has been thrown at you but somehow you just keep ending up on top. Don't be so hard on yourself."

Her words of encouragement helped me a little but not nearly enough. I still felt panicked about the future but in time the burden will get lighter. I just needed to get through tonight and then the next hurdle will be the one to cross. I need to take one step at a time.

A knock sounded at my door, Alisha went to answer it. It wasn't Bernard because he was down in the meeting hall with the elders. Jasper walked in and smiled at me through the reflection.

"You look beautiful, Luna." He bowed his head in greeting.

"Please call me Elena, Jasper. There is no need for formalities, you are a friend of Bernard's and therefore a friend of mine."

"Very well, whatever you wish, I am here to take you to the Pack meeting. Everyone is waiting for you."

I turned around to face them and let out a shaky laugh.

"Now or never, I guess."

"You will do great." Alisha smiled at me.

Jasper offered me his arms and I took it. He led us out of my room and down the stairs. Two warriors were waiting for us in the foyer, they bowed their heads in greeting and opened the front door for us. From what I understood, the meeting hall was about a ten-minute drive from our house. We could have walked but Bernard had insisted that I get driven. I am now the Luna of Crescent Wolf Pack, the best Pack on the West Coast and maybe the entire country. It had never felt more real than it did now.

Jasper helped me into the car and we were off. With each passing second, my nerves grew. I fiddled with the engagement ring on my finger and tried to calm my racing heart.

'You will be fine.' Bernard's voice echoed through my mind.

'Are you spying on me through our mind link?'

'No, I can just feel your anxiety from here. Calm down and just breathe, they will love you just like I do.' I felt my lips tilt upward softly.

'I love you too, see you in a minute.' I closed the mind link.

Hearing his voice calmed me greatly. After what Alpha Kaba had told us, it was hard not to feel burdened. Richard wanting to kill me was one thing but him wanting to mate with me was another. I already carried Bernard's mark so I was already bonded to someone. Richard attempting to break that bond could not only kill me but it will also kill Bernard. Our car stopped in front of a large and luxurious building, it made me feel more intimidating than I thought it would be.

I waited for my door to be open and stepped out. Every member of the Pack was inside the building, men, women, and even the children. All of them were present, they all knew me. I had been the talk of the Pack for a good month but then they knew me as rogue and now they shall know me as their Luna.

Jasper walked me to the large double doors and we stood there for a moment. There was a look of focus on his eyes and I knew he was speaking to Bernard through their mind link. He blinked and their conversation was done.

"I need to join Bernard on stage, I will go in through the back door but you will go down the aisle once these doors open " I nodded and he took off. I waited in front of the double doors like I was waiting for my impending doom to come.

"You got this, Elena." I whispered to myself.

I looked over my shoulder, I saw the guards that had come with us standing behind me stoically and seriously. The doors slowly began to open, everyone's heads turned in my direction as it finally opened. Their eyes were on, some with curiosity, others with surprise, and some with a little annoyance.

I started walking down the aisle, my eyes moved from the crowd to the stage where I saw Bernard. Then like a vapor, all my anxiety disappeared, his eyes connected with mine. The world seemed to fade away and it was only the two of us that remained.

His lips tilted up slightly and his eyes lit up with pride and joy as I made my way towards him. As I was approaching the stairs that led up to the stage, Bernard walked down to the bottom of the stairs to meet me. He extended his hand out for me and I took it. He led me up to the stairs and we stood in front of the large congregation. Everyone waited silently as we stood in front of them for the first time as their Alpha and Luna.

I could see his parents in the front row, his father looked proudly at us but his mother had a sour look on her face. I knew she would have much rather had Helen up here with Bernard but I would not let her dislike for me taint this night for me.

"Friends, family, and honorable elders. I am sure by now many of you have heard the news that I have found my fated mate but I would like to take a moment to introduce her formally to the Pack." Bernard turned his head to me and then back to the congregation.

"I would like to introduce to you all my one true love and your new Luna, Elena Rosalie Williams."

The room was silent, you could hear a pin drop. My eyes scanned over the crowd taking in all the different faces. Someone in the middle of the crowd stood up, I watched him through nervous eyes. I don't if he would start booing me or if he was going to try and object to the union.

"Long live the Luna!" His voice vibrated off the walls.

"Long live the Luna!" Others echoed his words.

The rest of the congregation stood and began to chant the same thing. I couldn't stop the tears from filling my eyes even if I wanted to. They wanted me but more importantly, they have accepted me as their Luna.

I looked behind me and saw the ten elder's leader of the Pack standing and chanting the same thing as the rest of the Pack. Jasper was smiling from ear to ear, when I looked at Bernard, he had the biggest smile on his face. Now that I had the backing of the Pack and Bernard by my side, I felt I could do it. Their acceptance and trust gave me strength, I am ready to go back in and push my body to new limits. I am more determined than ever to prepare for this battle for my Pack.

Richard is coming and for the first time, I didn't shudder at the thought. It is time to avenge my parents and my entire bloodline.

War is coming and I am more than ready now, I have the support of my mate and my Pack.