Chapter 44 The Opening of the Festival

(Hope POV)

I was stuck in the room the whole day yesterday. I finished reading my mother's book and the book on invisibility my aunt lent me. I even reviewed the book on protection charms so basically I am almost 100% knowledgeable on protection charms. I just needed to make my own protection jars and practice on invisibility.

I tried practicing invisibility on Alicia against the doctor's orders. I figured one little spell wouldn't hurt. She was suppose to be invisible for an hour to everyone except me. I think it worked because Oliver kept asking me if I knew where Alicia was. Alicia was in front of me on the sofa tapping away on her smartphone trying not to giggle.

There was this one spell where I place invisibility runes on the body of a person and that person is invisible to anyone who has malicious intent. It was suppose to last for at least 12 hours. I wanted to try it, but the spell said it was for advance Priestesses. I had to wait to practice that one.

As for making yourself invisible, that was very easy. It was the first lesson to learn. It was divided into four sub chapters. 1:) Being completely invisible for a full cycle of the moon. 2:) Being invisible for everyone else except for family for a full cycle 3:) Being invisible for those with malicious intent for a full cycle. And 4:) Being completely invisible for a certain period of time. I guess Aunt Cecilia uses the second sub chapter to good use.

Making other people invisible was much trickier although it did work on Alicia. There were also three sub chapters 1:) Making another completely invisible for a certain period of time. 2:) Making another completely invisible for a full cycle 3:) Making another invisible to everyone else except for family and friends for a full cycle. After I heard the story from Diane and Aunt Cecilia and how they put spells on me to make me invisible, now I understood why people I didn't personally know never saw me.

I thought people found me insignificant or just plain ugly. The jocks in my school who went for all the girls never gave me time of day. It was fine; I had more important things to do with my time, though it would have been nice to go on a date.

My bestfriend Nina, she was always out on dates. I envied her and even became jealous once, because the guy I thought I had been crushing on asked her out. When I finally was able to meet him personally, his smell really grossed me out. I never envied or became jealous of Nina ever again. Well, if only Nina could see me now. The wife of Alexander Ulrich. Nina definitely knows Alexander. She kept sighing with this dreamy look on her face while Alexander was donating computers to our school. I tried to snap her out of it. She said, if Alexander just gave her time of day, she'd be willing to give him her virginity. I wonder how she is now. I should give her a call one of these days.

There was one last chapter in the invisibility book that talked about a spell you can put on other people that prevents them from talking about you. Invisible to the ears. That I can put on people here on the territory when they least expect it.

Alexander was gone all day. When he came back, it was late and he was tired. He took a quick shower, jumped into bed and kissed me. Within minutes, he was asleep. Poor Alexander. I need to ease his work load. I am his Luna after all.

This morning, Alexander woke up early and said he had to see to it the territory and the village were well-guarded. He kissed me goodbye and told me I could head to village in the afternoon. He will instruct Oliver and Alicia to be prepared.

You know what? I think I can put up a protection charm at the festival venue. I can do it for the entire village even. I'll do just that.

I took a shower, changed into my favorite bootcut jeans, a beige V-neck 3/4 sleeves body fit sweater I got from one of the shops here. It was lightweight, but can keep me warm at night. I put on my favorite brown boots and a coordinating belt. I look through the jewelry drawer. Diane said she put some jewelry in here for me to use if and when I want to accessorize. I find a gold bracelet and earrings of tiny stars that matches my locket. I let my hair loose over shoulders, the curls framing my small face. I put a hair-tie in my pocket just in case I would like to tie my hair up later. A little lipgloss there and a little blush here. Perfect.

I grab a small hand held brown purse and filled it with all the stuff I felt I needed. Done. I think I'm ready for opening night.

I exit the room and head down the stairs and Amanda who sees me, pulls out her phone and starts taking pictures. "Sugar, I told you you have what it takes. Look at you!" She shows me the pictures and I couldn't believe I looked pretty. "I'm going to print these out and put it on the wall. Now you have a good time at the festival. This is the first time Alexander will have his mate with him on his birthday." She hugs me and hurries down the hall zooming in on my pictures.

Alicia and Oliver were already waiting with the Range Rover infront of the mansion. Alicia was tasked to drive. I was about to protest when Oliver raised his hand and said, "This is a test, Luna. Alicia needs to know everything. Even the way around the village through car." I look at him with a defeated face and he laughs.

We get to the village and it was buzzing with excitement. Little lanterns of different colors were hung across all of the shops while flowers were displayed at the doors. The rides were all up and running, including a ferris wheel. The stage was ready with instruments on the side with a backdrop of the mountains and lights all around. I could smell popcorn, hotdogs and corndogs, cotton candy, burritos and shawarma, nachos and cheese, sweet corn, pizza, doughnuts, and ice cream! It was like I was a kid all over again.

We go to the hardware store to pick up Henry. Oscar, his dad, was happy to see us. He gave me a bouquet of flowers. It was my first bouquet. I hugged him and said thank you.

We all step out and head to the venue. I noticed a number of heads were turning in my direction. "I guess they all know I'm their new Luna?"

"No, Luna Hope, they are staring because you're the prettiest one here. Just stating a fact." Henry said, he looked at Alicia. Alicia smiled nodding her agreement.

"That is a FACT." A voice said behind us. I turn to find a very handsome Alexander standing behind us.

"Alexander! You're already here." I squealed and gave him a hug. He laughed and kissed me on the head.

"Someone beat me to it and gave you a bouquet of flowers." He brought out a bouquet of long stemmed red roses from behind him.

"Awwww. This will be the first time someone has given me roses," I tell him.

"To the most beautiful woman here, my wife, my mate." He gave me the roses. "And this is for you. A remembrance of the first time we spent my birthday together." He opened the small jewelry box and inside was a bracelet and a pair of earrings of a crescent moon and star with small diamonds identical to my locket.

"Shouldn't I be the one giving you a gift?" I take the small box." They're beautiful and what I wanted. Thank you. I love you, Alexander." I give him a kiss on his cheek.

"I love you more. I saw you when you first arrived. So beautiful." He outlined his fingers through my hair. " Don't worry about giving me a gift. You are the best birthday gift the Moon Goddess has ever blessed me with." He looked in my eyes and it felt it was only the two of us standing in the village.

"Uhm, Alpha, other people present." Mark coughed. "Though I'm terribly happy you found your mate. Finally." I turn to see Mark and Kit standing there, kind of awkward.

"Mark and Kit, you came too. Come here. Give me a hug." I give Mark and Kit a big hug.

"Someone's blushing." Oliver laughed, poking fun at Mark.

"Hey! I got the prettiest girl giving me a hug." Mark laughed.

"Now, let's eat. I hope we can find a table." I looked at all the people seated.

"Hope, love, we have a long table over there reserved just for us." Alexander smiling. I suddenly remember I have to put up a protection charm.

"Oops. I forgot. Can you hold this for a second?" I raise my things to Alexander.

"I'll do it Luna." Alicia takes all my things. I stand towards the direction of the stage, triangle formed fingers at my middle and chant the incantation with my eyes closed. I open my eyes and see the green light floating, spreading and swirling, enveloping the entire venue. I direct the light with my hands and spread it to the village.

"Hope, what the hell are you doing?" Alexander hisses, not happy I put a protection charm up.

"Protection charm. No biggie." I shrugged.

"Can you at least do it secret?!" Alexander exclaims.

"They all know I'm the daughter of Adella, anyway. The more they know I can defend myself, the more they'll be scared," I argue. Alexander didn't look convinced. "Plus, I want to enjoy myself without having to save the entire village from a flood. "

"She has a point," Mark said. Alexander gave him a "I can't believe you're taking her side" look. "Alpha, better preventative rather than dealing with a bigger problem."

Alexander looked at all of us agreeing with Mark. "Fine. Just do it in secret. You already stand out. Your magic makes you more..." He tries to find the words.

"Ruthless." Mark looks at Alexander. Alexander laughs.

"Ok. I give up. Let's just eat, drink and be merry." We all laugh and head to our table, excited to start celebrating.