Chapter Forty-two: Luna

I can’t help but stare at Lukas, who is burning his golden eyes into mine. It seems like several minutes go by and after which I can hear the Elders shuffling their feet. I give in, sighing.

I shrug. “I suppose it’s going to happen sooner or later.”

Lukas drops his mouth open, as if he didn’t think I’d say that. I look to Elder Wyatt who chuckles along with the two other Elders. “I don’t think our Alpha was expecting that. The other Elders and I will start preparing. The Luna ceremony usually takes place a few days after acceptance so we can bring the pack members together. We’ll send word on the exact day.” All three Elders smile at me.

I turn my eyes to Lukas and smirk. “So, when is it you’ll announce the new laws and choose some of the members to go ahead?”

I can tell he’s still in a state of disarray. He opens his mouth a few times and closes it, a bit like a fish. I snicker at the sight of him. He really wasn’t ready for me to just accept it like I did.

He blinks a few times as if to wake himself up from a dream. He straightens himself up and looks at the Elders. “Is there anything you need from me for the ceremony?”

Elder Irish smiles. “Just make sure you’re both there, and we’ll do the rest.”

Lukas then looks to me. “Ok, so at your ceremony, all pack members will be present to accept and welcome their new Luna. I will use this as an opportunity to bring up the changes to the border and the plans on the wolves who will go out of the territory to use the old road to try and reach the other communities to establish a link to the outside world.” He sounds a bit hesitant, but he’s trying to think about it already, which I find admirable.

I look towards the door we entered from. “I believe it is time for me to leave, Elders. Unless of course there is anything you want from me?”

Elder Wright, still visibly unsure about everything that’s happened, smiles. “Not at all Aliana. We’ll reach out when we have a date for the ceremony. For now, I would try and meet as many pack members as possible and try and get to know the ranked members more, specifically the females. They will be under your wing and you will guide them in their positions.”

I smile at the Elder but underneath my smile I feel a sense of unease. Have the ranked females not been doing their jobs for a while? I hope they won’t feel like I’m trespassing.

Lukas walks towards me and turns me around to walk me to the door. As we exit the Elders house, I feel a slight tap on my shoulder. Lukas walks around me and exits the house and I turn to see Elder Irish looking directly at me. “Don’t worry about the Alpha, he’ll come around soon. He took it very hard when you disappeared.” He whispers, smiling softly. He then closes the door as I turn around to see Lukas waiting a few meters away.

Smiling, I start to make my way towards Lukas. I feel better knowing that I’ve just backfired his plan on not sending out any wolves. He really didn’t think I’d step up to being a Luna, and in all honesty, I’m unsure how I feel about it fully, but I love him, and I can’t help but start to love being part of this pack. It feels a lot like home, one I’ve didn’t come from but one I would stay with.

He turns his head slightly, feeling my presence beside him and I see a slight smile forming on his lips, however it’s not a full on smile which worries me a little.

“I didn’t get a chance to ask you, but I assume you have questions about what you found in the library?”

Ah, maybe that’s what has him upset. I shake my head with a half-smile. “No. I mean, you didn’t tell me the full truth which is disappointing, but I understand where your intentions were. I forgive you.”

I feel a weight being lifted off of my shoulders and I can see he starts to relax slightly as well. He looks back at me with what seems to be fear and worry in his eyes, and he suddenly grabs my hands in his, displaying his needfulness.

“My Luna. I will love you and follow you every day for the rest of my life. I am so sorry I didn’t wait for you and I hope the Moon Goddess forgives me also. I shouldn’t have been selfish and I shouldn’t have listened to my Father and the Elder council. I promise every day from this day forth I will follow you and your dreams.”

I stand there, speechless. He’s just dropped this bomb in the middle of the street proclaiming his complete loyalty to me. My first instinct is to look around to see if anyone is watching but I drop that thought right away. I don’t care if anyone is watching, this man is made for me and I will not make him look weak.

I take my hands out of his and clasp mine around his, showing that I am with him and his thoughts. I then simply place both of my hands on either side of his face and pull his face down to mine to kiss his lips, very gently. It was a long kiss, and I tried to push my emotions onto him, making it passionate. He ended up responding to the kiss, a bit more fiercely.

After a few precious minutes of kissing, we pull ourselves apart, breathing in new air. “Lukas. Let’s go grab some lunch, shall we? I think it’s about time we told everyone about my decision.”

A bright smile was plastered on his face and I could tell he was excited. He grabbed my hand and we walked back towards the pack house, at a quick pace as if he couldn’t wait a second longer.

We reached it in next to no time, and we enter the door and I can see all of Lukas’ family, along with each ranked member there, already waiting in the hallway upon entering the house. I raise my eyebrow and side eye Lukas who has a guilty look on his face.

“Sorry, I mind-linked them all to be here when we made our way over.” He whispered.

I laughed and he laughed along with me. I look to his family….or well perhaps our family in front of me who was giving us strange looks.

He takes his gaze away from me and looks to the people in front of us.

“I’m sorry for the short notice, but it’s important for you all to know. As you’ve all been informed, Aliana has come back from…the lake.” He starts, taking my hand that he was still holding and bringing me to the front slightly. “Aliana has accepted the position of Luna for our pack. Her ceremony will be held a few days from now, ETA to be announced.”

Almost immediately I hear a squeal and I already know it came from Mandy as she is running up to hug me. I extend my arms as she crushes into me, nearly causing me to drop the book I forgot I was carrying with me this whole time.

“It feels like so much has happened in such a short period of time! I’ve missed you so much and I can’t believe you’re going for it! We had all thought it would take months if we ever saw you again! I’m so happy you caved in.” She pulls away and I raise my eyebrow at her, as if she knew my earlier intentions. She whispers “we’ll catch up sooner or later!” Before letting me go.

I see Markus and Melinda walking up to me, also carrying big smiles on their faces. “We’re glad you’ve decided to stay my dear.” Melinda says to me softly. “I’ll happily share my knowledge with you.” I give her my brightest smile.

“I’m sure that you, along with my son will do an amazing job…..and hopefully give us grand-pups soon!” He says whilst winking.

I swear I could feel my cheeks blow up with all eyes on me at that moment and I can hear Lukas chuckle.

I then get some congratulations from everyone else there, apart from Emma, who has seemingly left the room. I internally roll my eyes, knowing she must be green with Envy. I shrug it off, taking no notice of her.

Lukas and I then spend the next few hours spending time with the family. We eat, laugh, they share memories and drink a lot of the wine that’s on offer, celebrating my acceptance of the Luna position. No one asks about what had happened to me whilst I was…..away. I assume Lukas has asked them not to be nosey and to keep to their own business.

I find myself in a very drunk state by the end of it, unable to see clearly when everyone starts to head away. I remember Markus laughing at my state and me pouting at him as he was usually the one to drink the most.

Last I remember is being carried up the stairs by Lukas who was humming a sweet tune which made me smile and probably mumble some stuff whilst he carried me.

He got us through the top floor door, through the corridor and down into his…or well our room and placed me on the bed.

I couldn’t help but giggle as he changed my clothing into something else. He then kisses my forehead and I feel him hug me with his strong arms from behind.

Before I drift off to sleep, I hear him whisper very quietly into my ear.

“My Luna.”