Chapter Fifty: The Burning Luna

Lukas wasn’t wrong when he said that Melinda, Mandy and Loretta were going to be up soon. As soon as I put the dress on, they barged in the door without knocking, and I could hear all three of them squabbling as they pushed into the main bedroom.

Before I managed to get a word out, all three of them found me looking at them and they all gasped, Melinda nearly in tears. “You look so beautiful darling, I’m so glad Lukas decided to go with the sapphire!”

Mandy squealed. “You’re on fire!” Loretta nodded her head. “You look Lovely Aliana!”

I smile at them and we all gather together into a group hug. “Thank you! I’m excited!”

They all start playing and prodding with my hair and makeup, trying not to ruin my dress by dropping anything on it. I must have taken at least two hours to finish up, and they asked me to look into the mirror which they prohibited me from looking into, until now.

I stand up, and walk into the wardrobe, where I walk up to the long mirror. I can’t help but gasp as I look at my own reflection, which I don’t believe is me.

The dress is the highlight of my reflection, but they’ve managed to create a masterpiece with my hair and makeup that matches my dress entirely. My makeup being completely natural looking, with small dashes of white and blue eye shadow. My hair was in a half up, half down style, and was styled with pretty waves. I could also see a small head piece was used, which was white and had small blue jewels in it, matching my dress.

I was stunned, looking in the mirror, unsure how they managed to make me look like this. I felt like tearing up, but before I could, Mandy came over to me and turned me to look at her.

“No, no you don’t! We just spent hours on that, no crying!” She says, but I know she didn’t mean it harshly.

“Thank you all! I love it! I don’t think there’s ever been a time where I’ve felt….beautiful.”

“Aliana….you are beautiful, and you don’t need to dress up like this to feel it.” Loretta says, without a hint of doubt. I pull all three into a hug again, before Melinda pulls away, wiping away what I think is a tear.

“Right. I’m usually one to be making sure everyone’s on time, so, let’s not be late today! Let’s head down to the foyer where we’ll bring you into the front on the pack house.” She says with a smile on her face.

We all head out of the room and down to the foyer, where we could start to hear the chatter and the conversations going on outside.

I feel my hands sweating and I feel really hot, but I put it down to nerves. Mandy places her hands on my shoulders and I feel her pull it away. I look to her as she’s looking at me. “Are you ok, are you sure you’re up for this?”

I blink a few times, reality hitting me. I take a deep breath. “Yes, I’m sure. I feel hot and sweaty, but I’m putting it down to nerves. I smile and nod my head, feigning the fact I am ok.

Melinda goes towards the front door. “Now’s the time Aliana. Let’s go and make you a Luna!”

She pushes the door open, and guides me to walk through. I place my foot outside, and the first thing to hit me is the Sun which is shining high above us. I feel it blinding me, so I place my hand up to block it out. As I do, I look towards the crowd who is staring in silence at me. I see many faces, most of which have their mouth open in awe at me. I see a few scowls from what I can only assume are jealous woman. I look to Lukas, who has a bright smile on, who I can tell has a proud look on his face, and I see the Elders all stood to the right side of Lukas, Elder Irish motioning his hand at me to join them.

I walk towards them, And Lukas reaches out, taking my hand and placing me in-between him and the Elders, I turn to face him. “You look beautiful.” He whispers, and I smile up to him.

Elder Wright clears his throat, and Lukas comes to stand beside me, on my right, ensuring I have the pack members to my left, and the Elders in front of me. I take a deep breath.

“Everyone is gathered here today to not only welcome Aliana to our pack, but to join us as this packs Luna.” Elder Wright starts in his booming voice.

“We will first, initiate the pack bond, by going through the blood oath with Alpha Lukas.” He states.

“Alpha Lukas, Aliana, please face each-other so we can start the process. Aliana, you’ll face away from us and Alpha Lukas you will face Aliana.”

We both got into position, and as we do, the Elders move around so they are facing the pack and are on my left.

“Alpha Lukas, do you agree to bring in this lone-wolf, Aliana and her wolf counter-part, Athena, to be part of the Crescent Moon pack?

“I do.”

“And do you, Aliana, agree to be part of the Crescent Moon pack, ensuring you follow the pack laws and to forever be loyal to this pack and no other?”

“I do.”

“Elder Wyatt, please take Oath-keeper and slice the Alphas and Aliana’s palms. Alpha Lukas, Aliana, please hold your palm out.”

I place my right hand out, Elder Wyatt firstly takes Alpha Lukas’ hand, and runs a clean cut along the centre. I see the red blood come from his palm, and I look at his face and see no pain or concern, which eases my own fear a bit.

When Elder Wyatt was done, he took my own hand, pushed the blade into my palm and slowly pulled it down. I could feel the pain and it did feel uncomfortable but it was manageable. When he was done, Elder Irish took over.

“Alpha Lukas, Aliana. If you are both ready and willing to go through, please take each other’s hands and provide the right to pack access to Aliana.”

Without hesitation, Lukas reached his hand out to mine and I took it, feeling both of our blood drip down, as soon as the blood started dripped, I felt a slight surge of what felt like electricity run through me and it felt revitalising. It lasted only a few seconds, but I knew that was me and Athena joining the pack. We stood there, holding each other’s hand for what seemed like a few minutes, until the blood stopped dripping. I look up to Lukas, who smiled, and pulled his hand away. I look at my hand, and see the slit that had been there after the ceremonial knife cut across, was gone, and all that remained was the blood that had fallen before.

After a few moments, Elder Wright starts back up again. “Aliana has now joined our pack, and we welcome her with open arms. But, the main ceremony is beginning, as she is not only joining our pack, but as many of you know, she is also becoming out Luna today!” As he says that, we hear the pack cheer loudly, and I turn to face them all with a smile on my face.

“That’s right, Aliana is our Alpha’s mate, and he has proposed the Luna position to her, and she has accepted, in our presence.”

Elder Irish turns to me. “Aliana, do you accept the Luna responsibility and all that comes with it. To protect the pack from anything that comes against it, to be loyal and kind to all within, and most of all, be the partner and right hand of the Alpha?”

“I will.”

He turns to the pack. “Please welcome your new Luna. Luna Aliana!”

Another round of cheers came from the crowd. I nod my head towards them and smile. As I do, I feel a great surge of power through my body, feeling the strength of the Luna title within me. I gasp, unknowing about this and I feel Lukas’ hand on my arm. I look to him, and I see a bit of unease in his eyes. Before I ask, he says. “It’s the Luna power coming into you. Don’t worry, it’s normal and will last a minute or two.”

As I look at him, I start to hear a lot of voices in my mind, similar to when I mind-linked Lukas. I feel so many going through my mind at once it makes me feel a bit numb. I try to shake my head out of it but I can tell Lukas understands. He squeezes my hand and then lets go to walk towards the pack crowd.

“Crescent Moon wolves! Please try and refrain from all mind-linking the Luna at once, she’s a bit overwhelmed. To put everyone’s mind at rest….let’s eat the feast that is currently being provided!”

I start to feel the mind-links leaving my head but I still feel…off. I rub my fingers on my palms, still feeling really sweaty. I however feel really cold. I place a hand on my head and I feel so hot, that I’m unable to keep my hand there for longer than a few moments. I look to Lukas who is looking away from me and I can’t help but fall to my knees, feeling weak. I start to panic, unsure what’s happening and I feel my pain being broadcasted to the whole pack, who have suddenly turned to me. Lukas turns round, unaware of what was happening behind him. I feel a few hands on me, probably the Elders, and I hear Lukas growl. A deep, defensive growl that is showing dominance over all others.

I can’t help but stay on my knees, breathing so heavily, unable to keep my pain to myself. Lukas walks up to me, and pulls me up. I look at him, nearly weeping. “What is happening to me?”

“We need to go. Your heat has just started.”