Part D: Chapter 79

***The Ceremony Part Two***

Jemila appeared from the darkness with Sean by her side. She was dressed in the ceremonial robe, the same one that Shel had been wearing while Sean was dressed in blue jeans and a white t-shirt with a blue jacket. There was a smile on his face as he winked at me.

“What the hell is this?” Gerald snarled as he limped his way forward. “What do you think you are doing Danvers? And with that woman no less.”

Sean and Jemila finally stopped in front of me. Jemila had bruises all over her beautiful face and I rushed over to her, taking her in my arms and hugging her, never wanting to ever let go of her. “Thank the Goddess you are alive,” I whispered in her hair.

The people started grumbling, everyone was confused about what was actually happening now. “I’m here to prevent the destruction of our kind,” Jemila said as she pulled away from my embrace and addressed everyone. “This union is not accepted by the Goddess and would have brought us nothing but flames because of our greediness.” She continued.

I leaned closer to Sean and whispered. “What is she talking about?” I asked.

“She remembers who she is,” he whispered back, that smile still on his face. “When I found her, she was with Carla and she was talking about how it wasn’t fair that her parents had died the way they had and that she had to save you and all of us. It didn’t make any sense to me but it seemed like Carla already knew what she was talking about.”

I stood back straight, taking in what he had said and what she was saying. She remembered who she was and I smiled at the thought of that. I wanted to know what her childhood had been like.

“I speak on behalf of the Goddess as her descendant. Something that the Oracle can attest to,” she continued and everyone gasped as they turned to face the Oracle which was still hidden in the shadows.

“She speaks the truth, she was chosen to save you all and her word is truer than mine will be. She is blessed with the Goddess’ touch and no harm such come to her,” it said, the voice loud and clear for everyone to hear.

Jemila nodded her head in acknowledgment and then turned back to the people, her eyes now glowing an iridescent blue unlike their original hazel ones. “I did not pick her to be his mate,” she pointed at Shel who had picked up the robe and covered herself. “She is unworthy and is the cause of the destruction. Her soul isn’t worthy of being called Luna and today, I reject her.” By now, Jemila was floating in the air, wind blowing her hair and robe. “Those who hurt her will pain dearly because she is my chosen one. Her destiny is to produce the next heir that will take after I am no longer here.”

By now, I was speechless at the scene unfolding before me. What was actually going on?

“Make her you mate and produce my successor, but remember, those who betrayed you need to find forgiveness for your true path to be clear. You and her were destined to meet and make each other the light that shines bright to all. However, those who want her dead are not happy and will attempt to take her life before the end of the ceremony and someone will die.” Then she slowly came back and her eyes turned back to hazel. I caught her before she fell. “What happened?” she asked me, holding her head with one hand.

“Something magnificent happened,” I answered and helped her to her feet.

“This is not fair, she had assured me that you were dead,” Shel said angrily as she stomped her way over and pointed an accusing finger in Jemila’s face. “Do you think anyone will believe all the crap you just said?”

I looked around at the people and no one said anything. “It seems like it,” I replied instead. “You know I never had any intentions of actually mating with you right?”

Shel’s face fell as she walked over to where Gerald was standing.

“Does anyone have any objections?” I asked, looking at each and every one of my people but no one said anything so I turned to face the Oracle with Jemila still in my arms. “Shall we proceed then?”

“Step into the water and let the Goddess bless your union,” the Oracle said..

I turned to Jemila and smiled at her. “Do you want to do this? Do you want to be my mate because if not, I will humbly accept it.”

She smiled back at me and pushed herself from me then took off the robe, revealing her naked dark skinned body which I both loved and missed, “Why would I ever do that to myself?” she asked, blinking at me.

I smiled back at her and took off my clothes then she stretched her hand out to me and I took her. We then walked into the water, our hands intertwined. The moon glowed even brighter then, shining directly on us and from the water, I could see everyone cover their eyes from the light. She truly had chosen us as her children, to be the ones to create her successor. I still didn’t get anything about what she just said but I was too happy to ask questions.

“The Goddess blesses you with abundant life and wealth. Live as she has commanded you,” the Oracle said from the darkness just as there was a high pitched scream.

I jumped out of the water and took the robe that Carter had handed me and then he handed one to Jemila and helped her out of the water. “What’s happening?” I asked.

“I don’t know, but it’s my responsibility to protect the both of you,” Carter replied as guards surrounded us.

I turned to Jemila just as another high pitched scream echoed. “Please stay with them while I go and find out what’s happening,” I said softly.

Jemila nodded her head at me. “Go, but take Carter with you. I will be fine now that I remember who I am. And trust me, I am more than capable of protecting myself. I grew up training with the best warriors in my pack.” And I believed her from the look on her face.

Carter and I rushed into the chaos, as a gunshot sounded from somewhere behind us and we turned to see what had just happened. What the hell was going on?

Another gunshot sounded and I was pushed out of the way and fell to the ground. I looked at where I had just been standing and Ivan was lying there unmoving. I remember myself yelling for someone to catch whoever had done this as I scrambled to my feet and rushed over to where Ivan’s body was lying.

“Stay with me Ivan,” I said, holding onto the wound with a part of the cloth I had ripped from my own clothes. “Don’t you dare die on me. I still haven’t forgiven you for what you did.”

Ivan coughed and then smiled. “I won’t die but I know who tried to kill you,” he said and coughed up more blood. “Keep her safe. I only wish I had told Shel how I felt.” He reached out his hand and I took it mine.

“Then tell her.” I called Shel over and she rushed over but when she saw Ivan on the ground, her face fell and she pushed me away.

“No, on, no, she promised she wouldn’t do any of these things,” Shel said. “Why is she doing this now?”

I stood and watched them, my hands clenched into fists. I was going to kill whoever had done this. No one messes with my people and expects me to sit back.

“I have to tell you something,” Ivan said faintly. “I know you’ve always had your eye on Aidan but so have I, on you. I fell in love with since we were kids and I never had the courage to confess my feelings because I knew your heart belonged to another. I may die here and I don’t want to have any regrets.”

I watched as a tear fell from Shel’s eyes and landed on his chest. I looked away and began heading where the noise still was, giving them the privacy they needed.