Celebrations

It is a big celebration at two major werewolf settlements around the world.
It is the mating ceremony of the daughter of the Alpha King and Luna Queen also the Crown Princess of the Royal Kingdom of Werewolves with the Beta of the Midnight Moon pack. Erina is totally herself in the newly resurrected Kingdom that has grown tremendously after family members of the King and Queen reunited and all Lycans live together again.
Thirteen years have passed, Erina spent almost half of them with her parents and mate in the Midnight Moon pack. But for the last five years, she had to go to the Kingdom to start her training to become the Queen. During that time, Jace assisted her more often when he could get time off from working in his pack.
Erina has now finally turned eighteen.
The mating ceremony will be held at Midnight Moon after which the couple will leave for their permanent residence in the Kingdom in Canada. There too, an important task awaits Jace as mate of the Queen and he too will be trained until Erina turns twenty-five and takes over the Crown from her grandfather.
In Midnight Moon, Jace looks at the clock for the umpteenth time.
It is an hour's flight from Canada to the pack and his mate will arrive in exactly two hours. The coiffeur has been trying to get his suit perfect for almost an hour now. Jace is getting both nervous and impatient with all the man's handling. He has not spoken to Erina for the past two weeks, a new tradition the family has instituted for couples prior to the mating ceremony. He is not used to not hearing his mate's voice for so long, his wolf is beginning to create havoc. Erina shifted for the first time this morning with help from her grandparents. Rax wants to meet his mate's wolf and understands nothing of those lengthy, exhausting procedures.
Alpha King Enrick steps into his apartment, followed by Gamma Clark.
"Hey man. A few more hours and the wait will be over," Enrick encourages him with a pat on his shoulder. "I must say I have immense admiration for you, Beta. There are few men who want to wait thirteen years for their mate. Many would have already given up, but you are truly one of a kind. I am so convinced that you will be a perfect King one day".
Jace listens to the words of his father-in-law, also the Alpha King he served for years and his emotions flare up high. His eyes turn red and he swallows with difficulty. "Thank you, Enrick. These were tough days and if I didn't have you and the Luna Queen beside me, I doubt I would have made it," he replies. "Getting to experience Erina growing up from a pup to an adult was a true privilege. I know all her thoughts and previse her actions beforehand. She is the perfect mate," he honors his partner.
"Yes, Beta. Tell also how she kept you in line the hard way. You didn't stand a chance," Clark jokes. The men burst into uncontrollable laughter. Indeed, Erina did not make things easy for Jace. With her strong personality, she has been able to keep all possible wooers for the handsome Jace at bay with just a glance. In the surrounding packs, she is known for her possessiveness and few she-wolves dare to challenge her for Jace.
"Ooohh man, it was all worth the wait. Now I can finally claim her and live like a normal healthy man. Being celibate was a huge undertaking," he sighs dramatically, causing another burst of laughter in the room.
"Enrick, proposals have come in for Erina's other two sisters. They are also turning eighteen today," Clark reminds his Alpha King. "Many Alphas want a family relationship with you in order to get closer to the Crown," he indicates disapprovingly. "Do you already have a plan on how to handle that? Are you going to marry off your daughters or make them wait for their fated mate?" Clark and Jace stare at Enrick expectantly. They both have opinions on this matter and have advised their Alpha King on it before. Just as the mate bond works perfectly for him and Jace, they would also see the two sisters experience that infinite happiness with a fated mate.
To their delight, Enrick shakes his head.
"The girls decide for themselves. We don't live in pre-historic times anymore. The mate bond has proven itself but so have the chosen mates, just look at the King and Queen," he points out. "But important is the choice made by the girls themselves, they are in charge of their lives." They all nod and walk out of the apartment to the entertainment room for a drink before the start of the ceremony. And then they hear the Jet arrive. Jace's eyes get big, his heart beating like mad. "My mate," he whispers. The men stand by the window where they can survey Midnight Moon's airstrip.
With bated breath, he watches Erina step out dressed all in white, supported by a dozen bridesmaids. As if she knows he is watching her, she turns her gaze to the packhouse with a smile. "Oohh goodness, she's a real princess!" exclaims Jace in a trance. Then he falls Enrick around the neck. "Thank you, Enrick, for trusting me with your daughter. I promise you will never regret it. She is wonderful," he cries emotionally.
They watch as Erina gets into the open vehicle and is driven to the Royal Ballroom.
The men rush to the Ballroom, where a crowd is waiting. They erupt in total joy, handkerchiefs and hats are thrown cheerfully into the air, all wishing Jace good luck in the new phase of his life. The Elders are there, too, waiting to perform the rituals.
And as Erina steps out of the car, gracious as always, her gaze fixed on Jace. The pack becomes silent as she walks to the entrance. Her father steps to her side and looks at her. "Your mother and I are so proud of you, my daughter. You are the biggest diamond in the crown of your grandfather's and mine. You are everything we dreamed you would become". He wipes the tears from her cheeks, offers her his elbow and steps with her toward the waiting Jace. ...