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Chapter 36 – Ceremony
Diesel’s POV
She looked breathtaking! My own Goddess and Luna. Duke was howling in my head with such pride and adoration for his mate. I don’t know how I got so lucky or what I did to deserve her. Claudia started the music, and everyone turned to watch them walk down the aisle. My father was beaming, I can’t remember the last time I saw him so happy and he couldn’t wait to be a grandpa. Lucy was going to be a perfect addition to the pack and a wonderful Luna.
My father mind linked me and told me that he scented the fresh cut grass and oak. That whoever it was, was here tonight in the crowd. I started looking around for anyone that seemed out of place. What a brazen move, to actually be here tonight blending in with our guests.
“It’s actually not a bad idea.” Duke told me. “Trying to scent someone in a crowd is hard. If anyone gets near my mate I will rip their throat out!” He snarled and started pacing.
“Let’s get through the ceremony and when Lucy takes the pack on the moon lit run tonight, I should be able to scent our remaining visitors then.” I told my father. I’ll take care of this bastard once and for all. They finally reached me, and Lucy gave my father a hug before she turned and took my hand. My father sat in the front row with Max and Payton.
“Good evening Crescent Moon Pack.” I called out.
“Good evening Alpha.” They called back in unison.
“We also extend our welcome to our distinguished family members, guests and the light of the Goddess with us tonight.” I continued.
“The power of the December full moon shines down upon us as we welcome our new Luna into the pack and bind my beautiful mate to me for eternity. We ask that the Moon Goddess continue to shine her light and love on Crescent Moon, who has been blessed with one of her own descendants as Luna.”
Whispers buzzed through the crowd as some realized that I had just confirmed Lucy was a descendent of the Moon Goddess. “We are not only the largest pack in the world, we are also the strongest. Tonight, we accept the strongest of them all. We accept Lucy Michaels and her wolf Lia, daughter of Peter and Alice Michaels, as our Luna.”
The pack applauded and some even howled for their new Luna. Payton walk forward with a small tray that contained an ancient Crescent Moon dagger and silk ribbon. I removed the dagger and held it up towards the
moon.
“Oh, mighty Moon Goddess, Selene, bless this dagger as an instrument of your will.” Then I turned to Lucy.” Do you Lucy Michaels, willingly and proudly accept the title and roll of Luna to Crescent Moon pack with all of the rights and responsibilities?”
“Yes, I do.” She called out.
“Do you pledge to remain faithful and true to the pack and support the Alpha in any way possible?”
“Yes, I do.”
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“Do you pledge to defend and protect the pack to the best of your abilities and with your life if necessary? “Yes, I do.”
I brought the dagger down to my palm first and sliced it open, then I did the same to her. Max stepped forward with the silk ribbon and tied our bloodied hands together. The binder was something an honored guest does; it was equivalent to the human weddings best man role.
Max smiled proudly after he tied our hands together and lifted them in the air towards the moon. “Bound by the Moon Goddess in love and to the pack by blood.” He called out.
The pack members knelt to their knees and those in wolf form standing on the outer edges bowed their heads.
“LONG LIVE LUNA LUCY! LONG LIVE LUNA LIA!” They called out in respect.
The light from the moon seemed to shine down brighter for a moment and then dimmed back down to normal. The crowd was gasping and pointing, stunned faces looked at us in awe.
“Looks like the Moon Goddess has definitely blessed your union; I’ve never seen anything like that.” My father linked me.
I kissed Lucy and the pack started howling and applauding. Lucy’s eyes were glazed over as the pack link was formed and she could now mind link with everyone else. She smiled up at me and my heart melted. She was all mine.
I raised my hand and the crowd fell silent. “Before our Luna takes the pack for the traditional moon lit run tonight, I would like to first welcome and add the two newest members to our pack.” The crowd applauded again.
“Maximus Taylor, from Dark Moon pack, has found his mate, Payton LaRue. He will be joining us as our second Beta. Megan Taylor, also from Dark Moon pack, has found her mate, Elliot Rivers and will be joining us as our female Delta. Max and Megan please ‘step forward.”
I untied my bound hand and both Lucy and I had already healed. Payton handed the dagger to me once more. I sliced my other palm and did the same to Max and Megan.
I held Max’s hand in mine. “Do you Maximus Taylor, break all ties with Dark Moon pack? Willingly and proudly accept the title and roll of Beta to Crescent Moon pack, with all of the rights and responsibilities? To remain
faithful and true, defend and protect the pack to the best of your abilities and with your life if necessary?”
“Yes, I do.” He answered.
I did the same with Megan and introduced their wolves, Milo and Miley.
“We’d like to invite everyone to return to the castle, dinner will be served in the grand ball room followed by this evenings celebration. The pack will join the Luna, behind the castle at ten to midnight for the traditional moon lit run led by the Luna at midnight.”
Claudia started playing the harp as I led Lucy back down the aisle towards Charlie. I picked her up and placed her on my lap in the sleigh. Charlie started pulling us back to the castle.
“Diesel, he’s here, whoever he is, I scented him again.” Lucy said to me.
“I know, I have the warriors on alert and they’re going to scent everyone as they enter the ballroom. I don’t want you leaving my sight for a second. When you take the pack out for the run, I have to stay behind and
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should be able to scent them if we haven’t found them by then.”
We reached the castle and I carried Lucy up the stairs. “By the way, you look absolutely ravishing tonight.” I said and kissed her before setting her down.
“You know, we could just skip the festivities and go up to our room to celebrate naked.” I grinned.
She giggled and kissed me back. “Alpha, we don’t want to be rude to our guests, do we?”
I pulled her to me and inhaled her scent. I really wanted to take her upstairs and lock her in our room while ! hunt the bastard. Lucy was strong and could handle almost anything, but she was also carrying my pups and that made me overprotective.
We made our way into the ballroom and Lucy’s eyes filled with awe as she took in the splendor of everything. The band was playing classical music to start, and the DJ would take over later for the dancing. The ballroom started filling up with guests and our trackers were positioned by the doors scenting everyone who walked in.
I mind linked Sam, our chief tracker. “Remember, it’s fresh cut grass and oak. Anyone who sets foot in this castle with so much as a blade of dead grass on their shoe, Lwant to know about!”
“Yes Alpha.”
The Beta, Gamma and Delta couples sat at our table with us. My father was seated with our cousins and was deep in conversation with Alexis about a prophecy she made today. Dinner was served, I selected the steak and Lucy had the salmon. We continued to eat and tried to look as normal as possible. We didn’t want to alert the mystery person that we were aware of their presence.
I leaned over to kiss my Luna on her neck, and she smiled at me. “Lucy LaRue. I like the sound of that. How are the pups doing?”
“They’re doing great.” She giggled back at me.
Max mind linked me. “Alpha, I’ve asked the trackers to be sure and scent the workers and kitchen staff as
well.” Max was on it.
After dinner, the cake was served along with a fruit tart that our pastry chef Byianca had prepared. Max lifted
his glass to the table, “Lucy, Milo has always recognized you and Lia as our true Luna and tonight I am honored to be part of your pack.”
“Thank you brother.” She lifted her glass of water back.
The lights dimmed to cue the first dance. Lucy and I took the dance floor and other couples joined us for the opening slow waltz, Lucy did wonderful.
“I need to use the restroom.” Lucy mind linked me.
“I’ll have Payton go with you.” I told her and linked Payton.
I walked out of the ballroom with them and waited outside the ladies room on the other side of the coat closet. The young girl working the coat check was sitting at the podium in front of the closet reading a book. She was the house managers niece, so I invited her to take a break in the ballroom and have something to
eat.
“Thank you, Alpha.” She squeaked and went to the ballroom.
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I walked a little closer to the big closet and the smell of fresh cut grass and oak hit my nose. I stepped inside
the closet and the scent was stronger, I reached for the light switch and heard a rustling sound behind me.
There was a sharp stinging sensation in my neck, and I turned to see a shadow swimming before me. My vision was blurry, and I fell to my knees. Before I could mind link Max, my world went dark.
