The Luna's Alliance

Chapter 8: Presentation

"We've arrived, Miss Lucilla," the driver, Derek, said to Lucy after gently tapping her shoulder. Lucy had slept the rest of the night's drive to Northern Forest. It appeared her exhaustion won out over the anxiety of leaving her home.

"Don't worry. The family has all retired for the night. I've been instructed to take you and your things directly to your room. You have a chance to wash, rest, and prepare yourself for the presentation in the morning. I took the scenic route just to make sure," Derek confided with a wink. Perhaps they had bonded more than she initially thought.

Lucy smiled with both gratitude and at her stroke of luck. She was determined to represent Southern Forest with grace and dignity when meeting her new pack. Not to mention, she desperately craved a shower. She stepped out of the backseat of the town car and grabbed one of the suitcases closest to her. Then she quickly slung her overnight bag over her head before adjusting it across her chest. Her largest bag she left for Derek. Lucy looked back at the driver for him to lead the correct way towards the pack house and saw him staring at her quizzically again.

"You don't need to carry your own bags, Miss Lucilla. As the future Luna, this type of labor is beneath you," Derek explained in a hushed whisper, as if he was afraid of being overheard or discovered. He moved to take the bags from her, but she took a step back, begging for more of an explanation.

"Please, Miss Lucilla, allow me to show you how dedicated I am to my work."

She heard the slightest tremor in the driver's voice as he said the word dedicated. He was most decidedly afraid. Not of her, but of being accused of not completing his task. All this man's worth seemed to be ingrained into the menial tasks he did for the ranked members. He should certainly take pride in a job well done, but not live in fear. No pack member should. And he tried to refuse the interest she showed in his family last night. What kind of pack was this?

"Lending a helping hand is beneath no one," Lucy stated as sternly as she could. "And, please Derek, call me Lucy."

She continued standing rooted to the same spot while carrying two of her bags until Derek finally sighed and motioned for her to follow a path leading beyond the trees.

After a few minutes of walking, Lucy’s overnight bag was digging into her shoulder. Lucy held back any signs of struggle so her earlier point remained steadfast to the driver. Then the trees parted, and Lucy got her first look at her future home. She had not visited this territory since she was a child. She was too young to remember that last time they hosted a Gathering here. Besides, she was pretty sure the packhouse was built sometime after that. And…wow!

This was no ordinary packhouse. The rumors of the Tila family building a castle were more accurate than she imagined. There was a grand marble staircase leading to a double door entrance, at least a hundred windows on the front facade, and two actual turrets flanking either side of the house. The turrets towered even above the third story. The pièce de résistance was a stream of water lining the front entrance underneath what appeared to be a modern-day, wrought-iron and wooden drawbridge. Yes, there was a real life moat surrounding this ‘home’. A castle in every meaning of the word. Lucy always thought the main requirement of a packhouse was to be inviting, since every member was to have use of its main floor and dining hall. Clearly, Northern Forest did not share that sentiment. The only word she could think of to describe this home was imposing. With a deep breath, she followed Derek inside.

Lucy was relieved to see that the room to which she was shown was more to her liking. This guest suite was decorated like any plush and over-priced boutique hotel room would be in the larger cities she'd visited with her father on vacation. Including the dual rain shower heads she was currently enjoying to wash away the emotions of her day. The water was close to scalding, as if she could burn away the sadness of leaving her home. Many young women leave their homes to begin their new lives. Lucy had always just assumed she would have a true mate she was leaving for that would cushion the blow.

She had to think of something else or she'd lose her mind. Wallowing in self-pity was unacceptable. She loved her pack and would do anything for its members. Her sacrifice would save untold lives; something far more important than any selfish desires of her own. Lingering on what she left behind would only result in red, puffy eyes, something that she would make damn sure no one in the palace would see at her presentation in the morning.

Instead, Lucy pushed her thoughts towards a slightly more productive use. What would she wear to meet the Tila family? It must be something elegant without being too formal. She could not appear to be putting on airs. Her solid forest green dress seemed to stick out in Lucy's mind. It had a high neckline enough to be demure, yet hugged Lucy's slight curves in a way that would ensure men took notice. The hem line came to her knees and had black lace trim along the bottom. Black strappy high-heeled sandals would help her to stand taller next to a family with Lycan blood. Best of all, her mother's diamond and citrine necklace would stand out against the green. That token of her family would bring her luck and strength. Just the thought of having it near her heart on such an important day of her life gave her comfort. Until she realized that crucial day started in mere hours.

Quickly, Lucy washed and scrubbed every inch of her body twice. She could not afford for Alpha Jace to find fault in her. She would hold this peace together with her bare hands if need be. People from both packs were depending on her to do so. Her people; both sets of them. Tomorrow, when Lucy was presented to her new family, she would look as if she was the princess this castle had been missing.

***

Theo tossed and turned all night. His wolf was restless and kept panting annoyingly in the back of his mind. After the events of the past few days, Theo's energy was running on fumes; bringing half their warriors home, placating some of the reinstated Elders on the Council, and assisting a grieving Luna Samia. Morning training had been canceled due to the arrival and anticipated presentation of the new Luna, but the extra hours in bed did nothing to recharge him. He still couldn't drag himself up and into the shower.

You'd better be getting dressed.

The mindlink from Jace made him groan.

Come on man! I'm meeting my chosen mate and future Luna in twenty minutes. This is a big f*****g deal. I hate to admit it, but I’m freaking out. I need my Beta with me. Get your ass down to the Great Hall… NOW!

Yes, Alpha. Theo linked back.

That last word wasn't exactly an Alpha command, but it made him get out of bed nevertheless. He'd never left his best friend hanging. Besides, Theo had spent his entire life learning to obey his Alpha's word and be a dutiful Beta, which was more than work-related. He went to the closet, grabbing dark gray pants and a navy blue dress shirt. He didn't think Jace cared enough to make him wear a suit. This wasn't exactly a formal meeting. In fact, only four people should be there, so as not to intimidate the young girl who was sent. He rubbed his cheek, regretting that he wouldn't have time to shave. Jace would just have to overlook that, too.

Since Theo left the peace talks early to stand in for his new Alpha at home, he had no idea who was being introduced as the new Luna. He was only told a ranked she-wolf was to be mated to Alpha Jace as a condition of the treaty to ensure an everlasting peace. Elders from both sides fought hard on this point. It made sense to Theo that a mating alliance would be a strong bond for peace. Once the couple had children, the two packs would be entwined forever. Jace was right about one thing: this new Luna was a big deal.

He had hoped maybe Lucy would accompany her, but the driver mindlinked Theo that he settled the young lady into her guest room late that night. Whoever she was, she came without attendants. Perhaps she will need a friend.

I'll have to look for someone to show her around. Perhaps Ashlee would make time if I begged her, he thought to himself as he walked toward the Great Hall. His younger sister, Ashlee, was obsessed with her boyfriend, a young warrior of barely adequate skill. She was so glad the conflict was over and he was safe at home, that they had barely come up for air since. Theo warned her not to get too involved with anyone in case she found her true mate, but she brushed him off each time. Who was he to give that advice anyway?

Ashlee would rather train, of course, than have to play guide to some lonely girl. She was a warrior at heart. Although, Northern Forest females didn't often go into battle. They trained to defend Northern Forest lands while male wolves found their glory on the battlefield. Theo would just have to ask very nicely. Until he finally found his own mate, Ashlee had to accept some of the Beta female responsibilities.

Jace smiled nervously as Theo stepped next to him right on time. Jace's mother, Luna Samia, sat behind Jace trying, and failing, to not look excited about meeting her future daughter. She gave Theo a warm greeting from her throne before nervously tapping her foot again.

Luna Samia was a formidable woman thanks in part to her Lycan heritage. Jace was her only child and she spoiled him as often as she could. Perhaps it was her way of making up for his father's lackluster displays of love. She also knew the trials of having a chosen mate, instead of a destined mate given to you by the Goddess. Luna Samia seemed eager to welcome a new daughter - provided she was good enough for her son. The sound of steps coming down the hall drew all of their attention away from themselves.

The steps sounded light and quick. If not for his heightened shifter hearing, he wouldn't have heard them at all. There was no hesitation in her movements. Her breath sounded calm also. This new Luna was brave. Theo felt quite a bit impressed already. She rounded the corner and the world suddenly stopped.

Theo was struck by the intoxicating scent of night jasmine. The same scent as those last warm nights of the year he soaked up as a boy. It didn't normally grow on the mountain. His mother had planted night jasmine around their summer cottage after a romantic trip to Jamaica with his father. Theo smelled it every night outside his bedroom window. It smelled like home.

Although, there was just a whiff of jasmine in the air, it was definitely coming from her. Theo had to have more. He needed that scent coating the air of every breath he took for the rest of his life.

The girl had also stopped suddenly, now standing still at the entryway to the Great Hall. His eyes trailed up her perfect legs to her enticing body being hugged by a green dress that he immediately wanted to tear to pieces. Finally, Theo locked eyes with her. Those eyes started glinting like golden coins from a treasure chest. Theo's very own treasure. Where had he seen those eyes before? He let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding, trying to hold on to that scent, as he recalled those eyes. Lucy's golden eyes.

Someone was talking. The world started turning again. But Theo couldn't hear anything beyond his wolf Daemeon yelling, "MATE! Mate! We found her. We found our mate. Claim our mate now!"

With Daemeon's demands in his head, Theo started walking slowly towards Lucy. They hadn't taken their eyes off one another. The brave sounding girl coming down the hall now looked unsure. Did she not recognize him as her mate? Was she disappointed? Theo's heart clenched at these thoughts and his head was swimming. Why were his feet moving so slowly? He had to get to his mate. He had to breathe in more of that scent. His stride got longer until he was standing only a foot away. His hand reached out to touch her cheek just to make sure she was real. Someone so perfect could not possibly be real. Yet, here she was standing before him. And it was little Lucy after all. How is it possible that she was set in front of him? His hand reached its destination. Sparks ignited from the tips of his fingers throughout his entire body as he felt her soft skin connect with him. Theo watched her shiver underneath his touch. His little Lucy was real. Bless the Goddess.

"Mate?" She asked timidly.

It was barely a whisper, but anything from her lips would be a sound too sweet to miss. Lucy still looked shocked, but her golden eyes relaxed once the word left her. Her lips began to curl into a smile. Oh Goddess, those lips. The smile of the most beautiful angel he could imagine. Then she said the only word Theo wanted to hear, "Mine."

This time it was not a question. She claimed him. Theo grinned ear to ear like an i***t, but he didn't care. He found her.

"MINE!" Theo declared loud enough to fill the Great Hall. Daemeon howled even louder in his head. Theo pulled her into his chest, then bent his head down into her golden hair and breathed in that unique scent. The juxtaposition of adrenaline and serenity from that scent was driving his body mad. Theo took another deep breath. People search lifetimes to find immeasurable treasure. Now he had found his. With his arms still wrapped around her body, Theo repeated more calmly now, "Mine."

Suddenly, another man's angry voice filled the hall too.

"No, not yours. Mine!"