Shewolf

Chapter 21: to be a Luna

"Ow!" I gasp as Milly yanks my hair.

"Oh stop whining, beauty is pain!" she pipes up from behind me with an evil grin. Moon Goddess, if you're real please save me.

Milly has been giving me full on spa treatment all day, which, to be fair, is pretty relaxing but we're in the final stages now and she has quickly turned into the incredible hulk of the beauty world. I'm terrified.

"So how are you feeling?" Freya asks gently from in front of me where she's doing my nails for me. 

"Nervous, but ready. I can do this" I tell myself more than anybody else. It's the Luna ceremony tonight finally. After 4 weeks with this pack, it feels like the right time to take on my duties fully. 

"You have nothing to worry about. The whole pack adores you already and you're already a natural Luna" Freya beams at me. How on Earth does she literally look like a ray of sunshine? I'm suddenly yanked out of my gaze of awe, literally, as Milly pulls a lock of hair from the front of my head backwards. I lock eyes with Freya who I'm pleased to say has the same look of fear in her eyes.

Milly finishes my hair and moves onto my face, where she puts on some natural eyeshadow with a small shimmer and mascara, along with a touch of blush and bronzer and finally some red tinted lipgloss. She calls it the 'natural glow' look and I take her word for it. She then helps me into my dress and shoes, before handing me some fine hoops and a back jewellery box.

"That's from Kade" the girls smirk at my confused expression.

'For my Luna' the note inside reads. The necklace itself takes my breath away. It's simple with a small crescent moon encrusted with tiny diamonds that reflect in the light perfectly. Simple but beautiful. 

Freya secures it around my neck as I move to the full length Mirror. Damn. Milly has held me captive for the last 12 hours but crikey the girl did a good job. My skin looks smooth and slightly sunkissed, and my face glows like she said it would. My hair is half up half down, twisted behind my head where it falls down in my natural soft curls. Delicately placed into the look are beautiful blue and white wildflowers - the pack colours. 

A soft knock on the door reveals my mother peaking her head around, her eyes widening as she sees me. Before the tears can fall though I point my finger at her.

"Mother, no crying or you'll set me off as well." She closes her slightly ajar mouth and gently wipes her eyes before coming and standing behind me in the mirror. 

"You look stunning" she whispers. "Now let's go find you're hot mate."

"Mother!" She winks as she waltzes out the door.

I stumble dowstairs in my heels and head outside, melting when my eyes land on Kade. He's wearing a plain black suit with a white shirt unbuttoned at the top. The shirt is tight on his abs and chest with his trousers framing his toned leg muscles. He's attempted to tame his unruly curls with not much luck, but it suits him and makes his grey streaks stand out a little amongst his otherwise dark hair. I eye him as he visibly gulps and his eyes darken as they land on me. I try to meet him halfway as he stalks towards me before Milly steps in between us. 

"Don't even think about ruining my artwork" she growls and I smirk as Kade literally huffs in frustration, Dex obviously trying to take control. . He steps slowly towards me and take my hand in his, shaking his head.

"You look..."

"So do you" I breath and clear my throat as we turn to walk to the ceremony.

500 heads turn in our direction as we near the pack and walk towards the stage at the front of the group. Steadying my breath, I tighten my grip on Kade's hand and hold my head high, stepping up onto the stage after Kade and turning to face the wolves in front of me. I'm afraid to see anger or disgust on their faces, but all I see is happiness and respect. Who am I kidding? I can do this. 

"Pack" Kade addresses the crowd and they bow there heads lowly in respect.

"Tonight we gather to introduce this amazing woman beside me as your Luna. We gather to strengthen our pack, to learn wisdom from her and each other, but most importantly we gather to complete us as a community. I know how many of you have been impacted by what has happened in the past years. But tonight, we move forward as the strong pack we are destined to be. Most of you have met Jasmine since she came into our lives and I don't know of anyone who doesn't agree that she will be the strong and kind Luna we've been missing." The air fills with applause and yells of agreement as Kade finishes his little mini speech and I smile at the love I feel surrounding me. 

"Quite!" Jacob yells from behind us and the pack suddenly falls silent.

"Jasmine Fowkes, do you accept the responsibilities of the Luna of the Red Star pack?" Kade booms across the clearing.

"I do" I reply strongly, staring up at him.

"Do you promise to do everything in your power to protect the pack and it's members no matter what the cost?"

"I do" I answer truthfully.

"Do you promise to be kind and wise and provide advice and leadership to every member of the Red Star pack?" 

"I do"

I gaze up at him and smile. "I do"

Jacob steps forward and hands Kade a beautiful golden dagger, a beautiful wold engraved into the metal. My gaze remains unaltered as Kade drags the blade across his palm and pulls my own hand up. He looks apologetic as he slices into my skin, but with the adrenaline pumping through me I barely feel it. He clasps of hands together so the cuts meet and stares at me.

"With this bond I declare you, Jasmine Fowkes as Luna of the Red Star pack. May you guide us with your strength and wisdom."

As soon as he says those words, the clearing erupts with applause and whoops of joy as the whole pack stands on there feet. My mind is buzzing with voices as people congratulate me through the mindlink and I scrunch my face up at all the noise. It soon quietens down but the noise of the pack celebrating still fills the air as they hug and chat with each other. Scanning the crowd, I spot my parents with Matt at the front looking immensely proud. In the distance I see Molly sat with her eyes crossed and glaring at me. Stupid boyfriend stealing shewolf. 

Sandlewood and tobacca invades my senses as Kade wraps me in his strong arms from behind, kissing my shoulder. 

"I've never seen them so excited" he whispers in my ear. "I think they prefer you to me" he chuckles.

"Well can you blame them?" I smirk up at him.

"Not at all" he leans down to capture my lips in a sweet kiss before I am pulled out of his arms by - yep you guessed it - Big Boy Benny.

"Apologies alpha" he grins evilly before hoisting me up into the air and spinning me towards the pack. "Let's hear it for Luna Titch!" I roll my eyes but can't contain the giggles as the whole pack cheers. If I were a normal 18 year old newly introduced Luna I would probably be dying of embarrassment but the whole pack has seen me at my goofiest so naturally I do a little dance in the air and burst into laughter with everyone else.

We all make our way back to the pack house where Freya has organised a party. I waste no time in ridding myself of my heels and spend the night dancing and drinking with the pack, not caring what a fool I look like. I'm slow dancing with Kade, breathing in his intoxicating smell when I feel a little tug at my dress. Looking down, I see a little girl staring up at me nervously so I squat down to there level, smiling warmly at them both.

"Hey there, are you ok sweetie?"

"You're so pretty" the little girl gasps and I melt at her wide blue eyes.

"Aw, thank you, so are you! What's your name?"

"Lacy" she whispers shyly, batting her eyelids.

"That's a lovely name. How can I help you Lacy?"

"My, my friends wanted to know if you would come and play with us" she stutters shyly.

"Of course I will. is it ok if Alpha Kade plays too?" Her eyes widen and she glances up at Kade before turning towards me again and nodding with a wide grin. I stand up straight and shrug my shoulders at Kade's arched eyebrow before following little Lacy out the door into the garden towards a group of children who all stare dumbfounded at us as we approach.

"Hey guys. What are we playing?" 

"Football" Lacy yells jumping in the air with excitement. "Luna Jasmine is on our team!" 

"Then alpha Kade is on ours!" A little boy yells and I'm dragged away. 

The game starts and we play for a good while, laughing and cheering the whole time. I can't help but admire Kade. He's taken off his suit jacket so he's just in his white shirt rolled up at the sleeves and he looks hot as f**k. I love watching him with the kids as well: he's so gentle and funny with them. Before long there's a little crowd's watching us, cheering us on.

Kade's team are winning so I gather my side in a group huddle.

"Ok team, I'm gonna pass the ball the Kyle and then I want all of you to run and jump on Kade ok?" They all giggle with mischief and agree. I pass the ball and watch in joy as 6 little figures run to Kade, his eyes widening as they approach. They jump on him and everyone bursts into laughter as he's tackled to the ground, the pups crying out in triumph. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I walk over to Kade and offer a hand. He takes it with a smile before pulling me down on top of him on the ground with a yelp.

"You wouldn't have anything to do with this, would you?" He smirks as he brushes the hair out of my face.

"I would never" I fake shock and he chuckles.

Staring into his stormy eyes I'm suddenly overwhelmed with a strong emotion that takes my breath away. 

"Kade I love you" I gasp out. He smirks at me before returning it. It's not the first time we've said it but it means something different this time. I feel my eyes grow dark as Sapphire starts fighting for dominance, desperate to have him right here. "I'm ready" I whisper in his ear. He immediately sits up, pulling me up with him and turns to the pups.

"Thanks for the game guys" he smiles and high fives some of them before lifting me up bridal style and stalking towards the pack house, his eyes growing darker with every step. 

"Are you sure about this?" He growls in my ear as we walk up the stairs, well, more like run.

"Yes" I breathe. I've never been so sure about anything in my life.