A Solstice Luna Ceremony: Chapter 7
1620 Words
-Cassandra POV-
The cozy living room was aglow with the warm light of the fireplace, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Plush sofas and comfortable chairs were arranged in a welcoming circle, creating the perfect setting for our gathering. I was with my friends for a night of celebration, camaraderie, and preparation for my upcoming Luna Ceremony.
Lila handed me a coffee martini, my favorite drink. "I can't believe how fast time has flown. Auntie, it feels like just yesterday you were patching William up after I messed him up, and now you're stepping into the role of Luna!"
I smiled, the nostalgia hitting me. "It does seem surreal, Lila. It's funny how life brought me back to a role I tried to avoid."
Gloria leaned forward, her eyes twinkling in the firelight. "Cassandra, your journey has been quite extraordinary. It'll be a ceremony to remember."
As we sipped our drinks, Eliza added with a chuckle, "Just remember, no ceremony is complete without a few surprises!"
I chuckled. Is Thomas rubbing off on her? I asked Izzy.
Maybe! Being mated with him seems to have allowed her to chill out a bit. Izzy replied, pensive.
Gloria laughed, nodding in agreement. "Oh, the stories I could tell you! My Luna Ceremony had its fair share of unexpected moments."
The conversation turned to tales of past ceremonies, each story more enthralling than the last. Gloria's tales were a blend of humor and wisdom, painting a vivid picture of our rich traditions.
Lila, leaning in with keen interest, asked, "What was the most memorable part of your ceremony, Gloria?"
Gloria's eyes sparkled as she reminisced, "The moment of the bonding ritual. There's something so powerful about that instant of connection. It's as if the entire pack's spirit converges into a single point of light."
"It's a moment that strengthens the Luna, Alpha, and the entire pack. It's about unity," Lila said.
The fire crackled in the background as we shared stories and laughed, the bonds of our sisterhood strengthening with each passing moment.
As the night progressed, we laughed wholeheartedly. That joyous sound mingled with the crackling of the fire. Our glasses clinked in toasts of the future, friendship, and the incredible journey that had brought us together.
As the fire started to die down, I felt a profound sense of peace and readiness.
And then we heard it—a chilling loud growl.
"Raven!" I screamed, standing up.
Something's wrong. Izzy said, pacing in my mind.
-William POV-
A foreign scent infiltrated the air, thick with malice. It was the unmistakable stench of a rogue.
I halted Raven's fur bristling. The rogue's scent was too close to the chalet where Cassandra and the other ladies were resting. My protective instincts roared to life, urging me into immediate action.
Growling, I charged towards the source, my pack brothers flanking me. The Moondance wolves understood the urgency, even if we couldn't mind-link. The stench of rogues was overwhelming.
I reached out to Cassandra through our mind-link. Stay inside, my angels. Rogues are near. I warned, my mind-voice tense.
Simultaneously, Cliff, our Beta, sent a mind link to the warriors. We need backup near the big chalet in the North of our territory. Rogues are here.
As we closed in, a rogue emerged from the shadows, its eyes glinting defiantly. Quickly, more rogues appeared, their snarls filling the night. A fight was inevitable.
We clashed with ferocity. Fangs and claws bared in the moonlight. The rogues were strong, but we fought with the unity of a pack bonded by more than just blood.
As Raven was biting into one of the rogues, another caught us off guard, biting one of our hinds. Quickly, Zeus ran into that rogue and dealt with it.
So many rogues, and big ones. What is going on? I asked Raven, Cliff, and Sunny.
I have no idea, boss. Cliff replied.
Some of them have a faint rogue scent. Could it be they are newer rogues? Might explain their size? Sunny asked.
I have no clue, guys, but we need to capture one to get some answers. I replied.
During the battle, one rogue caught my attention. It stayed behind and wasn't attacking like the others. It seemed to be studying the fight. I approached him growling, trying to impose my Alpha aura on him. He shifted into human form, revealing a face from my past - a former member of the Blood Moon Pack, a follower of Victor. Shock and recognition flashed through me.
I shifted back into my human form while mind-linking Cliff. Take over the fighting for me. I'll question this traitor.
Cliff looked at me, and his wolf, Red, shook his head in disappointment.
I knew we lost some members since Victor left. Maybe I should have paid more attention. I always thought it was good riddance.
"Why?" I growled, my voice thick with betrayal and anger.
"i***t, you are not worthy to be Alpha of this pack," he spat, his eyes burning with hatred. "I'm here to shatter your precious ceremony in memory of your father, the true leader of this pack."
We shifted back into our wolf form and lunged at each other, our conflict more than just physical. It was a battle of ideologies, of past grievances. He fought with the desperation of the deceived, but I fought with the strength of a future Luna's mate.
Cliff and Sunny fought fiercely by my side, their loyalty unwavering. Gabriel, Markus, and Thomas held off the other rogues, their teamwork impeccable.
Cassandra's voice echoed in my mind, laced with worry. William, be careful!
Damn, we're too close to the chalet – she can see us fight. I said to Raven.
I could feel her fear, her love. It fueled me and gave me strength. I will. Stay safe. I replied, even as I dodged a vicious swipe.
The fight raged on, a whirlwind of fur and fury. The rogue was relentless, but as we fought, I sensed his resolve waning, his strikes becoming less sure.
I pinned him to the ground, and he shifted back to his human form, and so did I.
"Why are you doing this?" I yelled at him.
His eyes filled with rage. "Victor promised me the position of Beta. You took that away from me."
"You were part of a pack that valued you." I huffed. "But that wasn't enough? You wanted power?" My fists were clenched so tightly that my knuckles were white.
He looked away, the fight draining from him. "I don't know anymore."
We heard the sounds of the approaching warriors. The other rogues had already all been dealt with, or so I thought.
I stood over the former pack member, a mix of anger and pity in my heart. "You have a choice. Come back with us, face justice, and maybe find redemption."
He hesitated, then nodded, surrendering. It was a small victory but a significant one.
As the warriors arrived, taking the rogue into custody, my friends gathered around me. We were bruised and battered but united and strong.
"We did well," Cliff said, pride evident in his voice.
I nodded and looked at the chalet. Cassandra and the others were running toward us.
"My warrior." She hugged me, then backed away to inspect me. When she was satisfied that I only had flesh wounds, Raven was already working hard to heal me. She hugged me again and kissed me passionately.
I heard Markus in the background. "I don't want to be a party pooper, ladies, but I think you should stay in the packhouse tonight. No offense, William."
I chuckled. "None taken, Markus." I agreed with him, but I was too busy to be the first to voice my concern.
The ladies went to gather their stuff and packed the car.
Since we were all buck-naked, we decided to shift back into our wolves and ran beside the car.
Once at the packhouse, I asked Cliff and Sunny to meet me in my office. Gabriel asked if he could join, and so did Markus and Thomas.
We agreed to meet back in 20 minutes, giving us some time with our mates. I went to my quarters to check in on Cassandra.
"My warrior," she jumped in my arms as I opened the door. Once again, she checked me over and was content that Raven had healed me.
"What is going on?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. "Should we postpone?"
"No, never." I held her close to my chest and breathed in her scent. "We will not be bullied by ghosts from the past."
She looked up at me, frowning. "What ghosts? What past?"
I sighed loudly, my shoulders dropping as I sat down and pulled onto my knees. "At least some of the rogues were former Blood Moon Pack members. They were true to Victor and wanted to disrupt the ceremony."
Cassandra gasped.
"We can't let them win, my angel," I whispered, hoping she wouldn't change her mind and flee this nightmare during the night.
"Never, my warrior." She kissed me softly. "We will be stronger after the ceremony."
My eyes widened. "You don't want to flee this pack, and it's past?"
"Never! Why would you think that?" she asked, hugging me.
"You wanted to get away from your Alpha responsibilities once. I just don't want you to feel trapped."
"Oh, my warrior." She took my face in her hands. "I will never feel trapped as long as I'm with you."
We kissed and hugged. But we were interrupted by a mind link, Cliff. Boss? Is the meeting still on?
I huffed.
"Go, my warrior. We will see each other at the ceremony tomorrow."
- Writer
