The Luna Queen

2: The New Luna

~ A Few Days Later ~

Eve

After getting my portrait painted, I spend the next couple of days going over potential candidates for Elders. The coven typically has five Elders to oversee the monarchs. As queen, part of my first order of business is to appoint new Elders. As if that isn’t stressful enough, during my search for candidates, I also receive some paperwork about one of the smaller covens that run the blood bank in Canada. Looking through the papers makes me immediately feel overwhelmed. There’s so much chaos. Based on the financial data, someone might be embezzling.

I know it’s not the healthy thing to do, but I teleport back to Montrell’s room at Diamond Peak for my Luna ceremony instead of dealing with the matters of the Coven. Trell isn’t in his room so I inform Montrell I’m back and ready for my Luna ceremony. He rushes to his room and greets me in his room with a passionate kiss and groping session before sending a pack wide mind link to welcome me because my Luna ceremony is tomorrow night.

~~~

Breakfast this morning was super awkward and so was my time at the spa. Everyone is being overly kind and attentive to me, but it feels forced. At least at the coven, things flowed naturally and I felt more welcomed and loved. The women who were working on my makeup and hair act as if I’m a porcelain doll and they’ll hurt me. To take the pressure off them, I dismiss them and plan to do my hair and makeup myself.

After getting dressed, I make my way to the back of the packhouse, where the open field is full of pack members. Nervousness overtakes my body and I instinctively place my hands in my dress’ pockets. The reason I bought this beautiful black satin gown, aside from its medium train, form flattering and off the shoulder design, was for the pockets. The side thigh split shows off how athletic my legs really are and the lace up back corset shows off my bosom, but nothing compares to being able to place my hands in pockets for the moments I’m feeling awkward. Like now, with everyone staring at me. All eyes are on me and although I should be ready for this, I’m not used to it.

Thankfully, someone comes along and starts the ceremony. “Good evening all! My name is Thaddeus, and I stand before you again to celebrate and inaugurate our new Luna.”

“For the record, please state your full name,” he voices after requesting I step forward.

I promptly state, “Evelyn Delilah Hayes.”

“You may sit in the chair behind me.”

Just like my coronation, we go through the various formalities of the ceremony. Thankfully, I don’t have to stand for the entire thing.

Eventually, Thaddeus calls me to stand next to him again. “Evelyn, repeat after me to answer this question. Do you, Evelyn Delilah Hayes, solemnly and sincerely promise that you will truly and faithfully, and to the best of your skill and knowledge, execute the powers and trusts reposed in you as Luna, so help you, Goddess?”

“I, Evelyn Delilah Hayes, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will truly and faithfully, and to the best of my skill and knowledge, execute the powers and trusts reposed in me as Luna, so help me, Goddess.” I recite.

“Alongside your Alpha, will you support and defend Diamond Peak wolf pack against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that you will take this obligation freely, with no mental reservation or purpose of evasion,” Thaddeus continues.

“Yes. Alongside my Alpha, I will support and defend Diamond Peak wolf pack against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, with no mental reservation or purpose of evasion.”

“Are there any objectors,” he asks and the yard is silent. “Very well. By my power and authority as an Elder and a member of the Council of Diamond Peak, I hereby declare you the Luna of Diamond Peak.”

There’s faint applause and chatter before Thaddeus announces it’s time for the pack shift. When everyone shifts back, a celebration ensues and Montrell lights a massive bonfire for everyone to mingle. Montrell and Zack make their way through the crowd, however, I remain by the packhouse. I don’t really know these wolves and I feel out of place with them.

However, Thaddeus approaches me. “Pardon me, Luna Evelyn?”

“Please call me Eve.

“Luna Eve, I’m not sure if you’re aware of your duties as the Luna of this pack.”

Hearing Queen and Luna before my name will take some getting used to. ‘Truthfully, I’m not. I always thought I’d be an Alpha. Do you mind going over it with me? Can you tell me what all the roles are?”

“Very well. Walk with me to the conference room. It’ll be a lot quieter there.” We take the elevator to the conference room on the second floor. “I have all this information back at the mountain, but I’ve been an Elder council member longer than you’ve been alive. Sit with me and I’ll give you the basics.” He pulls two chairs out from the table, one for himself and one for me. “Are you ready for the rundown?”

I nod my head and give him my full attention. “I’m ready.”

Thaddeus intertwines his fingers together and place them on the table. “There are six ranks in every wolf pack. Alpha, Luna, Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Omega. This is standard in every wolf pack. As I’m sure you know, the Alpha is the pack’s trusted leader. The Luna is the Alpha’s mate and the queen of the pack. Subordinates are to respect her just as they do the Alpha. Most Lunas are a pretty face, but a Luna should always present herself as both powerful and intimidating.

Together, she and the Alpha run the pack. It’s imperative I tell you that you’ll also serve as vice president of the pack’s company, Diamond Chocolate. You’re already a queen at your coven, so you should understand your role perfectly. However, it’s important to note that one of your duties as Luna is to birth all of the Alpha’s pups.”

I softly chuckle. “Well, I’m sure that won’t be an issue, although I’m not trying to have any right away.”

“Oh, but you must,” Thaddeus stresses. “That’s your duty.”

“I hear what you’re saying, but Montrell and I will talk about that. I don’t think it’s in the pack’s best interest to start having pups.”

Thaddeus eyes me disapprovingly. “Anyway, do you still want to know about the rest of the ranks?”

“Yes,” I respond.

“The Beta is the enforcer. Betas are second-in-command and enforces the law when the Alpha and Luna are unavailable. The families of the Alpha and Beta eat their meals first, then the rest of the pack eat. Shall I continue?”

“Yes, please.”

“Deltas are second ranking below the Beta. They provide overwatch from the pack house. Deltas also run the hospital wing and are in charge of training.

Gammas are third ranking and run perimeter checks. They are also considered warriors because they guard the outer parts of the pack house property.

Omegas are the lowest and most omegas serve as slaves in most packs. They always eat last and usually get the scraps of the higher ranks. Omegas usually get blamed and punished for any pack mishaps. It’s not right, but omegas suffer the most abuse in packs. That’s basically all there is to know.”

“Thank you for taking the time to explain all this to me.” I politely smile at him, but he gives me a prudish look.

I receive a mind link from Montrell that he’s looking for me. I prepare to answer Trell and bid Thaddeus goodbye, but he stops me. “If I’ve heard correctly, you’re the daughter of Alpha Ivan Hayes. Did Ivan not teach you all this?”

“He tried, but I didn’t know if I wanted to be Alpha or Queen, so he never explained it to me.”

“I see,” Thaddeus comments in a snarky tone. “He should’ve taught you anyway. I wonder if we made the right decision making you Luna. Even Luna Tiffany knew the roles and ranks of the pack.”

“I’m a fast learner. Don’t count me out just yet,” I say and laugh to ease the awkward tension between us.

Montrell sends me a link asking where I’m at and I tell him my location. Moments later, he opens the door and smiles at me. “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you. What’s going on here?”

“Oh, Thaddeus was just explaining to me the roles of the pack,” I answer.

“You need more time? I can go elsewhere if I need to,” Montrell offers and turns to leave.

“No need,” Thaddeus rebukes. “We were just finishing up. Good night, Alpha Montrell and Luna Evely,” he pauses. “Eve.”

Both Trell and I bid him good night. After he leaves, Montrell takes my hand. “What was really going on? Was he grilling you or giving you a hard time?”

“Not at all. Although, he was adamant about me giving you pups.

“Pups? Of course they’ll be plenty of time for that.”

“No, like I need to give you pups tonight. He kept stressing that’s my primary duty as Luna.”

“Now? Hell nah. Things are too crazy for pups.”

“That’s what I said,” I shriek in agreement.

“Believe me, we’re gonna have pups, but after things settle down,” he reassures.

“Yes, now that that’s settled, we have to make you the crowned King of Foxfire Coven. Bart was upset you couldn’t be there for the coronation ceremony. He said it’s customary to do both at the same time. He told me to come back here and handle my business, but he also stressed needing to crown my mate.”

“Yeah, it’s customary to have the Alpha and Luna ceremony together, if the Alpha already has a mate. Our circumstances are different though, and me being Alpha is an unprecedented thing for this pack. Most packs don’t have vampires leading them and I imagine a coven doesn’t have any wolves leading them. I trust the Moon Goddess, though. We were meant to make history together.”

“When you put it like that, I suppose so,” I agree.

“I’m all down for the coronation and all that, but can I have a few days? There’s some stuff I need to handle. Then I’ll be all yours to become your King and your husband.”

“Husband? Is there really a need for that if we’re fated mates?”

“Just because we’re fated mates and running the pack and soon, the coven together doesn’t make us married. We should’ve had the mating ceremony shortly after I announced you as my mate, but things went the way they did and it never happened. You don’t wanna be my wife?”

My heart sinks at the thought of making him think I don’t want to marry him. “Sorry if I made it seem like I don’t wanna marry you, because I do. It’s just… I’m really not familiar with all these formalities. I thought I had more time to prepare for this. The past few days have been extremely overwhelming for me.”

Montrell wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close to him. “I understand. I’ve wanted this my whole life, so this is exciting for me, but I feel overwhelmed, too. Dad was a bully and terrible leader. I’m surprised he managed to set up a deal with Le Grand Chocolat, and was trying to strike the same deal with another liquor company.”

He then continues muttering to himself. “Speaking of which, as the interim CFO, I need to ask Aunt Amber how the deal is going. I know she mentioned the executives like her much better than Okwi, but I need to know if they’re gonna move forward with the collaboration. Do you mind if I go check on that?”

“Not at all.”

“I’m so sorry to leave you like this, but I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“Sunny, it’s fine.” I smile at him. “Go be great, my love.”

He leans forward and gives me a quick peck before hurrying off. Things are definitely changing and I’m well past the point of no return.