Beneath a Moonless Sky - Book One (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Ten

Butterflies swarmed in my belly as I finished dressing Mia in her dark navy dress complete with silver bow at its waist. Today was the day we were initiated into the Blue Moon Pack. Today was the day that I was made a pack member to a pack that had been so welcoming and friendly. Tears pricked my eyes as I bent to softly kiss Mia’s soft cheeks. 

“Ready, love?” Fergus leant casually against the door frame and smiled at me proudly. I nodded excitedly and scooped up Mia after taking one last look in the mirror and followed him out the front of the house where Connor held Luca in a cute little shirt and navy vest paired with same coloured pants, a little bow tie under his chubby little chin. I cooed adoringly at his little outfit and kissed him softly. Fergus pushed me forward gently with a hand on the small of my back. 

“Come love, the pack awaits.” The butterflies returned in full force and I pulled at the skirt of my dress, matching exactly to the one Mia wore and straightened the broach pinned just below my left collarbone. Emma had given it to me to wear as a good luck charm. It was a large circular moonstone in a silver setting with a little silver wolf howling. Emma told me that it had been passed down for generations in her family and that everyone in her family who had been welcomed to the pack when they came of age had worn it. It had touched me that she would ask me to wear such a precious family heirloom. The pack house loomed closer and I could see that everyone had spent a lot of time preparing and decorating the space in front of the pack house. Fairy lights were strung between the house and trees and wrapped around branches and poles. A small stage had been set up in front of the pack house and a little way away were large bonfires ready to be lit, rotisserie machines and chairs, beanbags, hammocks, and seating of all kinds dispersed throughout the space. Everyone from the pack stood eagerly in front of the stage and parted as we walked through. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs at the edge of the stairs and took a deep breath. This is where I’m meant to be, I thought. This is home. Magnus held his hand out to me from the top of the stairs and I gratefully took it, being led to stand in front of the podium atop the stage. Silence fell as he held his hands up for silence. 

“Welcome all, tonight we are honoured to welcome three new members into our ranks, Elaina Callaghan, Luca Callaghan and Mia Callaghan. We welcome them with open arms and hearts.” He turns to me and gently takes Mia from me as Emma approaches us with an athame in hand, its blade reflecting the full moon light. She took her place next to Magnus as Fergus stood with Luca behind me. 

“Under the watchful eye of our beloved Moon Goddess we welcome you,” I was startled a little when I heard the rest of the pack echo, we welcome you, “repeat after me. I, Elaina Jade Callaghan,” I repeated as he asked and held my hand out for Emma who sliced the knife across my palm. It stung a little, but I ignored the pain and focused on Magnus as he continued his speech with his hand outstretched for Emma to cut, little Mia slumbering peacefully in his arms. “Vow to care, protect and honour all within the Blue Moon Pack. I vow to respect and honour my Alphas as they will do the same. I vow beneath our goddess that I will bring no harm to another in my pack and will raise my children with love and honour so they too may be one with the pack. This is my vow.” 

“…this is my vow.” He reached his hand out to me, palm up, and I placed mine on top of his. Tingles shot up my arm the moment our palms touch and I felt a rush of energy fill my mind. Magnus looked a bit taken aback by something, but I was too focused on the feeling I felt. My brain felt warm, filled with magic and my palm began to throb and glow. The warmth began to radiate down from my head throughout my body until I felt consumed by warmth. I was aware of everything going around me, but this growing warmth was all I could pay attention to. I noticed as Emma took Mia from Magnus’ arm and followed Fergus to stand at the end of the stairs on the grass. Magnus’ free hand softly touched my wrist as he stepped closer, his other hand still tightly gripped in mine. I couldn’t seem to release it; it was like a vice gripping him. Did he just wince? 

“Elaina, are you alright?” His voiced was laced with concern, his brows furrowed in worry. But I felt great. 

“I feel amazing. Why?” He looked behind me to where Emma stood with a questioning look in his eyes. 

“Well, your eyes have changed to pure silver and you are kind of glowing. This doesn’t normally happen in initiations.” I glanced down at my body and could see that I was indeed glowing a soft sheen of white. 

“I feel… different.” Magnus’ eyes widened as he glanced down at our palms connected. 

“What is that?” Warriors sprang to action around us, surrounding their Alpha in case they needed to step in. He held up his hand to let them know to stand down and I saw them relax but continue to stay where they were, ready if needed. An odd expression took place on Magnus’ features as I felt the tingles radiate up his arm. I felt it. How is that even possible? I watched and felt as Magnus experienced everything I just had, his face growing calm as the warmth spread through his mind. When the tingles had finally reached his feet, I felt a pulse of magic in my chest and then I was speaking without knowing what I was saying or whose voice was coming from my mouth. 

“My children of the Blue Moon Pack.” Everyone stood in shock as an ethereal voice rang throughout the clearing coming from me. The voice vibrated with power and comfort making everyone visibly relax around us. “I cannot thank you all enough for welcoming my Chosen Child into your pack, but I will beseech you a gift. Not only will my Child be one in your pack, but your pack will be gifted with the protection she brings. Your pack could have turned her away, as is usually the custom for wolves and witches. But for you, Alpha Magnus, this was not the case. My Child is now your family and her power of protection yours to use. Use it wisely, for any malicious or misuse of this power will end badly for all.” My hand unconsciously reached up and stroked Magnus’ cheek, I had no control over my body. “You have made your parents proud, little one, and they watch you by my side every day.” A tear ran down his face as he leant into my palm. “Blue Moon Pack, please welcome your newest members, my children, Elaina, Mia and Luca. So mote it be.” At the uttering of those last words energy exploded from me, spreading throughout the clearing, warmth spreading to each and every pack member. They stared, frozen in awe, as my palm suddenly released Magnus’ and I fell to my knees. I was soon surrounded by people all asking if I was ok. I raised up my hand for silence and slowly stood with the help of Magnus. All eyes were on me, some with mouths agape. 

“That was new.” Fergus joked, his eyes wide, an eyebrow c****d. “When were you going to let us know that you were buddies with the Moon Goddess, love?” I shook my head and looked around and all the faces surrounding me. 

“I had no idea. I’ve only been a witch for less than five months. I’m still in training!” A calming hand rested on my arm as I was led to the edge of the stage in front of the pack. 

“We will worry about all this later. For now,” Magnus turned to the pack his voice full of happiness and authority, “Blue Moon Pack! Welcome our new members! Elaina, Mia and Luca Callaghan!” Howls filled the night making the air around me vibrate, some people shifted into their wolves in excitement and I couldn’t help the happy tears that rolled down my cheeks. After everything they just witnessed, they were welcoming me with open arms. I turned to Magnus and smiled gratefully. 

“Thank you for everything you have done for me and my family.” 

“Our family, Elaina.” I threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. With a soft chuckle he returned it. “Shall we eat?” He addressed everyone once we pulled apart. Cheers and howls rang through the air as I was led from the stage. At the bottom of the stairs Emma pulled me into a tight one arm hug, before passing me a still slumbering Mia. Luca was the same in Fergus’ arms and I chuckled. 

“Welcome to the family, Ell. Let’s eat!” We made our way to one of the many fire pits and barbecues scattered amongst the clearing. Many pack members came over and congratulated and welcomed me and the twins to the pack, bright smiles adorning every face. So many of them cooed at the twins, baby talk galore. When they began to fidget though I knew they were getting hungry. 

“Excuse me everyone, but the little ones are getting hungry. I’ll be back.” Emma took Luca from Fergus and followed me into the pack house. 

“Come up to the office, we’ll have more privacy there.” I followed Emma as she led me up a flight of stairs to the first floor where the offices were kept and into Magnus’ office. I took a seat on one of the plush chairs in front of a big mahogany desk and set about feeding Mia. Emma sat beside me, softly talking to Luca, her face filled with joy. 

“So, Magnus tells me that you have been talking about trying.” Emma looked up from Luca and smiled softly. 

“We have. Magnus is very eager to be a father.” I looked at her questioningly. 

“Are you not eager to be a mother?” She looked away and stroked at Lucas cheeks before he grabbed her finger and stuck it in his mouth as I burped Mia. 

“I am. But I’m just worried.” She turned to me, unshed tears in her eyes. “The life of an Alpha is a dangerous and busy one. What if we don’t have time for a baby, or what if they’re put in danger because of who we are? We’re constantly having to deal with rogues on the borders, no attacks yet, but it’s only a matter of time. I’m scared that if we bring a life into this world, something will happen.” Tears ran down her cheeks and she harshly swiped them away. I stood and knelt in front of her, adeptly swapping Mia for Luca. 

“Listen to me, Emma.” Her tear-filled eyes locked with mine. “That is not something you need to worry about. Even as Alpha you and Magnus will always find the time for your children, and they will never be short of love as they will be surrounded by so many aunties and uncles who will spoil them rotten. The whole pack will be here for you to love and protect your children, no harm will ever come to them so long as there is breath in our bodies and love in our pack. Do you understand me?” My stern tone left no room for argument. She nodded her head and sniffled, wiping her palm against her cheeks. I stood and took my seat before feeding an eager Luca. 

“Thank you, Elaina. I really needed that.” We sat in silence after that, the only sounds were that of Lucas little grunts as he fed. 

When both babies were fed and changed, we returned to the party. Magnus watched Emma approach, love full in his eyes. I felt a pang in my heart as I remembered I would never have that. Someone to watch me approach with such love in their eyes, someone to pull me into their arms and kiss lovingly. Fergus eagerly collected Mia from Emma’s arms and I watched as Emma leaned into Magnus and whispered into his ear. I knew what she’d said the minute he reacted as his eyes went wide and his mouth even wider as he looked questioningly at Emma, searching her face for any doubt. When she nodded, he coughed and began tugging Emma away to the pack house behind him. 

“We’ll be back… important pack business.” I chuckled knowingly as I watched them run to the house, love radiating between them. I stared down at my beautiful son and kissed his head softly. 

“You’re the only man I need, little one. My only love.” A small smile took place on his sleeping face and I felt my heart fill with love to the point that it was almost bursting. I knew in my heart that no man could ever replace Lucian for me, that I could never find the love I yearned for with another. But I could take solace in knowing that I had two beautiful babies whom I loved more than life itself to love and cherish instead and I couldn’t ask for anything better.