An Alpha and A Secretary

Chapter 9 - The Ceremony

The four days that followed leading up to Saturday passed quickly, and before I could fully process it the day of the Ceremony was here. We had all spent Friday night creating decorations and preparing food, and despite the attempts to shoo me away I stayed to help. 

I woke up early on Saturday morning, poured myself some tea and sat on the Balcony to watch the pack wake up and come alive. It was one of my favourite things, to watch people setting out into the fields, watching families make their way to the pack house or out into the city. Rachael knocked on the door around 8am, and peeked her head in.

“Luna? It’s time to start getting ready. The celebrations start at noon,” she entered the room, a couple of women following her. One I recognised as Sally, the dressmaker. The other had a vanity box in her hands and a bag over her shoulder. Oh boy. 

“This is Fiona, who you know, and Mary. They offered to help me get you ready. I’ll go get the bath running.” Rachael motioned to the dressmaker and Mary in turn as she spoke, then headed through to the attached en suite. The sound of running water followed soon after. Fiona hung a dress bag up on a hook on the wall, and Mary dropped her goods on the coffee table, they both chatted excitedly.

“I can’t believe it’s ceremony day, I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid and heard about another pack's ceremony day,” Mary gushed, “and I get to help! Let’s have a look at you then Luna. You are pale…”

“Mary!” Fiona scolded, gasping a little.

“Oh not that that’s a bad thing! Pale and interesting as my mother used to say. I think some copper eyeshadow would look gorgeous on you with your hair. And a pale pink lipstick?” She looked over to Fiona, who nods. 

“There’s some blue on the dress so that would be nice. I think curls in her hair? With some flowers braided in?” Fiona made her way over, playing with a piece of my hair. 

“That would be gorgeous. Such thick hair, it’s beautiful Luna.” Mary started on the other side of my hair.

“Ah, thank you. My mother had the same hair.”

“Oh she must be as gorgeous as you too, is she coming today?” Fiona took over, starting to tie my hair up in a bun, for the bath most likely.

“Ah… she-” 

“Your bath is ready Luna, I used the Alpha’s favourite scents.” Rachael reappeared, holding a towel in her hands. I stand and take it from her.

“Thank you Rachael.” 

The bathroom was lit with candles, and it smelt of the most gorgeous jasmine. The bath was filled to the brim with bubbles. I had no hesitation stripping off and slipping in, the hot water felt amazing. I closed my eyes and let it take over my senses. It ended soon after, when I felt someone starting to scrub at my arm that was on the side of the tub. I snatched it away, my eyes opening quickly to see Rachael holding a sudsy wash cloth.

“Ah, apologies Luna, I should have said something first.”

“I- I can wash myself Rachael, it’s alright. I won’t be long.” I use my arms to cover myself as much as possible, eliciting giggles from Rachael.

“Very well Luna, but don’t be long!”

The rest of the morning involved lots of chatting, skin products and hair tugging. By the time it was 11am I was stood in front of my full length mirror, fully prepared to step out into the pack.

The dress was stunning, it was a white floor length number, with an A line skirt. It had a beautiful lace over the top embroidered with blue orchids. The sleeves consisted of just lace and sat off shoulder. My hair had been curled and half of it braided down the back, it had daisies incorporated into it. My makeup was simple, and the jewellery…

It was a gift from the Alpha, a thin chain necklace with a teardrop pearl hanging from it, with matching earrings. 

“Luna… you look breathtaking.” I turned to Rachael when she spoke, taking her into a hug.

“Thank you all, I feel… like a new person.”

“Shall we go? Everyone is itching to see their Luna.” I nod and link arms with her, heading towards the bedroom door.

James, Timothy and a couple of other guards stood outside the door, all dressed at least smart-casual. 

“Ooh look at you Luna! You scrub up fairly well.” James exclaims, elbowing me gently.

“Oh pssh, thank you. Where to?”

“Everyones waiting for you downstairs,” Andrews' voice called out, I turned to see him walking down the corridor in a sharp looking grey suit. He stopped just a metre from me and caught his breath. This reminded me to breathe myself. “You look… very nice. Shall we?”

He offered me his arm, which I took, and we headed down the stairs. 

Everyone was gathered on the ground floor of the pack house, looking up at the stairs. People started cheering as we walked down the final set of stairs, this caused me to smile even brighter than I already was. There were pale blue and silver decorations everywhere, and people holding trays of champagne and horderves. The pack were all smiling at me so warmly.  “All this… to welcome me?” My mate nodded, pulling me a little closer to whisper.

“They’ve been waiting for this for years. Let’s give them the day they all deserve.” I nod and follow him. Everyone gathered round, shaking hands and sharing hugs. We spent the hour leading up to noon just mingling and having fun. Rachael brought me a half flute of champagne, for my nerves. When it came to noon we were all led outside. Andrew and I stood in front of a lit fire pit and a small table. On the table was a knife and a couple of bandages. Everyone else in the pack lined up in the seats facing us. 

“Welcome, Ice Moon Pack. Today we welcome Freya Miln, soon to be Freya MacArthur  into our pack,” Andrew announced, and it was met with cheers and applause. He turned to me and picked up the knife. He made a cut in his hand before handing the knife to me, I copied. He took my hand in his and clasped them together over the fire, letting a few drops drip down into the pan. At that moment, I felt it, the pack. I was truly one of them now. Isolde howled in joy. Andrew let go of my hand, reaching for a bandage to wrap it up before letting me see to his. Before we left the podium, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. 

“Freya, my Luna, let this be a symbol of our bond.” He opened it to reveal a beautiful amethyst ring, which he took out and slid onto my ring finger. 

“Andrew… thank you. I love it. I love you.” He smiled.

“I love you too Freya.”