The Return of the Dead Luna

Chapter 2

Raymond stood in front of the mirror, thoughts jumbled as he stared back at his reflection.

The man looking back at him seemed older, tired of life. The suit he wore was neatly tailored, he adjusted the tie again, but still, nothing felt right.

One year.

It's been one year since the fire had taken everything from him. He still had his daughter but his mate was gone, Lily's mother was gone. The pack lost their Luna that day.

He wondered how life would be if she was still here.

His Luna, probably reading to their daughter or coaxing her into sleep.

Lily’s laughter still echoed in his mind from that morning, her tiny arms thrown around his neck, Amelia watching them with that gentle smile she wore only for them.

Before he left for the pack meeting and came back to nothing. Maybe if he had stayed home that day, maybe he would've been able to save them.

Maybe he would've been able to prevent the fire from getting that worse.

The pack had never been the same since then. Now they had to sign a treaty with a powerful pack to get on their feet again. And he had to take another Luna.

That's right, he's getting married.

The guilt settled like a bulldozer on his chest, heavy and suffocating. It felt like betrayal, not just to Amelia, but to Lily as well.

As if he was replacing Amelia, and the mate bond which he never actually felt like it broke. Maybe it was just him refusing to face reality that his mate was trully gone, but he trully never felt the breaking of thier bond.

Maybe Amelia was still alive somewhere?. But he knew deep down, that the bond was still there because of thier daughter.

A soft knock sounded at the door, halting his thoughts.

Before he could respond, it opened.

“Daddy!”

Lily ran into the room, her small princess dress swishing around her as she barreled toward him. Her hair was neatly braided, ribbon tied carefully at the ends.

She looked beautiful, just like her mother.

He dropped down one knee, just in time to catch her.

“There's my little wolf.” He murmured, getting back to his feet and lifting her in his arms.

“You look handsome Daddy!.” She chirped. Wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Thank you sweetheart.” He forced a smile, pressing a kiss to her temple.

She tilted her head, studying him with a seriousness far too big for her age. “Are you sad?”

The question hit harder than he expected.

“I’m okay.” he said softly.

Lily frowned. “you're not lying, right daddy?.”

His throat tightened.

“Of course not sweetheart.”

“Is it because of my new mommy?. It's okay if you don't like her, I don't like her too.” Her tiny voice rang through the room, shocking him into silence.

Before he could give a response, the door opened again and Erica, his mother, entered.

She took in her son with a measured glance, her lips curving into a warm smile.

“You look very wonderful Raymond.” she said.

Raymond nodded faintly. “Thank you, Mother.”

Erica turned to Lily. “Why don’t you go find your nanny, dear? She’s waiting for you outside.”

Lily hesitated, looking between them. “But-”

“No buts sweetheart.” Raymond interrupted her. “Do what granny says.” Raymond said, setting her down.

“And about what you said earlier.” Raymond whispered to her. “It's very rude, don't go saying that to everyone okay?.”

“I won't. I'll be a very nice girl.” She promised her father.

“I know you will.” She hugged him one last time before skipping out of the room.

The door closed behind her.

Silence settled in.

Erica crossed her arms, studying her son carefully. “I know you don't want this marriage, but you can’t keep standing like this forever.” she said gently but firmly.

“What’s done is done. You're the Alpha of the pack, the pack needs a Luna, and think about Lily too, she needs a mother figure in her life.” She reasoned.

“Lily doesn't like her.” He said quietly.

“And who's fault is that.” She asked, looking pointedly at him.

“You should know by now that your daughter's reaction to everything revolves around you. If you like something she likes it too, and if you don't, even if she liked it before, she'll immediately change her mind.” She stormed.

“And ever since the announcement of the marriage, you've been off. Every fiber in your body clearly states that you don't want this woman, you should expect the same from your daughter.”

Raymond sighed, looking down at his feet. “I can't help how I feel mother.”

“Well you need to do something about that, this is your responsibility, the pack is at its lowest right now.” She stated.

“Thank goddess the stormridge pack has finally agreed to sign a treaty. They'll be of great help to us. And for that to happen you need to take a Luna.”

“I know mother.” Raymond said, sighing in defeat.

“And stop reminding Lily of her mother every chance you get.”

His head snapped up at the statement. “I can't just rule out the existence of her mother from her life, she deserves to know she had a mother who deeply loved her.” He seethed.

“She's just a kid, she'll forget eventually.”

Raymond looked at his mother dumbfoundedly, as if he couldn't believe the words that were coming out of her mouth.

“You already agreed to this marriage Raymond. So there’s no going back.” she continued. “You’re the Alpha. Your pack needs stability. Leadership and a Luna. You can't do that alone.”

The words struck deep.

“Emily is fit for the role,” Erica went on. “She was chosen carefully. She comes from a respected bloodline, trained in leadership, diplomacy, and pack tradition. She understands duty. She understands sacrifice.”

Raymond swallowed.

“She will be good for the pack.” Erica said.

A long moment passed.

Finally, Raymond nodded once. “I understand.”

Erica exhaled, relief softening her expression. “Good. It’s time. The ceremony is about to begin.”

With that, she walked out of the room, closing the door behind her and leaving Raymond to drown in his thoughts again.

It was better to refrain arguing with his mother, he understood where she was coming from. But he will never let Amelia be a forgotten memory in Lily's life.

Amelia loved Lily deeply, she was everything they ever wished for. He felt like this was the only thing he could do for his dead mate.

A knock interrupted his thoughts again. Ashton walked in, also dressed in a suit.

“It's time Alpha.”

-

The hall was filled with light.

Pack members filled the rows, dressed in ceremonial and traditional colors.

Murmurs echoed softly as Raymond took his place at the altar. Then Emily walked in soon after, dressed in white.

She looked radiant, confident, every inch the future Luna she had been groomed to be.

It reminded him of his mating ceremony with Amelia, he'd been the happiest man alive that day. Amelia's bright smile was enough to drive him out of his mind. That was supposed to be a good sign, right?.

And yet, with this woman standing in front of him, something still felt wrong.

The officiant’s voice carried through the hall as vows were spoken. Raymond repeated the words automatically, his mind strangely distant.

The same for Emily, except her voice was bold and confident as ever.

Then the question was asked.

“Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Silence fell in the hall, everyone looked around, but no sound came.

“Then–”

The speech of the officiant was interrupted by the double doors of the hall suddenly swinging open.

A woman stepped inside.

Her presence cut through the room like a blade.

She was dressed elegantly, dark fabric clinging to her frame with effortless authority.

Her posture was calm, composed, dangerously so. Every step she took echoed, and with each one, the atmosphere shifted.

Raymond’s heart slammed violently against his ribs at the sight.

His breath caught.

“I object.”