The Unexpected Luna

Chapter 2 - The Start of Something

Two years later and Cadence was ready to take over the pack. And the celebration was to be huge.

All of the biggest packs in the United States had been invited. In the two years I had been here, Ronan had grown our pack to one of the biggest in the United States. Through fear and destruction, Ronan wiped out smaller packs and integrated them with his own. Those who survived the initial attack were forced to either swear allegiance to the Blue Moon pack or die.

Ronan and Cadence often fought about this way of doing things. Cadence stating that they had no right to do such a thing and Ronan stating that he was only doing this to protect his children. He was terrified that another invasion would happen, and he would lose Cadence and I. He had heavily stepped-up security. We constantly had guards on patrol in the packhouse, especially on the floor Cadence and I shared.

Ronan swore that my parents had inside help in their attack. He interrogated every member of the pack but found no traitor. Ronan became obsessed with finding out what happened to his wife and daughter and why they were targeted.

Tensions had been high in the Blue Moon pack the last couple of years, and tonight was a night that everyone needed. Preparations on the main packhouse and the land surrounding it had started months in advance. Cadence’s birthday was in the late summer and Ronan ordered renovations to begin that March. He wanted everything to be perfect. He was ready to hand the mantle over to his son.

We saw a rose garden with beautiful fountains and lights installed. Everything got a thorough cleaning and a fresh coat of paint. A new, Olympic sized pool was installed behind the packhouse. Thousands of lights were strung up all over the pack lands and the packhouse. Ronan ordered hundreds of fireworks for the night as well.

The caterers started setting up two days in advance. The cake was magnificent. 7 tiers, with the image of the blue moon in the night sky, carefully hand painted on the cake in edible icing. Every star shimmered like a diamond in the light.

Cadence and I were each gifted an expense outfit for the night as well. Cadence looked like the royalty he was while donning a dark blue navy suit with platinum cufflinks. Very understated, but very dashing.

I had been given a dress the color of Cadence’s eyes, even down to the golden flecks. Forest green, with golden thread woven throughout. “In celebration of Cadence,” the note said. I put the dress on and was floored at how I looked. At 15, in the peak of puberty, I had mostly hidden behind baggy clothes and oversized shirts. But this dress hugged my figure in a way that made me look 10 years older. It had an off the shoulder cut, and a thigh up slit up the right side of the dress.

Accompanying the dress was a beautiful emerald necklace. So delicate, but quite the statement piece. A singular gemstone, princess cut, hanging from golden chain. It nestled in to the hollow of my collarbone, looking like it had always belonged there.

I finished my hair and makeup and could not believe how much older I looked. I had gone for a simple design with my hair. Loose curls, with golden gemstones attached to individual strands, to match my dress. My hair shimmered and glittered like there were little tiny stars nestled in there.

For my makeup, I went with a really simple brown smoky eye with cat eye eyeliner. I wore a nude lipstick and minimal blush, bronzer, and highlighter. I chose to wear nude strappy heels with the dress. After that, I was ready. Outside of the nerves. I had never looked like this before and I was nervous for anyone else to see me. Especially Cadence. I hated to admit it, but I had a little bit of a crush on him.

It was hard not to have one on him, really. He was good looking, smart, kind, and from what I overheard, funny. Other than the whole ignoring me bit, I really couldn’t find a flaw in him.

I stepped outside my door, thinking of Cadence and didn’t notice when I walked right into someone. I started to topple over, thanks to the heels I put on, and I feel someone’s strong arms around me.

“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry,” I say, horrified at my blunder.

“No, you’re okay! It was my fault….” Cadence responds, trailing off when he realizes exactly who he is holding in his hands. “Oh. Saige. Wow. You look. Wow.”