THE UNTAMED LUNA

THE NIGHT GATHERING 2

"Alpha Marvin, May I speak with you?"

The Alpha turned to her, “Yes, sister.”

"The moon will be full tonight. It is auspicious. We can wait until midnight"

Another voice shouted from the back, “The Luna's birthday is tomorrow!”

“Marked!”

“MARKED!”

The chant rose, echoing off the walls.

My chest tightened as the weight of their expectations pressed in. Their excitement wasn’t cruel, it was reverent. They longed to witness the bond of their Alpha and Luna.

Marvin raised his hand, and the silence fell.

“I thank you all, and I am deeply honored by your acceptance of my mate.” he said firmly.

Then his thumb brushed , soothing circles over my knuckles.

“Within this week, she will be trained. I ask some of you to aid in that process. Tomorrow, she will undergo her change. You are all invited to witness her transformation... it will be a day of celebration.”

That moment was paused after what he said.

“As for the marking, I have already sought permission from her parents. It may happen anytime or sooner.. privately.” Alpha Marvin continued.

Applause followed, but a male elder stepped forward.

“Why wait? The moon tonight is perfect.” someone from the crowd shouted.

Marvin’s gaze hardened.

“She lived her entire life, unfamiliar with our customs. Honor her by giving her more time. Her world is changing drastically. I will not rush what is sacred he said.

Everyone glances at each other, but then no one argued.

Then he went on, his tone easing slightly. “We are still determining the date of our union ceremony. Circumstances are… complicated.”

A few surprised expressions surfaced.

“Abby Jezz is currently one of my students, if human law becomes an obstacle, I will address it.” he added.

A ripple of discontent stirred, but Marvin lifted his chin.

“Our destiny will not be denied,” he said with quiet certainty. “Only postponed.”

Laughter and cheers broke the tension.

An elder woman nodded approvingly. “She is young. There will be challenges. But destiny always tests what it values.”

“We will protect our pack, no force will bring us down, especially humans" another elder vowed.

Marvin squeezed my hand after that words.

“Welcome to our pack, Luna.”

“Thank you,” I said, my emotion was like a thick food that stuck in my throat.

As the few guests are leaving, Marvin leaned close.

“It’s been a long time since our pack welcomed a young female shifter. They see hope in you.” he said softly.

I looked around the now-quiet room. And for the first time, I didn’t feel like an outsider, I felt chosen.

When everyone is gone, we settle down on the couch.

I was so nervous. But they really made me feel welcome. I'm glad we did this. Mom looks at me and takes my hand. I give her a warm smile.

"Sweet heart, you did a wonderful job tonight with all the attention" Dad tells me

"Thanks Dad".

"Everyone loved you, Jezz, just like we do." Jolina says.

"Thank you, Luna"

"Well, it's getting late we should probably head home." Mom suggests.

"Can I please stay one more night? I'm already exhausted. I don't know if I can handle the separation very well right now." Tagi asks sincerely

My parents look at one another, and then Dad nods his head.

"Supposedly, one more night won't hurt. You two need a rest for school tomorrow,"

Dad kisses me on the cheek, and Marvin hugs him with relief.

"Ah- Mom, if I may ask for approval first if Tagi can also stay here sometimes on a weekend. Am I right, Jezz?" Jade asks.

"Of course she can stay here anytime she wants," Jolina said.

"You know guys, Tagi and Jezz are like twin-sisters, you cannot separate them for a long time. Also, I'm OK with that, so that Tagi won't be alone in our home during the weekend" Mom said.

Then the Luna helped to send my parents out, they talked normally on their walked going outside of the house. So the rest of us chatted for a while.

"Princess, you can stay in my room. I can sleep here in the couch!" Jade said jokingly to Tagi.

"Oh really Bro.. If you sleep here our cats can't sleep properly because you snore loudly." Joel said.

"Our cats, like my loudest snoring, it's like a music to their ears." Jade responded.

The two of them just couldn't resist any longer. They both grabbed a pillow, and playfully whacked each other in the face!

While the three of us chatted for just a little bit longer about the people we'd met tonight. I was clearly tired and wanted to go to sleep in a soft bed.

Unexpectedly, Alpha Marvin picked me up off the couch and carried me upstairs to my room. He giggles and puts my face into his neck, taking in my scent. He tries to stifle a contented growl. He sat me down on my bed and kneeled in front of me.

"I can't wait for the approval of your parents. And I want to mark you as long as possible"

"You haven't told me much about that part yet. I'm curious." I said.

"Soon love. You will know. It's time for you to rest." He reminds me.

I felt an irritated groan from inside of me.

"No Marvin, I can't wait anymore, I want to know what is it all about. Could you do it for me as a favor?"

He lowered his head, as if listening to something that is waiting to say.

Then I said, "Mark me now!"

"Jezz, I have promised to your parents that It will happen tomorrow." he declined.

"No. I badly want it today."

"Okay, wait me here." Marvin said and left me in my room.

While I'm alone, I ran to go for a little shower I want to clean and prepare myself for whatever, he can do tonight. Then I got out with a piece of towel, covered my half body, confusingly I turned to the window, watching again the moonlight. My hair is not dry yet, droplets of water fall to my skin.

What's the meaning of this?- asking myself as I saw two falling star. One falls to the north and another one falls near the wild forest, here in front of me. The one star gone in there. If someone had seen it, I promised that starting tomorrow I will find that falling star.

While I'm still confused about what I saw. Alpha Marvin came back.

"What took you so long..?"

"Ah- Mom called me and we talked shortly before I came back here." He said. But I can sense that there is something bothering him.

"Are you Okay?" I asked again.

"Yes. Now that I'm back, I really want to make your wishes come true! You mentioned that you were eager for my "mark", so go ahead and drink this" he said.

"What is this?" I asked, holding a small glass with water?

"It will help you to calm down, after the mark. My blood together with my strength will be shared with you. The changes of you will follow.. now are you ready?"

I gulp down the water in one go, and to my surprise, it tastes really spicy and bitter!

"Are you crazy? you give me this kind of drink!" I almost shouted in his face. But suddenly, he releases a very.... long- growl.

I knew it! his powerful strength comes from the moon, the spark of the light makes him a more terrible-like human monster.

His eyes widened and changed color from white to red then he dragged me close to him.

"My "marked" is for eternity. Even in my death, you will be haunted by my love." Marvin says those words without a blink on his eyes.

I looked at the wall behind him, the time of the clock was already 1:45 AM.

As I gathered myself, he showered me with passionate kisses, his warm tongue dancing with mine, leaving me utterly breathless. The heat surged through me, igniting every caress. Then, without warning, he pulled me down and playfully nipped, at my neck.

I feel the transitions of his blood to mine and his powerful strength. My bones seemed to be cracked.

My mind blew like bouncing from the earth up to the moon, then dribbled to the stars.

Instantly, I took a deep breath, I could feel a significant shift in how I was breathing. My heart started to race at a high level that I had never felt before. It was as if a powerful force had come to life inside me, stirring restlessly deep within my soul.

Then, there is the loudest growl inside of me. My wolf awakened.

"Marvin, stop!" I said.

Only I heard him growling.

"Hey enough! You were hurting me!"