The Noble Heiress & Her Ancient Foe

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

*Third POV*

Alina was so excited that her big day was finally here. Looking back on everything, she couldn’t believe that the chaos that started at her birthday ball resulted in this Luna Ceremony. She would be lying if she said she was totally okay with the current circumstances. No one from her birth pack would be here to celebrate this milestone with her. Not even her beloved parents. Just thinking about them made her teary-eyed. “Luna, are you alright,” Mira inquired as she placed a gentle hand on Alina’s shoulder. Currently, Alina was sitting down on a vanity stool in front of her vanity in a gold silk robe. Mira was helping her with her hair. Alina gave her a small smile and nodded, as she placed her hand on Mira’s, “Yes, thank you.” Mira resumed curling Alina’s hair, and teased the crown area of her hair, before clipping it to give it a volumized lift, leading to an elegant half-up, half-down hairstyle. Mira began placing a few stems of baby’s breath in her hair as well. She finished up the hairdo and then turned Alina around so she could begin her makeup. Mira frowned at Alina a bit when she saw the unshed tears brimming in her eyes again. They looked sad and distant. “Luna, for the short time you’ve been here, I have become quite close to you,” Mira began as she started applying primer to Alina’s clean skin. “And, I view you as a very close friend, Mira,” Alina replied with an encouraging smile. “Well, as your friend, I would like to tell you that I can understand how you feel,” Mira sighed before she pulled up a chair, and sat down to talk with Alina. 

Irsa was actually named Mira. She had a troubled past, and that made her have to hide her real name. Only a trusted few knew her real name. Now, Alina was included in that few. “A few years ago, my pack was attacked by rogues who had wanted to conquer our pack,” she smiled a bit before she continued. “Silver Lake was a small pack, with only 400 pack members. The leader of the rogues thought that it would be an easy coup, and they were right.” She had a pained expression now, and Alina reached forward and took Mira’s hands in hers. Mira gave Alina a small smile, and continued, “My father was the Gamma of the pack,” Alina looked a bit shocked, the whole time she thought Mira was an ordinary Omega, “Mira if you’re a Gamma by blood, why didn’t Armaan treat you better, I will talk to him about this -” “No,” Mira began, “Alpha Armaan has been very kind to me. He is the one who saved me actually. When the Alpha and virtually all other warriors were wiped out by the attack, the Luna of our pack sent out an urgent message to Alpha Armaan for help. We had heard of his kindness and bravery. He was building his pack up by helping those in need. He arrived a few hours later and killed every last rogue. But, it was too late. The Alpha and Luna, and warriors were dead or gravely injured. Only a handful of women and children were alive.” Mira paused for a moment, to recollect herself. She had never been comfortable enough to share this much about her life with someone before. “Alpha Armaan brought us here, provided us with respect, care, shelter, and protection. He often asked me to take a job more suited for my abilities. Before he rescued us, I was a strong fighter, but I chose to be a nurse. He had just found Amir in the forest around that time, and I would feel better when I helped Aunt Rina take care of him.” Both women smiled as they remembered the handsome little baby. “I told Alpha Armaan that I felt safer to be near the baby, and in the packhouse, so that’s why even though I’m not exactly a maid, I often help around the packhouse.” Alina placed a comforting hand on Mira’s cheek, “You’re a strong and kind young woman, I pray that only happiness enters your life from here on out.” Mira smiled gratefully, “Thank you, Luna.” “Now, I told you my story because I want you to know that I understand what separation from your clan, your people, and your loved ones can be like,” Mira said as she comforted Alina. “I know that you are feeling sad because they aren’t with you today, but don’t worry, in due time there may be a possibility for a reconciliation between your birth pack and fated pack.” Alina smiled at Mira and gave her a hug. Mira had no idea how much better she made Alina feel. 

…

“Now,” Mira began as she held up the gown, “it’s time for you to put this on.” Alina and Mira were both excited. The makeup and hair were classic and beautiful. Now, it was time to see how the gown tied everything together. After Alina put it on, she looked into the standup mirror admiring herself. The gown was gorgeous. It was an A-line V-neck Sweep Train Satin Evening Dress with Beading Sequins and its Royal Blue color complemented Alina’s complexion well. The silver smokey eye look and nude lip gave her a striking look as well. Mira quickly placed a stunning diamond necklace on Alina’s neck, and the whole look came together. “You look amazing!” Mira complemented Alina. Alina giggled and pulled Mira in for a hug, Mira was dressed in a Black Trumpet/Mermaid Off-the-Shoulder Sweep Train Chiffon Lace Evening Dress that had beaded sequins in the top half of the dress. It was a simple yet beautiful dress. She had her hair swept up in an elegant bun, with a few strands of hair framing her face. She had light eye makeup, but a bold red lip. She wore stud diamond earrings to give a bit of glam. “Thank you for helping me, Mira,” Alina said, “you look stunning as well, you never know maybe you meet your mate here,” Alina teased Mira, as her cheeks heated up in a light blush.

…

The ceremony had just begun, and Armaan was more stressed and torn than he had ever been. He hadn’t felt like this when his mentor betrayed him by attacking his pack and killing his family. Could it be that the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree? The sound of trumpets pulled Armaan from his thoughts. He looked down the hall to see his beautiful bride and mate making it down the hall towards him. How could he believe that his fated mate could betray his trust? He wouldn’t doubt her until she proved him wrong. If she was going to stab him in the back while he leaned in to mark her even, he would let her. He would take a chance on his love, and gamble everything. He would have immense faith until she broke it. Alina reached the stage, Armaan walked over and offered his hand to guide her up the stairs. She practically glowed from head to toe, she gave him a bright smile, and Armaan couldn’t help but return it. This woman-owned him, and he would give up everything, lay his life at her feet if she asked for it. Armaan pulled  Alina into his chest and gave her a soft kiss on her cheek, before leaning near her ear to whisper to her, “You look so beautiful, Habibi,” Alina blushed at the compliment. Armaan guided her towards the center of the stage where an elder awaited them. 

The elder’s voice broke through the chatter, and everyone quietly paid attention to the ceremony. “We are here today to invoke the blessing of the gods to unite Armaan Malik of the Dark Moon pack, and Alina Akkad of the Gold Crescent pack in love, leadership, and commitment.” The elder handed Alina a gold candle to represent Nuha, the Arabian sun goddess and handed Armaan a silver candle to represent Ruda, the Arabian moon god. The elder cleared his throat and continued, “by lighting these candles, the Alpha and his Luna will be invoking the power of the divine masculine and the divine feminine to rise within them and help them unite in faith and love with one another. Armaan held Alina’s hand and guided her to the altar that was set up in the middle of the stage. There was a white pillar candle already prelit, and white roses and other gold relics were set up already. Only two candle holders, one gold, and one silver were empty. The elder explained the ceremony, as Armaan and Alina completed it. “By lighting their candles from the divine source, the Alpha and Luna are invoking the powers of the divine masculine and feminine. The Luna will be the first to light her candle, as it is the feminine that is needed first to be able to accept the masculine and foster creation. The Luna will light her candle and place it on the silver holder to represent the Divine Feminine accepting her role in the Divine Masculine’s physical life. The Alpha will now light his candle and place it on the gold candle holder to represent the Divine Masculine accepting his role in the Divine Feminine’s physical life.” Next, the elder walked over to them and handed Armaan a brass dagger, and a matching brass bowl. Armaan cut his palm, then cut Alina’s palm, they then placed them together and let their blood mix together and drop into the bowl, smoke rose from the bowl, and the wind kicked up. All who were there, even the Elder was forced on their knees as the union came together. The Heir and Heiress of two of the most powerful and ancient packs accepted their union and the impact of a powerful bond came to this effect. 

Soon, everyone rose from the ground and Alpha Malik and Luna Alina walked to the front to address their pack. The Alpha went first, “Thank you all for being here to witness this important event in my life, as well as the pack’s history. I declare in front of all of you that I will protect, cherish, trust, and love Alina Akkad, my mate, my bride, and my Luna for as long as I may live and, hereafter.”  Alina was next, “I want to thank all of you for being here to support our union, and for accepting me as your Luna.” Cheers and applause as well as Ululation (high-pitched tongue trill) sounded in the hall. Alina couldn’t help but smile at the adoration. She waited till they quieted down to continue, “I also swear to you all, and my mate, husband, and Alpha, Armaan Malik, taking the gods as my witness,” everyone froze as she said that, taking the gods as a witness meant death if you broke the oath. “That I will protect, love, trust, nurture, and cherish this pack, and my mate and husband: Alpha Armaan Malik, for as long as I live, and hereafter.” Everyone was stunned, but the applause and cheers, and ululation started back up as soon as Alina completed her vow. Armaan was probably the most stunned in the room. This couldn’t be the words of a woman who sought to betray him and destroy his pack. Armaan took Alina’s hand and placed a kiss on it, he couldn’t help but admire her even more. The Elder interrupted their moment to quietly tell them a change was made to the ceremony, “I apologize, Alpha Malik, that the marking ritual was skipped.” Armaan was shocked, he didn’t even realize that had happened. “Luna asked for that part to be kept private between you both, so it was skipped.” This shocked Armaan even more. He nodded at the Elder, and both Alina and Armaan made their way to join the pack in the celebrations. Jeffrey said a huge part of Alina’s supposed pack was that she wanted to wait till she was marked to betray him. So this proved Jeffrey’s accusations to already be shadier than they were before. Armaan was convinced now that he made the right decision to trust his mate.