The Moon Ceremony
1313 Words
The door slammed open.
Arnos strode in with a smug smirk, arms crossed like he owned the place.
“Not bad for a human.”
I turned slowly to face him. His cocky expression faltered—just for a second. He flinched. His eyes widened in something like awe. His mouth parted, caught off guard.
“Sir Arnos?”
He blinked, then scoffed. “Oh—whatever. Let’s get this over with.”
Before I could respond, Arnos grabbed my wrist and started dragging me toward the door. But Trina stepped in front of him, eyes sharp as daggers.
“What do you think you’re doing, Lord Arnos?”
He sneered. “Get out of the way, peasant.”
“You can’t just take Lady Serena. She isn’t your mate.”
His grip loosened instantly. My wrist slipped free as he stepped back.
“What’s the rush anyway, milord?” Trina challenged. “Your brother hasn’t signaled anything.”
“The Gammas are waiting.” Arnos ran a hand through his hair in agitation. “We shouldn’t keep them.”
The girls exchanged worried glances. “But Lord Kieran told us not to—”
“Did your brother really ask you to bring me now?” I cut in, watching Arnos closely.
He looked away for a moment—then nodded. “He wants to speak with you before the ceremony. Don’t worry. You’ll be kept out of sight.”
I looked to the girls for a sign. They hesitated, but finally sighed.
“Very well,” Trina said. “Please lead the way, Lord Arnos.”
We walked through the long, echoing corridors. I still didn’t understand what this “ceremony” was. But a knot was forming in my stomach. Deep down, I knew—once it began, nothing would ever be the same.
My pulse quickened. Even with Dana’s kind reassurances, the dread clawed deeper.
“Please calm down, Lady Serena,” Dana said gently. “We’re watching over you. We’ll protect you at all costs. Try to enjoy it, as much as you can. Lord Kieran will be there.”
I nodded faintly, offering a smile I didn’t feel.
Arnos led us to an open pavilion. Just beyond it, the main venue buzzed with the presence of Weres gathered around banquet tables, laughing and drinking like it was a human wedding.
It was surreal.
“Brother,” Arnos called.
And there he was—Kieran Duskbane.
My breath hitched.
He stood tall, hands in his pockets, wearing a black tuxedo that fit him like it was crafted by the gods. The gold chain across his chest gave him a regal, almost divine presence. His snow-white hair glinted under the moonlight, a sharp contrast to his bronzed skin.
He looked… impossibly beautiful.
Our eyes met. My cheeks flared with heat, and I quickly looked away, pretending to fix my dress.
‘Get a grip, Serena. What are you thinking?!’
“I brought her, just as you asked,” Arnos said.
“She’s dressed properly,” Kieran observed, his sharp gaze scanning me from head to toe. “Good.”
He stepped closer. “You understand what’s happening, don’t you?”
I shook my head. “No, milord. I don’t.”
He frowned. “Arnos, didn’t I tell you to explain?”
“We didn’t have time,” Arnos muttered. “Besides, she doesn’t need to know too much. It’s dangerous.”
“That’s very rude of you!” Trina snapped. “She deserves an explanation!”
“Oh? Then why didn’t you tell her?”
“Because you were instructed to!” Trina shot back.
Arnos rolled his eyes again.
Odd. He seemed… tamer now. Different from the reckless brute I remembered.
“Please stop,” I said softly. “Just tell me what I’m supposed to do.”
“Nothing difficult,” Kieran said. “Follow the Gamma’s instructions. Speak only when spoken to. Keep your head down.”
I nodded. “Got it.”
“Stay alert,” he added. “Have you noticed anything unusual?”
“No, milord,” the girls replied.
“Arnos?”
“Well…” Arnos hesitated. “Louis hasn’t been seen all day. He could be hiding. Planning something.”
My blood ran cold.
Kieran sighed, then reached for my hand.
I flinched, startled by the sudden contact. His hand was warm. Strong.
“Stay close,” he whispered. “You know what happens if you don’t.”
I swallowed hard. “I do.”
“Go to your posts,” Kieran told the others.
The girls nodded and disappeared into the crowd. Arnos followed, always two steps behind.
But me? I felt paralyzed. The fear was almost unbearable.
Kieran looked at me. “Are you unwell?”
I shook my head. “No. I just want to get this over with. I’ve already dodged death once.”
“Can your legs carry you down the aisle?”
“I’ll manage.”
“It’ll be brief.”
I forced a smile. “I’ll survive. I have to.”
He nodded, seeming satisfied, and led me into the venue.
‘Just breathe, Serena. You’ll be fine… You’ll survive this.’
All eyes turned to us as we entered.
The crowd murmured. Curious glances. Whispered judgments. Their stares burned into my skin. I kept my gaze low, as instructed, gripping Kieran’s arm tightly.
At the end of the aisle, two thrones waited. One grand. One… meant for a queen.
But that wasn’t me.
I was just pretending.
Just surviving.
Just trying to get back to my family.
Kieran’s grip tightened. A silent warning. Or was it comfort?
An elder stood before us. His face was carved by time. I didn’t dare meet his eyes.
“Act normal,” Kieran whispered.
I nodded, the breeze doing little to cool the heat racing through my body.
The elder raised his hands.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the moon ceremony of Lord Kieran Duskbane.”
Polite applause echoed around us.
“Tonight, we honor the coronation of his new Luna, Lady Serena. After the tragic loss of Lady Anna, the Moon Goddess has chosen again. Let us welcome the new Luna, Lady Serena Duskbane.”
What?
My breath caught.
The Gamma turned to me. “Please face the audience.”
I hesitated—then obeyed. Slowly, I turned, lifting my gaze to meet a sea of amber eyes.
My knees shook.
But then… I felt it.
Kieran’s hand at my waist, pulling me closer.
His warmth stilled the tremors in my soul.
And in the crowd, they were… smiling?
They clapped. Tossed petals. Celebrated.
And it hit me.
Did I just get married?
“And now, seal your bond as pioneers of the Duskbane pack.”
Seal?
Kieran stepped forward. His face drew closer, his breath brushing against my skin. I turned away—but he caught my chin.
His eyes—those haunted, beautiful eyes—held me captive.
“I-Kieran—?”
But then he kissed me.
My world shattered and reformed in a single heartbeat.
My eyes fluttered shut as the crowd’s cheer faded to a whisper behind the thundering of my heart.
I’m sorry, Papa. I got married without you.
He pulled away, expression unreadable.
“Congratulations,” the Gamma announced. “Let the feast begin!”
I stood frozen, heart still racing.
Kieran adjusted his cuffs and undid a button like nothing happened.
“You’re not eating?”
“I—I’m not hungry.”
“It’s a good sign. Nothing happened.”
“Right…” I glanced around.
Did I… survive?
“Looks like the danger’s passed. For now,” he said.
I nodded.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling. The dizziness. The truth.
Nothing had sunk in yet.
I needed time. I needed space.
I needed… to breathe.
- Writer
