The Fallen Luna’s Gambit

The First Move and Acceptance

“Aradia, you’re going to be the belle of the ball! You look so pretty!” Lena complimented, perched on a pillow.

“I can’t wait to meet my mate so I can be pretty like you!” Ali wistfully chimed, looking out the window as dawn’s early rays broke through the darkness.

Sibling sibilations, the buzzing hum of the sewing machine, the hiss of the steamer, and the slight scorch of hair filled the bridal room. Aradia, lost in her thoughts, watched her siblings bounce on the bed, still in their robes. The seamstress made last-minute amendments to the bridal party’s dresses. The makeup artist was expertly air-brushing budge-proof face paint on Rodi and Tina, seated on swivel seats in front of a huge vanity.

“With all this fuss, it feels like we are going to war! I was picturing a simple gathering, not this big baronial banquet,” exclaimed Luna Aikaterina, squinting her eyes as her face was sprayed with stay-on-forever makeup.

“Oh, Luna Kati, just enjoy it! It’s not like we do this every day. Do you think they would have a Korean bath here, Arrie?” Rodi asked.

“Rodi, you saw the in-house spa yesterday. It’s fully equipped! But I still like the Korean Spas we go to at home,” Tina replied.

“Arrie, you think you’ll be ready for your wedding night? Since you want five kids, you should have gotten the day you met your mate! I am surprised he didn’t mark you at first sight!” Rodi interjected with a wink.

“Well, I will be happy with whatever the Goddess blesses us. One or two dozen, as long as they are healthy! You’ve seen my mate! I’m sure I will have my hands full from day one! I won’t pretend I am ready for the wedding night. I wouldn’t know what to do. The nuns were so strict at school. At home, we were not allowed to go out. You know what Pappus and Yiayias are like. Try sneaking past them. It is like they don’t sleep!” I exclaimed, reminiscing my Lycée Saint D days in Greece with my grandparents.

“Do you think your Pappu approves of your mate? I mean, he did not like anyone. I heard he gave your Papa a hard time,” gossiped Rodi.

“I know your Yiayia would flip if she saw how much was spent on the decorations alone! She did not like all the fasaria for something as natural as mating! She would say, “All you need is good food, your family, the moonlight, and Selene's blessing. Then in three moons, the babies arrive,” Momma recounted, waving her hands and mimicking Yiayia’s accent.

“Yiaya would say something like that. I think I may take after her. All I want is to be a good Luna to this new pack, support my Alpha, and have a few pups. I have a simple dreams-a roof over my head, food in my belly, and safety for my family. That’s all.” I continued, still dreaming of my home, interrupted by a soft rapping at the door.

“Aradia, it’s time to join the others downstairs, dear,” came Luna Zoë’s sing-song voice outside my door, signaling everyone to do mirror checks and gather all the wedding paraphernalia.

“Arrie, if you want to escape, you just lost your chance! Seriously, though, are you ready for this? I can start my Tesla, and we can return home!” Tina teased.

“Come on, honey! No time like the present! help me, Goddess, I will drag your beautified butt through this door!” Momma chimed in as she rose from her seat and did final checks on her appearance in the mirror.

Reluctantly, I got up from my chair and followed Momma’s lead. I examined my visage in the ornate full-length mirror by the door one last time ticking off my mental checklist one by one.

“Hair coiffed and stiff. Check, not a hair out of place! “Makeup caked on and bullet-proof--check, and Goddess only knows what will take it off. Royal tiara, necklace, earrings, bracelet- check, everything fastened securely. The brash ornate gown crafted by Dragon Moon’s weavers to withstand our shifts was uncomfortably hugging every curve of my athletic frame. Check without a wrinkle in sight!” I muttered to myself as I stretched my hand, marveling at my gaudy engagement ring.

“Ah, an engagement ring so gaudy to blind everyone, including the Moon Goddess, check!...

“Who are you kidding, Arrie? You were gushing when he slipped that ring on your finger! Are we all ready?” Momma hushed us as she opened the door.

Oh, Hello, Luna Zoë!” Momma and I greeted Luna Zoë in unison.

I could smell my mate from down the hall. When I opened the door, his delicious crisp minty blue spruce, cedar wood, and juniper berries intermingled with the scent of his arousal permeating through the hallway.

“Aren’t you picture perfect! Come on, now, my dear!” A splendid Luna Zoë greeted me with a tear in her eye. She stood perfectly primped with her blonde hair neatly atop her head in a low beehive highlighted by the carved onyx comb gilded with platinum filigree bejeweled by faceted garnets and black diamonds. She wore a floor-length bateau neckline, dark gray satin overlaid with deep red Belgian lace highlighted by the Umbra Pack crest that hung on platinum, and a black diamond necklace around the neck. Her face was meticulously covered with luxury brand makeup, covering any wrinkle that may appear. She quizzically eyed my stiff hair to my bare but well-pedicured feet as though she expected me to be a wreck.

On the other hand, Momma had her dark chocolate tresses done up in a crown braid with her family’s tiara on her forehead. Her dignified dress with a mandarin-collared gold duchess silk under iridescent French lace. Her torso was covered by the body-hugging bodice gradually flowing into iridescent gold silk organza floor-length skirt. Momma loved her shimmering gold black South-Sea pearl choker bearing the Dragon Moon insignia. Her minimal makeup was enough to highlight her high cheekbones, cupid’s bow lips, and heart-shaped medium olive-toned face.

As I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with my mate’s scent, I felt giddy and nervous as I hadn’t seen my mate in the past twenty-four hours y mate and I will finally consummate our bond in every way o more extended foreplay, No more excuses, No more pain, Not tonight!

While my wolf dawdled in lewd ideas, I took my place between Luna Zoë and my Mother, each of whom took an arm e glided down the corridor to the stairs leading to the grand ballroom s we neared t top of the steps. I could see that the ballroom below was filled by dignitaries from the surrounding packs-Alphas, their respective Lunas if mated, their soon-to-be Alpha sons, and their Betas.

Out of nowhere, my body felt like being ripped apart limb from limb, my navel cramped like a vise, and my chest tightened, making breathing challenging while trying to steady my gait. I stopped before I reached the landing and reached for the handrail, the pain progressed, making me convulse, and cold sweat erupted throughout my whole body. Determined to keep my composure, I shot the Luna and my Mom a pleading glance.

“Ah, I don’t think I can co-continue lease go ahead. Ah, I will splash some cold water to my face ah-and ah- I will be right down,” I said, struggling not to stutter and scream through the pain.

“Oh, come on! Don’t be such a drama queen, Sweetheart. You’re about to become Luna to the Long Island’s strongest pack. You can surely take a little bit of pain. Take a few cleansing breaths, and let’s get this show on the road!” Mother encouraged through gritted teeth while Luna Zoë left to meet her mate, Alpha Zechariah.

Like the dutiful daughter that I have always been, I fought to regain my composure, stood tall, and ignored the pain ravaging my body and the whines of my suffering wolf, Lyka. As I descended the staircase, the guests from the main hall began to exit to the gardens where the ceremony was to take place.

The closer I got to the opened doors leading to the center garden, the lingering pain decreased intensity. I managed to maintain my stride as I saw my mate waiting for me at the pergola along with his parents by his left side. To his right was the Elders-Elder Kostantino from my pack, the Dragon Moon, High Royal Elder Asher from the Royal Lycan Clan, and Elder Xanthos of the Umbra Pack. My mate handsomely undulated to the evening breeze with his sandy blonde waves. His steel-blue eyes flickered in the moonlight. The black penguin suit, blood-red cummerbund, matching bow, and silver-gray shirt highlighted his sinewy, seven-foot-two stature s slightly flushed cheeks. His luscious lips appearing plumper than usual, especially caught my eye.

Clutching Papa’s arm kept my stride steady, and my direction focused. I could feel my heart banging against my chest and the sound of blood rushing through my veins with a quickened swoosh in my ear. Aware of my reaction, Papa reassuringly tapped the top of my now-white knuckles.

“I will be over soon, sweetie,” he calmly said as tears were building in the corner of his eyes.

“Is it too late for you to carry me so we can make a run for it?” he joked to lighten the mood wishing he didn’t notice anything else.

“Sure, let’s go! I bet I will beat you to the door!” he chuckled under his breath while tears trailed down his cheek. I reached up to wipe them away, cupped his giant face in my hand, and looked deep into Papa’s golden eyes.

“Papa, I will always be your little girl. I love you cooed, hugging his arm closer to me. He has always been my rock. Like most lupine Alphas, his seven-foot bulky stature exuded intimidating strength to his adversaries but remained gentle and steadfast for my Momma and my siblings. Sudden pangs of loneliness hit me as I continued to lean my head against his shoulder as we walked down the aisle.

The guests were divided between his on the right and mine on the left. His side was overcrowded, while mine was just enough to fit all the assigned seats. Most of the seats were occupied by family and close friends, with the first row designated for the Royal Family behind them immediate family. Invited dignitaries took the third row, then everyone else behind them.

The King sat on the right aisle, while the Queen on the left gallery. I was surprised to see Momma seated to the right, left of the Queen on the front row on my side, seemingly chummy as they comfortably chatted in their seats. Papa was to the right of the King on Zygmund’s side of the aisle, quite distinguished in their respective attires.

Papa took my hand and placed it under Alpha Zygmund’s left hand as he reached to shake his right, releasing me to the care of Alpha Zygmund.

“Take good care of my little girl, or else…” he firmly said with a low growl as he pulled Zygmund closer, gripping Zygmund’s right hand so tight, face contorted into a grimace.

“Thank you for entrusting me with your daughter’s promise to take care of her well,” Zygmund replied in monotone as he pulled away from Papa.

I secretly giggled through my grin as sparks and tingles shot up through my body soon as my hand touched Zygmund’s. My once whining wolf is now purring and excited to claim my mate in front of me all the guests. Wanton desires of a she-wolf in estrus threaten to overrule my conservative Orthodox upbringing as my eyes oscillate between its hazel green to black.

Struggling to keep my eyes downcast to escape the scrutiny of every guest in attendance, I looked up to meet my mate’s gaze as we exchanged our vows. I placed our rings on each other’s fingers world became abuzz as I lifted the platinum chalice with Zygmund’s blood and drank its content. With the light of the full moon high in the sky, dizzying voices flood my mind en-masse as my bond with my new pack consolidates, severing all connections to my old pack and family.

“Your Royal Highnesses, distinguished honored guests, ladies, and gentlemen, members of the Umbra Pack, I present your Luna Aradia,” Elder Asher declares with a slight bow to the loud applause, howls, and hoots of all the guests present.

“Oh, and Alpha Zygmund, you may kiss your bride,” High Royal Elder Asher continued with a chuckle.

I looked up to my husband; my Alpha tiptoed with my eyes closed to meet his hastened kis placed his hand in the small of my neck, quickly turning us to face the excited crowd, already slowly moving towards the main ballroom indoors for the merriment of the reception.

Luna Zoë kept mum about the details of the mating ceremony reception, even from Momma. However, it was apparent by the ostentatious decor that proved the extravagance of the evening. The crystal chandelier, the decoration, the table setting, the cutlery, the china, and the stemware were all etched and embossed; even the table napkins embroidered with the Umbra Pack’s crest delivered a garish statement about the group’s coffers. The Umbra Pack’s colors-dark silver-gray, blood red, and gold gilded the halls. The main table where we, newly mated Alpha and Luna, were to sit with our parents and the Royal family had Umbra Pack flags hanging from the ceiling.

At each setting at the main table, except for myself and Alpha Zygmund, were dark gray boxes tied by deep red satin ribbons with neat bows sealed by platinum-infused wax bearing the Umbra Pack’s crest of the guest tables had smaller versions of the packages.

The multi-tiered cake was set on a low table as it towered a foot above the tallest guests.

The meal arrived at our tables in courses, starting at the main table by omegas impeccably dressed in dull gray suits and pants or skirts, stiff-collared cream shirts, bright red bow ties, and white cotton gloves. The omega males’ hair was sleeked back with a left side part. Similarly, the omega females’ hair was pulled back into a tight bun, with the signature left side part.

The Royal Family and their entourage received service first, followed by the current Alpha, the previous Alpha, and Luna. The new Luna, her old Alpha, her Luna, and her immediate family are in attendance. Silence befalls the reception hall with bated breath, waiting for the Royal Family and their entourage to have taken their first bites, then the order of succession ensues, with the guests eating last.

As the omegas cleared the second main dish, I was in awe of my new pack, closely observing the grandeur of the event unfolding before me. However, the sight and sounds from the room and the company at the table left me choked up and overwhelmed with a bit of dread and doubt.

“Are you OK, Luna Aradia?” Papa inquired, interrupting my inner monologue.

“I am just amazed by everything, Papa. I don’t remember having events at this scale back home. Do you think I can handle something like this?” I anxiously whispered to him.

“Don’t worry, my dear. You will be fine. Besides, I will be here to help you, and we have staff to assist us. It would be best if you only were looking forward to tonight and focusing your strength on giving us grandbabies!” she countered, failing to soothe my apprehension.

That’s right! Hopefully, in four moons, we will have another grand event celebrating a new addition to this ever-growing pack,” Alpha Zechariah added, only to be interrupted by the Master of Ceremonies.

“Your Royal Highnesses, distinguished honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, members of Umbra Moon Pack, and visiting allies, I give you Zygmund’s best man-Beta Marcus, with a few words for the happy couple!” announced the emcee.

“Thank you, Your Royal Highnesses, distinguished honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, fellow pack members, and visiting allies; let me tell you about my Alpha Zyggie and how he met our Luna Aradia. I was there. Honestly, it was here Luna Aradia visited us with her parents, Alpha Athanasios and Luna Aikaterina, two years ago during Zyggie’s installation Alpha. She was too young, then, but, as we all know, she already captivated Zyggie’s eyes, who is now enraptured by her beauty. Their courtship was long, filled with “reconnaissance sessions to her pack lands, and her school, to catch a glimpse of her beauty. You should have seen how often she sent him away, leaving him frustrated if you know what I mean! I am sure everyone here shared my relief when Luna Aradia accepted our ever-so-popular Alpha Zyggie. So, let us raise our glasses and wish our Alpha Zyggie and Luna Arrie… err Aradia, best wishes, and may they bless us with many pups to come!” Beta Marcus concluded his speech to a roaring crowd.

“Allow me to apologize to all the unmated ladies. Sorry ladies, he is officially off the market. I’m available should you need my services… until, of course, I find my mate! Beta Marcus interjected, eliciting hoots and howls from the pack warriors throwing their fists in the air.

“Thank you, Beta Marcus. Let us call to the floor our Alpha Zygmund and his lovely Luna Aradia for their first dance as husband and wife,” announced the emcee.

I jerked as my chair was ceremoniously pulled by one of the omegas on staff. Towering above me, Alpha Zygmund lowered his head, offering his hand, then quickly grabbed mine as I reached out for him.

“Let’s get this over with!” he whispered through his gritted teeth with a growl, then guided me to the dance floor.

“Aren’t you excited to get your arms around your lovely Luna,” Alpha Zechariah commented with a raised eyebrow shooting darts of disapproval at his son?

“You will have plenty of time for rough-housing later when you work on making my grand pups!” the old Alpha continued, then reverted his gaze towards his Luna.

“Oh, to be young. Don’t you remember how it used to be, Zoë?” Alpha Zechariah gushed as he leaned and passionately kissed his Luna.

“I remember all too well, Zechariah!, she responded, placing her hands on his chest to control the distance between them as she politely received his kiss.

Upon reaching the dance floor, Zygmund placed his hand on my waist, holding my hand on the other He led me as we danced through Louis Armstrong’s “What a wonderful world.” When Jackie DeShannon’s “What the world needs now” played, all Royal mated couples joined us on the floor.

“Hello, my Alpha Zyggie!” I said with a giggle as I looked up into my husband’s steely-blue eyes.

“Address me as Alpha Zygmund. You are to call me only by that name!” he whispers with a low growl.

“Why can’t I call you Zyggie? Beta Marcus calls you Zyggie. I think it’s cute,” I replied with a sigh.

He leaned into me and pulled me closer to him, his scent enveloping me. My wolf purred at the electric energy passing through us, heating my core—the feeling of his hardness against my body after being apart pooled warm dampness between my thighs.

“Address me any other way, and you will be punished!” I whispered while the heat of his breath against my ear further heightened my arousal, almost missing a step.

“May I have this dance,” a familiar baritone voice said behind me. I turned around with my flushed cheeks and Papa’s arms.

“Your Royal Highnesses, distinguished honored guest, allies, ladies and gentlemen, members of the packs, presenting the father-daughter dance,” declared the emcee as Dolly Parton’s My Father’s Daughter played.

I leaned on my Papa’s shoulder, reveling in the warmth of his embrace; I couldn’t help the tears welling up in my eyes as we danced. He rocked side to side, reminiscent of when we would dance with my feet on his.

“Sweetie, you can still put your feet on mine if you want,” he said with the tenderness that made the tears stream down my cheek.

“Can’t I go back home with you? I can stay here without you and Momma,” I pleaded as we swayed to the music.

“This is for the best, my sweet child. They are strong enough to keep you safe-to, to keep our pack safe,” he said with a hint of trepidation in his cracking voice.

Midway through the song, a sudden searing pain broke through the tranquility of my Papa’s embrace. My body began to convulse, jerking forward and nearly toppling over Papa. I held my breath and tightened my arms around Papa’s waist. My abdomen pulled like a vise grip, and the searing pain ensued in waves weakening my knees.

“Sweetie, are you alright?” Papa quizzically asked as he tried to make sense of what was happening.

I looked up to see a sight I never thought I would see from an Alpha as strong as Papa. His anxious eyes began to fill with more tears while Celine Dione’s rendition of “To dance with my father again” filled the hall, and we continued to dance. He kept his strides to the music as he held me steady and feigned a smile to everyone else.

“Everything will be alright. You are more powerful than anyone knows. Promise me. You won’t, anyone, take away your strength,” he hushed as he smoothed my back to calm me.

“It is different here, and you may face challenges adjusting to their ways,” they quietly whispered in my ear and embraced me so tightly that a gasp escaped me.

“What’s wrong, Papa. Do you know why I am feeling like this? Please, Papa, help me understand why I am being punished like this! This is supposed to be the happiest day of my life!” As a sob threatened to build in my chest, I protested, waiting for the episode to pass.

“Don’t worry, your sweet head, my sweet. Everything will make sense soon! You will…” he said as he tried to soothe my worry.

“We are needed back at the cake table,” Alpha Zygmund interrupted with a growl as he circled his right muscular arms around my waist and pulled me tightly to him, sending intensified shockwaves through my body. His scent of minty blue spruce, sage, and cedar wood mingled with an aroma of arousal and a hint of something else overwhelming me.

Papa released me and turned to find himself in the arms of Momma. As they swayed away to the rest of Celine’s ballad, I gripped Zygmund’s to keep myself from falling from the remnants of the painful episode earlier.

“Royal Highnesses, dignified guests, ladies, and gentlemen, please bring your attention to the cake table for the much-awaited cake cutting,” the emcee announced as Zygmund and I reached the table. I sneered unexpectedly as a familiar treacly odor wafted through my nose, springing from a shade disheveled Omega female who handed Zygmund a plate with a cake knife, her hands languidly lingering on his. Then, she walked back to her post against the wall, quickly raising and lowering her downcast lids that alluded to a slightly prodigious connection to her Alpha.

I shrugged off a paltry sense of foreboding and opened my mouth to receive the piece of cake, only to find my nose covered in frosting to a hall blasted by a roar of laughter.

“Here you go, my Alpha, just for you!” I answered as I shoved a palm-full of cake into his mouth and covered the rest of his face with frosting.

Amid the roaring laughter filling the room, I heard a scuffle of feet behind me as the same omega who handed Zygmund the plate and knife hurriedly approached Zygmund, reaching up to wipe the smeared cake and frosting off my Alpha with her worried eyes staring straight at him.

“I can manage to take care of my Alpha. I appreciate your help…Errr… what’s your name?” I said as I tugged the napkin off her hands to clean the cake from Zygmund’s face.

“Siobhan, ma’am,” she replied, looking down as she quickly retracted her hands.

“It’s nice to meet you, Siobhan. Thank you again. I hope we see each other again soon!” I answered as Zygmund pulled me away for the bouquet and garter toss.

“I don’t know how it was in your pack. In this one, we don’t associate with the help. We have strict rules of engagement,” Zygmund said in a low growl.

“I was being friendly. She seems nice, and she seems to care about you. As Luna, shouldn’t I treat everyone well, especially those who show as much concern as she does?” I answered as I sat down for Zygmund to retrieve the garter on my thigh.

“Aradia, Omegas are seen and not heard. They are here to serve us, not be our friends! As Luna, you will learn soon enough why,” Zygmund scoffed. His breath on my knee sent shivers all over my body. His touch released sweet nectar from my core, threatening to explode as they got higher up my thigh.

“Zygmund, I understand I am new here, and I have a lot to learn, and I promise to do so. I only request your patience as I train to become the Luna that this pack needs and expects from me,” I whispered, my mind muddled with thoughts of being marked and mated, wishing we were alone in our bed got started on our family.

“Bachelors and all unmated males, please gather six feet behind the groom for the garter toss. Remember, as per traditional belief, he who catches the garter will be mated next! Best of luck!” announced the emcee to a hooting crowd.

“Zygmund, do you think we look like them when we get older?” I asked Zygmund as I directed his gaze to the older dignitaries and couples retiring to their prepared guests’ rooms, leaving the younger crowd in the hall.

“Aradia, you should be more concerned about getting pups in you, like them,” Zygmund pointed at the mated couples with their pups, the younger of whom draped on the parents’ shoulders while their free hands held exhausted tweens and teens walking like zombies.

“Is everyone ready? Here it comes!” Zygmund coaxed the crowd of thirty single men, then turned around to toss the garter. Even Gamma Gio and a handful of Dragon Moon warriors joined in. After bouncing around and being thrown a few times by the men in the crowd, with a mind of its own, the garter landed on a bewildered Alpha Janus’s lap, who chose not to stand with the group of single men.

As Alpha Janus rose from his seat, causing everyone to gasp. He stood out as he was the only dignitary to forego the penguin suit. Elegantly dapper, he exuded a Gatsby vibe in his pack colors. A fitted pale lavender shirt accentuates his muscular form under a deep anthracite suit with a deep amethyst waistcoat that matches his bow tie. His gold buttons, cuff links, and pocket watch perfectly accented his outfit, drawing the eyes to the right places on his body.

“Congratulations, Alpha Janus of the Penumbra Pack emcee blared on a loudspeaker as he started to play Beyonce’s “Put a ring on it.”

“Now, gather round all you single ladies. The bouquet toss is about to begin!” he continued as he blasted the music louder.

“Ok, ladies, let’s see who gets mated next!” I yelled over the song’s beats to the crowd of giggling single ladies; among them were my sisters Lena and Ali, and my best friends, Rodi and Tina. To the disgust of many Umbra pack members, I called over the unmated Omegas from Dragon moon were excluded in the merriment.

The bouquet seems to hover and soar for a few seconds, then magnetically attracted to one particular person. The hooting and laughter abruptly stopped when the bouquet landed, smacking the recipient right on the face. It chose Omega Siobhan, causing a chorus of gasps and snickers amongst the Umbra Pack members in attendance. Before Siobhan could hold the bouquet in her arms, Ariadne, from the Shadow Blood Pack, grabbed it.

“I guess I am next! Now go back to your stations, Omegas!” Ariadne gloated as she reprimanded the Omegas I invited to join the festivities. She showed off her slender frame frocked in a Chanel floor-length cream halter dress with a beaded neckline and a billowy bodice, a pair of slanted on either side of the front and a slit on the front.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the bar is now open for final cocktails, and the dance floor is waiting for dancers!” the emcee announced while everyone retreated to their respective tables. The obligatory table-by-table photos and duck-faced selfies are posted on social media.