BENEATH HER DARKNESS: The Alpha’s Little Demon
Chapter 55 – Two Ceremonies
LUCY…
I walked down the stairs straight to Adan’s office. I overslept again, but I was hoping I didn’t miss breakfast yet. I was about to knock, but the door opened to his office, and behind it was my handsome Alpha, who was already smiling at me, making my p*an*tie*s drop and my morning brighter.
“Good morning, Alpha Stone,” I greeted him, smiling widely as I swayed my body until I got hold of myself.
“Good morning, Luna Lucy,” he greeted back, making my jaw drop open before I tilted my head around to see if anybody was around us.
“Don’t say that, someone might hear.” I felt my cheeks burning.
He chuckled before he brushed his knuckles against my cheek. “I thought you had accepted me already?”
My hand clasped over his on my cheek as I scooted my body closer to him. “I do, but I’m not sure if your people will accept an Omega as a Luna.”
“She can be a demon too, and I will still want her as my Luna, and I’m sure my people will stand by my decision.” I smiled at him before snaking my arms around his neck. For some reason, I always wanted to cling to him.
“And don’t forget that some of them have been calling you Luna since the moment they saw Beast protecting you. And that he was calm around you.”
“They don’t have a choice, right? If Beast chooses me, they can’t object to him or he’ll eat them.” I stifled a giggle as Adan’s arms wrapped around my body.
“I’m glad you’re around. He’s been more civil with me lately.”
“He talks to you now?”
“From time to time. Usually, it’s about you…”
“Beast likes me.”
“I like you more…” He sounded like a boy who lost a game.
“Are you jealous of your own wolf?”
“I am. You mentioned they can’t object to you being the Luna because Beast would lash out at them. But you never said anything about them being scared of me if they object to my decision to have you as a Luna. I guess I’m too weak in your eyes.” His voice sounded hurt, and I had no idea how to answer that. He was really competing with his wolf.
But him, weak? He must be crazy.
“Oh, Adan… You can’t be… Oh, Goddess, how would I explain this?” I was still making up words on how to make him feel better, but the crazy Alpha began laughing as he guided my body toward the corridor and we began walking toward the dining room.
“I’m not offended. I’m more than happy that Beast likes you.”
“Oh, good. Because I like you both.”
“We just have to have the shield around the territory, then we can announce our engagement, and then we can plan the Luna ceremony?”
“That fast?”
“Yup. I want to chain you around my neck.”
“But if words spread out, maybe they will reach my father,” I told him, ignoring his jokes.
“Look, Lucy.” He stopped walking and turned my body to face him, his hands holding my shoulders. “We can’t always hide in the shadows. That is not living. We will live our lives, and we will prepare for the day he will visit us. Now if you change your mind, I’m all up to visiting him as well.”
“You’re crazy if you think I will allow you to go to the underworld.”
“You’re of age, Lucy. You have the right to choose the life you want.”
“My father is not ordinary.”
“But we can’t hide from him forever. But on a lighter note, I spoke with Althea this morning, and she told me she knows what to do with your necklace so she can separate all the energies that suppress all power and energy within you. Maybe it can help with your wolf, and maybe if your wolf is out, he will not want to change you into a full demon anymore.”
I hope so. But I had no idea what plans he had for me.
“Where is Althea?” I asked as we walked again. This time he was holding my hand, and I couldn’t help but feel giddy. Having Adan close to me felt relaxing.
“She’s with the Gamma and Blade. They are rounding up the border so she can see the whole perimeter. She needs to know what area to include on the shield.”
“Whole territory? So they left early?”
“Yes. Five in the morning.”
“Wow! I was probably still snoring by then. Where will she do her spell?”
“There’s an old building, it’s the old packhouse, and she said she feels more at ease there, and it’s away from the crowd, so it’s best to do that there.” My heart was thudding loudly, and I was hoping Althea would agree to the other one I requested of her.
“Laira was making sure her things and the ingred*ients she had requested were already there.” Adan continued as he pulled a chair for me at the dining table. No one was around, and it looked like we were the only two eating breakfast.
I sat and followed his movement until he was seated in his chair. “So, everyone woke up early and did their job while I snored and purred in bed? How useless am I?”
Adan stopped putting food on my plate as he chuckled before throwing a wink at me. “You did a great job last night, so you’re excused from toiling hard today.”
“Oh, I’m sure pleasing the Alpha is not the only job for a Luna. So, you need to give me something else to do too, Alpha Stone.”
“Don’t rush. You’ll have so much on your plate once you’re officially the Luna of this pack. But first, let the witch secure the territory, and then we can discuss what other things you can do.”
“Uhmmm… Will I get a salary once I become a Luna? You know, to buy personal things. And then I think I have to buy you something for your birthday or for our anniversary…”
“You’ll get my wallet and my bank account. I can give it to you later if you want. But I’ll get one for you as well.
“I don’t need much…”
“I’m sorry. I was so busy I didn’t even think you needed something. You should have asked me.”
“I really don’t need anything. Just hair coloring…”
“We need to talk about that. You don’t need to hide your hair. Let it show.”
“It’s a bit bright for a red.”
“And?” He asked, his brow hiking up. I bit my bottom lip, although I enjoyed being the center of attention, I really didn’t want anyone’s attention at the moment.
“How about letting your hair grow red? And once I see all of it, you can color it again.”
“Why are you so nice to me?”
“I’ve been asking myself that too.” He chuckled before he pushed my plate closer to me. “Eat…”
Adan and I were already eating when footsteps were heard from the entrance, and soon, Althea passed by the entryway but came back and went to the dining room when she saw us.
“Good thing you both are here. We will do the ceremony tonight. I will do it when the moon is at its peak, so I need you both there.
“I want my Gamma within the vicinity while you do the ceremony, and a few warriors,” Adan added right away.
“I know you don’t trust me, Alpha Stone. But bring anybody you want, I don’t care, but I will do two ceremonies tonight. For the first one, we can have as many people as you want.” Her eyes shifted from Adan to me before she continued. “But for the second ceremony, it should just be you and Lucy. The rest should be at least 100 meters away.”
I tried to act normal, although my heart was beginning to race. Was the second ceremony the one I personally requested from her? Adan’s forehead creased as he pushed his chair backward and rested his hand on the table. “I don’t understand why it’s just me and Lucy.”
“First, we are protecting your territory. Second, we’re protecting it from Lucy’s species. Now if you’re not okay with that, then I’m afraid we can’t complete the ceremony.”
“I was just asking. You’re not planning on double-crossing me, Althea?”
“I’m doing this for Lucy. So no, I will not double cross Lucy.” She answered smartly.
I tried to push a sausage inside my mouth and chewed just a little before swallowing it whole. My throat felt so dry. I suddenly had cold feet. No, I knew I wanted to protect Adan at all costs, even if that meant binding him to me, but I was afraid of his reaction if he realized I did this.
“Where is Blade?” Adan asked at the exact moment Gamma Kingston came into the dining room.
“I don’t know. Probably outside.” Althea answered. “Can I excuse myself, Alpha, Lucy? I want to rest. I will need so much energy tonight, and usually, I go on isolation before a major ceremony.”
“Go ahead,” Adan answered.
“Have you eaten breakfast?” I asked before she was able to move.
“Yes. We had an early breakfast, and the Gamma bought us some food along the way.
“That’s great. I can bring you lunch so you don’t need to go down later if you want.” I volunteered.
“If it’s not too much, yes, please.” She smiled weakly, and I could see her eyes were tired.
“Okay, have a good rest.”
All eyes were on Althea as she left the room. Adan then nudged my plate again, ordering me to eat while Gamma Kingston prepared his coffee and sat down with us.
“Where is Blade?” Adan asked him.
“Sitting by the steps.”
“He can come in.”
“Let him unwind first. He and the witch clashed again.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Well, Althea was getting attention, and there were a few who introduced themselves.
“And Blade got jealous?” I added, my mouth twitching into a smile.
“Well, it was all good. Blade was just ignoring them until Althea introduced him as her father.” Adan laughed, and I slapped his arm because Blade might hear him, but I also couldn’t help but giggle softly.
“So, Blade growled and walked out. We all knew Althea was joking, but I think he didn’t like it.” He shook his head, a smile tugging on his lips. “I just let them argue on the way back and just tuned out their voices, so I’m not sure how far the argument went.”
“Oh, Goddess!”
“They both need to grow up,” Adan said nonchalantly, and it made my brows hike up as I threw him a glance. Good advice from someone who competes with his own wolf.