The Rejected Luna’s Prince By Aurora Archer
Chapter 64 – The Luna Of Crescent Moon
(Willa)
“It’s not a big deal, Mom.” She wiped tears from her eyes with a handkerchief Grace produced for her from Goddess knew where.
“It is; my baby girl, is going to become a Luna.” I sighed and looked at my dad for support, but his eyes were misting too.
I was already supposed to be a Luna previously, and they never acted like this.
I really didn’t feel like I was doing anything different besides officially taking the title. As Caspien reminded me, I was already doing Luna duties and showing up as a leader of the pack.
“Thank you for putting this together so last minute,” I looked at Grace, and she waved a hand.
“I had a lot of help, and it’s just something simple.” She shook her head.
“Perfect,” I smiled at her.
Caspien came up and took my hand in his. He in a black suit and matching tie would never not take my breath away.
“Ready?” He asked, giving me a smile that reached his eyes.
“Ready,” I answered, and I was.
I chose a simple dress, long and white, that hugged me in a cool fabric. It had thick straps and a low back. I pinned my hair back in the comb that my mom produced, an heirloom that I last wore on Nolan’s birthday.
My hair was lightly curled and pulled back to one side, and I felt good. Comfortable, not overly showy, and myself. I presented myself how I wanted to, not once thinking about others, and that was a freeing thought.
“There is a small party afterward, but we don’t have to stay long.” Caspien leaned down and whispered into my ear. His hand came up and brushed my back where the fabric dipped low.
“We should stay. My first official duties as Luna, I could hardly leave.”
Caspien frowned slightly, “Maybe we should re-think this Luna thing if I have to share you.”
“Maybe we just take Emmett and run so I don’t have to share you.” I raised an eyebrow, a challenge.
“Now that I could get behind.”
“No one is taking my grandbaby.” Grace looked offended.
“How dare you suggest that,” My dad added.
I gave them a tight smile, completely forgetting that they were there.
Caspien had that effect on me when he looked at me as if I was the only person in the room – I believed it.
“Duty calls,” I signed.
“Doesn’t it always,” Caspien grumbled, leading us all to the elevator.
We picked up Griffen, Loreli, and Holden on their floor. Griffen looked agitated, shifting from foot to foot.
“You have to be there for maybe ten minutes,” Caspien told Griffen.
“I wish Nora could have come,” I said.
“Me too,” Griffen said, “She’s in a lot of pain. It’s hard for her even to walk.” He looked worried, almost pained.
“Just means she’s close,” I said to him, trying to make my voice soft but confident.
“Come on,” Caspien held the elevator door open.
“Wait for a second; we have a surprise.” Cali smiled at me and took a step to the right.
Emmett stood behind her, his hair slicked over, in a little black suit and matching tie. Tears pricked my eyes, and I clasped my hands, kneeling to his level.
“Emmett, oh my Goddess, you are incredible.”
Instead of coming into my open arms, he adjusted his suit and gave me a smug smile before looking at Caspien.
“I wanted to match Dad.”
Caspien swallowed and knelt down. Emmett walked into the elevator and gave us a spin.
“I am honored,” Caspien said, pulling him up into his arms and standing up. So much for my hug I guess.
I didn’t have to look behind me to know that our parent’s eyes were already misting over again. Emmett was showered with well-deserved praise as we descended to the main area of the packhouse.
This Luna ceremony was different than what I prepared for in the past. I wasn’t prepared actually, at all. I didn’t know the pack. I didn’t even know the packhouse that well. It was different from when I was supposed to take over the pack I had known since birth. I wondered if I would be accepted not just as Caspien’s mate but as everyones Luna. I felt like an imposter for the first time in a while.
We are going to be a d.amn good Luna, no matter what pack it is. But Crescent City is home; it’s where our family is.
I nodded at Iris’ words.
Are you okay? – Caspien asked, I looked up at him, and his gaze was fixed on me. Emmett was touching his beard, ignoring us.
I nodded.
What is it?
I just realized I don’t even know where the kitchen is in this pack. I haven’t been part of it really, and I don’t want to seem like an outsider.
You’re not, you’re their Luna, and you have been making decisions for them and protecting them for some time now. You were fated to lead this pack by my side.
Caspiens eyes shone with pride, and my heart swelled at his words.
I know, I want to do a good job more than anything. I want to make the pack proud.
Our pack. And you will. You are everything they need in a Luna and more – they will see that.
He reached for my hand and rubbed the back of it in circles.
_____
The center of the packhouse common area was empty, leaving space for a small circular stage.
Past that, pack members pressed in. They pushed into the railings of the balconies above. Their faces were illuminated by the light of more candles than I thought possible. No other lights were on. In between the natural greenery of the plants crawling up the open hallways above, there were white flowers. The place smelled amazing.
“Is this a fire hazard?” I whispered to Caspien, trying to calm my nerves with some humor.
He laughed and looked around, shrugging, “We have a very good sprinkler system.”
It was tasteful, simple yet elegant, and even if we had more than a few days to plan it, this was everything that I wanted.
“Thank you, it’s perfect,” I looked back at Grace, and she beamed at me but still looked a little nervous.
“I didn’t have much-” She sted.are
“It’s perfect,” I cut her off. She nodded, her eyes welling up.
Caspien handed Emmett to my dad, and they went to wait by the foot of the stage while Caspien and his parents led me to the stage.
There was a microphone, and I was glad that I couldn’t see the faces around me. There were more eyes on me than I had ever had before, I wondered how Caspien got used to this, but he wasn’t one who even seemed to notice anyone around him. I wondered what part of that was learned and how much of it was truly him.
Caspien stood before me and took both my hands in his, enveloping mine in his steady warmth. He looked at me with a mix of shock, awe, and adoration.
I can’t believe this is happening – He linked me, blinking a few times.
Was he going to cry? He couldn’t because then I would just from sheer nerves alone.
The room slipped away as I studied him. His familiar face, his eyes that I saw every time I closed mine.
My perfect match, my counterpart, my Caspien.
He was the only thing that was real at this moment, and I slipped into a calming comfort despite the hundreds of curious eyes on me.
I knew I could do anything as long as it was with him.
“I know not many of you have had the p.leasure of meeting your future Luna,” The King started, “But that will change soon. The person that you will meet is the most caring, strong, supportive, loving, and resilient person that I have ever met.”
My breath caught at Rendell’s words. Did he really mean that? I tore my gaze from my mates and looked at him, and Rendell was staring at me with such fatherly affection it took everything in me not to spill the happy tears I was holding back.
“You will find no better leader for this pack and for the future of Crescent Moon. Your Queen and I are honored to have her by our son’s side leading you.”
He said some more formal words, but I was lost again in Caspien’s gaze. It was so intense I had never experienced anything like it, even from him.
“Now, let us welcome your Luna officially.” Caspien squeezed my hand to bring my attention back to the real world.
Since I was already part of the pack, this ceremony was slightly different than before, but still involved the chalice and my and Caspien’s blood mixing.
“Wilhelmina Balfour, do you promise to protect your pack, lead with integrity, and obey your Alpha?-”
“Take out the last part.” Caspien almost growled. His voice was low.
Rendell paled, “Sorry, habits, old words.” He scrambled. Grace looked with pride at her son giving him a nod.
“Do you promise to protect your pack, lead with integrity, and lead alongside your Alpha?” He amended, looking a bit red.
“I do.”
He asked a few other questions but no matter what he said I swore it on my blood. To stand beside my mate, to protect our family and our pack.
My blood seemed to awaken; it hummed inside me. This was right; this was where I was supposed to be all along.
I didn’t feel the pain of the cut, I didn’t look away from Caspien’s icy eyes. Our blood mingled and pooled together and dripped slowly into the chalice.
A wind swept around us, blocking out everything else.
It was only us. It was only ever us.
This was destiny.
The wind died down after minutes, or maybe mere moments.
My hair settled on my back and I looked around.
The room was pitch black, all of the candles went out.
Everything was silent before cheers erupted, the only indication that anyone else was there. I smiled widely at the acceptance and thanked the Moon Goddess for the show, proving that we were a strong-fated pair.
“Okay everyone,” Grace’s voice came over the microphone, I could tell she was smiling, “Would you would all a*s*sist in re-lighting the candles, really it would be a shame to waste them. Then let’s let the party begin.”
I laughed as sheer excitement and relief overcame me.
Slowly the lights started around us like fallen stars lighting up our own constellation in this slice of the world.
“Wow,” I hear Emmett from the audience.
My heart swelled. Even if this wasn’t the path I thought we would take, even if it took a few twists and turns and a whole lot of bumps, he got to see me here. He got to witness this in my parent’s arms, watching me and his father figure, no, his father alongside me.
I always was the role model he deserved, I always did my best, but somehow this made it click for me. I was proud of the person I became, the person I always was but didn’t see it. Emmett looking up at me clapping and smiling made it seem more real than ever before.
Caspien and I surveyed the crowd, my pack, hand in hand. The lights flickered and illuminated the faces of my new pack member, my new family, in my new home.
Even though it was new, it felt right in a way I couldn’t put words to.
I basked in the warmth and another round of applause as the candles showed me, the new Luna of Crescent Moon.
I joined my parents and everyone at the foot of the stage on Caspien’s arm, feeling more confident and calm than ever before.
“Wow,” Cali gave me a real smile and grabbed my arms, “Wow,” She shook her head.
Cali speechless,- now that was a first. She even had more to say after I got practically n*ake*d and changed into a wolf in front of her.
I smiled at her, “We did it. We’re doing it.”
Her gold-flecked eyes met mine, “Not exactly my five-year plan but,” she shrugged.
“Better?” I asked.
“Better,” She agreed, a smile spread across her face and I embraced her.
She let me go so that my parents could pull me into an almost too-tight hug and I could hold Emmett close.
“Good job, Mama,” He squished my cheeks in his little hands, his green eyes met mine, “I’m proud of you.”
I smiled at him, “Thank you,” I buried my head in his hair and pulled him close, “My sweet beautiful boy you don’t know what that means to me. Thank you so much for being here.”
“Mama,” I pulled back, and he frowned.
“Don’t wrinkle my suit.” I fought an eye roll and smiled at him.
“How dare you try to crease my son’s suit,” Caspien came up and straightened his suit, “Do you know how long these creases take to get out?”
“Do you?” I countered.
“I mean, no-” He frowned a bit.
“We’re going to get the little mister to bed in a moment.” My dad said, “Proud of you, sweetheart.” He nodded once as me.
My mom opened her mouth and closed it, nodding vigorously, “I just, you have come into your own; this is who you are, who you are supposed to be.” She patted my cheek lovingly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear and adjusting the comb she placed there hours ago.
“Thank you, Mom.” I grabbed her hand, holding it to my cheek, “I don’t know, I don’t know what I would have done without you.” I turned to my dad, “You both.” I almost c.hoked on those words.
I never really spoke of it, but I hoped they knew just how lost I would have been without them. I don’t think anyone was meant to do it alone, especially with a child. I knew they felt that it was their duty to be with me, but they chose it; they committed to it.
“We will follow you anywhere.” My dad promised.
“But we also really like it here, so if this is the end goal, we’re good with that.” My mom smiled, and my dad wrapped his arm around her pulling her to his side.
“This is it.” I knew that. This was ingrained in me from before I knew Caspien, “This is it.” I repeated.
Finally settled for the first time maybe in my life.
“Shall we, Luna?” Caspien extended an arm after kissing Emmett’s cheek goodnight.
I wrapped my arm in his, and he led me through the throng of crowds, all smiling and wishing me well, congratulating me.
I was showered with warm wishes and genuine congratulations. I needed to learn more about the pack members and pack house. Now that things settled down, I made a note to come down here daily to interact with my pack.
I committed this feeling to memory, the warmth that flooded through me. The lightness I felt surrounded by those I cared about and loved as my own. Those that I knew I would come to care about once I got to know them.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, and etched the feeling in my mind to draw on later.
This was bliss. This was contentment. This was right.
I caught Rachels’s eye in the crowd; she lifted her glass to me and smiled widely. I tilted my head in confirmation.
“Dance with me?” Caspien asked, but it was more of a request.
“Always,” I placed my hand in his as his broad hand encircled the small of my back, sending tingles through my body.
“My Luna.” He leaned forward, “I never dared to wish.”
“My Alpha.” His forehead touched mine as the music started.
He led me across the floor. This time I was ready for him. I knew his movements. We twirled around the room in each other’s arms, barely taking our eyes off each other.
He dipped me low and brushed his lips across mine. The sound of cheers was diminished by my beating heart.
Others joined us on the dance floor, and I took a step closer to him, not wanting any space between us.
“So, have you thought about actually taking a title?”
“I just did?” I pulled back, looking at him, “How much did you drink?”
“No,” He smiled, shaking his head, “A royal title. You a becoming my Princess and Emmett my heir and Prince officially.”