Chapter 24 - Ceremony
Alyssa's POV: SEVERAL DAYS LATER
I couldn't believe it had been almost two weeks since my introduction. It was a beautiful time, and the bond I immediately felt with my pack was incredible. I wore a form fitting, sleeveless little black dress with a slit up the thigh and a sweetheart neckline. A stark contrast to the white, floor length ceremony dress I was now wearing. The dress, a mermaid style, was fitted at the top and flared out further from my knees down. My mate had planned an incredible evening of fun for my introduction and had planned an equally amazing dinner menu. Of which I ate many, many servings of. I blamed my now bloated, otherwise flat stomach, on all that amazing food I had eaten not only at the introduction, but since arriving. I just couldn't get enough food lately and it didn't help that Brent employed the finest chefs that made the most incredible meals.
I turned to the side and rubbed my slightly swollen lower abdomen.. Could I be? No, no that's impossible. That would mean he had gotten my pregnant pretty much the first time we'd had sex. Plus he had made it very clear that I shouldn't get my hopes up. I convinced myself of such, shaking the idea out of my head as quickly as it had entered.
A shriek startled me, causing my internal conversation to cease. "You were rubbing your belly! I saw you! Are you pregnant? Oh my Goddess, am I going to get to be an aunt again?" She jumped up and down squeezing my hand tightly .
I pried my hand free of my mate's excited little sister, patting her shoulder to get her attention.
"No, I'm not, sorry to burst your bubble." She looked sad for a moment but quickly perked up and dug in her purse, "take this!" She said, shoving a pregnancy test into my hand.
I pushed it back toward her, shaking my head, "no absolutely not. I will not get my hopes up for no reason, besides, why do you randomly have a pregnancy test in your purse?"
She huffed and picked up my purse, shoving the test into the black leather bag.
"Whatever, just take it," she rolled her eyes at me, "and I have them on hand because Phillip and I are trying and I swear I take one every day in hopes there will be two lines!" I laughed at her dramatic persistence, a complete contrast from her solemn and brooding brother.
She grabbed my arm, "okay, let's go. Your Alpha is giving me a headache with all this mindlinking, pretty sure he is about to break these doors down," she said exasperated, looping her arm through mine, and walking me into hallway where I met my parents.
My mom immediately grabbed me and pulled me into one of her infamous hugs, "I am so proud of you," she said, pulling away from me to give my dad some room to greet me as well. We talked for a moment, and shed a few tears over the journey that had brought us to this very moment. Both left to take their seats as the coordinator came to get me. I was at a door behind the stage, making it to where I would be facing the entire audience that included not only our pack members, but members from other packs as this was an open event. A common practice for ceremonies.
I walked anxiously toward the doors, my body vibrating with nerves. I took one last deep breath as they slid apart, and instantly the deep blue eyes of my mate locked onto mine, easing my worries in an instant.
I walked closer and closer to where he stood at the center of the stage. He looked impeccable, the deep navy tux hugged every muscle perfectly and I suddenly found myself jealous of the fabric.
'You look stunning, my Luna,' he marveled through the link.
Tears glazed over my eyes at his easy acceptance of me, 'thank you Mr. Alpha, you look delicious as well. Good enough to eat actually.'
He smirked at my big bad wolf inference as I came and took my place next to him, his hands coming quickly to grasp my own. The pack official began the ceremony as we joined our hands together.
We went through the creed, the vows to my new pack, the pack vote; which was unanimous thankfully, and now we are on the blood oath. Brent and I had both just cut our palms and were now holding our bleeding palms over a red flame candle. The official announced to the crowd that if the flame turned blue once our combined blood dropped into the flame, I would be successfully announced as Luna. However, if it turned white it would indicate that I was not the rightful Luna. An ancient practice that kept bloodlines pure.
I held my breath as the blood began to drip down, swallowing the nervous lump in my throat as I awaited the candle's response. Cheers roared throughout the room as it quickly flamed blue and I sighed in relief as Brent winked at me and rubbed his thumb along the back of the hand he was holding .
'I never doubted it,' he lovingly sent through the link, making me blush.
Brent frowned when he noticed my still bleeding hand, as his had already dried up and healed completely like it was supposed to. He brought the barely healed wound to his mouth and licked across my palm. His DNA came to the aid of his mate and quickly closed up my palm. I was instantly relieved of my stinging palm and I gave him a quiet thank you as we turned our attention to the crowd.
We held hands, walking forward to address our pack and guests. We expressed our gratitude for their support and of course for welcoming our daughter so easily. At the mention of her name she ran on stage and Brent scooped her up as she waved like a princess to her pack. Laughs and 'awwwws' filled the room as we dismissed them to their tables. We took our seats at the front of the ball room which alerted the catering company to begin serving. The wolves, ranked and unranked were all served their meals tonight as a form of gratitude for their faith in us.
"I am going to rip that dress off of you the moment we step foot into our home." I shivered at his words, my interest peaked. I sat my fork on the edge of my plate to face him, "wait, our home? As in our home is done?"
I bounced up and down, barely able to contain my excitement, my eyes wide with hope.
He sadly shook his head, "no, I'm sorry. The three crews I hired are giving it their all, but with such a large list, it will be about another three days."
I frowned, "I'm sorry. We can shorten it," I offered.
"No," he bluntly responded, "your plans and ideas are perfect and I want every one of them to come to life, besides it's three days. We can wait three days"
He leaned into my ear, his breath on my skin causing goosebumps to erupt across my skin, "however, I have had them focusing completely on our room, so that I could take my, now official, Luna in the bedroom of the home she deserves."
I hummed lightly in return, smiling as I reached up to grab his face. I pressed my lips to his with Brent sliding his tongue across my lips as I allowed him entrance. Moments later, and all too soon, my mother was tapping on my back scolding me as I turned to her, "look, I get it that he is yummy, but mind your manners and save it for the bedroom."
She walked back to her seat, leaving Brent and I laughing at her scolding. Mine sounding far more embarrassed than his.
"Oh, don't you turn red on me now, my love, you started that," he taunted.
"Oh, hush or I'll never kiss you again," I threatened and stuck my tongue out at him.
He took a drink and casually said, "I doubt that very much."
Crossing my arms in defiance, "whatever, I could resist you if I wanted to," I pushed back.
He ran his hand up my dress-covered thigh, and despite my best efforts my legs parted naturally, and as much as possible to allow him to rub his hand across my most sensitive spot under the table. My mind clouded with need as he leaned towards me.
He chuckled darkly, "see, you cannot resist me, but it's okay, I could never resist you either, My love," he breathed, lightly kissing my lips .
"We're leaving," I announced as I abruptly stood up, barely catching my plate before it slipped off the table.
He stood, confused at my outburst, "where are we going?" He asked as he wiped his mouth and sat his napkin upon his empty plate.
I smirked at him, "a place where you can show me just how much I can't resist you."
His pupils blew with lust as he looped my arm through his elbow and swiftly walked us back to the stage.
"Wolves," the room fell immediately silent.
"Luna is tired and wishes to go home for the evening. As you know she has had a long, and tough recovery." The crowd nodded solemnly in understanding.
"Please continue to enjoy the night and food for as long as you wish. Thank you again," Brent ended his speech and we began to walk through the large room toward the exit.
Too focused on greeting our pack members as we exited, I was shocked when my mate immediately stopped and pulled me behind him. A growl left his chest and he was snarling at the person in front of us.
I peeked around his arm to see who or what he was protecting me from, holy shit, Maci.
I stepped around to my mate's side, much to his displeasure, and faced the woman who had hurt my mate so deeply. She was several inches taller than me and looked as though she could be a supermodel with her height and beauty. I swallowed down the lump of jealousy that arose within me and instead focused on the conversation happening in front of me .
"You know you didn't have to put on that little show for me, Brent. You could've just asked nicely and I would've come back to you." She let out a forceful laugh as her insinuation had me vibrating with anger. Brent noticed and snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me into him, letting out an exasperated sigh he answered, "I have no clue what show you are speaking of, but you are out of line speaking to your superiors in such a manner."
"Oh please, you had your hands all over each other, we both know what game you're playing here. No need to make me jealous," she waved her hand as if she hadn't heard a word Brent said.
I stepped in front of Brent before he could speak, "you will not undermine the mateship Brent and I share. Our affection has zero to do with you and is completely a product of the love we share. I have no idea what delusions you are experiencing, but this ends now," I growled out.
She laughed, "my goodness, you're so cute, like a little doll with those big ol eyes," she said as she grabbed my hand, which I snatched quickly back. She rolled her eyes, completely patronizing in tone and stature as she continued, "Brent wanted a child and he wanted me to carry that child. You and that kid of yours are merely a distraction as a way for him to get over me." Her words oozed with poison meant to hurt me.
Before I could speak I felt the white hot anger of my mate flow through the bond, "You will not speak to a sitting Luna in that tone and you will refer to me as Alpha and nothing more. OUR daughter is not a distraction. She is mine and I love her dearly. Do you understand me!" His voice rose with anger as Anderson and Ryan came to flank the both of us at the outburst of their Alpha and protection for their Luna.
"My family is none of your concern. Don't you ever speak of them again. Now, as we stated moments ago, we are headed home." His tone and glare were threatening to say the least, but somehow Maci looked ready to try again.
She attempted to speak, but this time Anderson and Ryan escorted us out, completely blocking us from her antics, allowing us to get to the lobby where we awaited our car to take us to our house.
Once alone, Brent sat down and pulled me onto his lap, burying his face in my neck and taking a deep breath to calm himself. I kissed him, pouring all of my love and affection into it. Pulling my mate, his wolf, and myself down from the ledge we had just tiptoed. I was angry too, but I wasn't going to let the bitch ruin my evening.
Brent pushed his tongue into my mouth, tasting every part at an agonizingly seductive pace. I tangled my fingers in his hair, causing him to groan into my mouth. Warmth pooling at my center as I took the kiss deeper. He detached from my lips, bringing his mouth to the mark he'd left on me, leaving my skin tingling and reddened from the kisses and nibbles he peppered across my neck and collarbone. I knotted my fingers in his hair, urging him on.
We were interrupted by the clearing of someone's throat, causing us both to look back in confusion, not realizing anyone had followed us out.
Of fucking course... Maci.
Her face was void of any emotion as she walked closer, "I'd like to speak with Luna,” her hands clasped in front of her.
Brent helped me stand and positioned himself protectively in front of me, "no way in hell. We have already announced our departure. Besides, you are not from her pack, you do not have the right to request a private meeting with her. Leave. Now." His words echoing in the lobby.
She shook her head, "very well, Alpha," she responded sarcastically, causing Brent to mindlink Anderson to have her removed from the premises. She unfortunately had a right to be at the ceremony as this was a public event, but her disrespect was completely out of hand.
Thankfully the car arrived, allowing us to finally get away completely. I crawled in the car, exasperated from Maci's antics. I began to wonder why she felt like she could talk to Brent and I, especially Brent, in any way she saw fit. It was eating at me as the driver pulled away, causing Brent to frown with concern.
I sighed, "I'm fine. Maci just has me in my head. I guess I just wasn't expecting all of that."
I looked down at the magnificent ring I was spinning on my finger. Brent had designed my Luna ring all on his own. It was a 2 carat oval shaped diamond with two, small pink diamonds on either side of the large center stone. It was mesmerizing, but was becoming blurred with the tears stinging my eyes. Brent pulled me to him to comfort me, begging for me to tell him what was wrong.
I let out a slow breath, "I'm worried that after seeing Maci you will begin to have feelings for her again and I already worry that you might prefer her sexually over me, but now that she’s here in person it’s hard to ignore those fears," I whispered pathetically.
Brent laughed. Literally laughed. He was doubled over from laughing so hard that his outburst caused the driver to jump. I crossed my arms, my skin heating to an uncomfortable temperature from the embarrassment of my mate laughing at my expense.
"Baby, please, I'm sorry,"" he said, pulling at my arm while trying to stifle the stupidly large grin on his face.
I shrugged him off, "I told you my feelings, as YOU asked me to," pressing my finger into his chest, "and you're laughing at me!"
Despite my efforts to shew him away, he pulled me across the bench seat into his side, "baby I swear I wasn't laughing at you, I was just caught off guard because that is ridiculous - "
I cut him off, "oh, great, so now I'm ridiculous?" I said as I struggled against his grip to return to the opposite side of the car.
He huffed, "no, that's not what I meant. I meant that it's ridiculous to even compare the two of you. You turn me on more with a single kiss than any of the times I was intimate with her. I would honestly not even call it intimacy. It was always handled like a business transaction, a means to get her pregnant, and nothing else. She never acted like she even enjoyed it, and she was never responsive to me the way you are. I had hardly even explored foreplay until you.” He all but scoffed and continued, “The reason I laughed is because there is nothing to compare, you two aren't even in the same ballpark. I love you. I am yours." The honesty of his words were palpable, causing my eyes to fill with tears yet again. Why the hell was I so emotional tonight?
"Are we good?" He whispered lovingly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
I simply nodded my head and snuggled into him, worried if I spoke I'd cry more at the rate I was going. I was so grateful for him and loved that he handled me so well and I couldn't wait to get to our home and show him just how much I appreciated him.