Chapter 18 #2
I felt him slip out of bed, heard the soft sound of the window opening and closing, and then he was gone.
I lay there for a moment, a smile spreading across my face. Today was the day.
Eventually, I dragged myself out of bed and made my way to the kitchen. Nina was already up, making breakfast—pancakes, eggs, bacon, the works.
“Morning,” she said brightly, flipping a pancake. “Sleep well?”
“Yeah,” I said, pouring myself a cup of coffee. “Really well, actually.”
She gave me a knowing look but didn’t say anything.
We ate breakfast together, just the two of us, and it felt like old times—like when I’d first come back and stayed with her and Nate.
“Are you nervous?” she asked after a while, setting down her fork.
“Terrified,” I admitted. “But also excited. Is that normal?”
“Completely normal,” she assured me. “I was a mess before my mating ceremony. But the moment I saw Nate standing there, waiting for me, everything else just...fell away.”
“You’re going to be an amazing Luna, Em,” she continued, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “You already are.”
I felt tears prick at my eyes, and I squeezed her hand back. “Thank you.”
We hugged, and I let myself have that moment of vulnerability with my best friend.
Then it was time to wake up my mom and Tina, which was an adventure in itself. They were both hungover and grumpy, groaning and complaining as Nina and I forced them out of bed.
“Why did you let me drink so much?” my mom moaned, holding her head.
“Because you’re an adult who makes her own choices,” I said, trying not to laugh.
“I’m never drinking again,” Tina declared.
“You say that every time,” Nina pointed out.
The drive back to the packhouse was filled with their complaints about headaches and nausea, and I couldn’t stop laughing.
When we arrived, we all split up to shower and get ready. The plan was to meet in Ryder’s and my apartment in an hour.
I stood under the hot spray of the shower, letting the water wash away the last of my nerves. Today, everything would change. Today, I would officially become part of the pack, bound to Ryder in a way that went beyond anything human.
After I got out and dried off, I wrapped myself in a robe and waited.
There was a knock at the door, and I opened it to find my mom, Tina, and three she-wolves I recognized from the pack—all of them carrying makeup bags, hair tools, and garment bags.
“We’re here to make you beautiful,” one of them said with a warm smile.
“More beautiful,” my mom corrected, pulling me into a hug.
The next hour was a blur of activity. They did my hair in soft, romantic waves, my makeup natural but glowing, and when they finally brought out the dress, I felt my breath catch.
It was simple but stunning—white, flowing, with delicate lace details and a fitted bodice that flared into a soft skirt. It was perfect.
They helped me into it, zipping up the back, and when I finally looked at myself in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.
“Oh, honey,” my mom breathed, her hand covering her mouth.
One by one, the she-wolves left, giving me hugs and words of encouragement. And then it was just my mom and Tina.
Tina stepped forward first, her eyes shining with tears. “You are so beautiful, Emily. And you’re going to make a wonderful Luna. I’m so proud to call you my daughter.”
I hugged her tightly, feeling my own tears threaten to spill. “Thank you, Tina.”
She kissed my cheek and then stepped back, giving my mom space.
My mom took both my hands in hers, looking at me with so much love it made my chest ache.
“You really are beautiful,” she said softly. “Inside and out. I’m so proud of you, baby and the woman you’ve become.”
“Mom,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
“I know things haven’t always been easy,” she continued. “But you fought through it. You survived. And now look at you—about to become Luna, and to mate with the man you’ve loved your whole life. This is your happy ending, Emily.”
I pulled her into a hug, holding on tight. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
Tina left first, giving us one more moment alone. Then my mom and I walked out of the apartment together.
My dad was waiting in the hallway, dressed in a suit, his expression unreadable.
But when he saw me, his face softened, and I saw his eyes get a little misty.
“You ready?” he asked, his voice gruff with emotion.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
He offered me his arm, and I took it, my mom taking my other arm.
Together, the three of us walked toward the back entrance of the packhouse.
The ceremony was being held outside, on the sprawling lawn behind the packhouse. As we stepped through the doors, I saw that the space had been transformed into something magical.
White chairs were arranged in neat rows, all of them filled with pack members and guests. An aisle ran down the center, lined with flowers—white roses, peonies, and wildflowers. At the front, beneath an arch covered in greenery and blooms, stood Ryder and his father.
And Ryder...God, Ryder looked incredible. He was wearing a dark suit that fit him perfectly, his hair styled but still a little wild, and when his eyes met mine, the look on his face took my breath away.