Chapter 27 #2
The doors opened slowly.
The scent of lily and bay leaf drifted in. My wolf sang with joy, and Elena's wolf answered.
Elena stood there.
She wore a white gown—not the elaborate traditional kind, but something sleek and elegant.
The waistline was fitted, accentuating her slender curves.
The skirt fell to her ankles, swaying gently as she moved.
Her hair wasn't pinned up but fell loosely over her shoulders, a small lily tucked behind one ear.
Around her neck was a silver chain with the Hale family crest as a pendant.
She wore light makeup, lips a soft pink, lashes casting shadows in the light.
She looked at me, those amber eyes shining under the crystal chandeliers.
My breath stopped.
She was beautiful.
Not the polished, arranged kind of beauty.
Something natural, radiating from within.
She stood there with sunlight pouring through the window behind her, bathing her in a golden glow.
Anya walked beside her in a little white dress, carrying a flower basket, skipping and scattering petals on the carpet.
Liam walked behind them in a suit, back straight, like a knight escorting them.
Elena walked toward me.
Her steps were slow and steady. I could see her fingers trembling slightly, the way she bit her lower lip—nervous.
But she kept walking.
She stopped in front of me.
I held out my hand.
She looked at it for a few seconds. Then placed her hand in mine.
I gripped Elena's hand, feeling the dampness of her palm.
She was nervous.
But she was here. Standing in front of everyone. Standing beside me.
I turned to face the guests. Noble werewolves sat on the left in fine attire, expressions ranging from forced politeness to open displeasure. Human merchants sat on the right, eyes gleaming with excitement, several already sneaking photos on their phones.
The seven members of the Elder Council sat in the front row. The Grand Elder's face looked like he'd just eaten a whole lemon.
"Everyone," I began, voice echoing through the hall. "Thank you for being here today to witness this historic moment."
I paused, thumb brushing Elena's knuckles.
"Five years ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life," I said. "Because of my misunderstanding and stupidity, I let my mate leave Silver pine. I made her bear all the pain and pressure alone. I missed the birth and childhood of my children."
Silence fell.
"For five years, I searched for her." I looked at Elena.
Her eyes reddened. "When I found her, I discovered she'd raised our two children well.
In her own way, she'd built a home in the human world.
She protected them. Loved them. Gave them everything I couldn't. And she fought beside me to destroy the Butcher Squad. "
Elena bit her lip, looking at me.
"Today, I'm declaring before everyone," I let go of her hand and wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close, "Elena Hale is my fated mate, the mate given to me by the Moon Goddess. She is Reserpine's Luna. The Lady of the Hale family."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Liam and Anya are my biological children. Heirs to the Hale family," I continued. "Anyone who dares question their identity is questioning me."
My voice went cold, Alpha authority radiating out. The murmurs stopped instantly.
"From this day forward," I said, "Silver pine will repeal the pure blood Protection Act.
Half-breeds will have the same rights as pure bloods.
Humans and werewolves can marry freely. Half-breeds can inherit family assets.
Positions in Silver pine will no longer prioritize werewolves but will be competed for fairly with humans. "
The Grand Elder shot to his feet.
"Your Majesty—"
"Sit down." I looked at him. "I'm not asking your opinion, Grand Elder. I'm informing you."
His face flushed red, but under my gaze, he slowly sat back down.
"Now," I turned to the priest officiating the ceremony, "begin."
The priest was an elderly werewolf in silver robes, holding an ancient tome. He stepped forward and began chanting the old vows in a low voice.
"Under the witness of the Moon Goddess," he said, "Alpha Lucifer Hale and his mate Elena Windsor will forge an eternal bond here today."
He lifted a small silver knife.
"Hold out your hands."
I extended my right hand. Elena did the same. The priest made a small cut across each of our palms. Blood welled up, dark red under the lights.
"With blood as oath," the priest said, "two souls shall be forever joined."
I clasped Elena's hand. Our blood mingled. I felt the bond pulse in my chest, that golden thread growing brighter, stronger.
Elena's tears finally fell.
"With blood as oath," the priest repeated, "never to part, until death."
"I swear it," I said, looking into Elena's eyes.
"I..." Her voice broke. "I swear it."
The bond jolted hard in my chest. The golden thread snapped taut, then steadied. I could feel her emotions—nervous, scared, but also hopeful and warm. All the shadows of the past dissolved in that moment.
The priest lifted a silver tray holding two rings.
"This is the Luna ring, passed down through generations of the Hale family," he said, handing the ring to me.
I took the ring and held Elena's left hand. The ring was white gold with a moonstone set in it, glowing softly in the light. "Elena," I said, sliding the ring onto her finger, "I swear, from this day on, I will protect you, love you, and never let you leave again."
The ring slid on perfectly, like it had always belonged there.
She stared at it, tears falling one by one.
"Now," the priest said, "by tradition, the Alpha may kiss his Luna."
I didn't hesitate. I leaned down and kissed her lips. They were soft, tasting faintly of tears and salt. My arm circled her waist and lifted her off the ground, deepening the kiss. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back.
Applause erupted—human merchants clapping enthusiastically, noble werewolves applauding reluctantly.
I pulled back, forehead against hers.
"You're mine now," I murmured, for her ears only. "Elena, you're my Luna, my mate, my everything."
Tears glittered in her eyes, but she smiled and leaned close, brushing her lips against mine.
"You're my everything, too. You're mine," she said.
The applause faded. I helped Elena turn to face the guests.
"Now," I said, "please enjoy the reception."
Music started again. Servers entered with champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Guests stood, gathering in small groups to talk.
I saw several human merchants approaching, genuine smiles on their faces. "Congratulations, Your Majesty," a middle-aged merchant said. "Your Highness, you look beautiful."
"Thank you," Elena said softly, composed.
"This is progress for Silver pine," another merchant said, eyes bright with emotion. "Your Majesty, you made the right decision. Everyone in the human district is celebrating."
I nodded and shook their hands.
Then I saw a group appear at the hall entrance.
At the front was a middle-aged woman in an expensive navy gown, pearls at her throat, face expertly made up. Behind her were several younger people, all dressed expensively—clearly aristocrats.
I recognized her—Mrs. Gray. Elena's mother.
Elena's body went rigid.
Mrs. Gray and her entourage approached, a perfect social smile plastered on her face.
"Elena," she cooed. "My daughter, congratulations."
Elena didn't speak. Just looked at her.
"We heard your wonderful news," Mrs. Gray continued, ignoring Elena's cold demeanor entirely. "I never imagined my daughter would become Luna after all. The Gray family is honored."
She turned to me and curtsied slightly.
"Your Majesty, the Gray family offers you our sincerest congratulations," she said. "We're so proud of Elena. As her family, we hope we can—"
"Family?" Elena spoke suddenly, voice quiet but cold.
Mrs. Gray paused.
"Of course, dear," she said, smile stiffening. "I'm your mother, they're your siblings, we—"
"You're not my mother," Elena said, voice colder. "You stopped being that five years ago."
Mrs. Gray's expression changed.
"Elena," she lowered her voice, "don't say things like that in front of so many people. I know you're still angry with me, but—"
"Angry?" Elena laughed, but there was no warmth in it. "Mrs. Gray, I'm not angry. I'm just stating facts."
She took a step forward, spine straight, chin lifted.
"Five years ago, when I begged you in the pouring rain," she said, every word clear, "you told me I wasn't part of the Gray family. You said I'd been disowned. That I was just your mistake."
Mrs. Gray's face flushed red.
"That was because—"
"Because what?" Elena cut her off. "Because I'd been banished and you thought I had no use anymore?"
Her voice rose slightly. Nearby guests turned to look.
"And now," Elena continued, "you come looking for me because I'm Luna again and you can profit from it!"
She paused, no tears, staring coldly at the woman before her.
"All my life, you never showed up once. My father raised me. Do you deserve to be called my mother, Cecilia Gray?"
The hall went silent.
Mrs. Gray opened her mouth, face cycling through shades of red and white. "Elena," she forced a smile, "I know I said some harsh things back then, but I am your mother, I—"
"You're not," I spoke, voice icy. "Mrs. Gray, Elena's right. You lost the right to be her mother five years ago."
I moved to Elena's side, hand on her waist.
"She doesn't need you," I said, looking at Mrs. Gray and the people behind her. "She already has a real family."
Mrs. Gray's face darkened further.
"But Your Majesty," a young man behind her spoke—probably Elena's brother. "The Gray family is still Elena's birth family, we—"
"Birth family?" I sneered. "The Gray family kicked Elena out when she needed them most, and now you want to ride her coattails? Don't forget, Elena has a father. His name is Windsor. Elena's a Windsor."
I took a step forward, Alpha authority rolling out. The man stepped back and bowed his head, silent.
"Marcus."
Marcus appeared immediately.