Chapter 38 Chapter 38
ELLA
Today. The luna ceremony was today. I was a bundle of nerves but excited at the same time.
I could feel the mate pull getting stronger as the full moon approached, and I couldn’t wait to officially be the pack luna.
“Good morning,” Zane mumbled, still half asleep. I smiled at him, sleep still trying to keep us.
“Good morning.”
“Are you ready for tonight?”
I wiggled in the bed.
“I am. I’m ready to be luna, to be useful.”
Zane pulled me close to him, our foreheads touching.
“You’ve always been useful, I’ve never met anyone who works as hard as you. And you’re my luna.”
Zane reached up and kissed my forehead before climbing out of bed. I couldn’t tell if he could smell my arousal, but that man was now all I could think about.
I knew that tonight was the night. I was ready to give all of myself to him.
Zane threw on some shorts and a T-shirt before rolling back onto the bed. I let out a squeal as he rolled on top of me.
He looked down at me and pushed some hair out of my face. His eyes went dark for a second before he took back control.
“I’ll be back in a bit. Need to run down to the training grounds to inspect the warriors. I’ll see you at breakfast.” He rolled off me and walked out the door.
I lay there for a minute, trying to calm myself. If he hadn’t smelled it before, he sure as hell smelled it now. His wolf was fighting to come out, and mine was having a hard time as well.
I shook my head, trying to clear my mind of him and his body above me.
I hopped up and showered before changing into some leggings and a loose tee. I would be getting ready later that day, and I had so many things to do before then.
“Good morning, Luna!” Sophie sang as I entered the kitchen.
I laughed.
“I’m not Luna yet.”
“But it’s tonight, so it’s pretty much the same thing,” my mother teased before making her way to the dining table.
I sat down across from my mother and began to eat.
“So, I’m thinking we have a girls’ day,” Sophie suggested between bites.
I liked that thought. I’d never really had one. The closest I came was having my mom paint my toes in our little cabin at night before bed.
I smiled.
“I’d like that.”
My mother nodded.
“It’s decided, then!”
“What’s decided?” I turned to the sound of my mate’s warm voice.
“Ella and I are having a girls’ day. We’re going to pamper ourselves and make ourselves all pretty for the ceremony tonight,” Sophie responded happily.
“You don’t need a girls’ day for that. You’re already beautiful,” Zane replied, pouring on the charm.
I laughed.
“Smooth.”
“I thought so,” Zane joked.
The day went by quickly with pedicures and manicures and facials and body scrubs. We had our hair and makeup done, and I had to admit I looked pretty amazing.
They had curled my long brown hair and French braided a crown around my head. It was decorated with little white flowers and pearls.
My makeup was light and natural-looking except for my eyes. I had a dramatic nude smokey eye that emphasized their hazel color.
It was getting closer to midnight and my nervousness had crept up on me. I stood in front of the mirror in Zane’s mother’s dress and was amazed at how good I looked.
My mother walked in from the bathroom after getting her dress on and stopped to stare at me with tears in her eyes.
“Ella! You look beautiful!” Sophie gave me a tight hug.
“You ready?”
I gave a nervous smile.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
My mother laughed and hooked her arm in mine. We made it down the stairs and out to the front porch where Alpha Daniel was waiting with tears in his eyes at the sight of me in his mate’s dress.
Alpha Daniel took my hand and helped me down the hill.
“You really do look amazing, my girl. I’m so glad Zane came to his senses.”
I smiled up at Daniel.
“Thank you, I’m glad he did too.”
“You’re going to make a wonderful luna,” he reassured me.
“I hope I don’t disappoint everyone. I’m just a little omega.”
“A luna can come from anywhere. Just because you were an omega, doesn’t mean you aren’t strong.” He patted my hand and I looked up at where we had stopped.
They had decorated the outdoor amphitheater with thousands of little lights. A warm glow fell over the whole area, and I was in awe.
The whole pack stood to attention as we entered. Zane was at the bottom of the hill on the stage, waiting for me.
Daniel walked me up to the stage and kissed my hand.
“Luna.” I gave him a warm smile before making my way up onto the stage.
I looked up at Zane. He was in an all-black suit, perfectly tailored to him. He looked amazing, and if I wasn’t so nervous, I would jump on him right here and now.
As I stepped onto the stage, Zane took my hand, his warmth radiating through me.
Zane turned to face the pack.
“Members of the Green Ridge Pack! We are here tonight to welcome Ella Matthews, mate to the alpha, and new luna to the pack.”
Zane turned to me, the luna dagger in his hand.
“Do you promise to obey and uphold pack law?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to act as a partner to the alpha in all things pack-related and work to support and sustain the Green Ridge Pack?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to be fair in judgment and use your position as luna to help your pack?”
“I do.”
Zane then took the dagger and made a slice in my palm before doing the same to himself. He clasped our hands together, and I immediately felt the whole pack surge within me.
I felt the mind-link form and was overwhelmed by the change.
Zane stood behind me and spoke again.
“With this mark, I make you my mate and official luna of the Green Ridge Pack.”
He pushed my hair to the side and whispered in my ear.
“This is going to hurt for a second.” His lips brushed down my neck and to the spot on my shoulder he had been waiting to mark.
He bit down, his teeth breaking my skin. I tensed at the pain, but it was quickly replaced with warmth and pleasure.
Zane licked the stray blood away from my already-healing mark and then stepped out from behind me.
“Welcome, Luna Ella!”
The entire pack echoed back, “Welcome, Luna Ella!” before erupting into applause.
I beamed. This moment was perfect.