As if on cue, the double doors swung open and my heart fell into the pit of my stomach as all heads slowly turned towards me. I visibly gulped.
The glass ceiling was an invisible barrier and the stars sparkled brightly in the night sky. The music thumped in my ears and set off tingles of electricity through my body as I took in the incredible view.
The aisle was adorned with long wooden benches that looked to be woven with magic and lights. Tables sat at the far edge of the courtyard and were piled high with gifts. The floor was lined with beautiful flowers I couldn’t name.
The walls were covered in vines that spread out and covered the room with upended roots. It was beautiful, captivating, and held me and Athena in awe and wonder.
All the faces smiled my way but my eyes made their way down the aisle and locked on Viktor. His body was dressed in a black suit that molded perfectly to his muscular frame. His hair was slicked to the side and my fingers twitched with the need to run through the dark locks.
A smile stretched across his lips and I burned with the need to kiss them; taste them. I moved into the room my long legs wrapped in black designer heels. I let them lead me down the aisle.
I didn’t miss the way his eyes dropped the length of my body and I lifted my chin. I loved seeing the effect I had on him and my skin warmed. His eyes lingered on me and never strayed as I made my way towards him. Athena purred in approval and I let the sound resound in my throat as I stopped in front of him.
I was aware of the whispers and murmurs as they went silent. My mind was a haze of nerves and happiness as my mate lifted his hand out for me to take.
I knew I looked frighteningly beautiful, wearing a full-length black gown that clung to my figure. My hair lay in loose curls down my back, my makeup dark and sultry, my lips painted a deep blood red. I’ve never been vain but I knew today, I looked like a queen.
I reached out to take his hand and let out a breath of relief when I stepped into his embrace. My chest hummed when his hand caressed my lower back.
He leaned down and murmured in my ear, “You’re breathtaking.”
Jamie and Jake stood off to the sides. Two older pack members stood before me and nodded to me. They both stepped forward and the one on the left cleared his throat before speaking.
“Pack Elder Divinity speaking,” he said as he looked out across the courtyard. He addressed the pack member, “Today, we all stand here to bear witness and crown our new Luna.”
“Do you swear to withhold our laws?”
“I do,”
“Do you promise to put the pack before yourself?”
“I do.”
“Do you swear to stand by your Alpha; to support him and bear our future leaders?” “I do,” I said.
“Please face the people,” he said.
I looked at Viktor as he looked at me. Turning around, we faced the crowd and my gaze drifted over them. Everyone was standing. All eyes were on us, some were filled with tears while others looked on seriously. Some smiled and I nodded, knowing this was where I belonged.
“Eclipse Pack, I present to you,” he said as a crown was placed on my head, “Your Luna.”
Tears filled and overflowed down my cheeks as my pack fell to their knees before us. They accepted me.
***
When we arrived at the reception area, it was decorated in the same way the courtyard had been. Vines, leaves, and lights adorned the walls, floors, and wooden benches around 5 massively long wooden tables.
Beta Jake and his date, Gamma Jamie, and her mate Tristan sat at our table along with the Deltas that governed the territories under them. As Viktor and I made our way to the table they stood and when we sat they followed.
The reception was open to the entire pack. Whoever wanted to come and eat could and whoever wanted to leave had that option as well. All five tables were filled with pack members and I was happy to know they were all in the mood to celebrate.
The laughter filled the reception area and was like a warm blanket over a cold night. Silence slowly fell throughout the reception area as Viktor stood up with a glass in hand. With his other hand, he reached out and I took his hand and got to my feet. The surrounding tables gave us their full attention.
“I wanted to raise a toast, to the woman who brings me happiness,” Viktor said, his glass lifting into the air. The guests raise their drinks and I fight the urge to curl up into his side. “I look forward to doing life with you. I, and my pack; our pack, are lucky to have you.”
“Cheers, my love.”
“Cheers,” the crowd murmurs.
I take a deep drink and clear my throat. Goddess, give me strength.
“Thank you Eclipse Pack, I am honored and humbled to be your Luna. Truth be told, I never thought I would ever find myself in this position, and now you’re stuck with me! I’d like to take a moment to thank a group of people who I feel hasn’t been thanked enough.
“To the search parties, who spent day after day searching for me: I’m forever grateful for you. To Beta Jake and Gamma Jamie: for assisting my mate while I was gone and for keeping him sane. To all of you: Thank you for welcoming me into your pack and for helping me feel at home. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I’ve never felt so at home as I do here. I won’t let you down,” I promise.
The tables erupted in applause and I let out a choked laugh. Viktor lifted my hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to my skin. He stared at me in pride and my heart grew twofold.