xxxi

if you were here, would you have been happy too?

(p.s the mark looks like that but the mark is situated at the bottom of their collarbones!)

M A D D I E ♛

Cassian and Megan returned to Caelum a week ago and I have been so busy running around trying to learn all the things that I needed to in order to be the Luna.

In fact, today was finally the day that the rogues would each be recognized and accepted into the pack.

When it was first announced to everyone that they would be integrated, a lot of people were weary and brought their concerns to the Alpha.

Because of the number of people that weren't too open to the idea, a pack meeting was held. We reached to a compromise to present each and every rogue to the pack, to present where their previous pack was and the reason they were banished.

If there was a rogue who would even appear to be suspicious or of a questionable background, they wouldn't be accepted.

Thankfully, when everyone was presented, no one was found suspicious and questionable so they were all to be accepted.

Furthermore, I had also told the pack that I would be taking any responsibility if they ever did something and that seemed to suffice and worked with everyone.

While the younger rogues have been put into some sort of schools, those who were young adults and older adults were trained. The men were trained to be pack borders while the ladies were either in the nursery, the infirmary and other areas of the pack.

All the rogues were lined up now and the whole pack was present in the auditorium and because it's such a big pack, there were people up until outside.

Chase, Owen and I were sitting on a pedestal where you can see everyone, even the rogues that were presently lined up.

Kasen went up to the front where he started to clear his throat.

"Ehem, quiet down everyone now and we will start with the welcoming of our new pack members." Kasen announces and everyone instantly shushes.

I looked towards the rogue and some of them appeared visibly nervous and anxious. That made me smile and chuckle softly. I was more than happy for them.

Some of them hadn't been part of a pack for years, some of them had given up the thought of ever being in one again and so to have a second chance at a pack life was a golden opportunity. What's more is that they could restart as a regular pack wolf and not an Omega.

Come to think of it, this pack didn't even have an Omega. Chase explained to me that it was due to the fact that it was a strong pack and that everyone's lineage was also somewhat strong. And it was rare that someone wouldn't have their wolf at the age of 18.

"Tonight, we have 24 individuals, currently rogues who will become part of our pack. This has never been done before and because they were rogues, serious background checks were to be done in order to verify that they are not heinous criminals.

Each of them were presented to the pack with their history in which none of the pack opposed and so tonight, they will be welcomed to the pack and will be receiving our pack's mark." Kasen took a pause and made a sign towards the rogues.

Slowly, in a single, long line, they walked towards the stage and stood before us.

Owen stood up this time and faced the pack like Kasen.

"As the Beta of the pack, I will ask again if no one is in opposition of 24 rogues and their history." Owen asks for the last time. No one spoke and silence reigned. It was as if everyone was holding their breath.

This time, the Beta turned to me and I understood that it was my queue to stand up.

"Maddie, our Luna naturae, it is of a condition that you will be held responsible should any of the rogues commit heinous crimes or treason, do you still vow to do so?" Owen asked.

One of the things I learned about the high ranking wolves of this pack was that while all of them joked around a lot, when it came to business, all of them meant business.

"I vow." I answer. The vow was a big thing since I could be punished with them if they ever committed any crimes.

However, I trust that they wouldn't be able to do that. All of them were hungry of a second chance and now that a chance like this has come, they have all told me that they wouldn't throw it away, that they would live their lives diligently.

Content with my answer, Owen sat back down and now, Chase stood up beside me and made a sign to the first in line of the rogues who was Billy.

"Billy Gomez, rogue of two years, banished for going against your old Gamma who had hit your daughter. The pack of Luminare shows grace into accepting you. Do you vow to give the pack as well as its leaders your unwavering loyalty, your strength and skills for as long as you live?" Chase asks.

Billy knelt down on one knee and kept his head low in front of the Alpha.

"I vow my unwavering loyalty, my strength and my skills for as long as I live, Alpha." he says.

"Do you agree to receive our pack mark and protect the pack's honour and reputation?"

"I agree, Alpha." Billy answers again.

"And so receive." Chase says.

Billy looks up finally and shows his neck in submission and moved his collar just enough so you can see the bottom of his collarbone.

Chase put his hand over it and a few seconds later, a pack mark started to appear. Luminare's pack mark consisted of an aligned sparks of light throughout the bottom of the collarbone and if I may so, it looked pretty nice.

It seemed to hurt because Billy grunted but he endured it and when it was over he released a heavy breath.

"Arise, pack wolf." Chase orders him and Billy stands up, unable to contain his smile. He also glanced at me and I could see his happiness. Equally joyful, I returned his smile.

"Billy Gomez, you are now part of Luminare. As one of ours, it is our duty to protect you, shelter you and strengthen you. As a pack wolf, it is now your duty to be loyal and to serve the pack." Chase tells him.

Billy nodded and stood before the pack and bowed to them where they all said: "We welcome thee."

After that, the same process was done to each and every rogue. They were made to vow of their loyalty and service to the pack and were given their pack mark.

It took a little more than an hour to get everyone presented and receive their marks.

After all of it was over, Chase took my hand and we stood in front of the pack.

"Luminare, tonight we have welcomed twenty four of our new pack mates. It's a time to celebrate and welcome them in our pack, so then, let's spend the night to get to know them." Chase says as a sort of closing remark.

Everyone clapped and this time, the pack felt genuinely happy that they had new members in. The animosity towards the rogues had considerably lessened, although I know it won't completely subside.

After that, everyone exited the room and went towards the ballroom where food was served and music played. I could feel the happiness of the pack, I could also feel a bit of bitterness. Lucy, Chase's mother and the previous Luna, explained that once my wolf has started to recognize that I was a Luna, I was going to start feeling what the pack felt.

I momentarily left Chase to congratulate everyone.

I was happy when I saw Leighton, Gage, Quinn and the other younger wolves, getting along and being friends with pack wolves their age.

Billy and the other older men were also conversing with other men their age and it was the same scenario for the older ladies.

Feeling stuffy, I decided to go out to the balcony for a bit.

Looking at the starry night sky, I couldn't help but remember Andrew. The pain stroke my heart again. I wondered. If he was here, would he have been happy too?

I'm sure that he would. If only...

My thoughts were interrupted when I sensed someone following me. When I turned around, it was Rina.

I had remembered that she was the very last rogue that I had taken in, just as we were travelling to the southern territories. She was awfully quiet and didn't say anything to anyone. All she ever answered was her name.

But I heard that she had opened up to a lot of people and was closest to Sarah.

"Rina! Did you also need space to breathe?" I ask her with a smile.

Rina slowly and shyly shook her head, but she still approached me and stood beside me.

I felt that she wanted to tell me something so I didn't say anything further, if she wanted to tell me anything, I was willing to listen.

And I was right. I heard the young wolf release a huge amount of breath and she slapped her cheeks surprising me. "A-are you okay?" I ask, surprised.

"I-I'm fine. I just wanted to tell you something." she said and held the fabric of her dress tightly.

I nodded as a sign that I was listening.

"You probably already know this when the background check was done on me, but I just wanted to tell it to you personally." she started.

"I ran away from my old pack because I was an Omega. I wasn't supposed to be, but because I was a daughter that the Alpha had before he met his mate. When my father met his mate and found out about me and my mother, she had challenged my mother and killed her. My father abandoned me too so I became an Omega.

Life was hard and was even harder because my father's mate hated me and made everything harder. I barely ate everyday. It was so hard and I just wished that I could die. It got worse when..." Rina stopped because this time her tears were flowing.

I could tell how hard it was for her to talk about it. I approached her and rubbed her back gently.

"Some o-older guys in the pack touched m-me." she said, her voice full of pain and agony. This time, I put my arms around her in hopes of any comfort. Her pain was gushing and I wanted to ease it in any way I could.

"I ran to my father for help, b-but he didn't believe me and he just turned me away again. When the older guys found out that I told on them, they were coming for me and I knew that if I hadn't ran away, I would've died. So I ran away even if it meant becoming a rogue.

Just when I thought I was going to be killed by the other rogues, you appeared and you saved me." she says. "And I just wanted to thank you for that because now I can restart again."

This time, I could feel that her tears of pain had changed to be tears of happiness because she had a bright smile on her face.

Seeing that, I remembered Andrew's smile who always thanked me too and that made me tear up too. "I'm glad, Rina. I'm glad you're safe." I tell her and hugged her.

And that's when I realize something.

Andrew may not have been here to witness all these changes, but I'm sure that if he had been here, he would have been happy too.

Before we both realized it, all of the rogues were here too and they had tears in their eyes.

I smiled before starting to speak.

"Everyone, I want to thank you all for being strong. You may all think that I am the reason we are here, but I want to remind you that Andrew was a big reason why we were all able to be here. He didn't get the second chance he deserved because he sacrificed his life to protect us, so let's live happily for him from now on." I tell them, mixed of sadness and happiness.

Everyone agreed and whispered words of gratitude to Andrew.