xxxii

our queen, our warrior, our Luna

M A D D I E ♛

It was about a month later after the rogues had officially become pack members when Chase informed me that I was also going to be presented as the pack's Luna.

I contested that I wasn't ready just yet, but he assured me that it was fine and that I was going to learn as we go. Besides, I had also realized that out of all the rogues, I was the only one who wasn't an official member of the pack yet.

Ever since Chase informed me of the upcoming Luna ceremony, things had only become busier. Lucy had been with me a lot and taught me a lot of things as well as giving me tips.

"But of course, every Luna is different, so you just keep doing you. Just always keep in mind that you are now leading a pack." she tells me.

On subjects of Lunas, I remembered Hannah and Hazel who were probably great at what they did and although I was worried on how well I will do, I know that there are many people around me who will help me.

Today was the day of the ceremony and I was staring at the ceiling, clinging tightly onto the blanket. My heart was already beating so fast of anxiousness, but when I heard a knock at the door, I knew I had to get up.

The ceremony was going to take place this evening but there were a lot of things to make sure off and there were a lot of things to be done for tradition's sake.

One of the rules of the ceremony was that I wasn't allowed to see Chase until this evening at the banquet hall so that was already bummer.

I could really use some of his corny jokes to ease my nerves.

Shaye and Faye were both at the door, the twins who had been helping me especially with the preparation of the ceremony. It helped that they were my age so I felt like I was getting ready with friends.

"Good morning, Luna." Faye says with a smile as she pulled the curtains apart letting the sun lighten the room.

I sighed as I sat up. "So, today's the day." I say with a heavy feeling.

"Yes, Luna. We will go over all the steps for today, but first you need to eat first. You won't be able to grab a bite until this evening." Shaye tells me.

Great.

I get off my bed and washed up. After getting changed, the three of us went down to the pack kitchen where I was served a heavy heavy breakfast. I was so full that I had to remain seated for a few minutes just to digest some food.

After eating, Shaye and Faye explained to me all the things that were going to happen today.

The ceremony was at 6PM and since there was still a bit of time, they told me that I could take a rest first because everything was still getting prepared.

I was walking along the forest, heading to nowhere in particular. On my way, I met a lot of people who were either also just passing time or hurrying to prepare the places that would be used tonight.

Right, so at the ceremony, I would be receiving my pack mark as well being presented to be the Luna. Shaye and Faye had also mentioned that tonight, Chase and I were going to spend the night for the traditional marking night.

From what I understood, I was going to receive two marks, but I didn't really understood the second one since it wasn't properly explained. It was as if Shaye and Faye were shy to talk about it.

Finally, the twins called me back at the pack house. When I had arrived, there weren't only the two of them there. There were many other women too including Lucy, Melanie. However, I was greatly surprised when I caught sight of my mother.

"Mom, what are you doing here?!" I exclaim happily. While one of her hand held mine, the other rubbed my cheek.

"There's no way your father and I could forget such a special day. We may not have been there for you for a long time, but we will be here now." she says and hugs me.

And with that, the preparation started.

There was a bath prepared for me. The essence used was extracted from moon lilies grown especially for this occasion. I knew the scent was familiar because that's how the moon goddess smelled like.

Faye shampooed my hair while the other young ladies were scrubbing my body. The whole thing was weird for me because I have never experienced it, but I was reminded that this was tradition and went with it.

After the bath that took who-knows-how-long, I found myself seated in front of a mirror while the ladies put products on my face that I'd come to learn were called makeup.

After another while, I hadn't even had the time to look at myself properly at the mirror when I was told that I needed to wear my dress.

It was a red dress and it was beautiful. It was long and a bit puffy, but not too much that I can't move properly. The dress was embroidered with jewels that I was sure that were real because when I wore the dress, it was heavy.

They had given me a pair of black sandals that went along with the dress. A bit more time was spent on my hair and finally, they said it was done.

"Your daughter is such a doll, I'm glad she's Chase's mate." Lucy tells my mother who giggles along with her.

"Your son is quite the handsome man too, Lucy. I'm excited to see their kids." my mom whispers to her, but not low enough that I couldn't hear. Hearing the statement made me blush madly.

Kids?!

They must be crazy.

I pretended not to hear as I walked to the mirror and was surprised at the sight.

Maybe it was because I wasn't used to seeing myself all fixed up and even wearing a dress! But I thought that I looked beautiful.

It had almost seemed like it wasn't me, but I knew that those green eyes belonged to no other.

"It's time." my mother said behind me with a motherly smile.

I took a deep breath and in an effort, try to get the nerves out. I turned and walked with my mother and to my surprise, my father was already waiting outside the room.

He hugs me and compressing the tears that mounted, he takes my arm and put it around his.

"I can't believe I'm giving you away as soon as I meet you, but I know you'll be happy with Chase." he says.

"I'm happy to have met you too, dad." I say happily.

I asked if Megan and Cassian were here too, unfortunately only Megan was here because Cassian had been gone for far too long.

As we were talking, we had already arrived in front of the banquet hall where Lucy informed that everyone was waiting for me.

"You'll make a fine Luna, Maddie." Lucy tells me making me smile happily. I'm happy that she thought so.

"We're so proud of you, don't ever forget that." my mom tells me too and gives me a kiss on my cheek.

"Go on now, you can't keep the pack waiting." my dad says in his turn and I nod.

I took slow and careful steps when I was mounting up the stairs.

From the side, I saw Kasen and Owen on the side. My eyes searched for Chase immediately and I find him at his seat. He looked like he was stunned for a second but then he smiled.

I hope he found me beautiful because the man was absolutely dashing with his hair it shouldn't be allowed to look that good.

I smiled back at him and then scanned the banquet hall full of people, truly the whole pack was here, dressed at their best attire.

As I stood in front of them, everyone stood up. "Luna." they said all at the same time and it had all of my hair standing up.

Everyone then bowed their heads in respect and greeting to me and although I have been getting used to it, to see a hundreds of people do it in front of you... it was an indescribable feeling.

"At ease." Kasen says and they all sit back down.

"Luminare, tonight we present you Madeline Wayne as your Luna, our Alpha's chosen mate." Owen started and that earned a loud cheer and claps all around.

As for me, my heart was beating madly as I tried to keep my head up and smile at everyone.

Kasen and Owen were taking turns to say more about how I was Chase's mate and naturally, the Luna. They had briefly explained of my life growing up, but everyone in the pack already knew about that so it wasn't a big surprise.

They had also briefly explained the position of a Luna and what she was to do, basically all the things that Lucy had been teaching me.

"Is there anyone in opposition to Madeline Wayne as our Luna? If you are in disagreement, you should know that you are challenging the Luna naturae for her position and will engage in a fight." Owen announces.

We all wait for someone to oppose, but the room was dead silent. No one talked.

"If that's the case, let's call our Alpha for our Luna to receive our's pack's mark." Kasen says and looks over to Chase who stood up.

As he stopped in front of me, I knelt on one knee just as all the other rogues did about a month ago when receiving their mark.

Chase could probably tell that I was nervous so he smiled at me almost comforting me that everything is going to be just fine.

"Madeline Wayne, as the pack's Luna you are to receive our pack's mark. As the pack's Luna, do you vow to give the pack your unwavering loyalty, your strength and skills for as long as you live?"

"I vow." I answer and the moment I answer the words, I feel a strong tightening feeling.

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

"I vow." I answer and again, the feeling was even stronger.

"And so receive." as soon as Chase finished saying the words, I could feel a warm feeling on the bottom of my left collarbone as I looked, it was the same pack mark that all the rogues have received.

All of a sudden, I could hear all sorts of voices in my head and that's what Lucy and Chase explained as the pack link.

It shocked me for quite a bit because it was all different voices congratulating me.

'Control it, block off your thoughts.' I hear Chase's voice prevailing among all the others and I quickly look at him. It was definitely his voice!

That's amazing!

Rogues never had this sort of mode of communication and to experience was both alarming and amazing, but following Chase's instructions, I had learned to block my thoughts from spilling onto the pack link and it was simpler to do than I had imagined.

"Luna, rise." Chase says while holding a hand out to me.

Slowly, I take it and stand beside him.

He smiled again and guided me as we both stand in front of the whole pack who was now cheering and clapping loudly.

"Luminare! Our Luna." Chase announces to everyone and I almost thought I went deaf because the whole banquet hall was cheering so loudly.

With that, I bowed my head to the people and that made the commotion die down a bit.

"My people."

Heyyyo lovelies! "li" is waving for the epilogue. Last chapter please~