Chapter 36 Luna Ceremony

Luna Ceremony

Nikolai

I sat back in my seat and watched Dimitri and Andrei bring an Ava in the middle of the ground. She looked beautiful in her white dress. The entire pack had assembled for her Luna ceremony and I was sure it was going to be glorious.

When Ava's eyes fell on me, she visibly calmed down.

"Avalyn Alvarez, daughter of late Alpha Javier Alvarez of Montãna Pack is mated to Alpha Nikolai Volkov of the Rogue Pack," Vladimir announced and the crowd broke into cheers.

I didn't move my gaze from my sweet mate.

"I commence the Luna Ceremony," I said, my voice pulsating throughout the ground.

I saw Ava's eyes lit up in understanding. She had no idea the Luna ceremony was today. I wanted it to be a surprise and I had to stay away from my mate for an entire day to follow the traditions of the Luna Ceremony.

"Do you, Avalyn Alvarez, vow to protect this pack?" Vladimir asked.

"I do," Avalyn said in a strong voice.

Vladimir motioned with his fingers and four warriors brought a cage and placed it in front of Ava, a good distance between them.

They opened the cage and a mountain lion pounced outside with vigor. Her killing the lion, an enemy to the wolf symbolizes her fighting to protect the pack.

Ava let out a growl, challenging the mountain lion to attack her.

The lion let out a growl in return and charged at Ava.

Why the hell wasn't she shifting?

I sat still in my seat and watched the scene play in front of my eyes. Showing emotions right now would only show weakness. This was something she needed to do on her own. I kept my face blank, clear from all emotions.

When the lion was a few feet away from her, Ava jumped and with a flip, she landed on the lion's back. She dug her extended claws in its shoulder and her extended canines in its neck. Before the lion could even react, it had its head severed from its body.

The entire crowd was silent and then broke in cheers.

She got off the lion and faced me again, blood dripping down her mouth and her eyes had turned pale blue.

I smirked at her and she smirked right back.

Fuck, I love her.

The way she showed dominance, killing the lion so quickly as if it was nothing more than a little cat, turned me on.

"Do you, Avalyn Alvarez, vow to feed this pack?" Vladimir asked.

"I do." She replied, her voice coming out soft and silky. It was like she was in a trance.

Vladimir motioned the warriors and this time they brought in a deer. They opened the cage and the deer didn't come out so one warrior kicked the cage from behind, causing the deer to startle and jump out.

This caused Ava to let out a low growl. The warrior bowed his head down and retreated.

The deer was extremely still as it looked all around itself, probably knowing the danger lurking around. Her instincts told her that she was between predators and her heart was beating fast.

Ava walked towards him, her eyes locked to the deer. Her heart slowed down as her and Ava's distance decreased. Ava's said slowly started turning silver as she neared it.

Ava stood in front of the deer and caressed her face and then her neck. I could hear the low gasps coming from the crowd. The deer's heartbeat was so slow that the miss of a beat would make her pass out. Ava brought her hand down to her neck and just on the juncture of the nervous juncture of the spinal cord, she pressed, causing the deer to collapse.

She killed her in the most painless way possible.

The tension amongst the crowd was palpable.

She turned and connected her almost white eyes with mine.

She had a fire in her but the fire also brought in a warmth that most lacked.

"Do you, Avalyn Alvarez, vow to love this pack?" Vladimir asked.

"I do." Her voice sounded like a siren calling its prey.

I stood up from my seat, descended the steps, and walked to where she was standing.

"Shift," I commanded her softly.

She shifted into her pure white wolf. I knew everyone was watching in undisguised amazement. White wolves were very rare.

I caressed her fur as I moved forward and then I swung my leg over her, sitting on her back.

"Shift," I commanded and the entire pack shifted into their wolves and bowed down in front of us.

"Let's go." I mind-linked Ava and she broke into a run.

I sat upright on her back and held on to her fur and gave her directions so we made a circle around the entire pack.

This run was very important as it symbolized that Luna would support the Alpha in all his decision and help him lead the pack. This showcased love and unity among the pack.

After hours of continuous, hard running, we were back at the packhouse.

I slid down her back once she stopped in front of the gate of the packhouse.

"Shift," I commanded and everyone shifted back in their human skin.

Sofiya came and handed Ava a white dress which she wore quickly. Clothes were handed to the entire pack and once everyone was dressed, Ava and I led them inside to the auditorium.

I wrapped an arm around Ava and led her up the stage, Dimitri, Vladimir, Sofiya, and Andrei following us. I knew she was tired, she and her wolf were strong but running for so long, with me on her back was not an easy feat.

"I proclaim Avalyn Alvarez, now Avalyn Volkov to be the Luna of the Rogue pack," I announced and then let out a loud howl, joined by Ava and then the rest of the pack. I could feel Ava's happiness along with the rest of the pack, her blood hummed in waves, caressing our bond.

"Let the festivities begin," Vladimir said and then the pack cheered.

The music was turned on and the food was brought in.

I took Ava's hand in mine and led her down the stage and to the middle of the dance floor. The crowd created a small circle around us for our first dance.

I snaked my arm around her waist pulled her closer. Her arms wound around my neck and I held her waist with both hands to keep her in place.

I lowered my head and kissed her forehead. "I'm so fucking proud of you, Moya Lyubov."

A blush rose her cheek. "Thank you." She murmured against my neck, making me shiver.

"Are you tired?" I whispered.

She shook her head in response and I squeezed her waist. "Don't lie to me."

"I don't want to leave in the middle of the celebration." She rested her head on my shoulder.

"The night is about to end in a couple of hours anyway. We can leave after having dinner." I told her.

"Okay." She looked up at me and smiled but I caught the tiredness hidden in it.

I led her out of the dance floor, through the rest of the dancing wolves, and towards the buffet.

I picked up a plate and started piling it with food for both of us. After I had filled the entire plate, I led Ava towards the tables.

She sat down and then we both began having our food.

"What's bothering you?" I asked her.

She looked at me in shock and I arched my brow. Did she think I wouldn't be able to tell?

She looked around us and then back at me. "I'll tell you when we get home."

I narrowed my eyes but agreed. I wanted to know but if she wanted to talk once we reach the estate, then so be it.

After some time, Ava called Vanessa and Adrian to come and have dinner with us, and soon, Sofiya, Vladimir, Dimitri, and Andrei also joined us.

As time passed by, Ava was getting more tired so I announced that we were leaving.

I picked her up placing her in the car, driven towards the estate. The full moon shone brightly and cast a lovely glow on Ava's face. Her eyes were drooping shut but she seemed intent on staying awake.

"You can sleep," I told her.

"But I need to tell you something." She mumbled.

"What is it, Love?" I asked.

But she was already asleep. I shook my head and sped up the car.

I'll ask her later.

I carried her to our bedroom and placed her on the bed. I picked up my cellphone and walked to the balcony, shutting it behind me.

I dialed Max's number.

"Hello, Nikolai!" I heard Natalie say.

"Where is Max?" I asked.

"I'm good, thanks for asking. How was the Luna Ceremony?" She asked, ignoring my question.

"It was fine. Now hand the phone over to Max." I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. This girl seriously needed to lose the attitude.

"No that-" I heard a smack. And then a squeal before some shuffling and then finally Max answered, "hello."

"Punish her for me, will you?" I grumbled.

"It would be my pleasure." He chuckled darkly. He would be the only one who would even have a chance at handling her.

"But how is she?" I asked. At the end of the day, Natalie was family too.

"Bratty. But she's good now. Wolfsbane is completely out of her system." He said.

I hummed. "Any news on Mikhail?" I then asked.

"I found the house they were keeping him in. A human was helping him." He spat. "Killed all the fuckers. But Mikhail was nowhere to be found."

"Dammit." I punched the wall. "Did you find any clues?"

"Got fresh sent. I have sent Remi, the tracker you had sent. He's a good one." He said.

"Yes, one of the bests we have," I said, feeling proud about the fact. My wolf and I were happy that our brother appreciated us.

"We also found another thing. The people that took Natalia and Mikhail aren't from Montãna, they were vampires."

"How sure are you?" I asked. Why would vampires get involved in any of this?

"Choked it out of the human." He said.

"Found any other clue?" I asked.

"Nothing. The entire room was bare as fuck. Not even a drop of blood. Didn't even seem like they tortured the guy." He sounded confused too.

"Or maybe they are good at cleaning their tracks," I muttered. Vampires have always been good at dealing with blood.

"Maybe. Whatever it is, I'll keep you updated, I need to go." He said.

"Wait, hand the phone to Natalia," I said.

He grunted in agreement and passed it to her. "Yes, Alpha?" Came her small voice. My eyebrows rose. What the hell did the guy do to have this change in her in a minute?

"Did you see or hear anything when they had kidnapped you?" I asked her.

"No, they weren't talking in English. I didn't catch a word they said. But they didn't harm me except for injecting the wolfsbane. Almost as if they didn't want to truly hurt me." She sounded appalled by that fact for some reason.

Maybe they were forced to do it for some reason.

"Anything else that was suspicious?" I asked.

"No Alpha. And I have also decided that I will go to the BDSM club." She said.

"Are you sure?" I knew how serious she was about her assignments but she had a mate now. And I would never ask her to do it now. But if she was willing, I wouldn't stop her either. Avalyn comes first for me.

"Yes." Her tone was firm and final.

"Okay. I will call you back soon." I said and cut the call.

"Who was that?" I heard Ava's voice and I whipped around.

"No one, Love. Let's go to sleep." I said and led her to bed. The last thing I needed was for her and Sofiya to know Mikhail was abducted. I didn't want to worry her for no reason. We would find him soon.

"Okay." She said softly as we both lied down. She placed her head on my chest and her arm around my waist.

Any of this didn't make sense. Why take someone captive and not hurt them or ask for something in return? And why would vampires do it? Did they want some information?

"Why are you so worried, Nikky?" Ava asked in a small voice.

Maybe it was related to the new change in a monarchy.

"It's nothing."

I need to increase security. I can't let anything happen to my Ava.

"Talk to me, Nikolai."

Maybe I'll ask Andrei to be with her twenty-four seven. Or I can add one more guard.

"Rest, Ava."

We have to go to Mozog in less than a week. If my suspicion was correct, and those who were behind Mikhail and Natalia's abduction were from Mozog, I would need a lot more than the usual protection there. Those vampires had powers. We didn't.

"Please, Master."

If something happened to Ava, I would go crazy. She had been through enough. I couldn't let anything happen to her. I needed to talk to Vladimir. Or else a whole lot of vampires were going to get slaughtered.

"I said it's nothing Avalyn. Sleep." I snapped.

I felt her flinch back and felt the hurt she felt too. She was feeling guilty about annoying me now.

I put my arms around her small frame and pulled her close. "Sleep, Moya Lyubov," I whispered, kissing her forehead.

Her safety is my responsibility and I would see to it that she is safe and happy. I want her to enjoy it there. Despite everything, Mozog was a beautiful kingdom.