#3 By the Light of the Silver Moon
Chapter 44

Fox

Over the last two weeks, I barely saw my mate. My mother had stolen her away to plan the Luna ceremony of the decade. I was cranky about my lack of time with Marigold, but over the moon with the idea of her officially becoming my Luna and getting along so well with my parents. I used our time apart to get caught up on work. I wanted to get ahead on work and prepare my board for my extended absence. Once the Luna ceremony was complete, I had a sort of honeymoon prepared for Marigold and I.

I was assured the Luna ceremony was going to be lavish but also casual, at my mate’s request. We invited all the neighboring packs to come and partake in the festivities. Marigold requested to keep the ceremony itself short; she didn’t like the spotlight.

Yesterday I was sent into town for a suit fitting and discovered the colors were being kept traditional. My suit was a deep maroon with navy and gold detailing. I was eager to see Marigold’s dress, assuming that it would match and be absolutely stunning on her.

The Luna ceremony was a day away and the entire pack was buzzing with excitement. Marigold and I were finally enjoying lunch together when I felt a sudden bolt of energy rise in my mate.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her. She jumped up from the table,

“Someone’s using the portal in our room.” She said, taking off for the elevator.

“Wait? There’s a portal in our room?” I called after her.

She was already inside the bedroom by the time I made it down the hall. She had beaten me to the elevator, forcing me to take the stairs. I burst through the door and found her standing in the closet with her brothers.

“What’s going on?” I asked, standing protectively next to my mate.

“We were invited.” Solaris said, eyeing me.

“What?” I was at a loss.

“I invited them to the Luna ceremony.” Marigold explained, looking sideways at me,

“I wasn’t sure if they would be able to come.”

“We weren’t able to send word, we weren’t sure if we would be able to get away without being noticed.” Bayu said.

“But, father decided to go away with his mistress so we were able to sneak away.” Solaris added.

“The ceremony is tomorrow.” I said.

“We’re aware.” Solaris glared at me.

“Do we have a problem?” I snapped. Marigold placed her hand in mine, immediately calming me.

“Do we?” Solaris’ tone was challenging.

“Sol.” Marigold rolled her eyes at her eldest brother,

“Play nice.” She instructed. Bayu snickered. He was quickly becoming my favorite.

“We can prepare guest rooms for you on the second floor.” I said, extending a gesture of peace. Solaris and Bayu nodded,

“Thank you.” Bayu said. Marigold smiled at me warmly and I squeezed her hand.

I had the housemaids prepare two rooms for the fae princes and informed the pack of their arrival. I had guards placed on the second floor for their protection, to ensure that no members of my pack or the visiting packs decided to get curious.

Marigold and my mother made their final preparations for the ceremony. Changing their plans so that Solaris and Bayu would walk Marigold to the ceremony stage. They also moved up the time of the event so her brothers could return home in less than 24 hours. My mother insisted that we not sleep together the night of the ceremony. A stupid human tradition that werewolves decided to pick up decades ago. I complained loudly, but no one cared.

The next day I was on edge. The presence of so many unmated males outside of our pack put Hunter on high alert and the fae princes’ questionable loyalty was testing my own patience. I had Stone glued to Marigold’s side.

By 10 o’clock in the morning, everyone was settled in the backyard for the ceremony. The yard was transformed into a beautiful setting. String lights hung from the trees and covered the lanai. An aisle was created coming from the patio, it was covered in red and blue flower petals. On either side of the aisle were white benches for the spectators. At the end was a large platform covered in ethereal styled carpets. That platform is where I will stand to perform the Luna ceremony and introduce Marigold to the pack, officially, for the first time.

The benches were filled with our pack members and those visiting from nearby packs. My parents and siblings were sitting in the front row. I was waiting on the stage for my mate. Marigold was inside the house with her brothers and Stone, ready to make her ascent to Luna.

The french doors to the patio swung open and there stood my mate, with a brother on each arm. She was wearing a deep maroon, almost red, velvet dress. It was long sleeves with a scooped neckline. There was dark detailing around her waist, showing off her flawless curves.

There was a matching, hooded cloak attached to her dress that flowed out from behind her. The hood was raised, framing her face. Her auburn hair had a slight curl to it and was pulled across her one shoulder. Loose curls blowing in her face. Her lips were stained bright red, dark makeup detailing her wild green eyes.

She was the complete picture of beauty and perfection, strength and grace. She smiled at me when our eyes met and I nearly dropped to my knees. I couldn’t believe that I was this lucky. I was so lost in her eyes that I didn’t notice the trouble brewing behind the stage.

Before Marigold had made it to the end of the aisle, four familiar she-wolves jumped up on the stage. Renee and her three followers, Kelly, Skyler, and Gabrielle, marched across the stage and surrounded me.

“You can’t choose her!” Kelly screamed in my face.

“She’s not good for the pack, no one wants her here!” Skyler snapped.

“She can’t give you what you want.” Gabrielle purred. I was ignoring all of them, focused on Renee who was advancing towards my mate.

Stone planted himself in front of Marigold and growled at Renee,

“What are you doing here? You’ve been banned!” Stone shouted.

“I’m here to stop the Alpha from making a huge mistake. I’m here to protect my pack!” Renee cried back. I shoved past the three she-wolves and threw myself off the stage and towards my mate.

Before I could advance, a colorful trio of light appeared from the fae siblings. Vines snaked across the ground, gunning for the four she-wolves. Marigold’s vines wrapped up the she-wolves and held them together in a tangle of greenery. A roar of fire surrounded them as a strong wind blew across the field.

The pack scrambled out of their seats and attempted to flee the tornado level winds. My parents, Ferra, and Frankie stayed on the outskirts, observing the siblings at work.

Marigold, Solaris, and Bayu’s eyes were all glowing wildly as they used their magic. Marigold looked over at Bayu and gave him a brief nod. Bayu’s white, soulless eyes dimmed and the wind surrendered. She gave a similar look to Solaris who’s orange eyes flared and then extinguished, as did the fire. Finally, Marigold’s eyes settled and she released the she-wolves from her vines. She glanced my way, and, with one look, relinquished control to me.

I stepped up to the girls and growled so loudly that the trees shook and the birds fled.

“You have threatened the life of the Luna and defied direct orders from your Alpha. You have committed acts of treason against your Luna and Alpha by standing against this ceremony. You were shown mercy by being exiled from the packhouse. Now, you are exiled from the pack. You are banned from Silver Moon territory, effective immediately.” My voice was cold and unapologetic as I stood over the she-wolves.

They whimpered and trembled beneath me.

“We only wanted what was best for the pack, for you!” Kelly whined, pleading with me.

“My Luna is what’s best for me and this pack.” I replied. I motioned towards Ferra and the guard wolves who were surrounding her. They came forward and grabbed the she-wolves from the ground.

“Take them five miles outside the territory line and see that they do not return.” I ordered, turning my back on the exiled women. I walked over to my mate and took her head in mine,

“Are you alright, love?” I whispered, pressing my lips to her hand.

“I’m fine.” She smirked devilishly, more than capable of handling herself. I looked to both her brothers,

“Thank you for protecting her.”

“She doesn’t need protection.” Bayu’s smirk matched his sisters.

“Are you okay?” Marigold asked, touching my face.

“I am now.” I pressed my lips to hers and kept her close to me for as long as I could.

“Let’s finish this.” She said, pushing me away.

“Are you sure?” I asked, not wanting to let her go.

“We came here to do a job, so let’s do it.” She nodded stubbornly.

“Fine, but I’m taking you to the stage myself.” I tucked her arm in my elbow and refused to let go.

She playfully rolled her eyes at me but dismissed her brothers otherwise. Solaris and Bayu joined my parents and siblings in the front row. The rest of the pack filed back in. I led my mate to the stage with Stone standing protectively beside us.

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