The Chronicles of Moon
Chapter 69

Big Announcement

The packhouse brimmed with activity; the sound of voices and the buzz of activity is deafening. Moon Stands on the stairs trying to steady her breathing. Her light blue summer dress feels like it’s suffocating her slowly.

You can do this. She reminds herself again and again. Colin had gone ahead of her to see to a few last-minute problems leaving her to finish getting ready. She pulled her hair away from her face in a half updo. She even applied the little makeup she owned, trying to look as much like Luna should. As she stands there, the thought of running back up the stairs sounds more and more appealing.

She forces her feet to move forward, and he seems to appear from out of nowhere. Colin is at the bottom of the steps looking up at her. When he smiles, her anxiety starts to melt away like snow. He starts walking up the steps to meet her.

“You look beautiful, kitten. Do me a favor and breathe, though. I can feel your anxiety, and you are making me nervous.” He smirks. He can’t seem to help but tease her even now.

“Sorry, I just don’t want to embarrass myself or you. Then there are all the what ifs.” Moon looks at the floor, feeling ashamed of herself. She knows full well a lot rides on tonight and the next few days. This isn’t even the ceremony, just an announcement to the pack, but still, she can’t help but feel nervous with so many people all waiting to see her and Colin.

“I’m with you, and you can never embarrass me.” He kisses her forehead, making her smile softly. “Come. We need to get to the back garden everyone will be heading there for the announcement then comes the mingling.” Even Colin sounds less than thrilled at the idea of being social. She nods a little, and he holds out his hand for her. When she takes it he kisses it softly before leading her down the steps.

Moon is so focused on breathing and staying calm that her foot misses the last step. She gasps in surprise as she stumbles in her low heels. Colin has his arm around her waist and smiles at her.

“See, still here to catch you, kitten.” He holds her for a moment, enjoying having her in his arms. He isn’t looking forward to anything about tonight other than telling everyone that she is his. That is the only thing keeping him focused. His mind has been a mess of thoughts all day, but she seems to be the only thing that brings him any peace.

Most in the crowd of people smile brightly as they make their way through. The whispers and a few scowls don’t go unnoticed by Colin. Everyone is still under the impression that she is a wolfless girl. He caught wind of a few rumors going around that they can’t have a weak and wolfless Luna. It would only make the pack vulnerable. It makes Colin’s blood boil to think any of his pack can judge her based on that. He tries to forgive them, but they still don’t know what she is, but they will come the end of the week.

It takes so long to make their way through the packhouse, even with the crowd parting and making way for them to pass. Once outside, Moon is in awe of everything that has been done in just a short time. Tables of food and drinks line the yard smelling delicious, and she realizes how hungry she is. She hadn’t had an appetite all day, but now she’s starving.

Round tables dot the yard, and she wonders if this is just for the pack, then how much bigger will the actual ceremony be? She swallows hard, thinking of it as her anxiety flares up again.

“Breathe.” Colin leans in, whispering to her as they walk to the side of the yard where the Alpha table sits on a low stage. The table is massive and she is happy to see Chris and Johnny sitting there with Bella. Moon had hardly seen her most of the day. Moon did help her change into a dress Ann had gotten her, but Bella was off again the moment she could wiggle free, insisting she had work to do.

Ben and Emily walk onto the stage just before Moon and Colin. She is a little surprised to see them with everything that is happened. They look tired and Moon knows they have spent the day with Ben’s mother. When they finally reach the table, Moon lets go of Colin and rushes to hug Ben and Emily.

“I didn’t expect you to be here tonight.” She says, squeezing them both.

“We couldn’t miss the announcement. It’s important.” Emily replies breathlessly, the air being squeezed out of her.

“How is she?” Moon lets them go to see their faces clearly.

“Not well. Doctor Lewis doesn’t have high hopes. She is pretty bad right now; he’s doing all he can to keep her calm and comfortable, he even had to sedate her.” Ben hangs his head wishing he could do something for his mother but the pain of losing a mate has driven wolves mad and even killed them as well.

“I understand if you don’t want to be here tonight,” Moon says sympathetically. She hates that she is the reason they are all hurting so much.

“No, it’s okay. Becky took Rose for us so we could be here; honestly, this is better than the clinic.” Ben tries to smile, but it falters. Moon embraces him again; his pain hurts her as well.

“I’m sorry Benny.” She whispers. He hugs her a little tighter.

“Please don’t be. It isn’t your fault.” Ben is sincere as he pulls her back to give her a look letting her know he doesn’t blame her for any of it. “We should get seated. We need to get the show started soon.”

She lets him go just for Colin to put his arm around her and take their places at the table as Jess and Zach join them. More and more people fill the grounds in front of the stage. The tables are so full of people that some stand in the back. When the movement seems to stop, Colin grips Moon’s hand under the table, and for a split second, Moon can see he is drawing strength from her. With one deep breath, his face is blank and unreadable. He does look fierce when he does that. Moon wishes that he wasn’t so good at hiding his emotions, but little by little, she has been feeling them more and more, and she can feel the tension he feels. Is he afraid that something will happen tonight, or does he hate crowds as much as she does?

He stands, moving to the front of the stage. “Thank you all for being here tonight. Most of you have already heard the news, and I am glad I finally get to do what should have been done days ago.” He looks at Moon, giving her a small smile. She stands and joins him, praying she doesn’t trip in front of everyone.

“I would like to introduce Sarah Moon. She is the future Luna of Twin Falls. I know most of you have met her, but I hope you all welcome her. She brought her pack with her, and we will welcome anyone who chooses to stay with us. The joining of our packs is something that should be celebrated. I know the last several days have been stressful, so tonight, we celebrate. Anyone that wants to officially join the pack should come and see me tomorrow.

The Luna Ceremony will be at the end of the week. I will invite Alphas from nearly every pack to help us celebrate.” He looks right into Moon’s eyes, “I have never been so happy in all of my life as I am right now. I want to share in this happiness.” leaning in and kissing her there in front of everyone, Moon wasn’t expecting it, and the crowd explodes into howls.

Moon doesn’t see the rest of the alpha table cheering as they scan the crowd looking for anyone that might look unhappy over the news. What they don’t see is the small girl sneaking cookies from the party table and running with them to the woods to share with a friend.

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