Chapter 135 - Ceremony

Adea

As I stood waiting for the ceremony to start, waiting for my cue to begin my walk down the aisle, realization seeped in. This was it, the day I never knew would come but became a reality and happened in a week. Today I’d be Ethan’s Luna officially. I’d be Luna to this pack. I began to sway and balance myself as I felt light-headed. Gabe reached out to steady me. I looked up and took in the room. The hall had been decorated for the reception and it looked amazing. There were vases that held bouquets of cream roses and tea lights littered each table. The white tables were placed in a rectangle, the fourth clearly for Ethan, me, and higher-ups. I stared at the doors in front of me. The lights were dimmed and a light glow lit up the hall giving off a romantic feel.

I turned to face the doors I was to walk through. The ceremony would be held in the courtyard where Shane attacked me the night of the Ball. The bad memories from that night haunted me in my early days here. I’d create new memories here, good ones. The thought of him still rattled me but not like it did then. Would it look the same? Leo was out of sight but I knew he was watching nearby. Knowing I was being watched made me feel the opposite of what I thought I would. I felt safe. I wouldn’t tell Ethan my thoughts but maybe having a guard was a good thing.

Gabe stood beside me, and he waited patiently for me to take the first step forward. I inhaled and exhaled slowly as I braced myself for what was on the other side of the door. I held my chin high and took a step forward. Two women rushed forward and pushed the doors open wide. I could feel the eyes of everyone in the courtyard on me.

My escort squeezed my arm firmly and I looked to find him giving me an encouraging smile. My legs were jelly as they carried me on their own accord. I was surprised I didn’t trip and my eyes took in the medals that adorned the aisle and followed the trail of cream roses that lead up to the front. Leo guided me forward and I could hear the soft crunch of roses beneath my feet with each step. I was a bundle of nerves as I straightened my back and held my head high. The courtyard descended into silence as I made my way down the aisle. I prayed I didn’t trip and fall and held onto Gabe’s arm tighter. My mind was ready to spiral into thoughts of me sprawled out on all fours when I locked eyes with Ethan.

In an instant, all thoughts of tripping dispersed, and the heavy loads on my shoulders lifted. Ethan’s eyes burned with an intensity that had my heart thumping and my thighs clenching. He was tall and stuck out among the men at the front. My lips parted as I took in his charcoal suit. He wore slacks, a creamy button-up that he paired with a suit jacket, and a silver tie. A single cream rose sat on his left chest. His eyes flickered between him and Elijah and I knew they both watched me now as I made my way to them.

The world stopped spinning as I stared back at my mate. This is what I want. He’s what I want. There’s nothing to be nervous about. I take a deep breath and smile at him. Beta Odis stood by his side and Darci stood beside him in Olivia’s place. I fought the tears that started to fill my eyes. Two elders stood on Ethan’s other side. Gabe and I stared at Ethan as he stepped forward and extended his hand out to me. Gabe turned to face me with a genuine smile on his lips and kind eyes. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek that earned a growl from Ethan. The elders by his side chuckled as Gabe offered my hand over to my mate.

Ethan’s hand on mine sent tingles up my arm and a shiver down my spine. He stared down at me with a look that claimed me as his and I stared up at him with a challenge in my eyes. Gabe went and stood beside Darci. The elder by his side stepped forward in his white suit. He greeted us and the guests before he prayed to the Goddess and prayed for my raise to Luna. He prayed for our union as Alpha and Luna and asked her to guide us in this life.

“Adea Biscoff,” he addressed me, “do you swear to act in the best interests of the people?”

“Yes,” I answered.

“Do you swear to stand beside your Alpha in the good times and the bad? During times of prosperity and times of war?” He asked.

“Yes,” I answered with every fiber of my being.

“Do you swear to serve your Alpha as his Luna not just as his mate?” He asked.

“Yes,” I answered as a tear escaped and ran down my cheek.

“Alpha,” the elder addressed him, “Do you swear to take Adea as your Luna?”

Ethan squeezed my hand and we faced each other.

“Yes,” Ethan said in his deep voice.

“Do you swear to lead by her side?”

“Yes,” Ethan repeated.

“Do you swear to protect and honor her?”

“Til the day I die,” Ethan promised.

Odis beamed by his side and Gabe gave me a playful wink. The elders said a few more words to bind me to Ethan before addressing the crowd. Ethan and I turned forward to face the crowd. The elder took a step forward and motioned to me. “I present to you, the Luna of Desert Moon,” the elder announced. The crowd burst into cheers and whistles.. Everyone stood to their feet and clapped.