Dead Luna
Chapter 30

Amelia's

POV

I can feel Leo staring at me, and can't help but wish he had sat further off. He sure was acting oddly back in the foyer, almost as if he was in some sort of weird trance. Maybe the necklace had been a bad idea after all, since he obviously did recognized it. Only, I had wanted to wear something a little extra, and it was the only piece of jewelry that actually I owned. Leo would just have to deal with it, if it bothers him to see it again.

Alpha Jerome was talking to me about his pack as we waited for the ceremony to begin, so I better pay attention. Then Alpha Craig was arriving, looking far nicer in a blue suit that accentuated his blue eyes. I compliment him on his fresh attire, and then we all watch as Travis Blake arrives, looking a bit disheveled and dragging Elena along with him. Elena seems to be sporting a brand new filigree mark on her neck, and I'm secretly jealous at the speed in which they got the deed done. About half a dozen other couples also arrive late, having found their new mates just as Moon Goddess had predicted, and then the ceremony began.

Alpha Zachary was dressed very nicely in a pale blue suit. I had recently learned that light blue, cream, and gold were the official pack colors, and not just a fancy French whim of Luna Veronica's. His twin brothers stood next to him in dark blue. Miranda looked elegant in her form fitting shimmery pale blue dress, her hair in an elegant bun with a few loose flowing tendrils. Grace looked sweet in the same fabric, but in a loose and flowing style. Her curly red hair loose and natural. They both have a sort of flower crown adorning their heads.

I look over at Elena, confused. She looks very similar to Grace, I think. Then Ambrosia tells me it's because they are cousins. Elenas father and Graces mother are siblings. That explains it, I suppose.

Then I pay very close attention to the ceremony, as I had never been to a Luna ceremony before, and I would be having my own in probably about 2 months time, once I've chosen my alpha. They typically occur on a night with a full moon.

I can't hear very clearly this far back in the crowd, but they all speak some vows, and the officiant lectures them for some time on their duties to the pack and to each other, then they each make a small cut on their hands, place them on a stone tablet, and take their oaths. Then they do a similar thing with their Gammas (apparently each Luna will have her very own so there is no conflict). A few more words are said, and then it's over.

Everyone heads to the tents for the festivities, pack members of a lower status head to one, and ranked members and visiting alphas along with their officers to the other. I'm told that the festivities going on in both tents are virtually identical, but necessary due to the size of the pack. The champagne may be a lower quality, and perhaps the foods not quite as fine in the one tent, but that everyone would have music and dancing. And the happy trio would be spending equal time in each tent, before heading off to a private celebration of their own in the alpha suite, before joining everyone for the customary pack run at midnight.

More couples are being mated off, despite the fact that this isn't the mating ball. Gamma Desiree is paired off with an Elite warrior from Cannon Beach pack named Ashley. I see Jackson looking on wistfully, and I tell him not to worry, he'd have his turn soon. He shakes his head sadly, in disbelief.

"You know, I think I may even know who your mate is already, and you're going to love him!" I tell him excitedly. I may have had a bit too much to drink, but I'm pretty sure Jackson's mate is Joshua, Elena's eldest brother.

Jackson looks alarmed and tries to shush me, but I reassure him that people probably already know about his preference. "Your mate swore me to secrecy, but the thing is that his family has known almost their whole life, and they just want him to be happy. Joshua is such a sweet guy!"

"Joshua?" Alpha Derrick asks as he walks up beside me. Jackson gives me a hard look, as if to say he'd kill me if I say anything.

Whoops. I really have drunk too much.

"Is Jerome still busy working on the treaty with Cannon Beach pack for Desiree and Ashley?" I ask to change the subject.

"Yes he is," Derrick informs me, but doesn't quite take the bait. "Who is Joshua?"

"Have I ever thanked you for saving me?" I ask Derrick. I place my hands on his strong shoulders to steady myself, and look into his eyes, which look so sincere.

"Umm... no..."

"Not you! Harry, come out here." I request, and Derricks soft brown eyes turn almost black as Harry comes forward. "Selene told me what you asked of her. I appreciate what you did. Thank you!"

And I kissed him firmly on the mouth. At first Harry was taken aback, but then he deepened the kiss and it seemed like it would go on forever, and then I felt myself being yanked away from Derrick and I fell to the ground, blacking out instantly. Possibly due to lack of oxygen.