Once Rejected, Twice Desired (Book 1 of Blue Moon Series)
Once Rejected, Twice Desired Chapter 27

Alaia POV

When Dad and Aaron asked me to join them, I was confused. But Amethyst urged me to step forward, so I did.

I somehow knew that I needed to shift with my twin; now was my time. It was our time.

When I took his hand, the power that moved through us was incredible, and it confirmed that this was where I needed to be.

As I began to shift, I expected to feel extreme amounts of pain, but all I felt was warmth.

I allowed Amethyst to take control, thus making me a spectator in my own body.

I closed my eyes and bent down to the ground, letting the warmth cover me completely.

When it was all over, I looked up and saw a beautiful gray wolf standing where Aaron previously stood.

As any Alpha would be, Aaron's wolf was much larger than the average, but there was also an aura of power emanating from him.

He was going to be a strong and fierce leader.

After a few moments, I noticed that Aaron was staring back at me, like really staring.

I looked around and saw that everyone had their eyes locked on me.

I was beginning to think something had to have gone wrong.

I looked down and saw brown fur and paws, so I knew I had shifted.

Nothing is wrong; we shifted perfectly. They are looking at our eyes, Alaia.

But why? What is wrong with our eyes.

Nothing is wrong with them. They reveal our true selves.

Amethyst stop talking in riddles. I don't understand.

We are the Amethyst wolf, Alaia.

Amethyst, like your name?

One and the same.

So, what does that mean?

My internal dialogue was cut short when I heard the head elder whisper in awe, "An Amethyst wolf."

Well, this seemed to be a big a*s deal.

***

The same elder who had previously spoke then made a request.

"Alpha Jonathon. If I may, would it be possible to postpone the pack run and Alpha ceremony for a moment? I would like to speak to your family about a matter of great importance. I assure you; I won't take too much time, and we will get right back to naming Aaron the new Alpha."

"Yes, of course."

Dad then turned to the pack to address them directly.

"Opal Moon pack, our elders have requested a brief intermission before we proceed with the pack run and Alpha ceremony. Please allow us this small break and help yourselves to the food and drink while you wait."

Aaron and I shifted back to our human forms and were both given robes to cover up with. I reached down and put the bracelet from Xander back on my wrist before our group made its way to the pack house's common room. Packed into the space were the four elders, both my parents, Aaron and Jordyn, Beta Lucas, and Xander, Matthew, and myself.

Xander took a seat and pulled me into his lap, discretely tightening my robe around my body.

"So Elder Lewis, what seems to be the problem?" Dad asked.

"Oh no, there is no problem at all, Alpha Jonathon. Quite the opposite, actually. Your children are what the ancient scrolls call an "Amethyst Pair," a blessed set of twins born only once every thousand years...."

As Elder Lewis spoke, we all listened intently. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Was I to hold powers? I'd always felt so basic; now I was being told I was a rare and unique wolf?

Amethyst pranced around in my mind preening. She had always known she was special; she just had to wait for us to shift for everyone else to replace out.

Xander spoke up with a question.

"Elder, when will we know what powers she will have? From what I understand, there could be many different possibilities."

"Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question, Alpha Xander. It would be up to her wolf to decide when and where to reveal her power. She can have just one, or she could have many. There is no way to know for sure."

Again, all eyes were turned to me, and I was beginning to get uncomfortable. I never liked being the center of attention when I was just a regular wolf, and this was ten times worst.

I nervously cleared my throat and felt Xander give me a supportive squeeze around my hips.

"Well, this has been eye-opening," I began, "but if it's okay with you all, I'd like to continue with our regularly scheduled programming. Tonight is supposed to be about Aaron and Jordyn, and I don't want to take that from them." The room reluctantly agreed, and we made our way back to the yard.

Aaron shifted into his massive gray wolf again and howled, calling his pack.

Soon all of Opal Moon was standing before us in their wolf form before they took off into the woods after their Alpha.

"You didn't want to join in the run, Little One?" Xander asked.

"No, this is for him. This run is to strengthen that bond between the pack and their Alpha. I'm no longer a member of this pack; it's not for me to participate."

"That's fair. How are you handling everything? I'm sure you're more than a bit overwhelmed with tonight's events."

"I'm not sure honestly. I mean, yeah, it's cool that Amethyst is some badass wolf who can't be harmed by dark magic, but the part about me having powers is a bit weird. I don't want this to change the way people look at me. I'm still just Alaia; I don't want to be seen as some untouchable and revered deity."

"It's a lot to handle, but I know that if anyone can figure it out, you can."

"Thanks, Xander. So, this bracelet you gave me. I'm guessing that it does the same thing as my wolf, blocking dark magic?"

I looked up and saw Xander blush a bit. He even looked nervous, how cute!

"Yes, it does. I wanted to be sure that you were 100% safe tonight, so we took a few extra precautions. Are you angry?"

How could I be angry? He had done all that he could to keep me safe so that I could be here and fulfill my destiny. No, what I felt at that moment was anything but anger.

"I love you, Xander. So, so much. Thank you for all of this. I can't even begin to express how much it all means to me; how much you mean to me."

I didn't expect the words to come from my mouth, but when they did, they just felt right.

Xander pulled me up into his signature hug, leaving my feet dangling off the ground.

I reached up and placed my hands on either side of his face and just stared into his crystal blue eyes.

This man owned my soul; I knew it the moment I first saw him. There could never be another but him.

"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear those words from your mouth, baby. I love you, too. In this lifetime and the next, for all of eternity. You are mine, and I am yours."

When our lips finally met for a kiss, it was nothing I had ever experienced before. It was slow and gentle and beautiful.

His lips were pillow-soft, and he moved them with such a gentle finesse that it brought tears to my eyes.

Yes, I was his.

***

An hour later, the pack returned to the house, ready to welcome their new Alpha and Luna.

My parents stood on the left side of the stage with Aaron and Jordyn on the right.

Elder Lewis stepped between the four of them and held up the Alphas chalice.

"As has been our tradition since the beginning of our time, we will see the passing of the Alpha title from one to another.

Aaron Miller, firstborn son of Alpha Jonathon Miller of the Opal Moon pack, please step forward.

Alpha Jonathon Miller, of the Opal Moon Pack, please step forward as well."

Aaron and my dad stepped forward, facing one another.

"Alpha Jonathon, the power of the Alpha flows through your veins; as was passed to your father by his father before him and his father before him, stretching back to the very first werewolf. Are you now ready to pass that power to your son?" Dad's voice broke, and I saw that he had unshed tears in his eyes. He looked at Aaron with so much pride; I was so happy I was here to witness this.

"Yes, I am ready."

"Aaron Miller, are you ready to receive the blood of the alpha? To have if flow through your veins and have it grant you the power and wisdom of all those who have come before you?" "Yes, I am ready."

My mom then stepped forward and handed Elder Lewis an ancient-looking dagger. It was gold and platinum and in the light of the full moon, I saw one lone wolf engraved into the handle. Elder Lewis drew the blade across my dad's right palm, then Aaron's.

"Alpha Jonathan, Aaron, please join hands."

They did as instructed, then lifted their conjoined hands in the air.

I watched a small trickle of blood run down both their wrists, then collect in the chalice held by Elder Lewis. I felt a powerful gust of wind move over the crowd.

All of Opal Moon took a knee and bowed their heads.

"Opal Moon pack, we usher in a new era tonight. Please stand and honor your new alpha, Alpha Aaron Miller."

The crowd stood and erupted into cheers and howls.

Dad pulled Aaron into a tight hug and let the tears fall freely.

I then realized that I was crying as well; I was so proud of the man my big brother had become.

Once the congratulations were finally finished on stage, Aaron turned to the crowd and raised a hand to silence them.

"Opal Moon pack, tonight we also welcome your new Luna. Jordyn Hall, please step forward."

She took a few steadying breaths and walked over to Aaron at the center of the stage.

"Jordyn Hall, do you vow here tonight to always protect and honor the members of the Opal Moon pack to the best of your abilities until your final breath?"

"I vow to do so."

"And do you vow always to support your Alpha, to stand by his side, and to guide him to the best of your abilities until your final breath?"

"I vow to do so."

Aaron then took the same golden dagger that had been used on himself and made a thin slice on Jordyn's right palm.

She then balled her hand into a fist and allowed a few drops of blood to collect in the Alpha's chalice Aaron was holding. Just like before, we felt a strong breeze sweep over the crown, which again brought the entire pack down on one knee. "Opal Moon pack, please rise and honor our new Luna."

More cheers and howls filled the night's sky.

It was the beginning of a new chapter for the Opal Moon pack, and no one could have been better suited for the challenge.

***

As we continued to celebrate, Aaron announced that in the interim, Lucas would remain on as Beta until a permanent replacement could be found.

The news saddened me because Aaron should have been able to celebrate this night with his best friend, but it seemed he was lost to us.

Aaron didn't deserve this, and soon the sadness was replaced by anger. I was angry at Alexi and the stupid choices he made, which led to this point. Jason, the lead warrior, was named Gamma, which I thought was a very suitable position for him.

As the music began to play, we all moved towards the considerable buffet my mom had organized and began to fill our plates.

I caught Jordyn in the line and pulled her into a huge hug.

"Congratulations, Luna, you looked beautiful up there...and very bad-a*s."

She laughed out loud at that before thanking me and turning back to the buffet.

"I was so nervous I didn't eat anything all day. I didn't want it to come up while I was on stage. I'm making up for that big-time now."

We headed over to the head table and sat down beside our mates.

I leaned my head on Xander's arm and looked out over the happy faces. This was such a beautiful moment to be a part of.

An omega made her way around the table, filling out glasses with what appeared to be wine before she disappeared into the crowd.

I raised my glass in preparation to make a toast to the new Alpha, and Luna then noticed that the stone on my bracelet was glowing and letting off a bright light.

Xander seemed to notice it too as he shot to his feet and knocked the wine glass out of my hand.

He spun me around and cupped my face in his hands, looking directly into my eyes.

"How are you feeling, Baby? Your eyes are glowing purple, Alaia."

Well shit...