Eva POV

Now the day of the dreaded dress shopping. I enjoy the company, but shopping just isn't my thing. Juniper, Ao and Phoebe take me to some local shops in Raven to try and find the perfect dress. After going to a few, we enter one simply called Sophia's. Looking through all of the dresses, I went back to the first one that caught my eye. It was in my favorite color - gray - charcoal gray to be exact. It had a sweetheart neckline, strapless and fit snugly around the waistline. It then flared out but had a high-low hemline. The underlayers faded from the same gray to a very light shade of it. The lighter shades highlighted my olive complexion and the hemline showed off my legs that I worked hard to recondition after the car accident.

Juniper found a pair of charcoal gray heels that matched the top of the dress perfectly.

"I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I love this dress." I tell the girls, but frown slightly that Sienna isn't here to enjoy this shopping trip.

"I'll take a picture to send to Sienna." Juniper tells me - she must have seen the frown.

"Thanks June. I really miss her. We've been together in one capacity or another since we were newborns. It is still hard to believe that now we aren't in the same pack or even the same state. 1,000 miles is too many miles to just jump in the car and visit her as much as I'd like. Plus we are both Beta females now, it isn't like I'll have tons of free time even if I could." I think and say sadly.

"Go ahead and call her. I'll send her the picture."

I wait a few minutes and when June's phone dings that Sienna has seen the picture, I call her.

"Eva?"

"Si, I miss you so. What do you think about the dress?"

"I think it's beautiful, but how did the girls get you into a dress?"

"The Beta female ceremony is going to be held during the full moon ceremony this month, so Scarlett insisted I get a dress - No camo and boots were allowed." I joked.

"I know you'd live in those, but sometimes the occasion is right for a dress. Like a certain type of ceremony."

"Si, we've not even talked about that." I chide.

"Like you wouldn't marry him if he asked."

"Of course I would." I reply seriously. Julian Le Tourneau is my mate and my future, I'd marry him in a heartbeat.

Tonight is the night for the ceremony to announce me as the Beta female. I wasn't this nervous about the Luna ceremony, but then I didn't care if Callum approved of my dress or not. I spend hours trying to get myself ready. Juniper and Ao came up to do my hair and makeup. Next was putting on the dress, I love the way it looks but will Julian? I've never been so nervous about someone's opinion before. Julian is already the Beta, and I want to look good and compliment him as the Beta female - a role this pack hasn't truly had. From what I understand, Danielle wouldn't even consider taking the role as Beta female. I fell in love with this pack from the moment I stepped on the pack lands, maybe fate knew that I would be back permanently one day. This is the pack that I will protect with my life. All my friends are here, except Sienna - whom I miss dearly. After dressing, I nervously pace the bedroom until there is a knock at the door.

"Angel, are you ready?"

"No." I mumble

"I'm coming in, and you'd better be ready." He huffs. He opens the door, and I hear him take in a deep breath of air.

"You look stunning."

"You think I look stunning in camo and boots." I joke.

"You look beautiful in anything you wear, but this is absolutely beautiful." He states as he crosses the room. "Turn for me."

Doing as he asks, I spin a few times in the dress.

"I love the bottom of the dress. It shows off those gorgeous legs of yours."

"Well, then that part had the desired effect."

"The desired effect. I don't think you want to know the full length of the desired effect." He says hugging me.

"I know the full length." I whisper in his ear, and I chuckle at the shiver I feel go down his spine.

"Keep that up angel, and you won't make it to the ceremony in that dress." He warns.

"Then let's go, and maybe after the ceremony we can see what the dress looks like off." I tease.

"Off we go." He says quickly, as he takes my hand and drags me out of the room.

We make it out to the backyard, and it was beautifully decorated with a ceremony stage adorned with lanterns and vine covered columns - probably compliments of the earth mages.

Sienna surprises me today by showing up at the Beta female ceremony.

"Si - you're here!"

"I wouldn't miss it if I could help it."

"Where's the kids?"

"Back home with Ben. He sends his love by the way."

"Ben sends his love to me?"

"Stop being silly Eva, Ben loves you."

"I know, I just like to give you a hard time about him. I'm so happy you have him."

Nervously, I approach the podium, but the smile on Julian's face only encourages me more. As I get up to stand next to him, I look out into the crowd and see the faces of all my friends that I now have here - them and their growing families. It makes me dream of growing a family with Julian. I am pulled out of this dream by Julian's gentle nudging.

"Evangeline Gray, will you please step forward."

Cautiously I step towards my handsome mate and look up into his silver blue eyes and smile - he is all mine now.

"Evangeline Gray, do you promise to help me with the Beta responsibilities, to protect and serve this pack and be a role model for all of the pack and the generations to come."

"On my life, and as the Moon Goddess has fated, I will lead next to you."

He opens the box to reveal a beautiful pendant with a wolf head on top of a wolf's claw on a white gold chain. I turn and raise my hair to allow him to place and clasp the necklace around my neck. When he is finished, I turn and stand proud facing the pack, my pack, as the Beta female. The flood of emotions from the pack invade my mind, and I step back slightly at this - not that I shouldn't have expected this to happen. Smiling, I wave at the pack that has gathered and they all cheer. My life is one step closer to being complete.

Once the ceremony is over a group of witches and mages come to greet Julian and I.

"My name is Iris. I hope you like the pendant. Beta Julian came to us to try and help pick out the stone for the wolf's claw. There were many possibilities, but it was decided that rose quartz would be the best. The stone helps with balancing emotions and restoring your confidence. We understand that the last five years have been rather difficult for you, so I hope we picked the best stone. However, the group would also like to present you with this charm bracelet. Each charm is either a stone or holds a stone that will hopefully help you as you begin your new journey here at Blackrose Swamp Pack. We welcome you." Iris finishes with a bow.

Taking the bracelet, I marvel at the details and the obvious thought that went into creating the bracelet, and I am moved to tears.

"Can you explain some of them for me please." I choke out.

"Of course dear. The peridot here helps to release emotional blockages and help with healing emotional wounds. Amethyst aids with tranquility, aquamarine boosts confidence, labradorite is helpful for meditation, chalcedony helps rid the wearer of nightmares, and black onyx is good for stress and grief relief. All you must do is believe my child, and the rest will come. It is important that you cleanse the crystals, but you can come by my shop for help with that."

"Thank you very much, Iris. I will be sure to do that soon."

After the witches have made their exit, I guess it is time for Julian and I to dance.

"Would you like to dance, my angel?"

"Mmhhmm...let me think." and I pause for effect. It doesn't take long for Julian to wrap his arms around me and drag me to the dance floor.

"And what are we dancing for this evening?" I prod trying to get a rise out of him.

"Whatever we want. You are now the Beta female of the Blackrose Swamp Pack - something it has never had. And you will be the best Beta female this pack will ever know."

"I think you are a bit biased."

"Maybe, but I am so blessed to have you by my side. You make everyday brighter. I never imagined when I first saw you that first day coming into Blackrose all business - that one day the Moon goddess would bless me as you becoming my mate. But here we are."

"Yes we are, and I couldn't be happier at this moment than I've been in a very long time. I never thought I would be out of that fated relationship, but I did come out of it and I found my love again. You are the only guy I have loved with all of my heart - Julian Le Tourneau."

"And you are the only girl that has owned my entire heart - Evangeline Gray."

And we danced and danced after that. Eventually the ceremony is winding down and Julian decides to drag me off in another direction - towards the gazebo.

The gang gathered me into the gazebo for a surprise party just for me. I suppose this had become the normal thing for us to do and with Sienna here - it just made it all the more fitting. Of course, Julian had baked all my favorite sweets, but everyone had some sort of smug look on their faces.

"Angel," Julian began and I knew this was leading up to something. "While visiting Iris, I became very intrigued by gemstones and how they could potentially help - especially you after everything you've had to endure over the last five years and all of the changes that you will face in the year to come. So we all thought it fitting to get you a little gift to help welcome you and possibly help you through your transition."

On the table were multiple boxes, and once again, I was brought to tears at the thoughtfulness of this group of people I consider my closest friends in the world.

"This is from me." Julian presents the box proudly.

Opening the box, I found a beautiful white gold charm bracelet with a heart charm already attached. Stunned, I looked up into the gorgeous face of my mate.

"The heart is made from unakite, a stone treasured for healing the past." He tells me proudly.

"It's beautiful JD" I state as I hug him tight.

"Ours next!" Rosemary and Violet chime in together, and Brazil looks like the proud papa he should be.

"Ok little ones." Inside is a cute little charm with a red stone at the end.

"It's a sunstone." Phoebe tells me. "It is supposed to bring good luck, fortune and prosperity."

"Thank you guys." I beam at the little ones - good luck is definitely hit me but I could use some more going into my new duties.

"Ms Eva, would you like to open mine." Little Lilah asks.

"I would love to, princess." And I open to find an opaque smoky round bead attached to a clasp.

"It is supposed to help with negative things - right dad." She tries to recite.

"Yes, princess, it is supposed to dispel negative energy." Romain elaborates.

"Thank you - its beautiful, princess." I beam at her.

"Well I suppose Grant and I's gift go with the rest." Tyson states, and I open the box to reveal a black cylindrical charm with what looks like white snowflakes on it.

"It looks like it has snowflakes all over it." I state with amazement.

"It's a snowflake obsidian charm that is supposed to help provide balance during times of change. I thought..."And he gets an elbow from Io "Well, Io thought that it would be a nice addition since you are transitioning not just to a new home but a new role within the pack." He finishes quickly.

"Thank you guys... and Io." I wink at her, getting the feeling that she was the one that actually picked the present out.

Emmett and Wyatt come bouncing up to me with another box. "Ours next." Emmett chimes. "It's not a charm." Wyatt whispers, and I can't help but chuckle.

"Wyatt." Mariah warns.

"But it's not."

"Let her open it first."

Inside the box is a beautiful pair of earrings with beautiful blue round beads that look almost marbleized.

"The earrings are made from sodalite, a stone that is said to protect the wearer from external negative energy. My hope is that you don't encounter much of that while you live here at Blackrose, but you never know who might come knocking on the door one day." Juniper tells me, and I guess she's right - life has a way of throwing curve balls at inopportune times.

Scarlett makes her way forward with a small box in her hand.

"This isn't much, Eva, but I found this while I was restoring part of the pack house. It would look much better on you than me. The witches say that it is aquamarine and can help with confidence. You have plenty of confidence, but I'm sure you will have your moments of doubt. Wear this as a reminder that the fates knew that you have always belonged here at the Blackrose Swamp Pack." From the look in her eyes she meant every word she was speaking.

"Thank you Scarlett. Even without being a member, you have always made me feel welcome, and I thank you for that."

"Me next - me next." Sienna bounces up and down like she used to every Christmas when she had drawn my name for gift giving.

"Ok Si. It better not be a prank gift like you did last Christmas." I tease, and she just pouts.

"No it's not. Just open it."

Opening the box, I am one again brought to tears. Inside is a matching set of bracelets, a heart divided in two with the words "Partners In Crime" inscribed across the top.

"It's perfect!" I yell and run over to hug her as tight as I can, but I feel the tears welling up.

"I'm just sorry we can't get into more trouble her for Julian to be the recipient of." I laugh through my tears.

"I am sure he will get his share. Maybe sooner than you think." As she winks at me. I know what she is implying but this isn't a topic Julian and I have even talked about yet.

"Maybe one day Si, maybe one day." I chuckle.

I turn to the growing gang around me and think fondly of all of the friends I have made her at Blackrose so far and all of the good times to come.

"Thank you all for the gifts, and not just the presents that you gave me today, but for the friendship you have extended to me that started about five years ago to the month. Each and every one of you have enriched my life, and I look forward to everything the future holds."