I rolled onto my back, stretching and sprawling out on the bed, my eyes still closed. It felt so nice to be in a bed again, wrapped in silky sheets and a comforter. Apparently Rafe had already gotten up for the day-

Wait a minute.

My eyes shot open as my brain adjusted. I had accepted Rafe, I had just slept with-mated with-Rafe. I sat straight up, keeping myself covered with the sheet. I couldn't believe that I had actually taken that step. It seemed like there were a lot of things I couldn't quite believe.

A small smile spread across my lips and I made my way to the bathroom in Rafe's room. I turned the water on hot and stepped in, letting the steaming water pound against my back, relaxing my muscles. It was strange, I didn't feel different at all. Was I supposed to feel different? I wasn't quite sure how it all worked.

In just a few hours, I had become a member of a new pack, accepted my mate, and slept with him. I was in the final stages of becoming a Luna. I was going to be side by side with the most powerful man in the pack. I would assume almost as many responsibilities as he himself had.

I would be versed in the affairs of the pack, I would be there to plan with Rafe any and all military action that would be preformed, I would decide punishment for those who broke pack law, and I would be their balance.

Children would look up to me, men and women would depend on me.

My heart felt like it was going to pound right out of my chest. I didn't know how to do any of this, I had no idea how to operate a pack. What if no one took me seriously?

I got out of the shower, basking in the warmth and steam that surrounded me. I grabbed a house coat off the door and tied it around my waist before going back into the bedroom. I pulled a drawer open that had a few articles of clothing in my size.

I towel dried my hair, leaving it unbrushed as I padded down the hall and into the kitchen. I rummaged through the drawers until I found some cereal that sounded appealing, pouring it and the milk into a bowl before munching away. I stood at the counter, facing the wall as I ate and thought about the future.

I wondered what it must have been like for Rafe, growing up and becoming the Alpha for his pack at a younger age. I wondered if growing up in an Alpha household had truly prepared him for the responsibilities he had ended up taking on. Was it enough to know how to care for his people? Or were his parents part of the reason he had been corrupted by violence?

Warm arms snaked around my waist and I jumped until the electric sensation put me at ease. Rafe leaned into me, his chin resting on my shoulder as his arms held me tighter, refusing to let go; like if they did then I would disappear.

"You have no idea how incredibly difficult it was to leave the bed this morning," Rafe whispered in my ear.

I smiled through a bite of cereal. "Then why didn't you stay?"

"If only I had. I could have watched you sleep for hours."

My stomach did little flips at his words. I was amazed at how relaxed I felt around him now when over a month ago I had feared this man. The stories that had been told about him, his threatening presence, the men he had for patrol. Everything about him had appeared to be so frightening at first, and now I craved him next to me.

"I've gotten the new members settled into their permanent homes," Rafe said, moving to stand next to me. "The ceremony will be tonight to announce all new members of the pack."

I nod slightly.

"Including you," he said looking pointedly at me.

Oh, he was going to be introducing me to the pack tonight. They were all going to have a name to go with the face that some had seen hanging around the house, the same face that had thrown Aphrodite around the den. They were going to find out who I was; who I was to Rafe, and who I was to the pack.

"I was wondering if you would be alright with the full announcement. I would like you to officially become my Luna tonight."

My breath caught. I obviously knew this was coming, it had been on my mind all morning. I just had no idea it was going to come so soon. Rafe wanted everything finalized tonight. Tomorrow I would wake up and be at the top of the pack.

I felt like I was having a panic attack, but I bit it back, nodding to answer Rafe's question. I was afraid if I used my voice it would give away how truly terrified I was.

Rafe smiled and pulled me into his arms, lifting me off the ground. "Perfect," he whispered kissing my lips lightly. "I have to get back to work now, there's much I need to do after my absence the past few days."

"Okay," I whispered as he turned to leave the kitchen.

I leaned back against the counter, watching after him as he turned out of my line of sight. I felt my heart trying to beat out of my chest again.

I can't be the Alpha's mate, I thought to myself. I don't know the first thing about any of this. I don't know how to be a Luna, let alone a good one. Why did my mate have to be an Alpha, not to mention the Alpha of one of the biggest packs?

Come on Katarina, you can do this. It's not like you're in this alone. Isn't this what you wanted from the start? To know and be on the inside of those doors when they were having meetings, to know what they were discussing for military action, to have a say in what happened?

I was getting what I had wanted from the start, I was just getting it in a permanent way. I didn't understand why I was so nervous about making this permanent, I was securing my future with Rafe.

I just pushed that small part to the side and got ready for the gathering later that night. I dried my hair, curled it, and applied light makeup. I looked through the closet in my old room, looking for just the right outfit.

I settled on black jeggings, a bright red silky blouse and and short black boots. I looked myself over in the full length mirror and looked back at the clock. I made my way out of the room and through the house, going towards the back where it emptied out into the vast area that contained the homes for the rest of the pack.

A slight stage had been set up in the open area and people had started to gather per Rafe's instruction. I could already see the rogues lined up on stage. I saw Nolan looking out at the crowd and wondered what he must be thinking with all of this.

I hoped for his sake, that he was able to find his mate here like I had. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was him. He had lived years in the woods with the small group. They had become his family, but he still needed more than that, he deserved to find love.

His eyes found me hanging back off to the side and he smiled. I couldn't help but smile back, his happiness was just contagious. I pushed my way through the growing crowd and up onto the stage. I stood next to Nolan, giving him a quick hug, making sure it wasn't too long.

Rafe stepped up onto the stage and everyone quieted down.

"Welcome everyone. I've gathered you all here this evening for a special reason. Late last evening we acquired some new members of our pack. These eight men and women have proven themselves to be worthy of membership.

They each signed and consented to our ways. And I would now like to introduce each of them to you."

Rafe started naming off each of the new members. I watched the crowd as they listened, hanging on every word Rafe had to say. They really looked up to him, they trusted him. Here he was telling them that there were eight new members and none of them batted an eye. They all trusted that if Rafe was okay with it, that it was perfectly fine.

He got to the end of the line and paused for a moment.

"Now, we have one more special person I would like you all to officially meet. You may have seen her around the pack house in the past, you may have even witnessed her aggressive behavior not too long ago," he said laughing slightly.

"This is the most amazing woman to have crossed our line, and she will be staying here with us from now on as well. I would like you all to meet Katarina Reynolds."

The crowd started to cheer and Rafe motioned for me to step forward, to stand next to him.

"Along with these other men and women, Katarina signed herself over to the pack last night. I couldn't be any happier. As some as you may have heard, this amazing woman is my mate."

There were some murmurs going through the crowd, some shocked faces, and some that looked impressed.

"Last night, Katarina also chose to accept me as her mate."

This time there were some romanticized sighs that washed through the crowd.

"I would like to introduce you to not just any new member of this pack, but to your Luna."

Cheers erupted through the crowd again, and the people bowed down. My heart nearly stopped at the sight at how quickly these people accepted me, at how readily they bowed down before me.

Rafe's voice held power as it travelled over the people. "All rise and welcome your Luna."

******************

So now that it's all 100% done, there is no going back now. Katarina is Luna and she is standing right along side Rafe. And those rogues have now found their new home. Let me know what you think,

Comment, Vote, and Fan!! :D