Daniel

Several months have passed since Nate and I's ascension. We've been running the pack for almost five months now - under the watchful eyes of my dad and Beta Davis - and Felix already was gearing up to be a great Luna, even though he still was supervised by my mom.

Unfortunately, he wasn't living with me yet as he's still a minor. At least, for a couple more weeks!

It was the last week of school, graduation was upon us, finally! All the gang was graduating except for Denise, who was still a junior. She was not happy about it. But we all knew it was coming. She's 17 now and still hadn't been found by her mate yet. But there's plenty of time!

Lauren, on the other hand, was already 18 for months now and yet unmated. She definitely wasn't happy about it! Especially when she - as everyone around her, including me - grew up thinking she was gonna be the pack's Luna.

Tom, Carl and Mike were also 18 now. Tom and Carl found their mates within the pack, they were lovely girls and both couples were love struck, as it happens this early in the mating (it's only been a few weeks). But Mike still hasn't found his. And he was inconsolable, as was Lauren.

At school, we were eating lunch at our table for one of the last times ever. Everyone's here, including Felix and Daphne, but the table wasn't big enough for Tom and Carl's mates, so they ate at another one next to ours.

"I can't believe this is our last week at school!" - I started, nostalgia taking me over.

"I can't believe Carl and Tom found their mates and I didn't! I pray to the Goddess every single day!" - Mike whined. We all felt for him. None more than Lauren.

"I hear you, Mike. Trust me! I can't believe it too!" - Lauren chimed in, also brooding.

"It's gonna happen for you, brother, have faith!" - Tom tried to comfort him.

"I'm just relieved none of you people are my mate!" - Denise admitted, looking at the boys and we all glare at her.

"Denise, read the room, sis! I know you don't care about finding your mate, but have some empathy!" - I reprimanded her.

This is the biggest milestone in a werewolf's life, so it's not like they're crying over nothing!

"It's not like I don't care! I do, I'm just not in any rush!" - She replied, avoiding my gaze.

"Speaking of which, next Saturday starts the mating season. The Blood Moon pack is visiting us for the Full Moon ceremony." - I informed them, cheerfully. - "It's gonna be the first official pack visit for Felix and I as Luna and Alpha!" - I said, beaming with pride.

Felix's eyes widened. All looked at him and me.

"What's mating season?" - Daphne asked, quizzically. - "Do you people go on heat?"

"Again, we are NOT really animals!" - Nate replied annoyed, but we all glared at her.

"Mating season is when the summer starts and ally packs visit us, bringing their unmated werewolves in hopes that their mates are here within our pack." - Felix informed her. And we all looked at him surprised. I was proud.

"Way to go, Luna!" - Nate congratulated him with a smile. Felix was beaming.

"So, maybe you'll find your mates then!" - Daphne said to Mike and Lauren.

"It's possible. But who knows what the Goddess has in store for us!" - Lauren replied with a weak smile.

"I know Casper is almost 19 and haven't found his mate yet. It must be driving him crazy not to ascend as Alpha! I know I would!" - I said, more amused than I'd like.

"Who is Casper?" - Daphne asked Nate.

"Casper is the eldest son of the Blood Moon pack's Alpha. He was supposed to ascend months ago, even before Dan, but haven't found his mate yet!" - Nate told her in a concerned tone.

"Didn't your father always say that Denise was going to be his mate?" - Lauren pondered. Denise grimaced.

"Yes, you're right, Lauren! It's our oldest and strongest ally. It was always a dream of mine and Casper's dad that our packs be bonded trough mating!" - I said as I looked at Denise. She wasn't happy about it.

"Cool! Maybe..."

"I don't want to be Luna!" - Denise interrupted Felix.

"I don't wanna leave my pack or be a Luna! I wanna be a warrior!" - She continued, almost tearing up.

"I'm sorry, Denise! I din't mean to..."

"I know you didn't, Felix, and I mean no offense! I just don't want to leave my family behind!" - She insisted, almost trying to convince herself.

"Be that as it may, if I were you I'd prepare myself." - Lauren chimed in, looking at Denise.

"What do you mean, Lauren?" - Denise asked, puzzled.

"I mean Casper is almost 19, so he's been looking for a mate for several months now! If he didn't find her, most likely she wasn't of age when he turned 18. So that only means..."

"I know what it means, Lauren!" - Denise exclaimed, now in tears.

"You'd be a great Luna, Denise!" - I tried to console her but that only made her sob harder.

"Cheer up, Denise. Maybe Casper is my mate!" - Mike interjected, making all of us laugh at him, including Denise.

"I mean, can you imagine? I think his father would have a heart attack!" - Nate joked.

"But seriously though, Denise, I speak this as your friend, I'd get on the pill ASAP unless you want to find yourself in a Daphne situation!" - Lauren spoke and Denise mouth was agape. We were all shocked by her words.

"Lauren!" - Nate yelled. Daphne was gobsmacked.

Of course, she was referring to Daphne's pregnancy after her and Nate's first night together. By now, Daphne already had the procedure done and no longer was expecting.

"She's right though, Denise, albeit crass. I also advise you to get on birth control if you don't want THAT to happen." - Daphne spoke, looking at Denise, but not missing the opportunity to take a dig at Lauren.

"On a lighter note, I can't believe my little sister got into Rice! I'm gonna miss you!" - Felix chimed in, grabbing Daphne's hand.

"I'm gonna miss you too, dork!" - She replied with a smile.

"Well, I'm gonna miss you more!" - Nate interjected, kissing her on the cheek.

"On that note, let's go back to class before this P.D.A. makes me sick." - Lauren snickered.

The week has come and gone. Our graduation was a beautiful ceremony and Lauren's valedictorian speech moved us all to tears. My parents looked so proud, none more than my mom who cried when they called our names. Felix and Daphne's parents were also present, of course, and looked mighty proud of their twins.

By now, they've already visited our compound a couple of times and were much more familiar with my parents. It was all good among us, thank Goddess!

It's Saturday, the morning of the Blood Moon pack's visit. We were having breakfast, Daphne and Felix were also with us, thankfully, as they slept in the pack house.

"So, is everything ready for the full moon ceremony, mom?" - I asked her while I took bites of my bacon.

"Ask the Luna, I'm only an advisor." - She replied with a cheeky smile.

The entire table looked at Felix, expectantly.

"Yes it is, Alpha! All the necessary steps have been taken. This is not my first rodeo!" - Felix replied, not missing a beat. Daphne was grinning, but not more than me.

"Who are you? Since when do you even say that?" - She teased him.

"Since I've spent the last 5 months training to be Luna." - He replied in a matter of fact tone.

"That's good to hear, Felix, and what about the..." - I started but got interrupted.

"We're ready to welcome the Williams' pack! The warriors have been notified, including the ones at the gate. The accommodations are set for the entire family, the quarters are prepared for their warriors and the rest of their entourage." - Felix informed us.

"And yes, I know warriors sleep separately from the rest of the pack. It's all been arranged!" - He continued, proudly.

We were all floored by his response, but my mom's beaming with pride.

"Thanks, Luna!" - I said and I kissed him, our eyes glistening with love and joy.

"So, Denise, are you ready to meet your mate?" - Dad asked her and she almost choke on her food. She glared daggers at him that would make most men coward in fear.

"It's okay, cariño. You don't have to be nervous. You know this will always be your home!" - Mom comforted her, as she caressed her hair.

"I'm gonna reject him!" - She said and it was like a bomb was dropped. We're gobsmacked!

"Everyone except for my family, please leave us!" - I commanded and everyone does as I said it. Daphne gets up too, but Nate doesn't let her leave.

"Please tell me you're joking!" - Dad spoke, looking her dead in the eyes.

"I don't want to be Luna! I never did!" - She replied with wide eyes, brows shot up.

"Denise, do you realize what you're saying, right? If you reject him, he can't ascend. EVER!" - I told her in the most serious tone I could muster. I'm so angry right now!

"It's not my problem!" - She spoke and dad lost it.

"Not your problem!? Are you freaking kidding me?! You're gonna end a 100 years alliance! Do you have ANY idea about the consequences? Do you want a war?" - Dad spat at her. He was livid.

"I don't want to leave my family! I grew up here, this is all I've ever known!" - She explained with a pleading look.

"You're NOT rejecting him, young lady! I mean it!" - Dad yelled at her, so close she could feel his breath.

"It's my decision!" - She replied in defiant tears.

"Well, YOUR decision is going to ruin the entire pack, so congratulations!" - He said it and he leaves the dining hall. This is the most furious I've seen my dad since forever!

"Denise, do you think I didn't consider rejecting my mate? Do you think it was easy for me to accept it?" - I told her, very distraught. Felix looked at me with a sad face.

"It's different for me, Dan and you know it!" - She replied with a sorrowed frown.

"Yes, it's different! The difference is no one will judge you for being a Luna! I know you dream about being a warrior since you could walk! We all know and respect that!"

"I only ask that you give your mate a chance! If nothing else, out of respect for the Moon Goddess!" - I shouted and leave the dining hall, Felix joined me. Nate gave her a kiss and left too with Daphne. Mom stayed with her. They were both crying.

At the Alpha's quarter, I dropped in my bed as soon as I entered. Felix seats by my side.

"I mean, what's the worst that could happen if she rejects him?" - Felix wondered.

"It's the highest possible offense! You know there can be no Alpha without a Luna! And if she rejects him, he can never ascend! Basically, she'd be destroying their family legacy! And making an enemy of our strongest ally!" - I spoke as my eyes start tearing up.

"I mean, she might as well demolish my time as Alpha! Because it'll be hell to pay!" - I continued, very distraught.

Felix sees how upset I am and lay by my side. He strokes my face and his touch is the only thing in the world that can give me comfort. There's a knock at the door, but the person doesn't wait for permission and enter.

"How are you, brother? Look, you have to believe she just said that to shock us! She won't have the courage to actually reject her mate!" - Nate consoled me as he sat in a chair.

"You know, people usually wait for permission before they enter a room!" - Felix snickered. I laughed a little.

"I took a sniff before I entered, Luna, I'm not an idiot! I knew you weren't doing anything!" - Nate replied with an uncomfortable smile.

"I'll never get used to this part! Not when anyone can sense what we're doing here even with the door closed. I think I'll buy an incense." - Felix pondered.

"Don't! It's havoc on our noses." - I said, making a disgusted face.

"Anyway, thanks for checking in Nate. I think I'm gonna take a nap before they arrive for the full moon ceremony. I need to be well rested for tonight!" - I told him, which is the truth. Ceremony is great, but it's also when every single member wants to talk to the Alpha.

"No, problem. I'll see you later!" - Nate said and he leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.

"So, do you want to..." - Felix suggested but I interrupted him.

"I'm sorry, baby, but I really meant it! I need to rest for tonight. You never know who might challenge me at the ceremony!" - I spoke with a deep frown.

"Don't remind me! I can't believe we have to go through this again every month!" - He said as he distances himself from me.

At this point, I survived at least one challenge every full moon ceremony since I ascended. It tore Felix apart to see me fighting but there's nothing I could do, literally.

"Hey, I said I had to take a nap, I din't say I don't want you by my side!" - I croaked, pulling him closer to me. As he stood next to me, I was able to bask in his warmth and drift off to sleep.

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