4

KINA: My name is pronounced like Tina but with a K. Honestly, I cannot believe Adrian’s grandmother, how she could just cause a scene like that and not bat an eye, it’s not just Adrian’s day, it’s also mine. I guess I will just have to make sure that I create a grand entrance for my Luna ceremony and make everyone forget about that narcissistic bitch. “Keska?” I call to her. “Would you like to help me get ready?” I ask her, I know how important she is to Adrian, so I want to get to know her better myself. “Are you sure you want me?” she asks. “I wouldn’t want you to get backlash from the family because you are being nice to me.” She says. “Well, dear, I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t want you, and I think I can handle your grandmother.” It’s already a bit after noon, so I do need to hurry the ceremony starts in a little over an hour. “Ok, if you’re sure.” She says. “I am,” I assure her. I take her by the hand and lead her up the stairs to my suite, where my mother and best friend are waiting for me. “Keska, this is my mother, Connstance, and my best friend, Gracie. Mom, Gracie, this Keska, she is Adrian’s cousin from Blue Crescent Pack.” They both have confused looks on their faces. “I thought that there were only twins in that family?” my mom says. “Yeah, I get that a lot.” Keska answers her. “There might as well be, for all the attention they give me.” She says, like it’s no big deal, and mine and my mom’s hearts break for her.

KINA: I jump in the shower, I wash my hair, and quickly wash my body and get out. My mom has my dress and undergarments ready for me when I get out. Keska was helping Gracie set out my makeup. I have long hair, the color of wheat in the sunlight, so it’s a little darker than the others in Adrian’s family, and I have Hazel eyes that are just a bit darker than Keska’s. My dress is a flowy Grecian style, with the drape off the right shoulder, fully beaded, the color of ocean glass, that watery green that’s got a hint of blue and is a slight shade darker green than mint, it sets my eyes off, and compliments my hair, which is in soft curls, also pined to the right side to show my mark from Adrian on the left. I’m not one for a lot of make-up, but I understand the importance of looking my absolute best today and with what happened earlier I was determined to make a grand entrance and take the spotlight from Adrian’s grandmother, so with a sage brown eyeliner, and ombre shades of green eye shadow, done in a cat eye affect, and blush that highlights my high cheek bones, and a soft coral lip, I feel like a Greek goddess. As I am getting ready, I ask Keska about her and Adrian signing. “Why do you and Adrian sign to each other? Are you hard of hearing? And is that why they are so mean to you?” “No, I am not hard of hearing, we do it so we can talk to each other, without them knowing what we are talking about, since we can’t use the mind link due to being in different packs.” She tells me, “They are mean to me because, as you heard the former Luna, and elder Mrs. Sutter, I don’t look like any of them, I look like my mom’s mother, Nana Lilly.” She replies. “No, Adrian’s Gamma has a cousin who is deaf, and he taught us to sign. Adrian wanted to learn, so if they ever came to visit, he would be able to communicate with her as a gracious host should.” I had heard about the Gamma’s cousin, and I, too, am learning to sign for that reason. “I feel sorry for Mom.” Keska softly states. “The way dad’s mother talked, it was like she had an affair with someone, or they adopted, and nobody spoke up for her!!!” “I am sure someone spoke to her; I don’t think your dad would let her disrespect your mother like that.” I replied to her. “Let’s hope.” She says.

DRAKE: I was furious with my mother for making people think that my mate cheated on me! I stormed over to where she was standing, “MOTHER!!!” I practically roared at her, “Carla did not, nor never has, cheated on me!! I believe you owe her an apology NOW!!!” I was SEETHING, but I didn’t want to cause more of a scene than she already had, but she needed to apologize to my mate. I took her by the arm and dragged her over to where my mate was standing. “Now apologize!” My voice was ice cold to her. “Drake, dear, I never said she did, you took my words out of context.” mother cooed at me. “Do not patronize me, mother! You made it sound as if Carla either cheated, or Keska was adopted, (Supposed Mother!), those were your exact words. Now apologize to my Mate!!!” I seethe at her through clenched teeth. Mother never liked to admit when she was wrong, but this time I was going to make her admit it, and in front of witnesses. “Drake, darling, don’t cause a scene.” she said rather quietly. “Apologize NOW!!!” I practically roared at her. “Fine.” She let out an exasperated sigh. She turned to my mate. “Carla, I do apologize, but I did not say you cheated.” “No, Amanda, you just inferred it, and in so doing, you have put not just my reputation on the line but that of our Pack. I hope you are happy now!!” My mate and I turned our backs on her and walked away to take our place for the ceremony.

The music starts as a signal to the start of the ceremony.

KINA: I take a quick look at the clock, it’s almost 1:30. There’s a soft knock on the door, and my mother answers it. I hear my dad on the other side. “It’s time, are you ladies ready?” he asks in his rich baritone voice. My mother opens the door for him to come in. “Oh, you are beautiful! My darling daughter.” He says to me as he comes to kiss my cheek. Then he turns to my mother and kisses her. Turning back to me, he offers his arm. “Ladies, please go take your places. I will escort Kina down.” Keska is the first one out the door, followed by Gracie, I happen to catch a glimpse of Adrian as he has come to escort my mother down and then take his place on the stage that was erected for today’s events. “Who was in the room with you, Gracie, and your mother?” my dad asked in a hushed voice. I whisper back, “That was Adrian’s cousin Keska.” “The one the old bat made a fuss about earlier?” “Yes, daddy one and the same.” I reply with a smile playing at my lips. My father made no secret about not liking Adrian’s grandmother.