001 THE MATING RITUAL

Delilah

“Excuse me, have you seen Sandra around?” I asked one of the girls I often saw nearby.

“No, Luna. I’m looking for her too,” she replied.

I left them and headed toward the group gathered under the big tree, preparing the girls for tonight’s event.

“Luna,” they greeted me with respectful bows.

“Thank you. Has anyone here seen Sandra?”

They all shook their heads.

Where could she be? Of all days, she knows I can’t handle this alone.

I need her to prepare me for tonight. She’s the only one who knows what to do. This is uncharted territory for me.

I married my husband just a few weeks ago, but we haven’t mated yet. I’ve been postponing it ever since the wedding. I’m human, and he’s the Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack.

I’ve heard stories about how intense Alphas can be during mating. I’m scared because I’ve never done anything like this before. Sandra warned me that Farrell would likely mate with me repeatedly for an entire week after marking me.

She also told me that a werewolf male’s... genetile is larger than a human’s, and that they have far greater stamina. Not that I have experience to compare, but it’s still intimidating. I’ve been dreading this, and there’s one more lesson Sandra was supposed to teach me before tonight.

Tonight’s event is significant. It’s the ceremony that officially makes me the Luna of the Blue Moon Pack. Farrell will mark me, and after that, the mating will begin.

Sandra was supposed to help me prepare for this. She’s my only friend, the sister I never had. We went to the same college and grew close over the years.

She’s the reason I married Farrell. Sandra encouraged me when everyone else doubted. She’s the daughter of the Pack’s Gamma, and it was during a visit to her house that I met Farrell. It was love at first sight.

When Farrell proposed, my nanny was against it, but Sandra supported me wholeheartedly. She’s been my guide, teaching me about their ways and helping me adapt. I trust her more than anyone else.

But now, when I need her the most, she’s nowhere to be found.

I eventually gave up looking for her and focused on getting myself ready.

*

“You look stunning, my love. All this for me?”

Farrell leaned in to place a kiss on my cheek as he admired me. He looked so happy. I should have felt the same, but the anxiety gnawing at me wouldn’t let go. My final lesson had been put on hold, and it left me uneasy.

Through the vanity mirror, I glanced at him. He was already dressed, looking absolutely breathtaking. His fresh haircut and clean-shaven face made him even more striking. I didn’t want to disappoint him tonight.

I wanted to please him, to be the kind of woman every husband dreams of. Farrell had been looking forward to this day for so long, and I couldn’t bear the thought of ruining it for him.

Earlier, I had searched the internet, desperately trying to find advice, anything that could help me feel confident and capable of meeting his expectations.

A soft kiss landed on my forehead, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked up and managed a smile.

“Don’t overthink it, my love,” Farrell said gently. “As much as I want to claim you tonight, I’ll be gentle.”

With that, he left the room, closing the door behind him. I sighed, my eyes drifting back to the screen displaying the results of my frantic research.

Determined, I stood up, not even bothering that I wasn’t fully dressed, and went looking for Raymond.

Raymond, the Beta of the pack, was Farrell’s younger brother and my brother-in-law. He was also a close friend of mine; we had all graduated from the same college.

“Easy, Luna,” he teased with a grin as I approached him.

I rolled my eyes. “At least wait until after tonight before calling me that,” I retorted, handing him my phone. “I need you to get me this. ASAP.”

Raymond glanced at the screen and smirked knowingly. “I see someone is seriously preparing for tonight,” he teased, pulling a face.

“Please, just hurry,” I said, brushing off his humor.

I finished getting ready, spritzing on my favorite perfume before heading out again. Soon, Raymond appeared, handing me the pills I’d requested.

I hurried to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water, and swallowed the pills without hesitation. According to what I’d read, they’d take about three hours to work. Perfect timing.

The evening air was cool and calm. The tree branches swayed gently as the ceremony began. The beautifully decorated field was filled with pack members, all gathered to celebrate their Alpha and his soon-to-be Luna.

Even the Elders, who had once rejected me because I was human, now bowed respectfully as I passed. It filled me with pride and anticipation for what was to come tonight.

The celebration was lively, with girls dancing joyously to mark the beginning of a new chapter. Farrell and I sat side by side, waiting for the marking ritual to begin, a sacred moment to be performed in front of the entire pack.

But as the minutes ticked by, I started to feel...off. My body was growing uncomfortably warm, and I suspected the pills were starting to take effect. I tried to brush it off. It was almost time anyway.

Suddenly, Farrell stood up, his movements abrupt and tense. Confused, I followed his gaze.

Then I saw her. Sandra. My best friend. She was walking toward us, radiant in a flowing red gown that seemed almost bridal. Her long wavy blonde cascaded down her waist. She looked breathtaking. Relief washed over me at first; she had finally shown up.

But something felt...wrong.

As Sandra stopped in her tracks, the entire celebration seemed to pause with her. All eyes were now on her, and the atmosphere grew thick with tension.

Before I could process what was happening, Farrell left my side and strode toward her.

“Mate!” he said, his voice low and reverent.

I froze.

“What?” I whispered, standing abruptly. “Did Farrell just call my best friend his mate?"