Chapter 23: The Luna's Walk

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*Chapter 23: The Luna’s Walk*

One month later.

The pack house had never looked like this.

White lights. Flowers. Every wolf in the territory standing in the courtyard.

Waiting.

I stood behind the doors in a white dress. Simple. No jewels.

The gold bond shined on my neck. No scarf to hide it anymore.

Kieran was outside. Waiting.

“Are you ready?” my maid asked.

I nodded. Couldn’t talk.

The doors opened.

2000 wolves turned to look at me.

Whispers started.

“That’s her. The black bond.”

“That’s the one who fought the Council.”

“That’s the Luna.”

My stomach dropped.

Then I saw him.

Kieran.

At the end of the aisle. In a black suit. Hair combed back. 

And he was looking at me like I hung the moon.

The bond pulled me forward.

Every step I took, the whispers got quieter.

Because the gold was visible. Shining.

Proof.

I stopped in front of him.

The Elder who was doing the ceremony cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved—”

“Wait,” Kieran said.

Everyone stopped.

Kieran took my hands. “Before we do this. I need to say something.”

My heart was pounding.

“One month ago I thought I was going to die,” Kieran said. Loud enough for everyone to hear. “Because of a curse. Because I was a coward.”

He looked at me. “And then she chose me. Three times. She sacrificed for me. She told me the truth. She loved me.”

He turned to the pack.

“For years you called her weak. You called her a burden. You let her be hurt.” His voice went hard. “That ends today.”

Silence.

“From this day forward, Rejoice Blackwood is not just my mate.” Kieran lifted our joined hands. “She is your Luna. And if any of you have a problem with that, you have a problem with me. And with the moon.”

The gold on my neck flared.

No one spoke.

Then, one by one, they dropped to one knee.

All 2000 wolves.

Bowing.

To me.

Tears fell down my face.

Kieran wiped them with his thumb. “Say it again,” he whispered. “So they hear.”

I looked at him. At my pack.

“I love you,” I said. “Kieran Blackwood. My Alpha. My mate. My home.”

He grinned. That cocky grin.

“I love you too, Mrs. Blackwood.”

The Elder finally remembered his job. “I now pronounce you mated. You may kiss the Luna.”

Kieran didn’t hesitate.

He kissed me.

In front of 2000 wolves.

Soft. Claiming. Proud.

Cheers erupted. Howls.

When we pulled apart, the gold bond was shining brighter than ever.

Wrapping around both of us like a ribbon only we could see.

The reception was chaos.

Food. Dancing. Wolves coming up to me to apologize.

“I’m sorry, Luna.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Please forgive me.”

I forgave them.

Because the old me was dead.

At midnight, Kieran pulled me outside. Away from everyone.

To the hill. Where the moon was full.

He spun me around. “Look.”

The entire territory was lit up. For us.

“You did it,” he said. “You won.”

“We did it,” I corrected.

Kieran pulled me into his arms. “So. Mrs. Blackwood. How does it feel to be a Luna?”

“Terrifying,” I said honestly. “And perfect.”

He laughed and kissed my forehead. Right on the gold mark.

The bond hummed. Content.

“My Alpha,” I whispered.

“My Luna,” he whispered back.

And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t scared of the future.

Because I had him.

I had a pack.

I had a name.

Rejoice Blackwood.

Luna.

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*END OF CHAPTER 23*