Chapter Nine

Aria's POV 

“Wait, really?” My eyes widened in shock. I've always had a nagging thought in the back of my mind that he probably saw me as inadequate, maybe that was why he never showed me his pack.

Omari's rejection and humiliation cut me really deep, it seems. 

“Why are you surprised? I should have even announced it earlier but I needed to place certain things in place first.” He says lovingly.

“What things?”

“Well they will have to wait, it's now or never,” he replies.

I smile approvingly, “Let's do this, then.”

I get lost in his blue orbs, so handsome. His scars look so appealing and attractive. I wrap my hands around his neck, going on my tip toes. 

“To hell with this,” I scream in my head. I slam my mouth against his, he stills for a moment and regains himself. Pulls me lush against himself and deepens the kiss, our tongues fight for dominance. 

A loud knock makes me pull away from him abruptly, a growl reverberates in the back of his throat. He attempts to pull me towards him ignoring the person at the door, but a loud knock is heard again. 

I shake my head towards him pointing at the door. He pouts in frustration, “Let's ignore it.”

“No, it might be an emergency,” I insist. I push his bulky body towards the door. I know he let me do that, there's no way I would have been able to even move his finger.

With a sigh of resignation he takes some steps towards the door and pulls it open with a scowl. 

“What?” He asks, I can't see who it is but a loud friendly voice answers.

“Hey, man can I at least come in, mmmm?”

“No,” my mate refutes, blocking the door with his bulky body.

“Fine, it seems you're busy,” the man says with a mischievous voice. 

A lingering silence fills the room. My mate should have been nice enough to answer.

“Well we are done preparing for the initiation tonight, we'd like you to come see and approve, maybe even make suggestions.”

“I'll be there,” my mate answers rudely, then bangs the door. 

He stares at me almost like a predator assessing its prey, “Come, Kitten, we aren't done yet.”

“I need to dress up for tonight, you know,” I say, stepping backwards to put in some distance between us. I don't know what got into me earlier, but now I'm feeling all shy. I can barely look in his face.

“Now you're trying to torment me,” he whines like a hurt puppy. It's so unlike his cold personality, he makes me feel so special because I get to see the best sides of him.

“Not so, promise,” I answer with red cheeks, “I just need to dress up real good, you know I need to make a good first impression since you will be announcing me as your Luna.” I'm being rather daring than usual.

“You got me there, though whether you're in sack bags I'd still find you extremely beautiful,” he says, “But I know women and their beauty so have fun babe.”

I walk briskly towards the door. “Kitten,” he says, making me pause and turn toward him. 

“I had a dress delivered at your place earlier, this time there's a guard placed outside your door so it wouldn't get damaged again mmmmmm?” He gives me a faint smile and returns to his ever high stack of files. 

I am in shock for a short moment before spinning around and rushing out the door.

I put a bit of distance between myself and his office then I lean against a nearby wall, an involuntary smile pulls on my face. I've just had my first kiss, with the most handsome man ever. I can't believe it. 

I'm cut out of my day dreaming by a sharp feminine voice, “I see you've grown wings, mutt.”

“Not again,” Willow says with a tired yawn in my head.

I turn to the right, coming face to face with one of my worst tormentors, Alicia. Though she had never laid her hands on me, she took my mate away from me which hurt more than any physical pain.

“What do you want, Alicia?”

“Well, I'm not surprised at your guts, seeing that you're now Alpha Kael's new play thing,” She says with a condescending tone. “I came to warn you to stay clear of my man.”

I chuckle rather loudly, “You said it yourself, I'm now Alpha Kael's new plaything, why in the world will I want anything to do with your mate,” I taunt.

I raise my hands and interrupt her to continue, “He has no title currently and has failed in his duty as an Alpha, being unable to keep his pack safe.”

“How dare you?”

I giggle with glee at her expense, “Well you shouldn't have come here if you didn't want any insults thrown in your face.”

“You made Alpha Kael hurt my mate, he obviously doesn't want you, so stay clear of him,” She says panting hard with rage.

“Sure thing, is that all mmmmmmm?”

“Your guts is something, watch your back though,” She turns to walk out on me, but I will not back down this time.

“No, you watch your back, wanna be Luna.

She stops for a few seconds, but keeps walking away.

***

“You look so beautiful, Luna,” Martha says, giving me a bear hug.

We give ourselves one last look at the mirror. Our makeup and dresses are so beautiful, Martha is good at things pertaining to fashion.

My arms pull at hers, and we head out her room that now looks like a hurricane hit it. I already had my dress brought by Kael. Wait, how did he even know about someone messing up my dress.

“Martha,” I mutter deep in thought.

“Yes, what's up?”

“Did you happen to tell Kael about the incident where my dress got ruined, last time?” I ask, peering at the side of her head since we are walking hand in hand.

“No, I didn't, I only informed him about the incident with Omari,” she answers. “Is there a problem?”

“Not at all, Bestie,” I say. “I was just surprised that he knew about it, that's all.”

We arrive at the pack clearing just in time for the initiation.

My handsome mate clears his throat, and speaks into the microphone on the podium. “Today marks a beautiful day for our pack, we will be initiating new pack members from the Blood Moon pack.”

“Can the new pack members stay in line and approach me one after the other in a single file for the initiation.” He then picks a knife, cuts into his palm deep.

“The moon goddess bears us witness today, you become one with the Cantara Pack. I promise to protect, lead and provide for you as your Alpha.” He then presses his palm so droplets of blood flow on a rock below stained with dry, old blood. 

“I vow to you, today,” he says, “Come, forward.”

Omari goes first, “I renounce my place as Alpha of the Blood Moon pack, and submit to the Lycan of the ancient blood lines, Alpha Kael of the Cantara Pack.” Kael cuts his palm open, and he spills droplets of blood on the rock.

“I promise to be loyal and to defend the pack at all costs.”

Alicia goes next and every other pack member, they had always viewed me as the least in the pack, so I came last.

Martha stands right beside me for a while until it's my turn to go up the podium. Kael gives me an alluring smile.

He then walks towards me helping me up the stage since I was on heels. I repeat the same words and actions as previous members of my pack. Kael cuts me with apprehension and a bit of worry. 

After I spill my blood on the rock, he does something that sends a spiral of shock across the pack.

He then cuts his already healed palm and grips my cut palm making our blood mix. Sparks shoot beneath my skin, a flood of voices infiltrate my mind.

“Mine,” he booms in my mind.

He spins us towards the crowd steadying me. “Cantara Pack, I announce Aria as your official Luna, I have found a second chance at love and my second half.”

Hoots and cheers can be heard, mixed with murmurs and looks of disdain. 

“I object,” a voice screams in scorn.