Luna Audrey

Chapter 8 - Silver Chains

Dean stretched his arm out towards me, offering me his hand. I reached out slowly, trying to keep my trembles under control, and grasped his hand. The sparks of our mate bond fired between us, causing my body to relax and my thoughts to quiet.

I stood next to Dean and looked up at him, searching for some indication of what was about to happen. He then let go of my hand and gently grabbed me by my shoulders and moved me so that I was standing directly in front of him, looking out at our pack members.

"Audrey," Dean spoke again, his loud voice filling the air around us. "Do you vow to serve this pack and your Alpha with all of your heart, mind, and soul?"

I knew I had to speak, but I didn't want to. Not only was that a huge vow to make, but seeing all of my fellow pack members watching me so intently made my nerves go into overdrive.

"I...I do," I finally sputtered out.

"And do you vow to be an obedient Luna to both your pack and your Alpha mate?"

It was odd hearing Dean refer to himself in third-person, but I knew it was all a part of the tradition of the ceremony.

"I do," I answered more quickly this time, attempting to make my voice project further.

"Do you accept me, Alpha Dean Whittaker, as both your chosen and assigned mate, by the power of the Moon Goddess?"

I couldn't help but think about how serious and powerful each of these statements were. Growing up as a native of Dark Root, I knew our people took vows, traditions, and rules very seriously. None of this was just for show – it was a sacred oath.

"I do."

I noticed Dean give my shoulders a light squeeze, probably as an attempt of comfort or encouragement, before he continued, "Very well. Audrey, do you accept your position and title as Luna of Dark Root pack?"

"I do," I said one final time, expecting that the ceremony was finally nearing its end. In reality, only a few minutes had passed, but to me it felt like hours.

With my final promise given, the pack broke out in claps for several seconds before quieting back down to silence.

"Dark Root pack – I accept this woman, Audrey Allen, as my goddess-given and chosen mate. I accept and now initiate her, as the Luna of Dark Root pack."

I couldn't help but smile a bit. It was official. I was my Alpha's mate and the Luna of my own pack. I felt a sense of pride swell within me as my wolf pranced around with her head held high.

But that feeling was short lived.

Before I could comprehend what was happening, I felt a burning-hot pain in the side of my neck, causing me to lose my breath and my knees to buckle. I cried out as the pain shot through my body, leaving me unable to move or react in any other way.

I then felt Dean's arms grab me around my waist, holding me up so that I didn't collapse to the ground.

He had marked me.

Without any warning at all, and without asking, my mate had marked me in front of our entire pack.

More claps and cheers began to fill the air as the pain in my neck slowly transformed into a comforting warmth. My muscles relaxed as exhaustion hit me, causing Dean to hold onto me even tighter.

He then retracted his teeth from my neck and sealed the mark with a kiss. Chills, sparks, fireworks...all kinds of new sensations bombarded my entire body, making me want nothing more than to remain in my mate's arms.