His Rogue Luna

As soon as the sun had started to set, I could tell all the other packs were arriving. The first part of the ceremony would begin at midnight, when the moon was at its brightest.

To say I was anxious would be an understatement.

I would be meeting the Elders for the first time and would have faces to put to the names. I would stand before them all with a huge crowd of members from every pack across the world to be sworn as an official spirit wolf.

I would pledge my allegiance to the sacred moon goddess under the full moon with thousands of powerful wolves watching me.

But that wasn't why I was nervous.

I was anxious about only one pair of eyes, the shade an electrifying blue.

I had known all along, that as an alpha, he would have to show to this rare event, but until now, I had ignored it to focus on other things.

But now, as Selene helped me into my dress and fixed my hair for me, that's all that I could think about. I eyed myself in the mirror, my golden gaze sweeping across the beautiful white dress and my perfectly elegant up-do, to the stunning drop earrings and shimmery makeup.

What would he think when he saw me?

Would he think I was a coward for running away?

Would he show up with that stupid she wolf as his new mate?

"Artemis," a cool voice snapped me out of my thoughts and my eyes looked up in the mirror locking gaze with the woman behind me. "Focus," That one word carried so much meaning so I sat up straighter, my eyes filling with quiet determination and a strong resolve My mate could wait, right now I was about to become a goddamn Spirit Wolf.

"That's my girl," Selene offered me a small smile while squeezing my shoulder reassuringly. I gave her a small nod, a silent thanks which she accepted before she quietly left.

I could hear so many new voices and feel the presence of all the new wolves. Nervous excitement and curiosity filled the air as they all chatted and took their seats.

I closed my eyed, letting all the sounds drown out to clear my mind. I focused on the sound of my heart beating, the sound of the air rushing into my lungs and slowly whooshing back out.

The muscles in my shoulders loosened and relaxed and my overactive mind quietened.

It's time, Selene's voice rung out clearly in my head.

I snapped my eyes open and got up, walking swiftly out my room and towards the garden. Before I stepped out, I took a moment to scan the scene, surprised by the amount of people present.

The large garden was enough to seat the thousands of people there, with plenty of acres left to seat thousands more. They all sat on rows of chairs, with one long aisle cleared for me to walk down.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I took a steady breath and walked out, feeling all the stares but calmly ignoring them. I kept my shoulders back and chin slightly up and my gaze forward, focusing on the seven people that stood at the end of the aisle of a raised platform.

I carefully climbed up the steps, the smooth marble cool under my bare feet. Just as Selene had explained to me, I was careful to avoid any eye contact and stopped a few feet away from the elders and got down to kneel on both legs.

I kept my gaze glued to the ground before me, my face impassive. The First Elder stepped up, the hem of her long white dress stepping into my view before she began speaking.

"Welcome my dear were-folk," she spoke. Her voice was smooth and melodic, but with an undertone of power. She spoke loud and clearly, no doubt every werewolf hearing even without their enhanced senses.

"Today we are gathered before Her Celestial Highness to witness a rare and sacred moment," she paused. "The Moon Goddess has chosen this young wolf to be one of her vessels," she paused again. She stepped forward, placing a warm hand on my shoulder. "Look at me," she murmured. I did as she asked, my eyes meeting her obsidian gaze. She had a strong jaw, a sharp nose and deep set eyes that all screamed power and elegance at the same time.

I could see where Selene got it from.

Like mother, like daughter.

"Repeat after me," she whispered. I nodded slightly to show I understood.

"I, Artemis Cynthia Garcia," she began.

"I, Artemis Cynthia Garcia," I repeated. "Pledge my loyalty to the Moon Goddess," "Pledge my loyalty to the Moon Goddess," "And swear to uphold the Celestial Laws," "And swear to uphold the Celestial Laws,"

"And promise to protect the were-folk with my life,"

"And promise to protect the were-folk with my life," I finished.

It was deadly silent across the space, no one even daring to breath loudly as the First Elder picked up a silver crown handed to her on a pillow and carefully lowered the stunning piece on my head.

I felt something shift within me, the wolf part of me and the human part of me suddenly joining, no longer seeming like two separate identities. My body felt stronger and more in tune with my instincts.

The First Elder held a hand out for me to take, holding my hand as I stood up and turned around to face the mass of werewolves watching us. The other spirit wolves came to stand besides me on the stage, the First Elder still gripping my hand. "Behold! Our newest Spirit Wolf!" She cheered into the crowd. The crowd cheered back and I vaguely registered my friends besides me congratulate me, but my eyes scanned the crowd, looking for someone.

When my eyes caught the blue ones I had been searching for, my breath hitched in my throat and all I could hear was my heart pounding in my rib cage.

I felt the familiar tingly feeling shooting around my body just from his mere gaze and I craved to be closer, to smell his rich scent and feel his heat around me.

With a startling realisation, my eyes snapped away from his, landing on a familiar pair of green ones, looking for the confirmation I needed.

The old lady gave me a small knowing smile while tilting her head at me and I sighed, ignoring the matter for now to focus on the celebrations.