Chapter 54
This discussion isn’t over, Jace promised, squeezing my hands before standing. “We’ll pick it up again soon.
Marking? Give me a break. Gabriel drilled it into my head for years once marked, always marked. No take–backs. Now here’s face, promising he won’t brand me without asking first. How thoughtful.
He needed to check the security perimeter before tonight’s ceremony–Alpha duties never stopped, even on important days. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I flopped back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Aurora would arrive soon with Eliana to prepare for the ceremony.
Aurora laughed as she splashed in the bathtub, her small body covered in bubbles.
“Aria, look!” she showed me her bubble ‘beard.”
“Awesome, little princess, I responded, warmth filling my chest.
After finishing Aurora’s bath, Eliana took over helping her dress as I finally got time to shower. Hot water ran over my skin as I carefully shaved my legs and underarms, paying more attention than usual. The Blood Moon ceremony coinciding with my eighteenth birthday felt significant in ways I couldn’t fully articulate, but my nerves were definitely on edge.
When I emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, Eliana had already changed into her traditional deep blue ceremonial dress, the fabric highlighting her graceful figure.
“Look at you,” she said with an appreciative whistle. “Someone’s putting in extra effort tonight.”
I felt my cheeks warm. “It’s a special occasion for the whole pack. I don’t want to look out of place.”
Eliana gave me a knowing smile as she adjusted her silver moon pendant. “Special for more reasons than one, I think. The way Jace looks at you doesn’t escape notice, you know.”
“Is it that obvious?” I asked, rummaging through my bag for lotion.
“Only to anyone with eyes,” she teased, helping me gather the styling products. “Lucas says the pack hasn’t seen the Alpha this happy since… well, in years.”
The weight of her words settled over me as I began moisturizing my skin. Tonight marked more than just my birthday or a pack ceremony–it represented a turning point, though for what exactly, I wasn’t entirely sure.
The makeup artist’s fingers moved skillfully through my hair as I sat in the ceremonial preparation area downstairs. The person in the mirror gradually became a stranger to me.
“How’s this?‘ Freya asked, arranging my hair in an updo with a few strands framing my face.
I hesitated. It felt too formal, too unlike me.
“Could we try something more… natural?” I suggested carefully.
She immediately adjusted her approach, braiding my hair over my left shoulder, cleverly weaving in silver decorations. Seeing the effect in the mirror, I felt
relieved.
“Now for makeup,” Freya continued. “What style would you prefer?”
“Natural but not too everyday,” I said. “It is a special occasion.”
She nodded, expertly applying traditional moonlight makeup–a mysterious yet elegant style said to reflect moonlight during the Blood Moon. Looking at myself in the mirror, I barely recognized the person staring back.
In the dressing room, I carefully slipped into the red ceremonial gown Freya had prepared. The fabric felt both soft and strong, clearly woven with werewolf- specific techniques, Turning to the mirror, I stared in shock at my transformation.
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Chapter 54
Where had that human girl from Black Forest Pack gone? Standing in the mirror seemed to be someone who truly belonged to Moon Shadow Pack. My throat tightened unexpectedly as my eyes watered. i never imagined I could fit into this world so completely
“Aria? Ready? Eliana called softly from outside the door.
Taking a deep breath, I wiped away tears and grabbed the silver shoes waiting in the bedroom
“Look at you!” Eliana exclaimed as Freya nodded with satisfaction. “You look born to Moon Shadow Pack.”
Heat rose to my cheeks. “Thanks. You look beautiful too.”
Eliana’s dress appeared elegant and refined, perfectly displaying the mark Lucas had left on her neck. She looked both confident and happy.
‘Aria looks like forest goddess!” Aurora jumped excitedly on the bed, wearing her miniature red dress that made her look like a true wolf princess.
“Careful, princess, I lifted her off the bed. ‘Don’t hurt yourself before the ceremony.”
I slipped on the silver shoes, practicing a few steps as I tried to adjust to this unfamiliar way of walking.
Eliana went downstairs first, leaving me to help Aurora with her little shoes.
“Will you stay with me all night, Aria?” she asked, her eyes full of hope.
“Not the entire night, sweetheart,” I answered honestly. “But Eliana will take care of you, okay?”
She nodded, disappointed but quickly recovering. As we left the room, I heard Lucas telling Eliana he loved her as we descended the stairs, making me smile. Whatever happened between Jace and me, at least my brother had found happiness.
Aurora raced downstairs as soon as she spotted her family, running toward Jace, Gabriel, and Lucas. I walked carefully, worried about tripping on my dress. At first, I didn’t notice how everyone had gone quiet.
As I stepped off the last stair, I looked up to see pride shining in Gabriel’s eyes while Lucas nodded with a smile. Jace held Aurora in his arms but handed her to Gabriel as he walked toward me.
His gaze contained too many emotions: admiration, desire, and something else I couldn’t quite identify. Watching him approach, I suddenly realized how much I loved him.
“You’re… absolutely stunning, Aria,” Jace said, his voice low and warm.
I could feel his desire to kiss me, but he maintained restraint in front of Gabriel.
“Thank you,” I replied, my cheeks burning.
Gabriel approached, saying with contentment: “You’ve truly become part of Moon Shadow Pack.”
Jace offered his arm, helping me navigate in the long dress. “It’s time we headed to the Blood Moon ceremony.”
I took a deep breath and nodded.
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