Chapter 108
Rhea
“And I will promise to withhold the duties of the Luna to the best of my abilities and will protect those under our care. I will devote myself to the prosperity of this pack and will ensure that the safety and security of those that reside within our territory are always upheld.” I speak out the words that are written for me, that I had memorized just moments ago.
Though saying them out loud makes me feel nervous and strange, like I still don’t belong. Like I’m not meant to be in this position and that it’s not right.
The crown is placed on my head, and I can feel the heavy weight on the top of my head. It’s silver and gold, and it’s beautiful. There’s nothing that could compare to the beauty and the value of it.
And then the crowd in front of me erupts into cheers, clapping, whistles, yells, and roars. I look at them all and then at Aron, who smiles at me.
I smile back at him.
He stands up next to me and wraps his hand around mine. “Everyone, let’s raise a toast for the new Luna of our pack. He raises his glass up and the rest follow. “To Rhea,” he whispers, his voice soft.
“To Rhea,” they all
To Rhea.
repeat.
I don’t feel like a Luna at all. Not even a bit. All I feel like is a fraud and a fake, someone who is not deserving of anything like this. Someone who is undeserving of the title of a Luna. Someone who is not strong or worthy enough to be the mate of an Alpha. It’s like a joke, really.
I was a runt not too long ago, and the only reason I’m stronger than before is because my wolf died. It’s not because of anything I did myself. She died, and she came back to life. And it made me stronger. It is not my own strength or effort that is the reason for my new status.
My eyes linger over the people before falling on Mrs. Alena. Maybe she’s right, or perhaps she has a point.
“Come, have the first dance with me,” Aron tells me, taking my hand in his and leading me towards the centre. Everyone moves back and gives us space.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I can’t dance,” I try to reason.
“It’s fine.” He holds me close and wraps his arm around me. The music changes, and a slow tune comes on. “Just move with me and don’t worry about anything.” He leans closer and brushes his mouth over my ear.
My hands come to his shoulders, and I move along with him. I was never good at this. Dancing, that is. Never learned, never thought of it.
But today, it’s different. It’s the opposite. I’m a Luna now, and it is expected of me to know how to dance, how to speak, how to act. There are so many things I’ve to learn, so many things I’ve to know about.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he whispers, his fingers digging into my lower back. His hold on me is firm and tight. And I feel safe in his arms, I’ve always felt that. “What is bothering you? Is it too much? Too quick?”
“No, no,” I shake my head and whisper.
It’s far from that.
My head raises, and I look up at Aron, at his eyes, those soft, warm eyes that are now looking at me like I’m th- precious thing in his world.
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Chapter 108
“You do so much for me, Aron. Sometimes I fechlike I’m not worthy of all that.”
“Of course you are. You are the one that is meant for me, Rhea. And I will do everything for you. You’re my mate, and I’d do anything for you,” he responds, tracing his fingers down the length of my spine. “I love you, you know that, right?”
I nod at him and lean against his body.
“I know, I do. I love you too.”
I do love him. More than anything. All that is circling in my head is just his mother’s words–nothing more. I let her in my head again, and I shouldn’t. It’s not what I want to be thinking about. Not today, of all days.
After our dance is over, we move back, and he pulls out a chair for me. “Wait for me. I’ll be back in a moment, okay?”
He presses his lips against mine before pulling back and straightening up before leaving me and attending to a few men who are waiting for him to speak to.
The other guests begin dancing, and I look around at all of them, all the faces. Everyone is enjoying themselves.
A few of them come to congratulate me, and I politely thank them. I’ve never met any of them before, but I know that they are important members of the pack, and they are all very high–ranking wolves.
I’m just about to take a sip of the drink I’m holding when a familiar figure in the crowd catches my eye. She’s walking towards me, dressed in black. She doesn’t blend in at all with the rest of the people.
“Congratulations, Rhea,” she says, coming to stand right in front of me. Her expression is cold, and I can’t tell if she’s serious or if she’s just pretending. But the dress she’s wearing, the way she’s dressed, it’s like she’s mourning the death of someone rather than being at a celebration.
“Thank you, Mrs. Alena,” I respond.
She tilts her head to the side, and her eyes catch on my crown. “It was not too long ago that I was wearing that.”
“I know,” I reply.
“And now, it belongs to you.”
“I suppose it does.”
“Hmm,” she hums before finally taking her gaze off the crown. “I wonder how long it will last.”
“Hopefully for a long time,” I reply, a little annoyed by her constant need to put me down. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll take good care of my title and Aron.” I’m not going to let her walk over me.
She raises her brow at my comment. “Well, that is very nice. I’m glad that you have your own plans for yourself. But if I were you, I wouldn’t get too comfortable.”
I don’t know what she’s going on about or why she’s speaking like that. I’m about to ask her what she means when I feel a tingling sensation on the back of my neck, and it makes me stop.
crowd.
I look around at the people that are still dancing around me, all of them. But my gaze stops at the person standing in the
The council member, the one that shook my hand. He’s speaking with Aron near the corner of the table.
What is it with me?
My breathing suddenly starts to race, out of nowhere, and it’s strange because I’ve felt this before. This feeling.
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Chapter 108
“Excuse me.”
I stand up and move myself away from Mrs. Alena and walk toward one of the exits. It starts to get hot all of a sudden and tight–really tight. And I need a moment of fresh air. To calm myself and my nerves.
It’s the same feeling as before, the one I felt when I found Aron was my mate,
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