Luna Freya kissed her daughter's temple gingerly before walking over and picking up two small jewelry boxes. Turning back to her daughter she smiled and explained. "This box here contains a gift from your father and I. And this box here is a gift from your father's mother. Your grandmother wasn't able to come tonight. She isn't well. I know you love her dearly. The two of you have always been so close. Perhaps very soon you can make arrangements to go visit her. She had this delivered for you, I think you should wear it tonight in her honor." Freya then opened the smaller ring box and held it up for Wren to see. It was a beautiful white gold ring with an infinity symbol. On it were set a small citrine stone and an amber tiger's eye. Wren loved it immediately! The stone's reminded her of the Autumn which brought memories of her grandmother to her mind. The love of this time of year and it's colors was something that Wren and her grandmother shared. They had always shared a special bond. She knew instantly that she would forever cherish this special little trinket her Grandmother had sent her. Her mother helped her take it out of the little box and then slid it on to her finger. As it slid onto her finger, Wren felt some sparks and a warm sensation build up within herself. It was similar to the sensations she felt when Phelan touched her. She didn't have a chance to really think about it before her mother had opened the second, larger gift box.
There on a piece of white satin laid a beautiful white gold necklace. There were tiny diamonds the entire length of it. In the center there was a tear drop cut citrine stone surrounded by little diamonds. Luna Freya pulled it out of its box gently and hung it around Wren's neck. Then they both turned to look at it in the mirror. Wren couldn't help herself, reaching up and touching the stone with her finger tips. It was also very beautiful and she knew she would also treasure this gift as well.
"Oh, Mother, it's beautiful. It's perfect for tonight. Thank you." Tears threatened at the corners of her eyes as she turned and hugged her mother's neck. Her mother pulled back and smiled proudly back at her beautiful daughter before turning and setting both boxes on Wren's vanity.
"Well, it's time to go gather your mate and start this evening of celebration.", her mother said as she turned back to face her daughter. "Are you ready, my dear?", she asked, looking Wren over once more.
Wren nodded her head acknowledging that she was ready, before taking her mother's arm and leaving her room. The two women walked arm in arm down the hallway towards the stairs. Anna followed close behind dabbing the tears from her eyes with a tissue. Up ahead, waiting at the stairs stood her mate, Phelan. Beside him stood her father, her brother Mitchell, and Phelan's men. All eyes were on her as she approached them. Her father had tears in his eyes and his chest was swollen with pride.
As the three women reached the awaiting men, Wren's father stepped forward and placed his hands on her arms. "You look amazing, daughter. Absolutely, beautiful.", he exclaimed happily before taking her into his arms and hugging her tightly. Pulling back with his hands still on her arms he looked happily down at the necklace around her neck, "Do you like our gift, dear?"
Smiling sweetly back up at her father, Wren nodded and said, "It's perfect. Thank you, father."
Alpha Mixon beamed with happiness and pride as he stepped back and motioned for Phelan to step forward. Phelan took Wren's hand in his and said, "You look absolutely amazing, dear. That stone suits you." He then looked down at her hand having taken notice of the ring on her finger when he had taken her hand in his. Holding her hand up to his face he looked at the stones curiously before kissing the back of her hand tenderly. "And this ring? Is it also a birthday gift?" He asked and smiled down at his mate.
Wren smiled and told him that it had been sent to her from her grandmother that hadn't been well enough to attend the festivities. She looked sadly at her ring for a moment before looking back up at her mate. "My grandmother is very special to me. I need to visit her soon. I worry about her declining health."
Phelan didn't like seeing his mate so troubled, "Then that is exactly what we will do when we leave here. I can see that she is important to you. I should like very much to meet her myself and I'm sure you will want to thank her in person for such a precious gift. I wonder, is it a family heirloom?"
Wren wasn't sure so she turned first to her mother and then to her father for an answer. Alpha Mixon spoke up, "The ring was my mother's. I've seen her wear it before on many occasions. However, I don't know if she inherited it or how she came to possess it. But, it meant enough to her that she wanted to pass it along to you. So in that, the ring is special, and depending on whether you pass it down to the next generation or not, it most definitely can become an heirloom."
Wren stood admiring the ring and thinking of her grandmother, until her brother cleared his throat and drew everyone's attention. "Wren, you are more beautiful than any Dimond or precious stone this evening. I hope you enjoy your birthday party this evening. Our mother, my mate, and several others have gone to great lengths to make this evening specialfor you. I fear though that their effortsshall pale next to the excitementof meetingyour mate and beingable to celebratethe eveningwith him. That being said, Anna and I have something of a gift for you. I believe, in fact, that it will be recieved as a gift to all of you gathered here in this moment. Our gift isn't anything that can be warn around your neck or twisted around your finger. At least not yet" There was a mischievous glimmer in her older brother's eyes as he reached out his hand to Anna and guided her gently into his side, before continuing, "You see, dear little sister, this gift we offer will not arrive for sometime.. But I believe it shall be we'll received. This evening is your's, but this moment belongs to all of us. To our family, which gladly now includes our strongest Ally, Alpha Phelan of the world renowned Red River Pack. I want to inform you all that the heir of Long Mountain pack will be making their appearance in the upcoming summer." At the news all cheered and congratulated the happy couple. This was amazing information. Luna Freya cried tears of joy as she hugged both her children and their mates. Alpha Mixon clapped the men on the back and grinned proudly. He shook hands and was ecstatic to be a grandfather. Alpha Mixon then held his fist high to gather the attention of the group to say, "Let us all head down stairs and announce the two of you, Wren and Alpha Mchughes! So that we can get this evening of food, drinks, and dancing started. I for one am anxious to begin this celebratory evening, I have much to celebrate!" Everyone smiled and agreed.
Alpha Mixon offered his arm to his Luna and after her hand was nestled in the crook of his elbow they proceeded down the stairs together. Next, Mitchell tenderly took Anna's arm in his and lead her down the stairs. Phelan stood proudly, flanked by his men, and bowed gracefully to Wren, before standing and offering his arm to her. "My Luna, would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to your celebration?", he asked smiling tenderly at her. Wren giggled and blushed. But nodded her head accepting his arm. Then arm in arm the walked down the stairs, followed a couple steps behind by Phelan's gamma. Wo was then followed by the two warriors.
When they reached the double doors leading out to the back lawn, Alpha Mixon and Luna Freya were introduced to the awaiting guests first. After they had been recieved, Mitchell and his mate were announced. They were followed by Phelan's gama. As Wren and Phelan stepped outside the doors and being announced, Wren felt her finger tingle and glanced down curiously at her ring.
Before she could give it much thought, Phelan led her out onto the dance floor and a waltz was played. Phelan effortlessly led her around the dance floor. All eyes were on them as they had the first dance. But Wren didn't mind. As she danced and danced in her mate's arms, looking him in the eyes, she felt as though she were floating on clouds. The crowd faded away and all that remained were the two of them and the music. Before she knew it, the song had ended and everyone clapped for the two of them.
Phelan lovingly placed his hand at the small of her back and they bowed together for their guests. The music began again and they were joined on the dance floor by all their friends and family.
They danced and danced most of the night. They couldn't get enough of being in each other's arms. When they finally stopped they shared a toast with Wren's family and Phelan's men. Then they found a quiet spot to sit and talk. Wren couldn't believe her good fortune. She was so happy to be celebrating her eighteenth birthday with her mate at her side. It was all a dream come true. She felt as if she were a princess in a fairy tale. They chatted happily for a moment and then Phelan got to his feet and stood in front of her for a moment. Wren looked up at him expectantly, not knowing what was coming. She tried to read the expression on his face. But found no answer there. After a moment, Phelan reached into his coat pocket and took a knee in front of her.
"I have a gift for you as well, my love. I mind linked my gamma while we were in your meadow. I had to have my gamma call my Beta and have him retrieve it from my safe deposit box this morning. Today a few of my warriors flew in with it just in time and ran it here from the air field. They were exhausted when they arrived and are resting upstairs now. My men were over joked to do this for their new Luna." He paused and smiled excitedly up at her. Then looked down at the box in his hand. He held it tightly in his hand and then against his chest before looking back at her, still smiling. But now there were tears in his eyes and his hand trembled a bit as he opened the box atook out a ring. He then took her hand in his and slipped it onto her finger before looking back at her.
Wren examined the ring that now resided upon her wedding ring finger. It was a beautifulwhite gold ring. She smiled at him with tears in her eyes. She was touched that he and his men that never met her had gone through so much trouble to bring it to her. She loved the gesture and even more loved the ring. Phelan stood and kissed her tenderly before taking his seat beside her again. "It was my mother's ring, given to her by my father. Before that it was his mother's ring and it has been handed down for many generations of my family's Lunas. It bears our pack's crest. Many grand ladies have worn it before, each of them were invaluable to my pack. And now it is your's my love. I hope that you will wear it always as a symbol of our love."
Wren was speechless. She sat there looking at the precious ring for a moment before turning to her mate, "Phelan, I absolutely love it. Thank you. I will treasure it always."
Phelan stood and offered her his hand. Then he led her back out onto the dance floor and they danced and danced, lost in each other's embrace until late into the night. By the time the realized that they were the last one's on the dance floor the orchestra looked exhausted. Wren walked over and thanked them for their services, then dismissed them. Turning back she saw her parents sitting at a table, her father half asleep. Her mother trying to convince him to go to bed, just smiled over at her.
Wren and Phelan walked over to her parents. "Did you enjoy your party, dear?" The weary Luna asked Wren when she approached her table.
"Yes, mother, thank you. Everything was lovely.", Wren replied as she sat down in front of her parents.
Wren's father smiled over at her, "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, daughter. It has been quite a day, hasn't it. My lovely daughter found her mate. A strong and good wolf. One I am proud to have join our family. You will do well with him, Wren. Have the two of you come to an agreement? I expect that the two of you will want to return to the Red River Pack lands soon. After all there is much to do to prepare for a Luna ceremony."
Phelan, cleared his throat before speaking, "I admit that I am anxious to get back to my pack. There are many pressing matters to attend to. I have given Wren my word that we would go to visit her grandmother and thank her personally for the lovely ring. If Wren is able to ready herself by the morning, then I would like to take her to see her grandmother. We can head back to Red River after that."
Alpha Mixon then looked to his daughter, "Well, my dear, will you be leaving in the morning then?"
Wren looked from her father to her mate and back again. "Yes, father. I will be ready to leave in the morning. I do not wish to keep Alpha Phelan away from his people any longer than is necessary."
Her father was proud of her. "Good, good. Spoken like a caring Luna. OK, in the morning I would like it if the two of you would join us to eat breakfast before you leave. Once you return to Red River you will have responsibility and duties to attend to. We do not know when we will all be together again. When you are older, you will understand just how precious moments such as these truly are. If you will join us we will eat promptly at seven."
Wren looked to Phelan for an answer. He knew better what time constraints they were facing. Phelan smiled at her and then answered for them. "We would love to have breakfast with you in the morning. We have a big day filled with travel tomorrow. I think we should all get our rest. If you will excuse us Alpha, I would like to escort Wren to her room and say goodnight. I thank you and your Luna for all of your hospitality."
The two couples bid each other goodnight and Wren allowed Phelan to walk her upstairs to her room. She held his arm as they navigated through her childhood home. When they reached her bedroom door, Phelan reached down and kissed her tenderly. Then watched as she walked into her room. Taking a deep breath, it took every ounce of his resolve to turn and walk away. Once in his room he barely got his clothes off before falling, exhausted into bed.