Celeste:
The weekend was already here, my black silk dress hugging my body. Braiding a couple of small braids, my nimble fingers twisted them into a bun. Covering up my bruises and my busted lip was second nature as I played with the hem of my dress, Novi popping up behind me. Spinning me around, he kissed the top of my head. Holding me by the small of my waist, this all felt so wrong. Ignoring the panic growing in me, he guided me to the car. Adjusting my sweetheart neckline, a soft blush rose to our cheeks. Wrapping my arms around his neck, my lips kissed him sweetly. Time melted away, him definitely being my mate. A crooked grin brightened his face, the car door creaking open. Hopping in, his face was inches from mine as he clicked in my seat belt. My breath hitched, his lips pressing against mine passionately. Pulling back, my breath was taken away.
"I love you, Celly." He exclaimed proudly, the words wanting to come out of my mouth as they seemed to get caught in the back of my throat. "Don't worry. You don't have to say it yet." His words stunned me, his seat hissing slightly as he crashed into the driver's side. Running his hand through his hair, he winked over at me.
"I love you, too!" I blurted out awkwardly, looking away in shame. "I love you with all of my heart. My wolf is so happy I found you." His jaw dropped slightly, his fingers wrapping around mine. His touch relieved my anxiety, his eyes gazing warmly over at me. Happy silence sat between us as trees flashed by my windows. My anxiety grew, his brakes squealing to a stop in front of my old home. Staring off into space, the door ripping open snapped me out of my trance. His expensive navy suit brushed against me as he helped me out of the car. Wrapping his arm around my waist, I decided to permit it. Pride oozed from his wolf, him standing even straighter. The wooden door slid open, a shadow caught my eyes. Avalanche rushed up to me, twitching with anxiety. His black business suit was disheveled, his white hair a bird's nest.
"I need help to get ready. I don't know what I am doing." He panicked out loud, his golden eyes frozen with fear. "I need to run away." Walking up to him, my hands cupped his face. His heart rate slowed down, a deep sigh tumbling from his lips.
"You do know what you are doing." I comforted him gently, embracing him tightly. "My father would not have asked you if he didn't think you could do it. You are going to brush your hair, and fix your suit. Then you are going to walk out in front of everyone, and vow to serve them as your alpha. If you live here, you will never be free." My finger pointed to his head, nervous laughter tumbling from his lips. He ran off, Novi shooting me a loving smile. His eyes fell on me and only me, a first experience for me.
"You are the most beautiful person in the world, inside and out." He complimented sweetly, my face twisting with confusion. "I am so lucky to have you." Kissing the top of my head, he guided me to our seats. Everyone looked back at me, sharp whispers passing between them. Great, I was back to being hated again. A finger tapped my back, a lump formed in my throat. Raising my hand with a practiced reaction, a blonde haired petite woman was smiling pleasantly at me.
"I love your dress, and hair. Babe, your makeup is flawless." She complimented me genuinely, my face frozen in confusion. Novi turned around, his arm wrapping around my shoulder.
"I know. I am so lucky to have her, aren't I?" He proclaimed proudly, taking my trembling hands in his. "Isn't the most beautiful lady you have ever seen?" The blonde woman covered her mouth, her green eyes glittering excitedly.
"You are so lucky." She agreed with him, spinning the wine in her glass around. "What is your name dear? I am a distant cousin of Avalanche just visiting. Oh, silly me. I am Sabrina Luna, you must be a Luna yourself." Clearing my throat, her compliment is still throwing me off.
"I am Celeste Luna." I squeaked out, scarlet burning my cheeks. "It is a pleasure to meet you." My chest ached, a panic attack minutes from starting. Pressing her painted lips together, she turned her attention back to her phone. Her screen flashed in my face, the image of Avalanche and her as kids playing together made me feel even more out of place.
"Wasn't he adorable?" She squealed excitedly, touching my hair. "Anyway, here is my number if you want to hang out." Passing me a piece of paper, it felt heavy in my palm. The crowd went silent, the clan's elder stepping out from behind the heavy red velvet curtain. His wrinkled face glared at me, his gray eyes scaring me. His long white hair swayed in the breeze, his throat clearing.
"We are gathered here today to declare the new alpha. Come on out, Avalanche Luna." He called out anxiously, slamming on the clan's book on the altar. "Now place your hand on the book and repeat after me." Avalanche came out, his hair was brushed. His suit looked perfect, an air of confidence about him. Placing his hand on the book, he glanced nervously at me. Shooting him a thumbs up, his cousin smiled behind me as well.
"I, Avalanche Luna, vow to lead my clan to prosperity and happiness." The elder growled through gritted teeth, his fingers drumming on the book. "With the power of the alpha, I vow to give my life to the clan." A lump formed in his throat, his fists clenching tightly.
"I, Avalanche Luna, vow to lead my clan to prosperity and happiness." He repeated proudly, shooting the elder a death glare. "With the power of the alpha, I vow to give my life to the clan." A golden light bathed Avalanche, a stripe of black forming in his hair. The light died down, cheers erupting around us. Whistling, he shot me a thumbs up. Sabrina smiled warmly in my direction, everyone getting up from their seats. The dining hall was abuzz with life, people chatting with each other. A professional company was passing out appetizers, my body trembling slightly. Bad memories made me want to run in the other direction, Novi wrapped his arms around my waist. Melting into his arms, tears welled up in my eyes. The stains on the floor caught my eye, his lips brushing the nape of my neck. Touching his mark, his chest swelled with pride.
"I would mark you over again." He whispered gently in my ear, tracing his mark. "You will always be mine, and no one can change that." My inner wolf yipped for him, his inner wolf resting his head in the crook of my wolf's neck. Shivers of euphoria shot up my spine, Avalanche running towards me with a wide grin on his face. Slamming into me, he spun me around.
"Thank you for helping me out." He yelled excitedly, Novi shooting him his rare death glare. "I am sorry." Setting me down, he stepped back a bit as his arm wrapped tightly around the small of my waist. Why did mates have to be so possessive, and jealous at times?
"I knew you could do it." I chirped cheerfully, Sabrina slamming into Avalanche. "You just need to keep your confidence, and keep leading on." Dragging him off, everyone avoided me like the plague. That was to be expected, I did kill their alpha after all. Stifling a laugh, Novi cocked a brow. Placing me on his back, he ran through the party to the woods at the edge of the village. Setting me down, he took my hand. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, his finger tucking a loose piece of hair behind my ear.
"Go climb your tree. I have something to show you." He begged with puppy dog eyes, putting his hands together. "Avalanche and I worked hard on it." Furrowing my brows, I leapt my way up the tree. A surprised gasp escaped my lips, tears welling up in my eyes. Red rose petals spelled out will you be my Christine to my Raoul? Popping up behind me, my footing grew unsteady. His strong arms wrapped around my waist, him spinning me around. Getting down on one knee, my hands covered my face. Adjusting his hair, his eyes shimmered up at me. Was I really ready for this whole marriage thing?
"Celeste Luna! I know that we have barely met, but from the moment I saw you up in the tree I knew it was you. You bring joy to my life that I have never experienced, the stars will never shine as bright as you." He asked shakily, his body quaking with anxiety. "So my question is, will you be my Christine to my Raoul?" Tears streamed down my cheeks, my lips unable to move.
"I will." I blurted out, putting my trembling out. "I want to be your wife, but you must be patient with me. I am just a b-'' My breath hitched as he slid on a silver band with a black crescent moon. Sitting down on the branch, he plopped down next to me. Looking away in shame, he lifted up my face with his finger. Pressing his lips against mine passionately, a couple of people were cheering down below. Avalanche and Sabrina waved up at me, the temptation to throw my shoe at them burned inside of me.
"I told you she would say yes." Avalanche shouted up, my fingers wrapping around a pine cone. "I am so happy for you!" A pine cone whipped by his head, Sabrina catching it. I hopped up to leave, Novi taking my hand. The two of them laughed, the pine cone whizzing by head.
"Please don't leave just yet. The sun is about to set." He said out of breath with excitement, sending the other two away. "Also I want to admire your beauty in the setting sun." A soft blush burned my cheeks, still not using such kind words. Dragging me onto his lap, he held my waist like his life depended on it. Something in the way he was holding me was off, almost as if something bad had happened in his love life.
"You can tell me anything, you know?" I offered lovingly, cupping his hands. "You seem to be traumatized by something." Sadness dimmed his eyes, his lips parting to speak but nothing coming out. A shadow darted out of the corner of my eye, a flash of pink on the other side. Leaping out of the tree, my hair fell out of its bun. Dirt flew all around me, the thud of his dress shoes making me jump. Two shadows circled me, a flash of pink charging at me. My fingers wrapped around Mel's throat, my mother slamming into me. Mel tumbled to the ground, a silver dagger shined in the early evening light. Novi attempted to knock her off of me, a black wolf knocked him to the ground. A howl of pain exploded from my lips, the dagger sticking out of my shoulder. Silent tears fell down my cheeks, my foot slamming into her stomach. Gritting my teeth, my fingers wrapped around the silver dagger. This was going to hurt like a bitch, Novi laying still underneath the large black wolf. Ripping it out, my own blood covered my face. Stumbling to my feet, my vision blurred. Spinning the dagger in my palms, Mel approached the other side of me. Lifting the dagger in the defense position, my eyes widened with horror. A gurgling sound rang in my ear, the dagger sticking out of her neck. Ripping it out, her blood spurted all over my face. Wiping the blood from my face, my heart sank into my stomach at the red all over my hands. My wolf wanted to transform, but the silver was preventing it. The wail of a mother losing her child echoed around me, a gray wolf bounded towards me. Waiting until the last second, dirt flew in the air as I launched into the air. Landing gracefully on top of her, she bucked violently as her fur started to turn white. Now this was going to be a mercy killing, tears flooding from my eyes. Taking a deep breath, the moist sound of the blade hitting her brain sickened me. Thump! Her body collapsed to the ground, her fur dancing in the evening breeze. The black wolf howled out, the long note telling me that it was pissed and sad. The large wolf bounded towards me, my feet turning to run. A shrill scream of agony exploded from my lips, his claws digging into my back. Hot blood dripped down my back, the sight of a lifeless Novi giving me a burst of energy. My inner wolf was begging for me not to let him die, the silver beginning to dye my veins. Dirt filled my wounds as I rolled over, sliding the blade through the bottom of his jaw into his brain. Red blood dripped down the blade onto my face, my foot kicking it off of me. Crawling over to my Novi, he had barely any injuries. His eyes fluttered open, his eyes widening with horror at the condition of me. Calling for help, exhaustion won me over.