Chapter 39: Luna Ceremony
Chapter 39: Luna Ceremony
Serena's POV:
"Serena, what are you staring at? Come on, the hairdresser is waiting.Let's make you the most beautiful Luna in the world." Anita motioned me to walk faster.
When we got inside, Tessa and Patricia, who had their dresses on already, were there waiting for me.
I think it must have taken around two hours for me to be finished with my hair and makeup.
I saw myself in the mirror and gasped audibly.
I almost did not recognize the woman staring back at me, but I looked amazing.
"Serena, your hair is styled so beautifully!"
Patricia and Tessa swooned.
"Yes, you look just like a princess!"
Anita then moved on to brief me about some do's and don'ts during a Luna Ceremony.
I tried my best to pay attention, but my mind kept wandering off to Kate's devious smile a while ago.
Even until later that afternoon, I still could not figure out what those girls were planning.
I hoped to see Kate on the way back so that I could read more of her thoughts, but neither she nor her friends were anywhere to be found.
Night had fallen.
Dinner had just finished, and everyone was now awaiting for the Luna Ceremony to begin.
Peter's Alpha Ceremony took place earlier today, and Alvin had also officially become his Beta.
Peter and I had not seen each other the whole day.
It was apparently a tradition of the Luna Ceremony to do so.
Like me, Peter was accompanied by his team of men throughout the day.
Only until the Luna Ceremony began would we be able to see each other again.
"Let's get you into the dressing room. It's time to change now."
Anita held out her hand and carefully directed me to the changing room.
In order to make things convenient and lessen the travel, my dress had already been brought to the salon beforehand. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
The moment my eyes fell on my extravagant white dress, something finally clicked.
"Damn those bitches! I knew they were up to no good."
"What were you saying, Serena? What do you mean?" Anita raised her eyebrows.
About half an hour later, the Luna Ceremony finally began.
Elder Steve, the host for tonight, had already gotten up on the stage to get the program and crowd started.
I heard his voice echo from the booming speakers.
I gave myself one last glance at the mirror, in awe of everything I looked like.If only my parents were here to see me today, they would have been crying tears of joy.
"You look divine, Serena.I cannot even explain in words how beautiful you look.Everyone who sees you will be stunned."
Anita held my hand and squeezed it.
"Ugh, I can't wait to turn eighteen. I can't wait to get married, too!"
Patricia held my other hand and shook it with excitement.
"Serena, my dear. Are you ready?"
Peter's mother, Vicky, came forward with eyes full of warmth.
"Yes, ready as I'll ever be," I nodded.
Together, I walked to one side of the stage with Vicky, Anita, Patricia, and Tessa.
"And now...The moment we've all been waiting for...Let us all give a warm round of applause to our very own Alpha Peter and his beautiful Luna Serena!"
Steve stretched out his arms, gesturing to the sides of the stage.
The crowd burst into a loud applause.
I bent down to slightly lift the hem of my dress so that I could climb up the stage.
And then, I saw my Peter coming towards me from the opposite side.He was dressed in a perfectly fitted white suit with his hair neatly combed into a formal style.
I had always seen him in casual clothes, but never in a full tuxedo suit.
He stood tall and proud, like some Hollywood actor off of an action movie.He was definitely the type of guy that would attract people's attention on the streets.
Everyone would turn their heads just to get a good look at him.
That man was looking at me right now with eyes full of love.
The applause did not stop until Peter reached me.He took my hand in his and pulled me in for a gentle kiss.
"You look absolutely stunning, my love.How are you? Feeling nervous?”
"Yes, a little."I giggled shyly.
"Well, you can relax already.I'm here now with you.Peter led me to the front and center of the stage.I scanned my surroundings and saw over a thousand people at the grandstand.Many even waved bright glow sticks in the air, making the crowd look like a sea of stars.Above the stage was a huge LED screen that broadcasted live for those at the very back."
Finally, ladies and gentlemen.Today, we are here to celebrate the arrival of our Luna, Serena Meester.
Now, she will become the Luna of the Red Maple Pack from here on out!"Steve declared into the microphone.
Some guests might have heard this information for the first time and started whispering, but most of the crowd erupted in applause once again.
"Perhaps some of you did not know who Serena was and thought she was just an ordinary she- wolf.But Serena's life has had a very deep connection to our pack for many years now.Now, we will all get to know our new Luna through this short movie that we have prepared."
The screen then started to show a movie about my life.
In it, I saved Peter in the forest.
Along with that were also the recreations of me and Peter's reunion, some I have already seen from Peter's proposal.
The last part was an epic fight scene, showing how I captured Henry and saved Patricia.
I noticed that the revelation of my hybrid identity was deliberately omitted.
Even if a lot of people in the pack already knew, I understood that it was still better to keep my identity on the down low.
Once the movie had finished and faded to black, the crowd started to discuss more amongst themselves, creating a loud murmuring sound.
With the wave of his hand, Steve had gotten everyone to be quiet again.
"It is now time for Peter's father, James, to give his speech on stage.Let's all give him a round of applause!"
James excitedly wiped off some tears of joy before climbing up on the stage.
"Many of you probably know about Serena's family background.I myself used to have some prejudice against it, but in the past few days, Serena has already proved that we were all wrong.She deserves our respect and love.It brings me pleasure to announce that from now on, Serena Meester is officially the Luna of the Red Maple Pack."
James ended in a triumphant tone, encouraging the audience to burst in a joyous uproar.
Everyone cheered at the top of their lungs, "Luna! Luna! Luna! With that, Steve now announced the formal beginning of the Luna Ceremony.On one side of the stage stood a tall scepter made of maple wood with the pack's emblem perched on top of it.
Steve took it in his hand and raised it into the air.
Suddenly, a ray of warm golden light started to come from the top of the scepter.
The light shined brightly, casting a soft glow onto everyone.
He then picked up a maple branch with leaves from the table and handed it to me, instructing me to place it across my chest for the pledge.
"Luna Serena Meester, do you solemnly swear to abide by the laws of the Red Maple pack and to bravely embrace the responsibility of being our Luna?"
"Yes.I solemnly swear to abide by the laws of the Red Maple pack and to bravely embrace the responsibility of being your Luna."
"And do you vow to protect, love, lead, and defend each member of this pack?"
"Yes.I vow to protect, love, lead, and defend each member of this pack."
"Now, do you accept this man, Alpha Peter Westwick, to be your mate and vow to love him until death do you part?"
"I do.I accept this man, Alpha Peter Westwick, to be my mate and vow to love him until death do us part."
After I finished taking the oath, Steve gently tapped my head with the scepter.
Above my head, a glowing halo appeared.Then he turned to Peter and gave him a maple branch to place across his chest as well.
"Alpha Peter Westwick, do you accept Serena Meester as your mate and vow to love and cherish her until death do you part?"
"I do.I accept Serena Meester as my mate and vow to love and cherish her until death do us part."
He then placed the scepter back on its stand and picked up the ceremonial knife.
He took each of our palms and cut a small incision.
With the sacred goblet, he caught a drop of both our blood.This signaled the end of the Luna Ceremony.
Everyone broke out in cheers and whistles.
"Alpha, Alpha, Alpha! Luna, Luna, Luna!" Their voices echoed all throughout the valley.
Fireworks then launched themselves into the air, filling the sky with various colors and_ bringing everyone joy.