His Luna's Awakening

Marissa's POV

I stare at my image in the full length mirror and pull my dress lower nervously. Mum had chosen the dress, it's a short, fitted black ensemble, with ruffles adorning the off-shoulder neckline all the way round. I've never worn anything this short before. But then again, I've never turned 20 before either.

I'm 20 today, and that officially makes it the day of my "awakening". Not only do I finally get to meet my wolf today, but I also find my mate. Both thoughts send nervous shivers down my spine. I wonder what my wolf will be like, and my mate too. Perhaps would he be tall.... blonde....cocky....

"Daydreaming about Jordan again?".

I jump at the sudden sight of my mum standing behind me in the mirror, a wide knowing smile on her lips. "Mum!!! I wasn't!!!".

Even as I deny it, I know the telltale patches of pink have spread on my cheeks and neck. Jordan is my best friend and has been for over 14 years. I will never understand when or how I started seeing him as anything more than a brother. Perhaps the day he had playfully planted a kiss on my lips....a year ago.

"I wanted to see how that would feel". He had said while smiling down at me with amusement in his eyes. "To trigger the mating bond in case it's dormant. But nah that just felt....". He had laughed and I had laughed along awkwardly, not sure what to say. "....that felt bland....and weird". He had chuckled some more and I had chuckled along. "You are really not my mate. I can't wait to meet her though".. He had said longingly and stared at the far horizon. By the flutter I had felt in my heart in that moment, I knew something had changed in the way I felt about him. Too bad my mum had noticed too.

"You'll meet your mate today, Marissa. And trust me, it'll be magical. You will forget all about Jordan".

I give her a side glance and pout. "I never said I wanted to forget him".

She gives me a kind smile. "Well you will. At least, in that way". She raises a hand to my hair and tucks a styled curl behind my ear. "Now smile, sweetheart".

I grimace at my reflection instead. "You sure about putting the hair up? Shouldn't I let it down?".

"You know nothing about fashion, do you?". My mum chuckles. "The updo shows off your elegant neck and shoulders and the curls soften those cheekbones".

I snort and eye myself warily. "At least the makeup looks good". I grumble.

My mum gives my upper arm a squeeze and turns to go. "Wait.....". I call out frantically. She turns back to me, a brow raised in quiet inquiry. I don't know what to say. How to say it. Instead I plunge myself into her arms and feel a calm descend on me as her arms wrap around my shoulders in a warm embrace. "I'm scared". I whisper. "What if my wolf doesn't come? What if I don't meet my mate?".

My mum's arms wrap around me tighter and I close my eyes and breathe in her musky scent. "I was just as nervous as you are right now, my love. But at the end of the day....when everything turned out perfect, it was well worth it". She pulls back and looks me in the eye. "Everything will be fine, honey. You need to trust me on this one".

I stare back into her beautiful green eyes and feel my eyes water at the love I see in them. I nod back and give her a small smile. "I trust you. With my life".

Her smile widens and she pulls me into her embrace one more time. "Then everything will be fine". I hold onto her for so long that I lose track of time but finally, she pulls away and wipes a small tear off my cheek. "They'll call the celebrant out soon. Are you ready?".

I take in a deep breath and chuckle nervously. "I think I am".

"Good. Now that's.....".

"Riss?" We both turn to the voice at the door. It's Jordan. My heart instantly does a leap. He's wearing a blue tuxedo and his unruly dirty blonde hair has been sleeked back, obviously with much effort. "Mrs. Randall..... didn't know you were in here". He flashes my mum a bright smile.

"I was just on my way out". My mum smiles back before turning away and giving my hand a last squeeze as she goes. "Drag her down in a minute will you, Jord?".

Jordan laughs and steps into the room, making way for my mum. "I will ma'am".

I see the last of my mum's back as she goes down the stairs and Jordan closes the door behind her before turning to me and flashing one of those smiles again. "And how's the birthday girl feeling?".

I pointedly keep my gaze from straying to the exposed skin on his chest where he has left his top buttons undone. Instead, I walk forward and twirl when I get to where he's standing.

"How do I look? Be honest". I quickly added.

He chuckles and drives his hands into his pockets. "I wouldn't even think of lying. You look gorgeous, Riss".

I feel like my heart stops for a moment but I quickly ignore it and nod at him instead. "Yeah I thought so too".

He chuckles and I close my eyes and take a deep breath. When I open them, Jordan's hand is on the door knob and he raises a questioning brow. "Shall we?".

I give a quick nod. "Let's do this".

Marissa's POV

A loud cheer erupts as I appear at the top of the stairs and stare down at my guests. The smile comes easily to me as they start to sing the pack awakening song as I descend. I feel like a princess and perhaps something more. A queen? A loud pop startles me from above and I look up just in time to see the confetti machine shower me. I laugh excitedly and brush off shimmery confetti from the ruffles of my dress. 20 already feels good....my mum hadn't lied. An omega instantly appears to pull out a seat for me on the long dinner table, next to my father who beams at me proudly. I settle down next to him and kiss his cheek.

"Your daughter has become a rather fine pup, Chief Salutary". An elder calls from the seats across. I don't remember his name but I flash a smile and dip a small bow courteously.

"I dare say so myself". My dad adds.

"And she looks just like Renee too". Another elder calls out, gesturing towards my mother who is seated across us. We all laugh pleasantly. A couple similar comments aid the mood of the table and soon enough, the guests are even merrier and calling for food. Our head chef appears promptly at the head of the table and flashes a pleasant smile at us.

"For the first course, we have......".

His voice fades in my head as I stare at the empty seat at the head of the table. The seat to the right of it is empty as well. I turn to my father.

"Alpha Lazarus isn't coming, I guess". I whisper into his ear.

He nods and glances at the seats. "Beta too". He lowers his head and whispers back. "They don't often attend awakening ceremonies, you see.

The invitations are mostly just out of courtesy these days. But they do send each pup a gift". He raises his head and smiles down at me. "You must be excited to see yours". Someone calls out and my father turns to him, joining back in the merry.

I stare at the seat. I had actually been looking forward to seeing the Alpha. Unawakened pups do not get to see him often and I've only ever caught glimpses of him from afar. Beta too. I also know he doesn't attend awakening ceremonies, but then a little part of me had hoped he'd make an exception this one time. Now that I think of it, I resist the urge to snort and laugh. Who the hell do I think I am?. Either ways, I will get to meet him soon now that I'm awakened and allowed to attend pack gatherings.

The smell of the food in front of me wafts to my nostrils and I turn to the plate and dig in. Just as the first morsel of food makes it's way down my throat, I feel it.

A sharp twinge in my guts. Bewildered, I drop my fork and gulp in a mouthful of air. It continues, fading to a dull thrum in my core that seems to command my attention. I fix my gaze on my wide-eyed reflection on the silver plate in front of me and channel my focus down that canal in me. There now seems to be a scent in the air. It is light and airy at first, but as I go down the channel in my mind, it gets stronger. My body comes alive with the scent, and I find that I'm desperate to know where it's coming from, desperate to fall into it's haven. Finally I hit a wall in my mind and sputter for air as it jars me back into the moment. The laughter..... clinking cutlery and slurping drinks continue all around me but I stare down at my face as the realization of what just happened dawns on me.

The bond has been activated. I've found my mate.

I try to reactivate the link but I find that it is there already. No longer a twinge like before but definitely a channel in my mind. And glowing brightly. And just like that, I know the wolf on the other end of that channel is now standing by the doorway. I turn to the door at the same time that the announcement rings through the room.

"The Alpha is here!!!!".

••••••••••••••••••••••••

My jaw drops open as I see him. Around me, I hear the seats shuffle as everyone gets to their feet but I'm too stunned to move. He's tall, well above 6"1, and huge. He's dressed in a white dress shirt and suit pants, and his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, revealing a fascinating network of veins in his arms. At random spots, I see that his tan skin is adorned with tattoos. His ebony hair is ruffled and a few locks fall over his forehead, and a well carved beard hardens his jawline. An aristocratic nose sits perfectly on his face and those lips....I don't realize I'm staring at them till I'm forced to look away. But that's not what captivates me the most. It's the eyes. They are the most gorgeous shade of blue ever, icy, turbulent, captivating....and they are staring right at me too, a haze of emotions that I can't pinpoint swirling in them.

Beside me, my father calls my name sternly and I realize I'm still sitting down. Without looking away from him, I rise from my seat. The room suddenly seems like a blur, as if it's just the two of us in it. As I stare into his eyes, excitement unfurls in my stomach. As much as I'm wired to obey his command and quake under his order, I don't fear this giant of a man. He wouldn't hurt me.... never. This man in front of me would protect me with his life, the reassurance sits real and true in my guts. And I would do the same for him. I might be imagining things but I swear I sense that he knows what I'm thinking.

Finally, he takes a step. Closer and closer till he's walking into the room. It takes me a second to realize he's walking towards me but when I do, my heart races even faster and I continue to hold his gaze, right till he finally stops in front of me.

"You are my mate". I whisper, my voice filled with disbelief. Everyone still hears though and within seconds, ripples of murmur quickly spread through the room. I can almost feel their excitements piquing. In Alpha Lazarus' eyes, I see a softening but when he speaks, his voice is pretty much the same.

"I do not have much time to spare. Let the awakening ritual begin".

Marissa's POV

I'm led to the makeshift dais in our guestroom and made to kneel before Elder Reeves, who would be ochestrating the ritual. The room settles into a silence around me as everyone's eyes fixates on the action excitedly. I guess it is always an exciting thing, to see the new wolf. I'm not any less excited.

Even from the distance, I can feel Alpha Lazarus' eyes on me and I'm half tempted to look at him too but the elder commands I close my eyes. He rests the Lune Book on both palms and reads the moon symbols off it, urging me to read after him. That takes a little while and I struggle to keep my focus with him throughout. Finally, he drops the book and reaches for the pack tablet, an obsidian flat rock with silver engravings which serves as the core of the pack. It plays a great part in harmonizing us and is used at every mating, awakening and rejection. Not that rejections happen often.

There is a small dent in the middle and I'm commanded to bring my arm forward to rest atop. A quick jab to my palm has blood welling up and a few drops splatter on the dent. The engravings on the tablet glow eerily. Elder Reeves steps back and drops the tablet, reaching for a small enclosed case. He stops in front of me and opens it and my breath catches when I see it. It's a moon crystal.

At the sight of the moon crystal, I start to feel the change in me. Suddenl, I feel fuzzy and warmer and I register that the change is occuring. My body morphs and I close my eyes against the slight discomfort. When I open them again, I know it. I've changed. I stand up on all fours and look around the room. My eyes take in every detail and my ears prickle at the slightest sound. My senses have definitely heightened. I look down at myself again and see that indeed, my wolf is here. Excitedly, I raise my head to the sky and give my first howl in excitement.

It takes less than a second for me to realize that the room is quiet all around me. Confused, I turn to them and see that no one's happy like me. No one is even smiling. Instead, they all stare at me intensely, their looks of confusion mirroring mine.

"Seize her!!!!". Alpha Lazarus' voice booms through the room and quick as lightning, I'm apprehended with much force. I struggle against the holds of the gammas but they are too strong. What's going on? Lazarus rises from his seat and my wolf whimpers. This wasn't what I had expected, what is going on exactly?

"Chief Salutary!!!!". The Alpha's voice booms again. My father scrambles forward and I hate to see the look of fear on his face.

"Alpha".

"Are you going to tell me what's going on here?". My father doesn't say a word. "Why is her wolf like that of the traitor? Why does she look like Lena Wraithe!!!!??".

Who the hell is Lena Wraithe? I feel the room tense up at the mention of her name. From the tall glass windows that adorn the surroundings of the room, I catch the first proper glimpse of my wolf. She's snow white, but underneath that white, there seems to be an ethereal very light blue glow such that my fur looks...ice blue. Yes, that is the word for it. My violet eyes staredback at me in the glass. If I dare say so myself, my wolf is the most beautiful I've ever seen. What then is wrong? Against the hold of the gammas, I feel myself start to morph again and within a few seconds, I'm back to my human form. I struggle against their grips but to no avail.

My father bows his head and I see that his stance looks.....defeated. "Forgive me, Alpha".

"Answer me, Randall!!!". Lazarus booms.

I jump at the sound of his thunderous voice and I'm sure everyone in the room does too.

"Lena was pregnant....at the time. With Krall's baby". I know that name. I rack my brain for where I knew it from. Yes!!! Krall Graver. The Alpha of the Lycan pack.....our enemies. I hear my father continue. "The delivery was a very hard one, and she sent me a message. Begging me to help her with the birth. I did....and on her last breath, she asked for me to take care of her". My father's eyes look up to meet mine. "Marissa".

My body goes cold. No. That can't be possible. I can't be a traitor's daughter. No. I beg him with my eyes to tell me that it's a lie. He gives me the smallest of reassuring smiles and turns back to Alpha Lazarus. "My wife and I had lost our miracle baby just two days before. We hadn't yet told anyone. So we decided to take her in as ours". My father goes down on his knees before Alpha Lazarus. "Forgive me, Alpha".

Tears well up in my eyes and I look up at Lazarus, willing him to pardon my father but he has gone rigid on me at the other end of the bond. Filled with anger, he looks even bigger and his icy eyes are raging with a storm. I resist the urge to cower at the sight of him. When he speaks, his voice is a lot lower but everyone can.still hear him of course. We also know he is very angry, and trying hard to keep it on a leash.

"Take them to the Silver Prison".

"Noooo!!!!!!". I shriek. I attempt to throw myself down at his feet but the grip of the wolves is way too solid on my arms. "Please, Alpha. Have mercy on my parents. I beg you. Have mercy, please!!!!".

Gammas immediately step forward to take my father and I see some more drag my mother up from where she is sat. The ones holding me attempt to drag me along but Lazarus' voice rings out again. "Not the girl". They halt. "Take her to the Tower Prison".

"Have mercy, please. Please!!!!!". They drag me out. "Lazarus!!!!!!". I see something in his eyes shift but it is gone so fast I'm left wondering if I had imagined it. As we round the door and the gammas drag me out of my father's house, the last thing I see of Lazarus is the hard set of his back as he stands there, angry and inaccessible to me.