𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖓

August had repeatedly gone over the customs and process of what I would go through at this gathering.

He also happened to mention that my arrival was a surprise; all of the other wolves were simply told to dress formally, as there was a big announcement.

I toyed with my fingers nervously as I sat alone in the backseat of a sleek black car, going over everything to expect at my introduction.

Apparently it was a custom for the Alpha to arrive and greet the pack before the Luna arrived, so we had to travel in separate cars.

The cars were somewhat unnecessary, as the location of the gathering was simply placed in the middle of the pack grounds, in a large communal building. But nevertheless, it would seem 'improper' for the future Luna to trudge through the woods on her way to her introduction. So I complied.

The short ride was over quickly, the car rolling to a stop in front of a large brown building, with far reaching windows and a warm yellow glow.

I murmured a thanks to the driver, picking my dress up as I exited the vehicle. I made my way slowly up to the wide double doors, where a very excited Tara was bouncing on her toes.

She was in a flimsy green dress, much simpler than mine, yet still stunning. Her brown curls were pinned back in two buns, with matching emerald bows wrapping around each.

"Ready for this?" She asked excitedly.

I gave a soft nod, my nerves in facing the pack making me jittery.

"Let's rock and roll!" She yelled, before throwing the doors dramatically open.

All at once, I felt several pairs of eyes turn towards us as we made our eccentric entrance into the room.

The wolves stared silently for a while, before a low murmur began around the room as they began to gossip.

I could see that people were beginning to question who I was. They still had no idea that their Alpha had found his mate.

I attempted to ignore their chatter, especially those of the people who seemed malicious towards me.

Instead, I scanned the spacious room for a set of amber eyes.

I stopped in my tracks as I saw August from across the room, standing on a slightly raised platform. His eyes were locked on me, the grin on his face never fading.

I made my way slowly through the crowd that had parted like the Red Sea, Tara still hooked onto my arm.

She babbled to people as we passed as I offered them a small smile.

We had finally made it to my mate, and I nearly drooled at the sight of him in his tux.

It fit him perfectly, giving off an air of authority. But his tough Alpha facade dissolved as I approached.

I could feel the crowd watching with a hush, curious as to what a simple human girl was doing here, going up to the Alpha.

August held out his hand to me, and I placed mine gently in his hold. He pulled me leisurely from Tara's grasp and up onto the raised platform.

He held me for a moment in his arms, and it felt like we were the only people in the room as he gazed into my eyes.

We were pulled from our little bubble as the crowd once again began to murmur.

August glanced up towards his pack, his arm still wrapped tightly around my waist.

He gave them a hard look, silencing them all in a single moment.

The hushed wolves glanced between their fearsome Alpha, and the small human girl that was wrapped affectionately in his arms.

Oh, what a paradox we were.

"I gathered you all here tonight to celebrate a special occasion," August spoke, his deep, authoritative voice calling attention towards his words, "The introduction of my mate, your new Luna."

I felt all eyes fall on me at once. I scanned the crowd nervously as the silence stretched onwards.

Suddenly, the wolves burst into a large cheer, with whistles and something that sounded suspiciously like a howl.

Most of the crowd had contagious smiles on their faces, brining a small grin to mine.

August pulled me closer, resting his chin on the top of my head as the crowd continued to celebrate the finding of their Luna.

"They're going to love you," He whispered in my ear, "Almost as much as I do."

I froze in place as those words passed his lips.

Did he just say he loved me?

Of course I knew that I had loved him, and I was sure that he loved me too, but to hear the words out loud was something new altogether.

I turned in his arms to face him.

I pulled his face to mine without a second thought, crashing our lips together in a sweet kiss that said more than my words could.

"I love you," I whispered as we pulled apart, my genuine words tumbling from my lips.

The way August's face lit up at my declaration was something that I would never forget.

In his overwhelming joy of the moment, he picked me up, twirling me around in the air as we laughed, before setting me back down with a quick kiss.

We turned back towards the crowd, who was just now calming down from the news.

"And now we celebrate!" He shouted, which caused another excited cheer to erupt from the crowd.

✧ ✧ ✧

𝖆𝖚𝖌𝖚𝖘𝖙

Heaven and I laughed as we made our way hurriedly up to her room after the gathering.

We walked through the door, and she headed straight for the bathroom after slipping her shoes off.

The shower water began to run, so I settled myself comfortably on the bed, kicking my shoes off with ease.

My eyes wandered around the room lazily, until they landed on the small journal lying face down on her desk.

"Are you ever going to let me read what you're always writing in that journal of yours?" I shouted out to her.

She poked her head out from behind the door, a teasing smile lighting up her eyes, "Maybe some day."

She pulled herself back into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

A smile fell from my lips, unable to be contained behind my usual facade.

Getting up from the bed, I stretched uncomfortably in my suit.

"I'm going to change quick!" I yelled out to her, listening for her muffled reply of acknowledgement.

I left to go to my room quickly, as I had to grab a shower too.

I showered faster than normal, determined to be with Heaven as soon as I could. I knew that I was hopelessly in love with her, to the point where she had me wrapped around her little finger. But I don't think I really cared.

I slipped on a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, making my way back to Heaven's room, ready to fall asleep with her in my arms again.

But as soon as I made it to her hallway, I could tell that something wasn't right.

There was a cool draft coming from beneath her door, leaving a bitter feeling, and an odd smell that hung heavily in the air.

Rogues.

I raced into her room, throwing the door haphazardly open.

The scene that lay before me made a lump form in my throat.

The widow was thrown open; the source of the cold breeze. The walls were scratched and the carpet torn, with muddy footprints and what looked suspiciously like blood strewn across it.

And worst of all, a message was written on the wall in bold red letters:

MAYBE NOW YOU'LL UNDERSTAND.

My brother had come, and his revenge had taken the only thing I couldn't afford to lose.

My mind reeled, the mate connection feeling like a thousand knives carving into my skin.

Once the events had caught up to me, and the numbness wore off, all I could feel was rage.

My emotions took over as my canines began to grow, my bones breaking and shifting beneath my skin.

And this time, nobody was here to stop me from doing the only thing I knew how:

Destroying everything.