#12 The Triplets of Emerald Forest

Harlow

After breakfast, the girls demanded my attention again for more Luna ceremony planning. I was so overwhelmed yesterday that I just kind of checked out and I’m not really sure what was decided, but I was fine with anything, really. I followed them outside to the spot where the ceremony would be held. It was a short walk to the old Alpha and Luna house which now hosted the brothers’ parents. Behind the house was a clearing just inside the woods that held every Luna ceremony since the beginning of the pack.

There was a stage and an altar with the tall hardwood trees as the backdrop. In front of the stage, chairs were already set up in neat rows, creating an aisle.

“So, we have to decide how you want this decorated. We’ll need lights, of course, because the ceremony is held at night. Usually we do string lights, but I was also thinking of some nice torches around the altar to add a warm glow.” Clementine said, motioning with her hands as she spoke.

“Yeah, that sounds great.” I said with a smile, trying to sound excited.

“And we need flowers for the altar, stage, and the end of each row. What are your favorite flowers, Harlie?” Clementine asked, taking out her Luna ceremony planning notebook, as she calls it.

“Uhm, I don’t really have….” I started to say but the glare I earned from the girls made me come up with a quick choice on the spot, “Purple irises.” I don’t really know why I picked them other than the fact that they were purple, my favorite color.

“Perfect.” Clementine smiled, making note of it in her book.

“What would you like on the aisle? Flower petals, a satin carpet…..?” Clementine asked.

Good lord make this stop. I let out a loud sigh.

“The colors, of course, are navy, dark green, and crimson for the brothers with splashes of purple for you. Since it’s your ceremony, why don’t we have a purple satin runner?” Nova suggested, thankfully coming to my rescue.

“Yes, that’s a good idea.” I agreed quickly.

“Sounds good.” Clementine nodded, scribbling down more notes.

“So, the orchestra will be seated over there to play the traditional ceremony song as you walk down the aisle. You’ll have to decide who you’d like to walk you down the aisle.” Clementine said and I felt my heart sink.

I knew this was a reality I’d have to face on my wedding day, but I didn’t really think about it for this ceremony. Not having a family or parents never really bothered me, but I was feeling their absence at this moment.

“I would be honored to do it.” Someone new joined the group, making me jump and turn around, “If you’d like, that is.” Lukas smiled at me with such genuine kindness that I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Yes, please.” I nodded, happy to have a solution.

Lukas grinned and held his hand out towards me. I gladly took it and allowed him to pull me in for a quick hug.

“It would be my pleasure. Clem and I are so thankful to you for accepting our sons and are happy to add you to our family.” He said, releasing me.

“Thank you.” I blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear in embarrassment.

“Great! That’s it for the ceremony space. Now we’ll go check out the reception area.” Clementine cheered, breaking up the tension.

I followed her back towards the packhouse where the after party would be held. Apparently it was tradition to have the party at the Luna and Alpha’s house, which was usually back near the ceremony area. This was the first year it was happening at a new location, which would be our backyard.

Tulley and Maggie were heading out of the kitchen as we walked towards the backyard.

“Oh, girls! We’re working on Harlie’s Luna reception, do you want to help?” Clementine asked, grinning at the girls.

She had long since accepted Maggie, Tulley, and Canyon as her grandchildren even if I wasn’t 100% sure about being a mother yet. Clementine was the most perfect grandmother so it was almost impossible to think that these children weren’t biologically hers.

“Yes!” Maggie jumped up and down in excitement.

Tomorrow was dress day so the girls were super excited to get to have their one of a kind dresses made just for them. Maggie grabbed my hand and Tulley followed beside Annie, who she was already close to before she moved in with us.

“I’m thinking of string lights in the trees and around the fence and your flowers as the table centerpieces. The band can go over there, the dance floor in front of it, circle tables for the guests over here by the food, and then the long tables for the food will be right by the doors.” Clementine said as she walked around the yard and pointed things out.

“That all sounds perfect, Clementine.” I said, nodding when necessary and smiling to show her that I liked the sound of everything, “What do you think, girls?” I asked Tulley and Maggie.

“I love string lights.” Tulley said,

“They remind me of fairies.” Maggie clapped her hands.

“Ooh, well I definitely want fairies at my ceremony, right?” I laughed and Maggie nodded with wide eyes.

“We’ll have purple satin runners on the white table clothes for the circle tables, and then navy, green, and crimson runners for the food tables.” Clementine continued.

“Blue, green, and red are for Ric, Griffy, and Gabe, right?” Tulley asked, “How come they always wear those colors?”

“So that people can tell them apart since they’re identical. They hate getting mixed up.” Annie explained.

“They don’t look exactly the same to me.” Tulley shrugged and I smirked at her,

“Me either.” I said, “What do you think about purple?”

“I love it!” Maggie cheered.

“Purple, check.” Clementine laughed, dramatically checking off something on her notebook.

“And the band is made up of pack members who are friends with Griff, Gabe, and Ric.” Nova added.

“Oh, that’s great.” I nodded.

“Let’s go to Amanda and discuss food choices.” Clementine said, turning away from us.

Maggie and Tulley followed after her at the mention of food. They ate as much as a full grown adult, I swear. Must be the growing werewolf thing.

“You’re doing great, Harlie. I know you’re not into all of this but you’re making Mom feel like you love all her options.” Nova gave me a reassuring smile and all the girls nodded in agreement.

“I don’t want to seem like I’m uninterested.” I sighed, “I’m just not a big planner. I’ll love it no matter what.”

“You’re doing fine.” Nova smiled and then we followed after her mother.

Clementine was long gone by the time we made it inside the packhouse. Kori got distracted by Waylon who came down to check on us and Callie had to leave to do some Beta duties, so it was just Annie, Nova, Matti, and I heading towards the kitchen. We walked through the entryway and were nearly taken out by three girls.

I recognized two of them right away as Robin and Gina. The third girl had long platinum blonde hair and mean blue eyes. Annie, Nova, and Matti each made noises of irritation as they squared up to the three girls.

“Robin, Gina, and Victoria. What are you doing here?” Nova crossed her arms over her chest.

“We’re here to see the Alphas, of course.” Gina giggled.

“You aren’t welcome here anymore.” Matti said, her eyes turning black as she glared at them.

“They haven’t told us that, now have they?” The blonde, Victoria, sneered.

“Haven’t you met the Luna?” Annie grabbed my arm and tugged me forward.

“Oh please, we haven’t heard any Luna announcement.” Robin scoffed.

“There was a pack wide link about the Luna ceremony this weekend.” Matti said,

“Then she’s not the official Luna yet, is she?” Gina looked just as irritated as Robin.

“Didn’t Ric put you in your place the last time you were here, Gina?” Nova said,

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Gina shrugged dumbly.

“Now, excuse us. We’ll be heading for the Alphas offices now.” Robin tried to shove past the girls.

That’s when something inside me snapped. I felt a burning heat rise up from my toes and spread out across my entire body. My eyes started to sting as I placed myself in front of the girls.

“You won’t be going anywhere but out that door.” I said in a voice I didn’t recognize.

Gina, Robin, and Victoria looked at my face with wide eyes.

“Woah, your eyes, Harlie.” Annie gasped but I ignored her.

I felt something like static electricity zap at my fingertips as I stared down the girls.

“Who do you think you are?” Gina snapped at me.

“I will be your Luna and I am the Alphas’ mate. I don’t know who you three were to them and, quite frankly, I don’t give a shit. They belong to me now and, as you can see, I now belong to them,” I said, moving my hair away from my neck so they could see my new marks. They were still fresh and red, but shimmered a beautiful silver,

“And you three no longer have a place here, in my home. You are no longer welcome into this house and, should you return, I will have you promptly removed.”

“You….”

“I suggest you think about your next words very carefully, Robin.” Gabriel’s voice was dark and scary as he walked up behind me. I felt the presence of my other two mates as well as they surrounded me.

“Alpha.” Robin bowed her head.

“You will respect your Luna as you respect us. In fact, you should respect her better than you respect us.” He snapped.

“Gina, I’ve already spoken to you about this and I do not like repeating myself.” Godric snarled.

“Victoria, I don’t even want to start with you.” Griffin just sounded annoyed.

“Now, what do you say to your Luna’s instructions?” Gabriel said, placing his hand on my hips.

“Yes, Luna.” The three chorused, bowing their heads.

“I’ll tag onto her commands. If you should return to this house or bother our Luna again, you three will be banned from this pack.” Godric said, his hand on my arm.

“Yes, Alpha.” They said in unison.

“Now, leave.” Griffin said in the scariest voice I’ve ever heard come from him. The girls scattered immediately and I was turned around to face my mates.

“Are you okay, love?” Gabriel asked, cupping my face.

“I’m fine. It takes more than a couple of Barbies to rattle me.” I smirked.

“We’re so sorry about them, precious. I….” Godric started to defend himself but I held up my hand, stopping him.

“Stop right there. You don’t have to explain anything to me, either of you. We all had a past and none of that matters now. I mean, do you want to hear about my past relationships?” I challenged them and they quickly shook their heads.

“No.” Godric grumbled.

“Am I your future?”

“Yes!” Godric shouted.

Always, my love.” Gabriel looked at me ferociously.

“Don’t even question that, angel.” Griffin demanded.

“Then, there’s nothing to worry about, is there?” I shrugged and they looked at me in awe.

“You’re so perfect, angel, we got so lucky with you.” Griffin purred.

“Alright, now that that crisis has been averted, we need to catch up with Mom before she hunts us down.” Nova said, her face completely serious.

“Oh, yeah, she’s right.” I said, untangling myself from their arms.

The brothers pouted but I ignored them, following after the girls in a hurry so I didn’t face the wrath of Clementine Emerald.