Chapter 36
I jerk my body to the skillet, seeing the pot smoking. "No!" I shout. I swiftly grab the pan and flip it. The noodles are burned.
The girl is laughing at me because I burned the noodle. David, still beside me, laughs.
"Hey, Mr. Alpha. We were well until you interrupted me."
"I'm not to blame," David answers, leaving.
"Your mother is in the living room," David says goodbye as he leaves.
The girl shouts goodbye from the kitchen, leaving me to clean up the mess. But that's OK.
I discard the burned noodles. Jessica enters the kitchen and walks toward me, clearly startled to see me.
"Hello, Susan, I noticed you did your dishes early."
"I made noodles for a tiny girl who refused biscuits. Now I have to tidy up."
"David said you wanted to arrange the Luna Ceremony. Maybe after we clean?"
"OK."
And I'll be honest; I'm anxious about my Luna Ceremony.
"First, let me know when you want it."
"This week, sooner or later," I say.
After that, I go upstairs to tidy my room. I fantasize about my ceremony while I sort my garments.
After a day, the story of my Luna Ceremony has spread throughout the land.
In bed with David at night, I confide in him. A new Luna signifies a new beginning for the pack.
That I can start working on my first formal Luna project following my Luna Ceremony. And I'm already planning how to improve the pack's relationship.
Jessica walks into my room, beaming. I return the grin.
Jessica applies eye after eye product into my eyelids and my crease while I have my eyes closed. Having someone else apply your makeup is rather calming.
"You'll be stunning, Susan." Jessica mumbles, focusing on my makeup.
My tummy flutters with nervousness as I grin weakly the bedroom door creaks. Then I sense someone else in the restroom. Slowly I blink.
"Glorious, yes?"
The praise warms my cheeks. Who doesn't want to be a goddess? But I'm confident I'm not one. Jessica highlights with a brush and Gently touches my cheekbones and nasal bridge.
Jessica did my makeup, and I grinned. Jessica responds with a hug and a prod to put on the outfit David purchased. A white dress bag sits on the bathroom door frame, and Jessica takes it out from behind her. In anticipation of my dress's unveiling, Jessica zips my dress, Taking in my dress's stunning splendor when the zipper is fully down.
Jessica departs so I can dress.
My hazy expression fades as the sound of the door closing closes around me.
It makes me nervous about putting this dress on over my underpants. What if the dress is too big? What if I shred the gown? My dress fits me perfectly when I zip it up from the side.
Upon seeing myself, I let out a loud gasp. I shine. My dress has tight sleeves, a V-neck that dips to my sternum, a bodice that hugs my sides and hips, and a long, flowy skirt.
I open the bathroom door to show off Jessica's gown. Jessica beams with pride and nods.
"Beautiful. "
"I appreciate it,"
Jessica approaches me holding slippers. This footwear don't match my clothing, so I raise an eyebrow in puzzlement.
"Your shoes may be worn up to the ceremony. So I know."
I put on my slippers.
Trying not to worry about all the bad things that can happen tonight, I wait on my unmade bed.
I'm so scared about my Luna Ceremony that I can't think of anything. I am distracted from my thoughts by a knock at the door.
"In!" I shout.
The bedroom door squeaks. David enters our room with a look of want and pride in his eyes.
"Ready?" David asks.
I remain silent. I stop walking and face David. Dangerous butterflies fly in my stomach as David bends down to kiss me.
His fall is halted by my hand. From my hand to my face, David raises an eyebrow in puzzlement. "I-I'm too frightened to kiss you, David." In an attempt to conceal my shame, I feverishly whisper. The tingles that buzz when I remove my palm from his lips distract me.
"I've been able to sense your emotions since you woke up this morning. Every tense inhales and exhales. Susan, I'm concerned about my mate's Luna Ceremony." David confesses. "Susan, you'll be fine."
I nod, and my eyes shut. "OK," I murmur.
David lowers his hands from my waist and lovingly kisses my face. "Let me bring you to your ceremony, Luna."
Luna. I'll be the pack's Luna.
David nods. That makes my heart melt.
David takes me out of our room.
I shudder when the front door opens. David walks beside me.
"Do you know what you'll say to the pack?" David asks.
"Not at all, David!"
Fear smacks me in the face. I have to give an extemporaneous speech!
"Susan!" David shouts after me. "Be calm! It will just exacerbate your distress."
"A speech in front of my pack members? I just got the news," I hiss. "I'm sorry you're worried about seeming stupid, David!"
As I resume my trek, David runs up behind me. And my foolish body doesn't stop itself from approaching him. So I look up David.
I was angry at David. I hadn't thought about my Luna Ceremony! My palm lunges for David's still-held jaw. I take his hand and drag him towards my Luna Ceremony.
The first thing I notice as we approach the clearing is brightness. A mixture of excitement and trepidation fills the pack members' eyes as they glance at me. Everybody except the kids holds candles, creating a radiance.
The backpack is missing three members: Name, Hunter, and Jessica. David gently rubs my lower back to urge me to keep going.
"Tonight, a fresh beginning may begin, but only one can handle this. The woman who is dedicated to improving their pack. "
My tense tummy tightens as David shoots me a brief glance.
This is a new beginning for the pack.
I muster up the willpower not to faint. That'd be awkward. Everything is good, I assure myself.
I'll start with David. He slashes a small line on his palm, and tiny red beads emerge from the split flesh. Then Hunter, Name, and finally me.