Chapter 129

Aurora’s POV

I can’t feel the ground beneath my feet, and it’s not the nerves this time.

There’s something in the air that’s almost dizzying.

The forest beyond the trees is alive with laughter and music. I remind myself that this is all for me, that Thorne is giving me the ceremony I should have had sooner, but honestly, I don’t care about all of that.

I’m just glad he’s here with me.

My mate.

“I’m nervous,” I mutter, clinging to Thorne’s arm like he’s the only thing keeping me from floating away. Who knows… he might just be.

“Don’t be,” Thorne whispers, kissing my temple. “They’ll love you.”

I nod and take a deep breath as we finally break the tree line.

Blackwood Pack members fill the clearing, their voices filling the air with warm welcomes and cheers. Thorne waves at people as we pass, and I do the same, even though I’ve never met these people.

A few familiar faces appear in the crowd, and I smile at Jace, Anders, Elisa, and some of the warriors who kept me safe during my time with Thorne. The sharp, earthy forest smells fill my senses as people quiet down and watch Thorne lead me to the front of the pack.

The weight of the last few days, the fight with the Black Knight Pack, and the realization of being safe have been all I could think about. Until now. At the end of the makeshift aisle, a small dais and an older man wait for me.

The small dais might as well be the largest stage in the world, because it sends the air in my lungs running.

“Breathe,” Thorne murmurs, leaning close enough that his lips brush my ear.

“I am,” I lie, my chest growing tighter.

He chuckles, and I pinch his wrist. He knows I’m excited for this, but at the same time, a heavy weight feels like it’s pressing down on my shoulders. I’m going to be the Luna of his pack. That’s a big responsibility.

Thorne’s thumb strokes soft circles on the back of my hand, giving me something else to focus on. Through our bond, I feel the thrum of his pride and love. It’s steady and warm, like always, but this time, there’s a bit of spice to it.

I pinch him again, giggling at the image he projects into my mind of us in bed.

“Stop it.”

The crowd begins to grow quiet as we stop in front of the waiting Elder. The man bows to me before straightening up. His grey hair, steady posture, and measuring eyes strike me as wise as he looks at me. I don’t look away.

My heart feels like it’s about to jump right out of my chest, but I won’t yield.

“Tonight,” the Elder beings, his voice loud and deep. “We welcome Aurora as the Luna of the Blackwood Pack. We honor the blessed mating between Aurora and Alpha Thorne as well as the victory we have won over the Black Knight Pack.”

The crowd erupts into cheers, making me jump at the sudden noise. It swells and fills the forest, vibrating through my body as they cheer.

My wolf stirs, pressing against the barrier between us as she is drawn to the sounds of her new pack. Her new family.

“Come forward, Aurora,” the Elder says, gesturing for me to step up. My grip on Thorne’s arm tightens, but after a reassuring squeeze from him, I let go and step into the center of the dais. Everyone watches, their eyes following me as I move, but Thorne’s eyes are the only ones I look for.

Even as the Elder speaks, I focus on my mate.

“Luna Aurora, do you vow to stand beside your mate to support and guide this pack with wisdom and compassion, to protect them like they are your own family, and to care for each of them like they are your own child?”

I swallow the lump in my throat as the weight of what’s happening sinks in. I finally let my eyes move over the room, looking at the pack that is about to become my family.

These wolves have fought and bled for my safety.

Tonight, I’m not just marrying Thorne and becoming his Luna. I’m also binding myself to them.

“I do,” I promise, my voice coming out stronger than I expect it to.

The Elder’s gaze softens, and he turns to Thorne.

This time, Thorne moves forward, standing beside me.

“Alpha Thorne, do you vow to honor your mate, stand at her side, share your strength and heart, and protect her for all the days ahead?”

Thorne doesn’t hesitate as he says, “I do.” The certainty and strength in his voice makes my knees wobble a bit, and I have to clamp my thighs together as another image of us in bed flits through my mind.

The Elder smiles and steps back.

“Then seal your vows.”

Thorne’s hand cups my cheek, then slides down to the back of my neck as he pulls me toward him. His hand brushes past my mark, sending a shiver through me, as he leans in and kisses me. Heat curls in my stomach as his lips move against mine.

The kiss isn’t long, but it’s firm, full of heat, and promises of a long, loving future.

When he pulls back, the crowd erupts again. Cheers fill the air, and a few playful whistles pierce the noise. Anders and Jace howl in laughter and excitement from the front row, making inappropriate gestures that make my cheeks heat up.

But I’m not embarrassed.

I feel the warmth of our bond and the happiness I’ve always wanted as Thorne holds me against him. His pack… no, our pack continues to cheer as Thorne turns us to face our pack.

Once, I believed they would never accept me, but now, I realize I was so wrong. I may have a wolf now, but I don’t think that would have mattered in the long run. I can see how happy they are just to have a Luna and to know that their Alpha is happy.

My parents, human and Lycan, sit in the front row just a few seats down from Anders, and they’re beaming. My mom is crying, and Sophie is hugging her. Elizabeth and Grayson are holding each other, watching me with smiles that speak volumes.

I wave at the four of them as Thorne helps me down from the dais.

“Hungry? Because I am,” Thorne says, a slight lilt of teasing in his voice as an image of me bent over our bed while he eats me out fills my mind. I gasp, heat running through me at the mental image.

“We can’t. We have a wedding to finish,” I hiss, even though I would love nothing more than to sneak away to our room.

Thorne grins and leads me through the crowd. “Then it’ll have to wait until later, but I’ll warn you. I’m starving.”

My face heats up as we stop to greet people on our way. They all congratulate us, including a young man who’s arm is in a sling.

He grins at me when I ask about the injury, saying, “It was an honor to fight for my Luna.”

The title sends a little thrill through me, and tears prick at my eyes.

My Luna.

“Thank you,” I murmur, soaking in the feeling of belonging.