Page 101 of Alpha Brock
“Don’t they say it’s bad luck or something?” I ask, flicking him a glance over my shoulder. “And besides, shouldn’t you already be out there?”
I sigh, turning to face him, resting a hand on my hip.
“I love you,” he murmurs from his position in the doorway, his eyes full of adoration.
My heart swells, my lips spreading into a smile. I can’t help it; the man makes me giddy, and I’ll never tire of hearing him say those words. “I love you too. Now go!” I laugh, shooing him away with a hand.
When he doesn’t budge, I fold my arms across my chest and arch a brow, giving him my best stern look to show him I mean business.
“Fine,” he chuckles, pushing off of the doorway. “LunaAstrid.”
He tosses me a wink, and I can’t help but crack another smile.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Brock
“Don’t be nervous,” my dad mumbles under his breath, setting a hand on my shoulder and giving it a squeeze.
“Who says I’m nervous?” I grumble back to him. My old man’s right, though- I can’t stop fidgeting as I stand in front of him and my mother beneath the arbor behind the packhouse. It’s set atop the little hill by the treeline, and it’s dripping with greenery and florals, a perfect backdrop for Astrid to take her vows and seal herself to the pack.
Being here right now feels a little fucking surreal, considering the messy path it took for me and Astrid to find each other and be together. Still, I wouldn’t trade a single day with her for anything. If these past weeks together have proven anything, it’s that fate doesn’t make mistakes- she’s truly my soulmate. Tonight, she becomes my pack’s official Luna, and I couldn’t be prouder.
The whole pack is here for the ceremony, gathered on the lawn behind the packhouse to witness their new Luna take her vows. The crowd is parted in the middle so that Astrid has an aisle to walk down, and as the sun dips beneath the trees, everyone seems antsy and eager to get started. Jared emerges from the back doors of the packhouse, making his way toward us and giving me a thumbs up to indicate that we’re ready to begin. He takes his spot right up front with Brent, and I hold my breath, waiting.
My heart slams against my ribs.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
An instrumental version of Taylor Swift’s ‘Begin Again’ starts playing, and every head turns toward the back doors of the packhouse.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Astrid steps out, and I swear my heart forgets to beat for a second- my breath catches in my throat and my mouth runs dry.She’s so fucking beautiful.An absolute vision in navy blue silk, clutching a bouquet of wildflowers in front of her with both hands. A dazzling smile stretches her lips as she starts moving in my direction, and I feel like I need to pinch myself to make sure this isn’t a dream; that she’s really here, that she’s really mine.She’s perfect.
She draws closer, and everything and everyone around us fades away. All I see is her. I’m grinning like a goddamn fool by the time she reaches me, itchy to touch her as she hands off her bouquet to my mom and smiles at both of my parents in greeting. Finally, her hands come to mine, my erratic heart calming the moment we touch.
The music quiets, and Dad gets right down to business. The Luna ceremony is traditionally conducted by pack elders- the prior Alpha and Luna, if still living. My parents were all too eager to fulfill the honor of conducting Astrid’s ceremony. Dad clears his throat and the crowd gathered before us immediately quiets, all focused intently on the four of us positioned under the arbor.
“We’re gathered here this evening for a very special occasion,” he begins. “My son, your Alpha, has found his mate.”
Celebratory exclamations ring out, and Dad has to pause for a moment for them to die down before he goes on.
“As his mate, she must accept her place in the pack as Luna and vow to fulfill her duties,” he continues. His eyes land on Astrid and he smiles warmly. He rarely used to show emotion, but the guy has become soft since stepping down from his position as Alpha and handing me the reins. “Astrid Bauer, fate has chosen you to be Luna to this pack as its Alpha’s mate. Do you willingly accept this call to duty?”
Astrid nods confidently. “I do.”
I squeeze her hands, feeling a surge of pride in response to the assurance in her tone.
Dad nods back, continuing. “Are you prepared to take your vows and perform the ritual to seal yourself to this pack?”
Her eyes flicker to me, a smile tugging at her lips. “I am.”
“Then let us begin.” Dad clears his throat again, pausing for dramatic effect. “Do you swear your unwavering loyalty and allegiance to this pack, and are you ready, willing, and able to take on the role and responsibilities as its Luna?”
Her eyes still on mine, Astrid answers, “I do.”
“Do you promise to do your best to put the needs of the pack and the safety of its members first, to watch over and care for the pack as if each member was your own pup?” he asks.