USELESS?

19

Several hours later, the six of us are in the sitting room of our suite. Ty and Anthony have spent the better part of that time yelling at one another. It seems that, prior to Ty stepping down as Alpha, the Golden Moon Pack was one of those that banished same-sex mates. Ty was-and is-angry that Anthony changed that, and that his son and heir has accepted a male as his mate.

After a conversation through our mate bond, and a private conversation through our links with Archer and Jeremiah, we decided that, given his father's reaction to our mating, we shouldn't tell him about my past, or that I'm a Guardian.

"Ty, calm down. You know a completed bond can't be undone." Anthony's mother says. "It's not like there won't be an heir. Anthony, didn't you say that your mate is pregnant?"

"Yes, mother, he is." Anthony confirms, "With twins. And his name is Hunter."

Ty rolls his eyes, and storms out of the room, leaving Anthony's mother behind. She gives us an apologetic smile, but stays sitting. She seems accepting of the situation, at least.

"And Hunter, how did you meet my son?" She asked. "The Silver Dawn Pack is on the other side of the country, and I can't see the King and Queen letting their son go on a mate hunt."

"It's a long story, Luna." I say. "I'm not really sure how your mate will feel about it, and I would rather you not have to hide things from your mate."

Anthony gently tells his mother, "for now, all you need to know is that the Goddess herself had a hand in bringing us together."

"I think you're under a false impression," Angela states. "Ty may be my husband, and the father of my children, but he isn't my mate...or rather, we're chosen mates, rather than Goddess-given. Ty's father and mine arranged it when we both reached the age of 20 without finding our mates."

Anthony startles at this. "I didn't know that."

"We agreed to it, for the sake of the pack, but agreed not to mark one another in the event we found our true mates one day," Angela tells us sadly. "It's been almost 30 years now. I think we've both more or less given up. But enough of that. When will you hold Hunter's Luna ceremony?"

"Luna ceremony?" I ask, confused.

"Given the amount of planning that will have to go into it," Anthony says, "we might want to wait until the twins are born. Hunter still has a lot to learn before he's ready to take full Luna's duties."

"How far along is he?" Angela asks. "If it's early enough, I might be able to put something together quickly. If you don't mind keeping things simple, that is. And as for what he needs to learn, I'll be right here to help. Ty is going to mope until he thinks he'll get his way, so he probably won't be back any time soon. I want to see my grandchildren make their appearance."

"Wait a minute," I break in to the mother-son exchange, "what is a Luna ceremony? I'd rather not do anything 'ceremonial' if it's not absolutely necessary," I add, using air quotes.

"A Luna ceremony is the traditional passing of power from a Luna to their successor. It's usually done in the presence of an Elder in front of the pack," Angela begins, "it can be done privately, but our pack hasn't had an Elder for a while, and I'm not sure we could find one who wouldn't insist on doing it the traditional way."

"What about Joseph? He's an Elder." I mention "He's just joined us from my parents' pack, and found his mate here. I'm sure he'd be willing to do it privately."

"Well, love," Anthony says, "If you feel you're ready to take on the duties of Luna, why don't we call Joseph here, and have him witness it now?"

"The pack has an Elder again? That's wonderful," Angela exclaims. "It's a blessing from the Moon Goddess herself for a pack to be home to an Elder. The only greater honor would be for a pack to have a Guardian."

The room goes quiet quickly as we try to find replies that won't rouse Angela's suspicions, the rest of us conferring through our links, before we decide to simply change the subject.

"Indeed, Mother," Anthony says, "Let me call down to the clinic and ask Victor to send Joseph our way."

"Victor? Is Joseph alright?" Angela asks, worriedly.

I smile, and explain as Anthony calls Victor. "Joseph is just fine. He's probably just spending time with his mate. Last I heard, he and Victor were planning their mating ceremony."

"So Victor finally found his mate?" Angela seems pleased. "He's waited so long. He's what, nearly 30? The Goddess truly rewarded his patience if he was granted an Elder."

"That's why they're planning a full, traditional ceremony." Anthony says as he hangs up. "Joseph is 25, so he's had a bit of a wait as well. They want to be able to give full thanks to the Goddess in their ceremony. They've even decided to hold off on marking one another until their ceremony. Victor said Joseph should be here in ten minutes."

We all sit and discuss my pregnancy and the title I am about to officially assume as we wait for Joseph. When he arrives, we quickly explain what we have discussed, and he seems excited to help.

"It's a good thing I've been researching the Luna ceremony lately," he says "I figured this was coming soon, but are you sure you want to do it privately?"

"I hate being in the spotlight," I say, "especially when it comes to ceremonies. We can gather the pack for a celebration later, so they don't feel left out."

"Ok, then," Joseph says, standing up. "I need you, Luna Angela, and you, Prince Hunter, to stand facing one another. Each of you place your left hand over the other's heart."

We do as he tells us, and he instructs Angela on what she has to say.

"I, Luna Angela James, do hereby pass on to Prince Hunter Steele James, the title of Luna of the Golden Moon Pack, and all the power and responsibility that it entails." She finishes, and it's my turn.

"I, Prince Hunter Steele James, do hereby accept the title of Luna of the Golden Moon Pack, and all the power and responsibility that it entails. I hereby swear to place the good of my Alpha and our pack ahead of my own wishes, and to support and defend the pack to the best of my ability."

I feel a rush of power through me, as it passes to me from Angela. Everyone in the room cheers, until a sudden rush of cold slides down my spine. I look around the room, to see that everyone seems to have felt it.

"What was that?" I ask.

"That, Luna Hunter, is what a pack feels when a member dies." Joseph answers, "and given the strength of it, I would guess that it was the retired Alpha."