The Hunted

Chapter 76

Multiple POVs

Kota's POV

I swear we all stopped breathing and the world froze when Samael led her to the platform. She was breathtaking. Her ebony hair was up with light tendrils draping down to tease her bare shoulders. Gabe had really outdone himself with her dress. It hugged every curve of her luscious body and was a dusty black color, but when the light caught it, it shimmered with various other shades. It wasn't until she came closer to us that I realized it was picking up on the shades in our shirts and casting light hues. He managed to make her match each of us when she stood next to us. Fucking genius.

Doc Roberts stepped forward and took her hand from Samael. "Members of the Blackbourne pack, we have gathered tonight to welcome our new Luna, Calista Rose, officially into the pack along with her other mates and her children." He looked at North and nodded. He stepped forward, clutching both Raven and Corey's hands, a huge grin on his face.

"I claim these men as my destined mates along with Calista. I present Raven Ravensthal, a bear shifter, and Corey Henshaw, an elemental. Please welcome them," he proclaimed proudly, kissing each of them. The crowd cheered.

Nate and I stepped forward next, each holding Brandon's hand. "We claim this man as our destined mate along with Calista. We present Brandon Henshaw, brother to Corey and also an elemental. Please welcome him." The crowd again cheered as we each kissed him. His cheeks flushed as he continued to hold our hands.

Owen stepped forward with Sean. "We welcome Axel Toma and Marc Weiland to the pack. They are the destined mates of our destined mate, Calista Rose." They each held their daughters in their arms. "We welcome Mela Toma, daughter of Axel and Calista, and Aydana Weiland, daughter of Marc and Calista to our pack." The crowd cheered wildly, shouting blessings and congratulations.

Phil cleared his throat, "Now if you will all form a circle around Calista we will begin." We did as he instructed. I felt a slight pang from myself and the others as we remembered Sang's ceremony. She gave us all a knowing look and mouthed - I love you, as Phil continued. "Everyone please hold out your hand." He cut each of our palms as we allowed the blood to dribble into the cup. He placed the cup at our lips and spoke as each of us drank. "Bound by blood, you are all now connected. Your life becomes one with the pack, with the land." Marc and Axel dipped their fingers in the cup and placed a drop of our mixed blood on the girl's tongues. Mela giggled, but Aydana made a sour face, which had us all laughing. When Phil let the remaining blood fall to the ground it soaked in immediately and a rush of magic spread throughout the crowd and us. I could feel all of them now, even the girls. I could feel her joy at finding us, finding a home. Phil had us turn and face the pack as we all linked hands. "I present your Luna, Callista Rose." Tears of joy streamed down her face as we all embraced, covering her, the girls, and each other in kisses.

We danced late into the night, celebrating the unification of our family and our pack. I noticed her cradling both girls as she swayed gently with them. "Hey beautiful, hand me one of them and we'll go lay them down in the pack nursery." I saw the concern flash in her mind, "There are guards and nursery staff around the clock for times just like this one," I chuckled. "Even us old married folk need to cut loose once in a while," I teased, giving her a wink that had her giggling.

With Mela in my arms and Aydana in hers, we held hands as we walked toward the nursery. I sent a quick message so the others would know where we were headed. They were all busy mixing with pack members and making the rounds to ensure all felt welcome and heard. As we rounded the corner I heard her gasp and felt her heart race. I turned to see Sang's wicked grin as she held a dagger to Aydana's neck. "Don't link and don't do anything stupid, Kota," she hissed. I started to growl and felt a prick in my shoulder. Faster than I could react, Lisette grabbed Mela and darkness overtook me as I tried to call out to the others.