Little witch

Ceremony

Titus

It had been a month since Adeline returned to the pack, and today was the day we officially welcomed her as my mate and Luna. The ceremony was perfect, intimate, just as she wanted. Adeline looked radiant, her copper hair gleaming under the sun, dressed in a flowing white gown that made her look like something out of a dream. And she was mine—finally, after all the time we had lost, we were here, together.

The pack gathered around us, the air buzzing with excitement as Zander stood at the front, holding up a glass with a ridiculous grin plastered across his face.

"I'll be the first to say," Zander began, his voice filled with pride, "if it weren't for me, these two wouldn't even be standing here today!"

The crowd laughed, including Adeline, her soft giggles making my chest swell with warmth. She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling back.

Gray, standing beside Zander, raised his hand to interrupt. "Actually, I'm the reason they stayed together. I'm the one who found her and brought her back, remember?"

Adeline's laugh grew louder, and I couldn't help but chuckle too. "You both had a hand in it," she said, still giggling as she glanced between them. "But let's be real, I think it was meant to happen with or without you two."

The whole pack burst into laughter, and for a moment, everything felt light. Perfect. As if all the darkness we had gone through was a distant memory.

After the speeches, it was time for the first dance. I took Adeline's hand, leading her to the center of the circle, and as the music began, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. The world seemed to melt away. It was just us. Just her.

"You look beautiful," I whispered, my lips brushing against her ear as we swayed to the slow melody.

Her cheeks flushed, and she smiled, resting her head on my chest. "And you look... very handsome, Alpha."

I laughed softly, kissing the top of her head. Everything about this moment felt right—like this was how it was always supposed to be. Her, in my arms, surrounded by our pack, ready to begin our future together.

But the moment shattered in an instant.

A deafening crack split the air. For a second, I didn't understand what had happened. Then I saw it—the flash of red across Adeline's white gown. Blood. Her blood.

Her eyes widened in shock, her body jerking in my arms before going limp.

"Adeline!" I screamed, my heart pounding in my chest as I caught her before she could hit the ground.

Time seemed to stop as I lowered us both to the ground, cradling her in my arms. My hands pressed against the wound, trying to stop the blood that was pouring out too fast.

"Adeline, stay with me. Please, stay with me." My voice broke, panic clawing at my throat as I watched the life drain from her face.

She gasped, her breath ragged and shallow. "Titus..."

"I'm here, I'm here," I whispered frantically, my hands covered in her blood. I could feel the bond between us flickering, weakening, and the pain of it nearly knocked the wind out of me.

Around us, chaos erupted. Shouts and screams filled the air, the pack scrambling to find the shooter, to protect their Luna. But all I could see was Adeline.

Her eyes fluttered, her breathing growing fainter. "Don't leave me," I pleaded, pressing my forehead to hers, my tears mixing with the blood on her skin. "Please... don't leave me."

She looked up at me, her lips trembling as she tried to speak, but no sound came out. Her hand reached for mine, her fingers weak and cold.

"No, no, no..." I shook my head, pressing harder against the wound. "You're going to be okay, Adeline. I've got you. I'm not letting you go."

But she was slipping away, and I could feel it in every part of me. The bond, the connection that tied us together, was fading, tearing me apart with it.

I couldn't lose her. I wouldn't survive it.

"Someone, help!" I screamed, my voice hoarse, but I didn't dare take my eyes off her. "She needs help!"

Her eyes started to close, her body going limp in my arms. The bond flickered one last time before the light in her eyes dimmed.

"No!" I cried out, shaking her, willing her to wake up, to stay with me. "Adeline! Don't leave me!"

But there was no response, only the deafening silence of the night, the blood on my hands, and the shattered pieces of my heart breaking all over again.