A Man From The Moon

Chapter 36 - Soul Wedding

Jeff POV

We arrived at the airport, and Ben mentioned we were waiting for his brother to arrive. Being back at this airport brought back so many memories. I remembered the first time I arrived for the Valentino Fashion Show; Ben's friend had given me feathers, and it was the first time I visited his homeland. I made an oath in front of their people then—I accepted Ben's love and we declared our devotion to one another.

Now, we were here for our Soul Wedding.
​"Jeff, are you okay? You’re so silent, just spacing out," Ben said softly.
​I wrote in my notebook:
~ I was just remembering the first time I came here, when you gave me the feathers and I went to find you.
​"Oh, you’re making me shy! I felt so embarrassed back then," Ben laughed.
​~ I remember your beautiful, crying face.
I wrote back.
I cupped his face with my hands. I love you, I mouthed silently.
​"I love you more," he replied.
​It took almost two hours to reach Ben  brother’s house, which also served as an assembly hall. We unloaded our belongings immediately. The elders and villagers were already there to meet us, along with high-ranking commanders and Betas.

​Ben’s brother, Jo, stood to address us. "I know you are all tired from the flight, but we cannot waste any time. Tonight is the first full moon of the month, but it isn’t just a normal full moon. It is a Blue Moon—the fourth full moon in a season. It is a rare occurrence. Legend says it signifies a time of uncontrollable magic and transformation. Our elders will lead the ritual with the help of the Night Eagle Tribe. The Soul Wedding will begin around 11 PM. Our Betas will prepare the site. Ben and Jeff, the elders will take you to the waterfall for a moon bath first. Ben, I hope your spirit wolf will cooperate. Call him now so he can prepare."
​I looked at Ben. He stood up and gripped the table, his eyes shifting color. When he spoke, his voice was deep and husky—it wasn't Ben, but his wolf spirit, Fenrir.
​"I hear you, Jo. I am always ready for our mate. Everything is for him. A Blue Moon? It will be more aggressive than a normal full moon. Don't worry; even though the transformation will be painful tonight, we will endure it for him."
​"What do you mean by 'aggressive' and 'painful'?" someone asked.
​"Perhaps you have forgotten who I am," the spirit wolf growled through Ben's lips.
"I am the wolf spirit, the War God and the Blue Moon unlocks my full transformation. It hurts, but I am ready."
​Ben closed his eyes tightly, and when he opened them, the human Ben was back. "Sorry," he muttered. "He’s a bit of a show-off and can be rude. Thank you to all the family members for helping us."
​They separated us for the preparations. I wasn't allowed to see Ben before the moon bath and the ritual. I felt incredibly nervous, pacing back and forth in my room.
​I looked at my watch: 8 PM. One hour until the moon bath. My heart was racing. I changed into the ritual clothes they gave me—a simple white cloth wrapped around my waist.

Outside, I could hear the sound of howling. The tribe was already running through the jungle, beginning their shift.
​"It is time for the moon bath, Jeff."
​Ben's mother came into the room. She held my hand as we walked toward the waterfall. I was overwhelmed with a mix of fear, nerves, and tears. At the waterfall, the main family members and the elders were waiting in traditional dress. But Ben was nowhere to be seen.
"Sit here, son," an elder instructed. I sat down, eyes fixed on the ground. Suddenly, a massive figure appeared before me. The entire area fell silent.
​"My love, are you nervous? I’m here now."
​I looked up at the voice. It sounded like Ben, but much deeper and huskier.
​"Do I look scary? I think I look scary," he teased gently. He sat beside me and took my hand. His grip was warm, but his palm was much larger than usual. His blue eyes were mesmerizing. He looked completely different—he still had Ben’s face, but with long, wavy white hair and glowing skin. His eyes shone like the Pacific Ocean. His muscles were more pronounced, and his fangs were visible. He smelled intoxicatingly seductive.
​"Love, you’re examining me... you’re making me shy," he whispered.
​"Children, let us walk into the water together," the elder commanded. Ben dropped the blanket from his shoulders, revealing a powerful, ripped physique. We stepped into the cool water together.
​Under the moonlight, we sat side-by-side. The elder recited a mantra, scooping water that held the moon’s reflection and pouring it over Ben’s head. After another mantra, he did the same for me.
​"Children, leave the water now. Hold your hands together."
​The wind was chilling. "We are finished here. Your Moon Bath is complete. Now, we wait for the wedding."
​
Ben’s mother handed us blankets. "Both of you need to change your clothes."
​We returned to the room, though we were still kept separate. Ben’s mother gave me a white traditional outfit with simple accessories to wear. She helped tie my hair.
"You are so handsome, my son. Oh, I want to cry."
​I wrote a quick note:
~Don't cry, Mom. Is it okay if I call you Mom?
​"Of course," she said, pulling me into a hug. "You are my son now, Jeff. I love you just as I love Ben. I am your family now."
​~Thank you, Mom.
​"Don’t thank me. This is what family is." She kissed the top of my head. "I think we leave in a few minutes. Are you ready?"
​~I'm so nervous... Mom, can I ask you something? How did you accept Ben’s father, knowing he wasn't a normal human?
​"Oh, it wasn't as easy as people think," she admitted. "At first, it felt like a dream—a fantasy. Then I was scared. Not of him as a werewolf, but scared that I couldn't love him fully for who he was. I opened my heart slowly, and I realized he wasn't scary; he was protective and caring. Jeff, Ben is like his father—sensitive and soft at heart. I think you already know that."
​~I know. And I know I love him so much.
​
I checked my phone: five minutes to 11:00 PM. My heart was racing.
​"Jeff, it’s time. They are waiting for us."
​Ben’s mother held my hand as we walked outside. The path to the ritual was lined with lights. My parents walked behind me, followed by the rest of the pack. I could hear howling and the sound of traditional instruments.
​The ritual took place on a hill under a brilliant moon. My nerves made it hard to see clearly; I kept my eyes on the ground until I stopped at the altar.
​"My love..."
​I looked up at Ben. I let out a long breath, trying to steady my racing heart.
​"Are you okay?" he whispered. I smiled and mouthed: You are beautiful.
​"You are the one who is beautiful, my love." He took my hand from his mother.
​"Let the ritual begin," the elder announced. "Midhunter the Alpha, please hold your Higná Čhaŋté Skúya and stand together."