Truly

Chapter 23

~Toni

Stood off to the side of the stage, I honestly felt sick. Ruby and Lizzie had to sit down but Macy was with me.

"Don't worry deary. I felt the same when I was in your position. All you have to keep thinking is that in a matter of minutes, you will see your mate up there."

"I have missed him so much."

"Sweetie, he wouldn't stop talking about you last night. 'I wonder what Toni is doing' 'I wish Toni was here now' 'I -"

"I really don't want to hear about Max being a lovesick puppy." I laughed.

"Yeah, my son is that." Macy laughed and then hugged me before leaving.

There I was alone, waiting for the moment to go up on the stage. Only members of this pack could see the events unfold so I didn't even have my parents with me. With my hands shaking, I put my head in my hands. Could I actually do this? It was then that the ceremony commenced. 

Macy got up on the stage and introduced what was happening to the pack, like they didn't know and then stood down, allowing the beta (who was the pack speaker at events like this) to step up. As this happened, I put aside my nerves. My wolf was jumping for joy as I was soon to be reunited with Max.

"Today marks a new way of life for our pack. Due to the passing of late Alpha Thomas Newcombe, the title is being passed to his eldest son. Can the recipient of the Alpha title please join me on the stage." I could hear the cheers and wolf whistles before I saw Max up there in a dashing suit. He caught my eye and smiled.

"Can you please state your name for the pack?"

"Max Newcombe."

"Do you accept the role of Alpha?"

"I do."

"Do you accept the responsibility of the pack and all members in it?"

"I do."

"Do you accept that the pack is under your protection even if it means putting yourself in danger?"

"I do."

"Please rise for Alpha Max Newcombe of the Regal Pack."

Everyone stood up and clapped for Max. My nerves suddenly flew back. It was soon to be my turn.

"Can the recipient of the Luna title please join us on stage?" 

That was it. My cue. At first I couldn't bring myself to go. Max had been looking at the crowd but the longer it took me to go on stage, the larger the worried expression grew. He turned to me and I assumed he could see me trembling. It was horrendous and I thoroughly thought about leaving right there. I wasn't ready to be Luna. I was nineteen for crying out loud. A human nineteen year old would be sitting at home cuddling their boyfriend worrying about university or their job. Then there was me, about to accept to taking charge of a pack. Having people turn to me for help; people much older looking up to me. Max whispered something in the beta's ear and then walked over to me.

"Toni, are you ok?" He asked me, stepping down beside me.

"I really don't know if I can do this."

"You can. I know you can." He insisted.

"How can you know?" I asked, seriously.

"Because I am with you." 

He hugged me, grabbed my hand and then started walking up the stairs to the stage. I let my legs carry me up them, following him. He gave a nod so I could be introduced again.