Luna Audrey

Chapter 6 - Foreign Comfort

"So soon?" I finally managed to squeak out amidst my intense anxiety.

"I don't think Audrey is ready for that, Alpha Dean. Surely you understand that, after the information you received today," Hana spoke up, glaring at Dean all the while. Rhett looked a bit anxious as well as he silently tried to convince his Luna to stand down.

"It's time for this pack to have their rightful Luna. I understand that you're not ready to take on all of the roles of a Luna yet, but that doesn't mean you can't participate in the ceremony," Dean said sternly as he continued to eat on his meal.

I couldn't stop myself – the tears fell. I'd now revealed to the other Alpha in the room, and our other guests, that I was weak. Once the tears started, I couldn't stop them. They flowed down my face like a waterfall, dripping off my chin and onto the green dress I wore. Hana quickly stood from her seat and walked over to me, wrapping a comforting arm around my shoulder.

What did the Luna initiation ceremony even consist of? I knew it was different for every pack, and it was kept top secret. With Dark Root being a bit old fashioned in their traditions, I felt that the Luna ceremony could be truly terrible for someone like me.

I noticed Hana shoot Rhett a look, and I assumed they had been mind-linking one another this entire time. I appreciated both Hana's comfort and desire to stand up for me, although I knew my mate didn't care for it much. In fact, we were lucky that Dean didn't have her thrown out for her audacity.

Alpha Rhett cleared his throat, "Dean, I'm afraid we will have to decline your invitation. It's apparent to us that your mate is not ready to participate in your ceremony, and we will not condone you having her do this against her will."

My eyes widened at Rhett's words, although the tears remained a steady stream. Alpha Rhett was risking pack relations for me? I knew Hana had something to do with it, of course, but it still meant a lot to me and warmed my heart.

I heard a low growl come from my left and looked over to see Dean's eyes black and jaw clenched. Every muscle in my body tensed as I anticipated his reaction.

"My mate is no concern of yours, Rhett, but if you insist on declining my offer, I'll have to insist you vacate my pack first thing in the morning," Dean finally replied, his voice stern.

I felt like my airway constricted as I took in his words. They had to leave if they didn't attend the ceremony. I wouldn't have anyone to talk to. What if it was terrible? What if I needed a friend? I'd have no one except for a mate who still didn't understand me.

I began to hyperventilate as it didn't feel like air was making it into my lungs. My heart was pounding, surely to compensate for the lack of oxygen. I knew I was making a fool of myself, once again, but I couldn't help it. This was all too much. Every time I felt like I saw a glimmer of hope within mine and Dean's relationship, it just got crushed all over again.

Hana glanced in my direction and attempted to hide her concern, although I caught on immediately. She was now conflicted. She didn't want to support Dean's ceremony, but she didn't want to leave me by myself either. We'd barely known each other for a day, but we both knew she was all I had.

Hana looked over at Rhett, biting her bottom lip as her conflicting ideas raged on inside her head. I was sure they were probably mind-linking one another again, but I couldn't imagine just how that conversation was going. Rhett seemed to respect his mate's opinions, but he was still an Alpha. He had the final say.

"If it's okay with you, we're going to discuss the situation overnight. If we decide to attend, you'll be informed first thing in the morning. If not, then we will arrange our ride back home," Rhett told Dean, his voice assertive but calm.