Caged

Chapter 47.

Ivy squeezed my shoulder as she beamed at me, her eyes glassed over with unshed tears as she opened one of the double doors, allowing us to walk ahead of her as Asher held the other open. I caught Asher's gaze and he nodded to me with a small smile as I passed.

"Congratulations Luna." He said through the link as his head dropped.

I was only given a moment to absorb his words before I was stunned, my eyes fixing on the room in front of me. The meeting room had been completely transformed. The lights were dimmed low and candles were scattered everywhere, creating an atmosphere of warmth and ceremony as garlands of ivory honeysuckle were draped along the chairs and at the front of the room with twinkling amber lights. As I made my way down the aisle, each member's head slowly bowed as their eyes dropped to the floor. Rhett gently squeezed my hand as it trembled with the overwhelming weight of the night as we made our way to the front, his chin raised triumphantly as we turned to face the pack behind us.

As we turned, the sight in front of me was enough to bring tears to my eyes. My heart swelled with an overwhelming joy as it began to fill me up completely. Every member was bowed and I could feel the steady hum of pride and loyalty coursing through the room. Even Soleil, who was not my biggest fan by any measure of the word, was reluctantly bent with her eyes to the floor as Ivy and Asher stepped forward with Huntleigh in tow beside them. She walked quietly, her eyes peeking up at me as she tried to mimic the motions of those standing beside her. Ivy gave me a teary smile as her own head dropped.

My gaze caught a smiling Avery as she stood next to Weston. They stood close, and I grinned back at her, trying to hold myself together as they too lowered their heads. With everything happening so quickly around me, it took more strength than I'd thought to keep myself from melting into a weeping mess of happiness and raw emotion.

"As you were." Rhett finally said smoothly, allowing everyone to raise their heads and look up at us. "Thalia Walker, as Alpha of the Spirit Moon Pack, I have had the honor of being given a true mate who is truly worthy of not only my pack, but of my heart and my partnership as well. You have shown yourself to be a strong and fair leader who will do everything within your power to help your Alpha to maintain and develop this pack, ensuring its well being is taken care of above all else."

The heaviness of his words settled over the room, landing on my shoulders as he took both of my hands in his, turning me to face him as he stared down at me with total seriousness. The energy was beginning to course between our touch, settling deep in my chest as I felt the weight of his authority and invitation begin to take hold within me.

"Is this something you choose to accept? To be my partner and equal in leading this pack. Do you accept the role of the Luna of the Spirit Moon Pack?" He asked, his voice loud and resonating with authority as I felt every pair of eyes watching me.

I took a slow breath and steadied myself, letting his hold on my hands ground me as I nodded. "I do." I stepped closer and squeezed his hands gently, holding his strong gaze as he poured his emotion through the bond. "I would love nothing more than to stand beside you Everett Williams." I forced my voice to remain even as I answered.

As soon as the words left my mouth, I could feel his strength begin to fill me up, surging through me as I felt myself taking every ounce in that I could. Finally, I could feel the emotions and thoughts of the pack surrounding me once again, just like when I'd claimed him, but more distinct. More complete. I could feel their loyalty, their love, their honor of their Alpha and his Luna. The weight of their collective consciousness completely merging with mine nearly took my breath away, and I looked up at Rhett in an entirely new light. He'd been enduring this responsibility all alone for so long, willingly for his pack. It was all coursing into my consciousness and tears began to fill my eyes, cresting over my lashes and streaming down my cheeks.

Rhett's own eyes were glassed over, but he held the tears in as he smiled proudly down at me. He pulled me in suddenly, wrapping his arms around me and lifting me off the ground as he held me against his chest. I laughed and threw my arms around him, my hand finding the back of his neck and pulling his face closer to mine as I pressed my forehead against his.

"I'm so proud to call you my mate, and my Luna." He whispered quietly, so that only I could hear. "I love you Lili Williams, with every ounce of strength I possess."

I beamed back at him hearing my name merged with him and my heart fluttered hard within my chest. I leaned in, closing the distance between us as I pressed my lips softly against his. "I love you too Rhett. More than I could have ever known was possible."

The crowd around us began to cheer and I could feel the bliss surround me, and Rhett as well. They stood to their feet and began clapping loudly as they joined in around us, reaching out to hug the two of us. Rhett reluctantly placed me on the ground, but his hand never left mine, holding me tightly as we received the love and support of the pack.

My pack.

Huntleigh squealed as she wrapped her arms around me, jumping for me to pick her up. As I did, I could see her eyes instantly shift to Rhett as he beamed back at her, pulling us both in tightly as his arms engulfed us warmly.

"I love you." She said into my ear. "And my new home!" She said as she looked around at the new family surrounding us. Ivy and Avery swarmed me and threw their arms around the two of us, and I finally broke. Tears rushed from me and I let the emotion coursing through me finally break through. I was so overwhelmed with pure happiness and love that I couldn't contain it inside any longer.

This was my home now. My actual home. My family surrounding me as they smothered us in love. I was theirs and they were mine.

Rhett's arm snaked around my waist as he leaned down to kiss the top of my head before speaking into my hair. "You belong here. You have all along. And now we belong to you too."

I looked up and saw a single tear drop from his steel blue eyes as he smiled down at me, his hold tightening around Huntleigh and me. After so long, I'd finally found a home. Finally found the family I'd so longed for my entire life. And even more so, I'd found the love I'd never known was even meant for me. It was mine, and I planned to protect it with every ounce of strength coursing through my veins and every fiber of my being. I was home, and I'd never lose that feeling again.