I smile when I catch the way her eyes drink in my presence, and my chest swells with pride. I turn back to the council members seated on the stage and nod when I meet the ex-alpha's eyes.
It was only a month ago that I sat where Cecelia is seated tonight, mulling over the fact that she was named my partner for the trials. Back then, I only saw her as a distraction, not realizing that she would become my biggest supporter and greatest advantage.
Not just in the trials, but in the life we'll get to have now that we've recognized each other as fated mates. I can't believe that I'd been so blind to it before, refusing to believe that the pull I felt toward her, that intense magnetism, was always because she was my fated mate.
If I'd known sooner, I wouldn't have had to participate in the trials. I could have easily revealed myself as one half of a fated mate bond and taken the mantle by that clause alone.
Lunaris was built on many strict rules, and one of those rules dictates that the male wolf who emerges as a fated mate will naturally become the leader. It's a rare occurrence, and Lunaris hasn't seen a fated mate for decades.
Of course, Cecelia's father was one, but he never asked to be in power. All he asked was for his mate to join him in Nightmist, but he was denied.
I can see now that, despite becoming alpha, I'll have to keep watching my back because some of the more hard-headed wolves are still alive on the council. In hindsight, I'm glad I proved myself worthy of my new title through the trials.
I'm also glad I found my fated mate through it.
Sirius remains a faithful ally and smiles proudly as he lifts the thorned crown from the relic of our founder's skull. It seems befitting to be taking the mantle from one of my own ancestors—Dorian Rivera, who founded the pack in Nightmist almost a century ago.
“To the victor of the alpha ranking trials!” Sirius announces as he places an arm over my shoulder, turning me toward the full hall. “Lunaris Pack…I hereby present to you your new alpha!”
A round of applause and whistles go off in the hall, bouncing off the walls and returning to my eardrums with joy that swells my chest. I find Cecelia's eyes in the crowd, nodding and waving a hand for her to join me on stage. Despite her initial hesitation, my sister and Mama encourage her to come up, and I take her hand to lead her up the rest of the stairs, clutching her hand tightly when I sense her anxiousness.
I whisper in her ear that she has nothing to be afraid of as I wave Santo over to join us at the front of the stage.
Clearing my throat, I pick up the mic off the stand and tap it twice to call the attention of the gathering. Once silence falls over the hall, I smirk and greet the pack.
“Evening, members of the Lunaris Pack!” I wait for the hoots and cheers to subside before continuing, “It brings me great pleasure and honor to stand before you today as your new leader. The road to becoming your alpha was full of many obstacles, but my triumph would not have been possible withoutthe assistance of everyone involved. Santo Ramirez, my beta,”—I point toward him, allowing the pack to applaud him before turning to Cecelia—“and Cecelia Morales, my mate and the luna of this pack.”
A blanket of silence falls over the hall as many are shocked by the announcement, but I don't let it deter me as I slide an arm across Cecelia's shoulders, drawing her into my side and facing the crowd.
My sister is the first to start clapping her hands, whistling through her teeth in celebration of the news. I smile at her and our mother in the front row as they both cheer us on, leading the others to do the same.
Satisfied that there is enough applause, I wink at Cecelia before calling for silence again.
“I know this comes as a surprise for many, but now that I am your alpha, there will be a few changes in our pack.” I let the revelation sink in with a pause before I continue, “Starting with the law that states that werewolves are not allowed to mate with humans. In light of my fated mate bond with a werewolf whose mother was human, it is only fitting that I pass a new law that allows for this to happen, provided that the human proves to be a werewolf's fated mate. Which brings me to the second change I will implement.”
I hold up two fingers. “The ranking trials will no longer take place to determine who the alpha will be. Fated mates will not be the determining factor for who rules the pack, either. Lunaris was founded by my forefather, Dorian Rivera, and will remain in the Rivera family unless we cannot produce an heir.” I glance at Cecelia and wink despite the silence that stretches around us. “Cecelia's father, Hugo Morales, was a fated mate”—I pause when I cause a stir—“but he never intended to overthrowthe alpha of his time. He was wrongfully accused of crimes he did not commit, and I have the proof.”
I glance at the shocked, paling faces of some of the council members who were involved in Hugo's trial, offering each a challenging look that warns them not to try me. I have enough evidence to use against them if they wish to dispute the laws I've just changed, and they don't have a leg to stand on when the Lunaris Pack bursts into cheerful applause to show their support.
Satisfied that I've made a lasting impact on my first day as the official alpha, I grin and speak into the mic for the last time.
“Oh, and another thing…we'll continue to allow students to attend college in the human world,withoutthe need to sign annual contracts. I trust my pack members to use their discernment when it comes to humans. Be safe out there, Lunaris!”
As the pack rejoices at the news, I embrace Cecelia and press a kiss to her lips for everyone to see, but pull her hair away from her ear to whisper, “I think we should leave now.”
Cecelia nods as she draws back just enough to give me her most heartfelt smile. “Thank you for everything, Dominic.”
***
“Where are we going, Dominic?” Cecelia asks, and I can already picture the frown on her face as we enter the darkened woods, the thick canopy of trees hiding the moonlight. Only a speck of warm, orange light is visible up ahead, and I point forward.
“We're headed for the light at the end of the tunnel,” I chuckle as I grip her hand tighter and lead her toward the light.As we near it, I swiftly move behind Cecelia, then stop. “But I'm gonna need you to close your eyes.”
I feel Cecelia nodding as I cover her eyes with my hands. She places her hands loosely over mine as a guide when we continue walking, and my smile widens as we approach a rather special spot in the forest.
Removing my hands from her eyes, I hear her gasp and step forward to see her reaction, the way her jaw drops, and she stares at the table set up under a particular tree—the thickest and oldest one in the forest.
“Oh, my Goddess…it's beautiful…” Cecelia whispers as she drifts forward, her hand reaching out to stroke the sunflower petals in the vase. She turns to me slowly, her face illuminated by the candles set up on the table, her eyes glowing like pools of emotion and appreciation. “Sunflowers…?” she asks as her brows lightly knit with a frown.
