“This is my mate. My Luna. She is human, yes. But she has shown more loyalty, more courage, and more dedication to this pack than wolves who have lived here their entire lives. Anyone who cannot accept her—” his gaze swept the crowd “—is free to leave. I won’t force tradition on those who choose to embrace the future.”
No one moved.
“Then we’re agreed.” His hand tightened on hers. “The Moonstone Pack moves forward. Together.”
The first howl rose from somewhere in the back of the crowd. Then another. And another. Until the entire clearing echoed with the sound of wolves acknowledging their Alpha and their Luna.
Harper leaned into his side, and he felt something he hadn’t felt in years.
Peace.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The bonfire roared twenty feet into the night sky, sending sparks swirling towards the stars like fleeing fireflies.
Harper stood at the edge of the celebration, a wooden cup of something sweet and alcoholic clutched in her hands, watching the Moonstone Pack transform before her eyes. The same wolves who had watched Adrian’s challenge in grim silence now danced and laughed and howled at the moon, their joy infectious and overwhelming.
I did it,she thought, still not quite believing it.I actually found somewhere I belong.
A young wolf—barely eighteen, with a shock of red hair and freckles across her nose—bounded up to Harper with two more cups.
“Luna! You need more mead. This is a celebration!”
She blinked at the title. “I’m not really—I mean, we haven’t had an official ceremony or anything?—”
“The Alpha claimed you. That makes you the Luna.” The girl pressed both cups into Harper’s already-full hands. “I’m Maisie.My mom’s the head cook. She says you eat like a bird and someone needs to fatten you up.”
“I eat plenty,” she protested weakly.
Maisie just grinned and disappeared back into the crowd, leaving her with three cups of mead.
Well then.
She found a flat rock near the fire and sat down, setting two of the cups beside her. The warmth of the flames felt good against her face after the chill of the mountain evening. Across the clearing, she could see Adrian surrounded by pack members, accepting their congratulations, their pledges of loyalty, their relief that the challenge had ended as it did.
He caught her eye through the crowd and smiled—that rare, devastating smile that still made her knees weak.
Mine,she thought, touching the mark on her shoulder through her sweater. He’s actually mine.
“Harper!”
She turned just in time to brace herself as Elise gave her an enthusiastic hug that nearly knocked her off the rock.
“I was so worried. Derek told us what happened and I wanted to come right away but John said we should wait until the challenge was over and I was so scared?—”
“Elise.” She laughed, hugging her friend back. “Breathe.”
“Right. Yes. Breathing.” Elise pulled back, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “I can’t believe you’re actually mated to the Alpha. You’re going to be like werewolf royalty.”
“I’m going to be Harper,” she corrected gently. “Just with more fur around.”
A tall, broad-shouldered man with a calm, pleasant face appeared behind Elise, his hand settling on her waist with easy familiarity. “I believe congratulations are in order.”
“Harper, this is John.” Elise practically glowed. “My mate.”
John inclined his head. “Luna.”
“Please, just Harper.”
