Chapter 197: Chapter 197 Moon’s Blessing
Author
The afternoon sun was setting behind the Sacred Grove in the heart of Blackwood territory. Ceremonial fires burned bright across the ancient grounds.
Over a thousand werewolves from across North America had come to watch their Alpha King marry his chosen Luna. The most powerful pack on the continent formed a huge circle around the ritual site. Their eyes glowed with excitement under the rising moon.
The ceremony platform was built from stones older than anyone could remember. Moon Goddess symbols were carved deep into the rock. They seemed to glow with their own light. White moonstones surrounded the altar. They got brighter as night fell. The air smelled like burning sage and lavender. These herbs were meant to clean souls and ask for the Goddess’s blessing.
The Elders wore long silver robes that rustled when they moved. They stood around the altar holding ancient staffs. Crystal tops hummed with old magic. The whole forest buzzed with energy. It felt like the land itself was waiting.
But right then, on the mountain road to the ceremony, Alpha Dominic held Elara’s hand tight. His amber eyes watched the rearview mirror like a hunter.
Elara wore the traditional Luna dress. White silk that caught moonlight. Silver thread showed moons and running wolves on the sleeves and bottom. Her brown hair was braided with white jasmine flowers. This showed she had a pure heart for the Moon Goddess.
Her wolf was restless inside her. Every instinct said danger was coming.
Charlie gripped the steering wheel hard. When he looked back at a turn, Alpha Dominic stared at him with cold eyes.
"Getting nervous tonight, Charlie?" Dominic’s voice sounded casual. But his Alpha power filled the car like a heavy weight.
"No, Alpha." Charlie’s voice shook even though he tried to sound calm.
"Tonight is my Mating Ceremony. Every pack in North America is waiting for us." Alpha Dominic stayed calm, but the air got thick with his authority. "Everything better go perfectly."
The car suddenly turned off the forest road. It headed toward an empty clearing and stopped.
Elara looked confused. Something was very wrong.
--
Selina hid behind a big tree at the edge of the forest. Her ice-blue eyes stared at the GPS tracker in her shaking hands. The bomb detonator felt heavy in her other hand.
She had promised to give Elara a wedding gift. Even the powerful Alpha King didn’t know she had bought off his most trusted man.
She watched the target car move closer to the forest entrance on her screen. Her whole body shook with excitement.
When the car reached the right spot, she pressed the button hard.
The explosion ripped through the night. Fire shot up to the sky. The blast shook the trees and sent birds flying everywhere.
But when the smoke cleared, the people getting out of the burning car weren’t Alpha Dominic and Elara.
Charlie climbed out, coughing. He was helping a man in a cheap wig and wedding dress.
Selina’s platinum hair flew around her face as she turned. Her ice-blue eyes went wide. "What? No, that can’t be right!"
Police sirens screamed through the forest. Officers appeared from every direction and surrounded her.
"Selina Vance, you’re under arrest for trying to murder the Alpha King and his Luna."
Silver handcuffs clicked around her wrists. She fought and screamed, but no one listened.
--
"Are you okay?" Elara asked as she got out of a different car that had taken another route.
Alpha Dominic smiled that dangerous smile of his. "Perfect."
Charlie had told him about Selina’s bribery weeks ago. Alpha Dominic had paid for Charlie’s son’s medical bills and asked him to play along.
When they found out Selina wanted to put a bomb in the wedding car, Alpha Dominic decided to let her think she won.
Trying to kill an Alpha King with solid proof meant Selina would spend her life in the worst supernatural prison.
--
The convoy arrived at the ceremony grounds without further incident.
Elara gasped when she saw it. The place looked like something from a fairy tale.
Huge old trees were covered in white silk and silver ribbons. They made a natural church that reached up to the starry sky. Thousands of small lights hung from the branches like captured stars.
In the center stood the Moonstone Circle. Seven massive stones older than history itself. Each one hummed with power that made her wolf restless.
Three hundred of the most powerful wolves in North America had come.
Alphas wore expensive tuxedos. Their mates sparkled in evening gowns that cost more than most cars. Pack leaders from all over the continent came to see this historic moment.
Elder Thompson stepped forward. He was ancient and silver-haired. His voice carried power that came from centuries of leadership.
"Tonight we witness a bond that will change everything," his voice rolled across the crowd like thunder.
The ceremony began with ancient ritual. The full moon climbed into the purple sky. Silver light painted everything. Alpha Dominic and Elara stood before the altar.
Elder Thompson raised his ceremonial staff. Power crackled around him like visible electricity. "Under the eternal watch of the Moon Goddess, these two souls bind as one."
Alpha Dominic stepped closer. His amber eyes burned gold in the moonlight. "Still scared, Luna Wolfe?"
Elara looked right back at him. Her green eyes were clear and fierce. "Not with you beside me, Alpha Wolfe."
The mate bond suddenly came alive between them like lightning.
Every wolf there could see silver fire wrap around their joined hands. It spiraled up their arms like living energy vines.
It settled over their hearts and made their heartbeats match into one rhythm.
Alpha Dominic cupped her face gently. Then he kissed her.
The kiss made all three hundred wolves howl at the moon.
