The Ritual

Esma’s pov

“You are late Miss.” I said folding my hands, trying to look angry and intimidating. Diana smiled sheepishly. I swear I wanted to remain mad at her but it was a very special day, for her, for our pack. she was going to be a part of our pack. one of us, and I can’t wait for it to happen.

“Just caught up talking to Reed.” She said in obvious tone but I know she was eyeing me, gauging my reaction. And personally, his name alone could do wonders with me but I remained silent and hummed.

“Let’s get you a dress.” I said trying to change the topic.

“Dress?” Diana squealed like a young girl and I realized how she was just a young girl caught up in everyone’s mess trying to do the right thing for everybody. She is yet to see many things and joys to behold.

“Yes, you had to wear something good. It is not like every day; the blue moon pack conducts a blood ritual to introduce their beta-female.” I said and hugged her. she was going to be my official sister.

I quickly pulled her by her hand in my room and showed her the numerous dresses I picked for her in time when she was busy going out in Reed’s pack.

“They are so many and all of them are good.” She remarked, I didn’t fail too see the shine in her eyes.  

“Consider it as my present for coming to our pack.” I smiled and she started picking each dress, putting them on herself, looking at the mirror.

“Which one should I wear?” she pouted when I shake my head in denial to the red dress, she showed me.

“It should be elegant and beautiful at the same time, something which will make my brother come on his knees for you.” I muttered just then a white dress caught my eye.

“Here, try this.” I pulled out the dress and pushed her towards the bathroom. Diana’s eyes sticked to the dress and I know she also like it.

She quickly returned wearing the same dress and saying she looked beautiful will be an understatement. She looked absolutely ravishing. The dress was white colour double biased cut dress reaching her knees. It had blue specs here and there and it looked beautiful. They go with her eyes.

“How am I looking?” she asked putting the loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“You look…”

"Enchanting.” August cut me off and before I know Diana turned into the blushing doll. She turned into a pink puddle of bubble-gum.

August looked gorgeous as well in his black suit. His eyes were fixed only on Diana.

“Can we help you with something Mr. Rockwood? I assume there is a purpose to your visit other than gawking at your mate mindlessly.” I stand in middle of them.

“I do.” He said and I don’t know if he was referring to my question. Diana flushed more under his intense gaze and I shake my head.

“Just go away, she needs time to dress up.” I said coming between both them. he didn’t budge and I groaned. By force then.

I pushed him to the door and before he could react, with the final push I closed the door and locked it.

“He can’t take his hands away from you.” I said in between my breaths. Diana blushed and I folded my hands.

“Let’s get you ready miss. There are the matching shoes with the dress.” I pointed to the dove Gray suede stilettos; I choose for her. they will do the job.

She wears them and looked at least five inches taller now. She turned towards the mirror and both of us were stunned by how much she looked good in that dress.

She lean down to collect her silver clutch purse and looked again in the mirror. “Thank you, Emmy.” She grin. I grin and we hugged again.

“No need to say it, now help me choosing a dress.” I said and half-groaned and Diana turned to help me with the dresses.

“Don’t you think it’s too much?” I asked when Diana finished doing her makeup. She sure knows how to work with brushes and all. After thirty minutes, we both were fully dressed and looked ready for the evening.

I wore a red satin dress; it had a cut on the right side which starts from my mid-thigh and completes at the knee. It looked beautiful but somehow it also showed more cleavage much to my liking.

Diana had already applied her makeup when I was trying the dresses so we were almost ready now.

“A glass of champagne before we go?”

“Please.” She murmur far too quickly. She is nervous, which was completely normal.

I handed her a champagne flute.

“You look lovely, Diana. Cheers.” I raised my glass and she clinks it with mine.

“You too.”

The champagne was a pale rose colour. It tastes deliciously crisp and light and for some reason I remembered the drink I had on my date with Reed. That was the best drink I had ever tasted.

“How are you feeling? Diana asks, her eyes worried.

“Fine, let’s go down. Everyone must be waiting for us.” I said and quickly finished my drink.

“But you said it would be a friendly pack ceremony.” Diana whispered- shouted in my ear gawking the huge crowd gathered in the open field for the ceremony at the backyard.

“It is, just some Alphas from the neighbouring packs and their mates, or maybe their betas also.” I smiled way too sweetly and pushed her towards the centre of the stage where August was already waiting for us.

He wore a black suit and honestly, he looked more older, cleaner and more sophisticated. He was an exact replica of my father with a tiny pinch of stupidity.

Diana walked towards him and take the hand August offered. August pulled her towards him and whispered something in her ear and she blushed profusely.

“He must have said how beautiful you are.” I heard the familiar voice in my ear. I already knew whose voice it was.

“And how could you tell it just by looking at them?” I asked, turned to look and find Dumeny standing in black tie and a blazer, he looked handsome.

He looked in my eyes, “Because, I thought the same when I just see you.” He said huskily and my cheeks tinted with pinks. I turned so that I could defend myself from his intense gaze.

Diana, August and my father was standing on the stage, all of us surrounding them. August looked happiest guy in the room.

Father motioned someone in the crowd and a guy approached them with two silver-gold glasses in his hands. he delivered them to my father.

“Good evening, everyone. As you can see, my idiot son had found his mate.” the whole place was filled with the sounds of cheering.

“Yes, poor girl. What can I say.” August pouted, literally pouted in front of my father and he laughed before hugging him.

"Okay, as you know, she is not from our pack. so, to make her one of us, she had to let the blood of our pack coercing in her veins.” He put both the glasses on the table and with the knife sliced his palm, the few drops spill on the glass and he smiled.

“Let us all welcome her to our pack.” he cheered and walked sideways so that other members of our pack could come and contribute.

After half an hour, all of us have a sliced palm except me. I walked towards them and punched my brother on his arm lightly.

“If you ever hurt her, I will kill you.” I said-half-threatened and sliced my palm. I brought the glasses in front of them.

“Now, you both.” August pulled the knife and while looking at Diana he sliced his palm, his blood dripped on the glass and he handed the knife to Diana.

Diana did the same and with that, I mixed both of their glasses.

“Now, both of you, drink from these glasses.” I motioned the glasses forward and both of them holds one in their hands.

They didn’t break their eye- contact. Not for a second. And with the one final look both gulped the contents of the glasses. Diana have face of disgust and I laughed knowingly.

I remembered the one time I drank his blood. My wolf howled inside me and I shake my head, I can’t think about him now. this is not the right time.  

And it all happened in a second. I could feel her in my mind. She have closed her eyes and I could tell she was feeling the same. all the members in her head. It was overwhelming but all of this was worth it.

August hold her right hand in his and looked directly in her eyes. “Now, as we are mates and you are their beta and I know you will be great as their beta-female. I can’t think about to live a second away from you.” He said and before we all could register anything. he sinks on his one knee and inside from her pocket he pulled a box and gazes up at her.

He opened the box and peered back.

“Diana, with the little time we shared together, I know I love you. I want to love, cherish and protect you for the rest of my life. Be mine, always. Share my life with me.” Diana was crying mess and the crowd erupted in a ‘aww’ moment.

With the last tear wiped down, Diana nods and whispered ‘yes’ and August slied the ring in her finger.

“Oh god, if you have taken a minute longer my leg would be dead.” August chuckled and Diana slapped his chest before crying some more. He pulled her against his chest and raised his one hand in air, as if posing in victory.

“Let’s celebrate guys.” He cheered and the sound of music filled my eardrums. The night just started.