An Unordinary Marriage

*Allie-Jean’s POV*

“So many packs will be here tonight.” My brother’s eyes were darting nervously around his bedroom as he started to move everything around without purpose. Our pack, Blood Moon, was anxious and the energy around the house was worse than that. I couldn’t be bothered. I was only 17 years old and still had a year before I could marry and start my own life. My older brother Shaun was another story. This was his last chance to find his Luna before the throne would be given to our youngest brother. I wasn’t worried, though, because Shaun had many different suitors.

I pretended I was helping by wiping down an already clean nightstand with a piece of Kleenex. “Why are you so worried, my brother?” I asked.

I regretted my decision when Shaun ran up to me and began shaking my shoulders. “I haven’t found my mate yet, Allie-Jean, and now I have to pick someone I might not want to.”

My brother had been searching for his mate for the last four years when he had taken the title of Alpha. Our younger brother Ryan was the next Alpha, but he was only 9 years old. He had been born so much later than us and was said to be a gift from the Moon Goddess herself. My mother and father had feared Shaun would have a hard time finding his Luna.

My heart ached for my brother. When he turned 18 two years ago, my mother had warned him to find a mate quickly. Any mate, any Luna. It didn’t matter. Ryan couldn’t be Alpha and she couldn’t lose her first-born son. It wasn’t a matter that I should have felt so loosely about, but I had faith in Shaun. “You just have to find SOMEONE. It’s not that hard. You don’t even have to love them, sleep by them or be around them. It’s just a marriage. When your mate comes, you can bond to her and leave your temporary Luna.”

This seemed to help Shaun, who kneeled down on the floor and put his head in his hands. He let out a deep breath.

Our father had died when Shaun was 16, Ryan was 5 and I was 13. He had been pronounced killed by something when he was hunting. Shaun and I joked that he had run off because he didn’t want to be Alpha, but my mother’s heart had broken and she was sick for weeks with bond break. She knew her mate was gone. Shaun was forced to become Alpha at only 16 as long as he could find a Luna by the day of his 20th birthday. If he couldn’t, Ryan would be forced to behead Shaun and become Alpha at the age of 9. No one wanted that to happen, not even the Wolf Counsel who had made the ruling.

After the age of 16, Shaun had dated and dated many girls and searched near and far to find his Luna. There was never any luck and my mother pushed him to find anyone kind and strong.

“What about Elise?” I asked. My brother had been friends with Elise for many years, but the thought of them bonding was gross to me. “I know it might be weird. You guys are already friends and everyone knows that.”

My brother nodded. “She already agreed.”

“So, why are you worried?”

“I can’t find my mate. My heart is broken.”

I hadn't found my mate either. It wasn’t that big of a deal for me because we could never be Luna of Blood Moon. In our pack, a daughter was the last one who could be Alpha and I knew that Shaun or Ryan would take the title of the pack leader.

Bells rang, signaling an hour before the ceremony would begin. It was Shaun’s 20th birthday today and the day he would have to declare a Luna. In one hour, he would ask Elise to be his Luna.

“Go get ready,” I told him. “I’ll come back in thirty minutes and mama, Ryan and I will escort you.” I patted my brother’s back as he stood up, nodding. He started to change and I left the room quickly, rushing next door to change into my own outfit.

_____

*Shaun’s POV*

Elise wasn’t a bad option. Not a bad option, indeed. She had been friends with my sister and I for so long. My mother loved her and she was highly respected by others in the pack for her combat ability. She wasn’t of Alpha blood, though, and her father was Tauny Feather of Twilight Village Pack. I knew there would be judgment of me choosing an ordinary pack member instead of an Alpha’s daughter.

The Alpha of their pack was Vincent Dawn, who had lost his own Luna after the birth of his only child Winnie Dawn. He was angry that he had never gotten a son. Winnie would take over the pack when he died, if that day ever came. He was cautious and didn’t want to die because he felt a woman could not lead a pack. Winnie was sheltered from everyone, including myself. He would be hoping that I would ask her to be my Luna, however. Because of that, I was slightly worried.

I was mainly hesitant because Elise and my friendship was so deep that I was afraid of losing it. I was afraid Elise would be shy about showing affection towards me and having pups would be a struggle for us. However, I knew that both of us were aware of what being my Luna would entail.

Quickly, I changed into a plain black tuxedo and stood staring into the mirror. I looked so much like my father. Even in my wolf form, I had a reddish-brown coat like my father; a coat that meant we were of Blood Moon Alpha line. All of us, excluding my mother, had a reddish-brown coat.

Almost as if reading my mind, my mother burst into the room. She had a bad habit of never knocking. “Mother! What did I tell you? I’m the ALPHA. You can’t just . . .”

“Enough.”

The one word alone silenced me. My mother never took me being an Alpha seriously. I was her eldest baby. “What have you come for so early?” I asked.

My mother came swiftly towards me and adjusted my tie to her liking. “Are you taking Elise as your Luna tonight?”

“I fear I must. Until my mated Luna arrives, there’s-“

“There’s something I have to tell you.” Her words were ice cold and her eyes suddenly pierced into mine.

“There is no mate. Your mated Luna died, my son. I am sorry to have to tell you this right before you marry tonight. You must take Elise as a Luna forever. It breaks my heart that you were put through such pain, but it is life. The Moon Goddess has chosen this path for you.”

My heart started to slow. “Mother . . .”

“When you were five years old, you came down with a sickness so severe that we thought we may lose you. Your father and I brought you to the best doctor coins could buy. It was Helmand Greene of Crystal Pack. He ran many tests and found that you were not sick with an average illness. He felt your heart had broken in only a way that can break when a mate is taken from you. Three villages over in what was Water Gust Pack, a Rogue group had killed and wiped them out. A girl the age of only six was found among warrior boys. We believed this to be your mate. They took her close to your body and the pain you felt intensified. That was your mated Luna.”

I could barely process what my mother had said. Why had no one told me about this sooner? My dear Luna! Died at such a young age. How could this happen? Which Rogue group was responsible? 

“It’s important for you to forget.”

Tears stung at my eyes, but anger threatened to crush my heart. “No.” I whispered. “Why?”

My mother took my head in her hands. “My eldest son. It happened for a reason, I say! Elise is a strong woman. She has a great heart. She may not be Alpha blood, but it doesn’t matter. She vows to lead with dignity and grace.”

A knock came at the door and my mother turned from me and walked quickly to open it. I didn’t waste time wiping my eyes and clearing my throat. My head was spinning, but my mother was right. What happened is done. It was time to move on. Although I didn’t remember that day my mate he died, I was now Alpha of our pack and I had to remain strong and pick a solid Luna. Now I was very certain that Elise and I had what it took.

My younger brother and sister entered the room. Allie-Jean was strong, too, with long red hair and piercing green eyes. I quickly took her in a hug and she misunderstood. “Elise will be perfect. I promise.” I hugged her for the loss of my dear mate, but I couldn’t tell anyone of this and let them drown in my sorrow with me. I patted Ryan on the head as I walked towards the door, breathing slowly and steady.

As we walked down the long hallway of the pack house and neared the ballroom, I could hear the loud talking of many packs before it came to a whisper. Twilight Village, the pack of my soon-to-be-Luna would be there. Snow Creek, a pack who had just joined us from the North as allies. It would be important to meet them and all of the other smaller packs. This night would be one of the most important I would face in my life.

_____

*Elise’s POV*

Everyone’s voices shushed and silence filled the room as the leader of the Wolf Counsel, Dudley Evans, announced the arrival of the Blood Moon Alpha. The large, white doors to the ballroom opened slowly and there stood Shaun Dire, Alpha of Blood Moon. He had his mother’s arm in his. She was Summer Dire, the Luna to the late Alpha. Her partner had vanished into what seemed thin air. Our pack and many others spent days and nights looking for him. We only knew he was gone by the pain in Summer’s heart.

Everyone bowed as Shaun walked down the aisle. His sister, Allie-Jean and younger brother Ryan were walking behind him, smiling at everyone around the room. I had been very close with their family and knew that if Shaun couldn’t find a Luna tonight, the young boy would become Alpha.

Shaun and his family took a seat at the head table.

Pierce Coral of the Wolf Counsel began to speak. “We welcome our strong leader of the Blood Moon pack, Shaun Dire.” Clapping filled the room. “Today is a very special day.” He focused his attention towards Shaun. “You are here to pick your Luna today, Alpha Shaun. You will do so and then we will all enjoy a feast and dance.”

Pierce sat down next to the other members of the counsel and awaited Shaun’s choosing. Shaun stop up, broad muscles flexing under his black tuxedo. His seemingly brown hair shone slightly red under the light of the sun peeking in through the window. “Well then,” he said as he clapped his strong hands together and then immediately shoved them into his pockets. “I have chosen a Luna. It was a pleasure meeting all of the eligible Lina’s since I have taken the title of Blood Moon Alpha when I was sixteen years of age. It was delightful to get to know all of you fine and strong women. However, there is only one woman who I would love to have by my side as I continue to make my pack strong.”

Everyone started to whisper and look around at the other Alpha’s daughters, who were pleasantly seated next to their fathers with their heads held high and proud. My own pack Alpha’s daughter Winnie Dawn would be a lovely match and would please the packs of our land. I was sure he would pick her.

Shaun cleared his throat. “Elise Feather of Twilight Village, daughter of Tauny Feather. I choose you to become my Luna and rule alongside me to make my pack stronger.”

Louder talking filled the room as my face blushed deeply. Me? I knew we had talked about me becoming his Luna, but I didn’t think he was serious. I had agreed, but I was afraid. No one would understand why he had chosen me.

I quickly stood as I felt my father’s hand on my back. I smoothed out my light blue dress and stared into Shaun’s eyes from across the room. I could sense some fear. I’m not sure anyone else could see how afraid we both were to have had this decision be made. I was also aware at how serious and confident he looked.

As I made my way up to him, the crowd was buzzing with hushed whispers behind my back.

“He can’t be serious!”

“What is he thinking?”

“An ordinary she-wolf?”

When I reached Shaun, he put out his hand and I grabbed it softly, bowing to him. “Rise, Elise.” I did as I was told. “Do you accept this?”

I had no time to think. “I, Elise Feather, daughter of Tauny Feather, accept what you propose and promise to be a strong and graceful Luna as long as you shall live.” It was silent for a moment before the packs started to clap hesitantly. Everyone was shocked, but none more than myself. He had been serious! He had chosen me as his Luna.

Dudley Evans, head of the Wolf Counsel, stood. “It is decided. With these words for which I speak, make it be known that Shaun Dire has chosen his Luna. Elise Feather becomes Elise Dire, Luna of the Blood Moon pack. You two may bond the contract and become one.”

Shaun pulled me closer and my heart skipped a beat. Neither of us had a destined mate, so I wasn’t sure why my breath was being taken from his touch alone. MATE. I froze for a moment before Shaun took my head in his hands and firmly pressed his lips to mine. Mate? How could that be? My heart flipped and electricity shot through my body. We were wed. I was his Luna until the end of time.

I wished we could stay in this moment forever, but Shaun pulled away too soon and held his cup of wine to the sky.

We had both expected applause and cheering, but it was deadly quiet. “Now we feast.” Dudley clapped his hands together loudly and waiters and waitresses shuffled in with brilliant plates of food. They were all Rogues of many different packs who had been captured through battles. They moved around the room feverishly, placing hot plates of food in front of every guest. I took my spot next to Shaun quietly. I was still in shock and so was he.

As we started to eat, my father rushed up to the table.

“Shaun!” He exclaimed. “I am so happy that we have become one family. I promise you that my daughter will do everything to please you and I wish you both success. Please don’t hesitate to visit me in my shop. I will have a gift of the best armor to present to you when it is completed.” My father took my hand and kissed it softly. I worried for his loneliness as I would go to live with Shaun. “Don’t worry about me, my dear child.” It was as though he knew what I was thinking.

“How are you doing?” Shaun whispered to me as soon as my father had gone.

I cleared my throat. “I-I am confused. Shocked.”

“Are you happy?”

“Of course I’m happy. You’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember. I’m only confused because my thoughts were so strong. I could hear that you’re my-“

I was cut off as Vincent Dawn, Alpha of my old pack Twilight Village ran up to our table. “Are you out of your mind, son?!” He asked Shaun in a loud and threatening whisper. With a side eye of Shaun’s sister, he lowered his voice more. “You should have taken my daughter Winnie as your Luna! What are you going to do with a common she-wolf?”

Shaun furrowed his brows. “Excite how you speak to me.”

“You don’t understand what you’ve started.” Vincent growled at us. He looked back and forth from Shaun to myself with his beady black eyes. “I’m afraid you’ve started a war that you won’t be able to finish.” Spit flew from his mouth.

Was that a threat? What was going to happen now?

Vincent turned abruptly and grabbed his daughter by the arm on the way out. They both led the ballroom, leaving us both in shock.

Something was about to happen.