Chapter 21 - Diana
I hadn’t thought I’d see the day when wolves from rival packs would come together like this. We all gathered outside the Bluemoon’s packhouse with torch sticks all around. The sound of the crackling flames was lost in the chatter, and Kaleem and I weren’t the only ones that turned up to celebrate with Dad.
Nazanin was with us, Killian, and several others. Everyone was in high spirits and chatting with each other, and instead of joining in, I stood to the side to observe. I wasn’t the only one who saw this night’s significance, but it meant so much to me. There were no egos here or jealousy, just unity, and it was beautiful to see.
Everyone here was a part of my family, and while Dad was yet to arrive, there was no rush.
I wanted to bask in this moment as long as possible, although I knew this wouldn’t be the only gathering like this. I was going to make sure of that.
Construction was being done around the pack to extend the territory further into the forest, and several houses were already demolished. The packhouse was being remodeled, too, although Dad wanted to keep it as close to the original as possible. The Bluemoon territory would look like a proper housing scheme at the end of this project.
Last night, my initiation ceremony was an incredible experience, and I was still feeling its highs. Marked by Kaleem and now a certified member of the pack, my role as Luna would begin soon. I’d still work at the supermarket, but I’d make myself available whenever needed by anyone in the pack.
Some of the responsibilities Kaleem had would become mine and allow him the luxury of relaxing a little more. He wasn’t leading alone anymore, and now that I was at this point, I felt ridiculous for all the worrying I’d done.
“Hey,” Kaleem held me around my waist and pointed at Nazanin. “She asked my opinion on changing packs last night.”
I spun around to face him, shocked but happy. “Really? She wants to be with Dad?”
Kaleem nodded. “Yes, she’ll be the pack’s Luna.”
I watched Nazanin while she spoke to the young wolves, and they were hanging onto her every word. Every day for the past two weeks, she was here with Dad, helping him in any way she could, but I hadn’t realized things had gotten so serious between them and so fast.
Even so, I was happy for them both.
When Kaleem kissed his mark on my shoulder, I shivered, and he combed my hair back. When he pulled me in for a hug, I wrapped my arms around him, although slightly concerned.
“While this is nice, and I’m not complaining,” I mumbled against his chest. “This hug feels meaningful, is it?”
“It is,” he replied. “The packs aren’t joined as one, but my parents would have loved to see this unity and peace. We live apart but still together, and it is how things were meant to be from the start.”
I tightened my hold around him and rested my chin on his chest. “I don’t doubt they’re here with us in spirit, and I know they’re proud of you.” When Killian appeared by my side, I held my hand out to him. “They’re proud of both of you.”
He shook my hand gently. “Thank you, Diana.”
He and I hadn’t had much time to talk alone to get to know each other. He left with Colin to make sure he was punished to the full extent of the law and only returned yesterday morning before my initiation. But we had time.
When drums started playing, the laughter and chattered died.
Four women appeared before the crowd, with white lines all over their bodies in beautiful patterns and dressed in fake animal skin and fur around their waists. The fake skin was tied around them like bras as well, and the lower half of their faces were covered with a sheer cloth decorated with crystals that jigged when they moved.
The drums were beating steadily, and when the front door opened and Dad stepped out, the drum’s pace picked up, and everyone started shouting. I cheered with them, howling and hooting, welcoming Alpha Mathieu.
The women started dancing, their waists moving with the beat of the drums, but they were holding small wooden bowls and alternating them from one hand to the other. They stepped forward and apart when Dad stepped down on the first step and stayed there.
The women started chanting, their voices creating a beautiful tune, and onlookers joined it. They went around the crowd, dancing and drawing lines and symbols of the goddess on everyone.
I started chanting with them and shivered when shakers joined the drums, the wave of power rushing over the crowd linking us all. Young and old hugged, sang, and danced with merriment, and leaning forward, I allowed one of the women to draw vertical lines beneath my eyes.
While she did the same to Kaleem, I caught Dad and Nazanin staring at each other. No matter how quickly they’d grown to be inseparable, I could see that they cared for each other.
Dad and I would always love each other, but we didn’t need each other anymore, and tonight that was being made final. With him being my only parent, I’d clung to him, sometimes more than I needed to, but now we could both breathe.
We both had different paths now, and that was okay because, along the way, we’d meet from time to time.
When the women made their way back to the front of the crowd, the drums started to slow down, and Dad held his hands out to silence everyone. He didn’t speak right away, though, he stared at everyone, and no one uttered a word while we waited.
“Looking at all of you here,” Dad said while taking another step down. “And thinking of the history we all have, thinking about the individual experiences we have, good and bad, yet we’re here together as one, as the same, as werewolves, I’m honored to be a part of this.”