"Moon Goddess! Charlie, you look beautiful!" Lizzie squealed.

I stared into the floor length mirror that had been brought into the packhouse guest room for one purpose alone. Lizzie, Moon Goddess bless her, had wanted me to see the full extent of my Mating Ceremony dress. I'd told my long-time closest friend that she needn't fuss. I could judge the dress just fine in the vanity over the bathroom sink.

And yet, as I gazed at my reflection in the floor-length mirror, I knew that Lizzie had been right. This dress deserved a room full of mirrors on every wall, just so that every intricate detail could be properly appreciated. I was speechless.

The white dress appeared simple at first glance. A gown that cinched at the waist only to flow in rivulets of sheer tulle to the floor, with enough layers of tulle to only reveal the slightest shadow of legs beneath. But, upon closer examination, the dress became something out of a fairytale. It possessed a corset bodice with the skeleton of white fabric covering my breasts, only to expose my midriff beneath a thin layer of tulle.

The dress had no straps, and Lizzie didn't dare adorn my neck with any jewelry. She'd woven my chestnut locks into an intricate updo, with tendrils of curls framing my face. But my neck was bare—exposed.

"It's perfect," I breathed, twisting until the weightless skirts swayed and brushed the wooden floors.

"You look beautiful, Charles." Lizzie smiled. "I'm sorry your friend couldn't be here. Sophia, I mean."

Her condolences sent a pang of longing spiraling from my chest into the pit of my stomach. I knew that, out of everyone that I'd met at the Black Lupis pack, Sophia would have wanted to see this day the most. "She's here," I whispered. "We just can't see her."

Lizzie's throat bobbed, but she quickly complained, "You're going to make me cry and ruin my makeup!" My red-haired best friend ran her index finger beneath her lined lower lashes, just to ensure that everything was still in place. "When did you become so... Zen?"

I laughed. "Hmm, I think it was sometime between getting swept away on the night of the Summer Solstice and clawing my way back from the afterlife." This earned an eye-roll from my friend, who immediately set about painting a final layer of red lip-gloss on my lips.

It was true. In the months that I'd been at the Black Lupis pack, I'd changed. Gone was the nervous, accommodating girl that the Golden Walkers had created. I was a Luna, now. I'd faced trials that I never could have imagined and survived. My mate's initial rejection, a slow integration into a not-so-welcoming pack, close encounters with rogues and hybrids and death... I'd endured so much, faced so many trials.

But iron-clawed nerves still tore my insides to shreds as Lizzie took a step back, admired her handy-work, and said, "I think you're ready. It's about time, anyway."

My heart fluttered unreliably, like a butterfly with only one wing, and I clutched the tulle skirt of my dress with damp palms. "Right. Is everyone else already outside?"

Lizzie, who wore a beautiful emerald gown that accentuated her full hips and round bust, shuffled toward the window that overlooked the field behind the pack house. The pack had spent the last twenty-four hours turning the back of the pack house into an extravagant, elegant Mating Ceremony venue. I should have just walked over to the window myself, but my legs seemed to be glued in front of the mirror.

My friend peered outside the window, and a beam spread across her features. "Yep!" She popped the 'p,' and spun back to me. "It looks like everyone is in place! Only thing missing is a Luna. And don't grab your skirt like that. You'll wrinkle it."

I immediately released my grip on the tulle, but my fingers quickly busied themselves with twirling the emerald talisman ring that rested on my right hand. "Is it normal to be this nervous?"

"Of course." Lizzie shrugged. "You're officially joining the Black Lupis pack and acknowledging your mating bond in front of the Moon Goddess today. I'd be more worried if you weren't a bit nervous."

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. "Lizzie, what if... What if I'm not a good Luna? What if I'm not a good mate?"

Lizzie's perfectly manicured brows pulled together, and she looked like she might like to slap me across the face for asking such a question. But, after a moment, her features softened. "Charlie, get over here."

I walked toward the window, skirts brushing against the floor with every step. When I reached Lizzie's side, she grabbed my shoulders and forced me to look through the glass and down at the backyard, where the entire pack had gathered for the Mating Ceremony.

"Look at everyone," Lizzie instructed. My gaze swept across the beautiful floral decorations, a dozen rows of chairs filled with my packmates and even a few witches, and a long white carpet that led from the back porch steps to an altar. "This pack adores you. You've already proven yourself to be a worthy Luna. And as for Nolan..."

Even as Lizzie said his name, my eyes landed on my mate. He looked unfathomably handsome in his suit, standing with his hands folded neatly together and shifting the weight in his feet every few seconds. Raegan and Dylan flanked him on either side, wearing matching attire, but they couldn't hold a flame to Nolan.

I hadn't seen him all day. He'd met me after my talk with Dominic, but our time together was quickly interrupted by Angelina and Lizzie, who fussed that Nolan wasn't allowed to sleep in the guest room with me on the night before our Mating Ceremony. Begrudgingly, we promised to wait until the ceremony to see eachother again. And, moon goddess, my heart swelled at the sight of him.

"That man loves you more than anything," Lizzie continued, but I was only half-listening. "In his eyes, you can't do any wrong. So, let's hurry up and get you down to him, okay?"

"Okay," I whispered.

We didn't waste any more time after that. Lizzie helped me down the stairs, where my father was waiting at the bottom. He wore a navy-blue suit with a golden tie—gold to represent the Golden Walkers, no doubt—and he'd slicked his hair back with gel. I might have teased him for the new hairdo, but tears glossed the surface of his eyes as he extended his arm for me to take.

"You look beautiful, Charlotte." My father's voice was thick with emotion.

Instead of taking his arm, I wrapped my arms around his waist. "Thanks, dad. I love you, you know?"

"I know. I love you, too," he murmured against my hair. We hugged for a long moment before Lizzie impatiently reminded us that the entire pack was waiting. I pulled back and took his arm, allowing him to lead me toward the double, back porch doors.

The doorway was decorated with beautiful greenery, accented by white and cream roses. The crisp, evening air seeped into the living room, and goosebumps dusted my exposed forearms and shoulders. Despite the setting sun that still lingered above the tree line, two rows of lanterns flanked each side of the white carpet, illuminating the path toward the alter.

"Charlie," Lizzie said, turning back to me one last time and taking my hands in hers. "Just in case I don't get the chance to tell you after the ceremony... You can do incredible things with your mouth and tongue that will make Nolan—"

"Oh, my Moon Goddess!" I half-shouted at my best-friend, snatching my hands out of hers. Heat flamed in my cheeks, and I practically shoved Lizzie out of the door. "Will you please get outside?"

"There! I just wanted to give your cheeks a natural glow! Now you are perfect." Lizzie winked and laughed like a damn she-devil. Still, she obeyed and wasted no more time by sauntering onto the white carpet. She found her seat in the front row, and then only my father and I remained.

The music of a string quartet began, and I knew that was my cue to step out of the pack house and onto the white carpet. My father gently squeezed my hand and took the first step. I followed, and over one hundred bodies turned toward us.

Even from a distance, my eyes immediately locked with Nolan's, devouring that beloved shade of blue. If it hadn't been for my father, I might have catapulted myself down the aisle, just to reach my mate faster. Despite the thrum in my veins that heightened with every step I took toward Nolan, my father kept our pace slow and to the rhythm of the cello and violins. I'd have to thank him for keeping me on track later.

We'd nearly reached the back row of the seats when I forced myself to look away from Nolan for the first time since exiting the pack house. My gaze immediately landed on Dominic, who stood in the back row by himself, a short distance away from any other guests.

One corner of his lips pulled up in a tender smile, as if to say, "See? I told you I wouldn't miss it."

I couldn't help from beam at the sight of him—my friend—until my father led me past the back row and I was forced to look ahead. Toward the other members of my pack. Dozens of faces smiled back at me. Abby, with baby Landon bouncing on her hip. Angelina, standing beside her mother and other members of the Gemini Coven. My brother and Lizzie in the front row. I tried to meet everyone's gazes, but, eventually, I couldn't resist the pull any longer.

Nolan's expression filled me with joy as soon as my eyes returned to his. The corners of his eyes crinkled with joy, and his lips were pulled shamelessly back over his devastatingly brilliant smile. I was close enough now that I saw a single rogue tear slip down his cheek, which he quickly wiped away. My mate. My forever.

I couldn't reach the altar soon enough. We'd nearly reached the first row of seats when I tore free from my father's grasp and launched forward. Nolan's arms were already waiting for me.

He wrapped me into him, lifting me up to grant me the much-needed access to his lips. We kissed, and I half-forgot that an entire pack stood behind us now. When Nolan finally broke our kiss and lowered me to the ground once more, I took a deep breath of his scent and laughed giddily. "I missed you," I whispered.

"I missed you, too." He chuckled and pressed another, quick kiss to my lips. "You're breathtaking."

Another blush dusted my cheeks, but Raegan cleared his throat before I could tell Nolan the same. We shared a playful smirk and turned to face the altar, where our Beta stood with a little, brown book in his hands. Since Nolan was the one in the ceremony, it became Raegan's duty to officiate the traditional Mating Ceremony.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union of our Alpha and his mate, our Luna," Raegan began, reading the traditional words straight out of the ancient texts. Thousands of mates had been bound my these words, and they would bind thousands more mates in the future. Nolan and I were but a small portion of this web, bound by love and commitment.

Raegan read the history, the tale of the first Fate Mate pair. He read the inscribed duties of mates, to love one another and produce heirs for the future of the pack. He invoked the Moon Goddess' blessing on Nolan and I, and we recited our vows. My heart started racing, and my breathing quickened, because I knew what happened next. The Marking.

A chill traveled down my spine as Nolan's own gaze flickered to the bare skin of my neck in anticipation. His eyes returned to mine, pupils larger than before, and I released a ragged exhale. I was ready.

But Raegan's words never came.

Instead, he glanced between Nolan and I, and a mischievous smile crept onto his lips. "I know what you both must be expecting, but the pack and I would like to do things a bit differently."

My heart stopped beating all together and my eyes widened. Differently? It was finally happening. Nolan was supposed to mark me, and I would, at long last, be an official member of the Black Lupis pack. But now, Raegan was telling me that there were different plans?

I exchanged a worried glance with Nolan, who seemed confused as well. Raegan stooped below the altar and, when he stood again, held a chalice in his hands. Dark liquid, blood, sloshed in the chalice's basin as he took a step to recenter himself between Nolan and I.

"Charlie, when Nolan marks you, you will become a member of the Black Lupis pack by default," Raegan explained, but I already knew this. His gaze swept across the gathered crowd as he continued. "But, over the past months, you have proven yourself time and time again to be a valiant warrior in spirit. A fiercely loyal companion, with goodness in your heart. You have prioritized the pack, and even made the ultimate sacrifice for our people. And, for that reason, the Black Lupis Pack would like to initiate you into the pack through blood—our blood. So that the blood of every pack member runs through your veins as well."

Raegan lifted the chalice, filled to the brim with the blood of every Black Lupis pack member. "We ask that you drink of this cup, so that you may arise as Luna by the pack's choice. Not simply by the mating mark."

I'd stopped breathing. Out of the corner of my eye, there was movement and I slowly turned away from Raegan in time to see every member of the Black Lupis Pack drop onto their knees before me. Emotion clogged my throat and prohibited any air to pass into my lungs as they collectively bowed their heads.

A pack, bowing to their Luna.

Nolan squeezed my hand three times, drawing me out of my daze. And the Alpha—my Alpha—dropped to a single knee. He gently released my hand as he bowed his head and didn't look up again. None of them did, as I turned to Raegan and accepted the chalice that he'd offered me.

"You needn't drink the entire chalice. Our collective blood is in even just one drop," Raegan murmured, quietly.

I nodded, now focused on the chalice in my hands. To my surprise, my fingers didn't shake. Not as my gaze swept out over the crowd one last time. My pack, my people, my family. This was where I belonged. I brought the cool rim of silver to my lips and took the blood of the Black Lupis pack into my body.

And one hundred voices instantly filled my head—a chorus of individuals combined into a mighty force.

Long live Luna Charlotte.