20 Chapter 20 The Hunt Festival
Victoria
Enzo’s face twisted with fury. “You ungrateful little half–breed! After everything I did for you-
Before he could finish, Leo moved with blinding speed, gripping Enzo by the throat and lifting him off the ground. “Choose your next words very carefully,” he growled, his eyes glowing with alpha power.
Enzo clawed at Leo’s hand, gasping for breath.
“Apologize to your Luna,” Leo demanded.
When Enzo remained silent, Leo tightened his grip. “Apologize, or leave these grounds in pieces.”
“S–sorry,” Enzo choked out.
Leo released him, and Enzo collapsed to the ground, coughing and sputtering. “Now leave. If I see you near my Luna again, it will be the last thing you do.”
As two security wolves escorted my half–brother away, Leo turned to me, concern etching his features. “Are you alright?”
I took a deep, steadying breath. “Yes. Actually, I feel… lighter.”
11
Leo’s expression softened as he gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “You handled that perfectly, little wolf. You’re more Luna than you realize.”
His praise warmed me from within, and for the first time, I felt a flicker of confidence about my new role. Perhaps I could do this after all.
“Now,” Leo said, offering his arm once more, “are you ready to meet your pack?”
I straightened my shoulders, lifted my chin, and placed my hand on his arm. “Lead the way, Alpha.”
As we entered the grand ceremonial grounds, I felt the weight of a hundred stares following my every move. The Hunt Festival was in full swing, with torches illuminating the night and silver decorations catching the moonlight. Pack members from every rank were present, dressed in their finest attire, their eyes watching–judging–the half–human Luna who walked at their Alpha’s side.
“Remember to breathe,” Leo whispered, his hand warm against the small of
my back.
I nodded minutely, forcing air into my lungs as we made our way to the raised platform where two ornate chairs awaited–thrones for the Alpha and Luna of Shadow Pack.
Leo guided me to my seat before taking his own. From this elevated position, I could see the entire gathering spread before us–a sea of curious faces, some openly hostile, others cautiously accepting.
<
20 Chapter 20 The Hunt Festival
Beta Tiny approached the platform first, bowing his head respectfully. “Alpha, Luna,” he greeted, his massive frame belying his gentle manner. “Everything is prepared for the ceremonial howl.”
“Excellent,” Leo replied. “And the hunting teams?”
“Arranged as you instructed. The best warriors in each group, with newer members distributed evenly.”
As they discussed logistics, I noticed a cluster of elegantly dressed women watching me from across the clearing. Their scrutiny was anything but subtle.
“Who are they?” I asked quietly when Tiny departed.
Leo followed my gaze. “The wives of neighboring Alphas and high–ranking officials. Important allies… and sometimes rivals.” His voice dropped lower. “Be careful around them. Pack politics can be more dangerous than actual wolves.”
Before I could question him further, a horn sounded, signaling the beginning of the ceremony. Leo stood, offering me his hand, and the entire gathering fell silent.
“Brothers and sisters of Shadow Pack,” his voice carried effortlessly across the grounds,
commanding attention. “Tonight we honor our ancestors, our traditions, and the Moon Goddess commanding attention. “Tonight we honor who guides us. Tonight, we also celebrate a new beginning.”
His hand tightened around mine as he pulled me gently to stand beside him.
“I present to you Victoria Moretti, my mate and your Luna.”
The silence that followed seemed to stretch for eternity before being broken by Beta Tiny’s powerful voice. “To Luna Victoria!” he called, raising a ceremonial goblet.
The pack echoed his toast, though I noted several who merely lifted their glasses without speaking. Leo noticed too–his jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
A tall, silver–haired man approached the platform next, performing a formal bow. “Alpha Leo, Luna Victoria, may I offer the blessing as tradition dictates?”
“Elder Maxwell,” Leo acknowledged with respect. “Please proceed.”
The elder raised his arms toward the full moon overhead. “Great Moon Goddess, we gather beneath your watchful eye to honor our pack bonds. Bless our hunt this night. Strengthen our Alpha and guide our new Luna as she learns our ways.”
Something in his wording made me stiffen. *As she learns our ways*-a subtle reminder that I was an outsider.
Leo’s hand squeezed mine reassuringly as Elder Maxwell continued the blessing. When it concluded, music began to play, and Leo led me down from the platform.
The ceremonial dance begins the festivities,” he explained. “As Alpha and Luna, we lead the first dance.”
My heart pounded as Leo guided me to the center of the clearing where a space had been created for dancing. “I don’t know your traditional dances,” I whispered anxiously.
08:0
20 Chapter 20 The Hunt Festival
“Just follow my lead,” he murmured, one hand settling on my waist while the other clasped my hand. “Trust your instincts, little wolf.”
As the music swelled, Leo swept me into a graceful waltz. His movements were fluid, powerful, and surprisingly gentle as he guided me across the floor. My nervousness gradually faded as I surrendered to his lead, allowing my body to move in harmony with his.
“You’re a natural,” Leo observed, his silver eyes glowing with pride.
“I had a good teacher,” I replied, thinking of Rosa’s hasty lessons that afternoon.
“Not Rosa’s doing,” he said, reading my thoughts. “This is your wolf responding to mine, even if she hasn’t fully awakened yet.”
As the first dance concluded, other couples joined us on the floor. Leo used this opportunity to introduce me to key pack members.
“Gamma Carson,” he indicated a lean, sharp–eyed man who approached with a petite brunette. “And his mate, Elise.”
Carson bowed formally. “Luna Victoria. Your dress captures moonlight itself.”
T
Elise’s smile seemed genuine as she added, “We’re delighted to finally meet you properly. Perhaps we could speak later? I’d love to help you navigate pack traditions.”
Before I could respond, another couple approached–a broad–shouldered man with salt–and–pepper hair and a statuesque blonde whose smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Delta Mark,” Leo introduced, “Head of our border security. And his mate, Diane.”
Mark showed proper respect, but Diane merely inclined her head, her gaze traveling deliberately from my face down to my shoes and back up again.
“Half–human, aren’t you?” she asked, her voice sweet but laced with venom. “How… unique for our pack to have such diverse leadership.”
I felt Leo tense beside me, ready to intervene, but something in me refused to cower. “Diversity brings strength,” I replied evenly. “Or so I’ve observed in nature.”
Diane’s smile tightened. “Nature also has a way of… selecting the fittest to survive. Eascinating process, natural selection.”
“Indeed,” I agreed, maintaining eye contact. “Those who adapt thrive. Those who cling to outdated thinking often find themselves… extinct.”
A choking sound came from Mark as he quickly pulled his mate away, murmuring apologies. Leo’s eyes gleamed with approval as he leaned close to whisper, “Well played, little wolf.”
Throughout the next hour, Leo introduced me to countless pack members–warriors, healers, teachers, and their families. Some were openly welcoming, others reserved judgment, and a few, like Diane, barely disguised their disdain.
During a brief respite, Rosa appeared with refreshments. “You’re doing wonderfully, she assured me. “But be prepared–the Alpha wives are gathering for an introduction.”
02:05
08:05
20 Chapter 20 The Hunt Festival
She nodded toward the group of women I’d noticed earlier, now making their way deliberately in our direction.
“Remember,” Leo advised quietly, “you outrank them all within our territory. Show respect but never submission.”
Comment °
