Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Today is the day.

When I wake up, Luke is of course already gone, since I wake up at 8 and he wakes up at 5. Fidgeting excitedly, I rake through the closet and find a knee-length white dress that looks sophisticated enough.

I quickly take a shower and dry my hair, put on the dress, and apply a bit of makeup. Quickly zipping up my ankle boots, I take another look at the mirror.

The door opens, I see Luke’s reflection, already dressed in a navy suit. I grin at his surprised expression as he sees me

and do a little twirl.

“Ta-da!” I say excitedly “So, how do I look?”

He cocks his head to a side “You look beautiful, Hazel. What’s the occasion?”

I stare at him, dumbfounded “Well, we’re leaving for the royal chapel, aren’t we?”

He takes a moment to consider my words, then gives me a nod “Yes, I suppose Casper will be here in a while, then we will leave.”

I squeal excitedly and rock on my toes, which is kind of hard considering that I’m wearing pencil-heel boots.

Luke stares at me thoughtfully “And you are so excited because we’re leaving?”

“Of course I am!”

“I had no idea you wanted to be rid of me so badly, Hazel.” Luke gives me a mock wounded look

My excitement screeches to a halt. I blink at him “What?”

“Casper and I are leaving for the royal chapel. The other competitors have already left.” Luke says, walking towards me “A few guards will take you back to the pack estate. After the ceremony is over, I have to stay there two nights due to some ridiculous tradition. Then I will come to get you.”

I gape at him as he reaches around me to pick up a watch and changes the one he’s wearing right now.

“Why are you so surprised?” Luke lifts my chin to close my mouth “We talked about this.”

“I thought you were joking!” I use my hands to exaggerate

My mind goes back to the conversation we had about this ceremony two days ago, the day I’d woken up and bombarded him with questions after the too emotional confessions.

“Too bad, Hazel.” He leans down and presses a kiss to my cheek “I don’t want to let you out of my sight, let alone stay away for three days, but it can't be helped.”

“But why?” I demand “why can't I come with you?”

“There’s a constant risk of assassination.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t go either!” I glare at him

Luke shrugs coolly “After spending so much time with me Hazel if you still think I can't hold my ground then you’re hopeless.”

“This is so unfair!” I give him an accusatory look

“I don’t see how keeping you safe is unfair.”

“Because I want to go!” I narrow my eyes at him “We’ve worked so hard for this together, you cant ditch me now! I won't stay behind like a fragile doll!”

Luke straightens his back, towering over me with the authority of an Alpha.

“You’re not going, Hazel.” He says, his voice hard as stone “I’m not going to put you at risk again.”

I hold his stormy gaze with my burning one “If you’ve forgotten so quickly, I can handle myself.”

His hands come down on either side of me on the dresser, Luke leans forward, his face is all angles of determination, eyes narrowed a fraction.

“Why do you always want to put yourself in danger?” he asks, his voice dangerously low “Why can’t you just stay safe for once?”

“This is what you signed up for, Winters.” I say, then my lips tug upwards “Besides, if I were such an obedient maiden, we wouldn’t be here.”

Luke opens his mouth to say something but then closes it again. I look at him suspiciously, what is this man—

All conscious thoughts fly out of my head when he brushes my hair away from my face, his hand slips behind my neck as he leans forward to put his lips against mine. A million burning flames embrace me in their hold as my eyes flutter shut.

“I can't risk you, Elise.” Luke whispers against my mouth “Not when I just have you back.”

“Why don’t you trust me?” I ask “After everything we’ve done together?”

I reached out to grab him by the shirt in front of tugging him towards myself harder, a low growl rumbles through him to me.

“Don’t you think I can protect myself?” I ask, then I change my strategy “That you can protect me?”

Luke kisses me hard then. Hard and desperate and demanding and that’s exactly the way it wants it. I want this moment to shatter a million times yet every reality will be the same. I feel him nudge my face upward, his lips pushing apart my own, and his tongue slides into my mouth.

A breathy moan leaves me as I melt into him, hooking my arms around his neck, my toes curling in my shoes as the intoxicating flavor of him fills my senses.

His mouth leaves mine burning, I look up to meet his hooded eyes, trying and failing to catch my breath.

“I trust you, Hazel. And I trust myself to protect you more than anything” Luke says “but I don’t trust myself not to

kill anyone who tries to hurt you.”

“You’re overthinking,” I hold his face in my hands “Stop being such a prude.”

“I overthink and that’s why we’re still alive.”

“How could you just leave me here?” I ask, pulling my hands away “I’m your partner! Your mate! Aren’t I the Luna Supreme?”

Luke opens his mouth to deny but then realizes what I’m saying is perfectly right. I grin as he scowls.

“You’re not going to stay here, are you?” He says, dislikes obvious in his voice

“Nope.” I chirp “Trust me, you’re going to thank me later,”

Luke lets out a rattled breath “You’re going to be the death of me.”

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” I grin

Just then the door slams open, habitually, I jump away from Luke.

Casper comes in my line of sight, his face flushed from running, suit-clad form hunched, blond hair flying and grey eyes instantly settling on me and Luke.

“All the angles and their babies,” Casper huffs out “You two are alive.”

The next instant, he has one arm around me and the other around Luke holding us in a tight embrace.

Luke scowls, I giggle.

Nevertheless Luke pats him on the back, Casper lets go of us, beaming.

“When Alpha Jax told the news I almost collapsed from relief,” He says “You’ve outdone yourself Winters.”

“I think not,” Luke says coolly “It was rather obvious.”

Casper huffs “You should brush up on your common courtesy,”

“I can't agree more.” I nod solemnly

Casper turns his bright grey eyes to me and the next moment he’s lifted me off my feet in a crushing embrace.

“Thank you, Elise, from the bottom of my heart for tolerating this rock and surviving.” He says, letting go of me

“I deserve medals, I know,” I say smugly

All smugness washes off my face when he presses a kiss on my forehead.

“We can get that arranged—

He’s pulled away from me by a very pissed-off Lycan. Casper staggers back as Luke lets go of him and I resist the urge to facepalm myself. Why did he have to do that?

“Get a hold of yourself,” Luke’s voice rumbles with a low growl, his hand already reaching for mine

Casper’s wide eyes take in our interlinked hands. He looks at Luke’s dark eyes, then he looks at me, I offer him a little smile, then he looks at our interjoined hands again.

“Is she, are you two,” Casper gestures with his hands as if they would convey his message but then words splutter out of his mouth “Tell me you bastard, is she the one?”

Luke clears his throat, snapping out of his instinctive haze, with a face blank, he says;

“Yes. Yes, she is.”

“Holy mother of fucks—

Luke holds Casper back before he can hug us again, but Casper doesn’t seem to care, his lips are pulled in a splitting grin, eyes twinkling.

“This is brilliant, perfect!” Casper says I can almost feel the elation in his voice “To think we had your mate in our pack all this time!”

Luke murmurs something along the lines of “Don’t remind me.”

“So, this is our official meeting as Luna and beta,” I say with a grin “Pleased to meet you, Beta Casper Hendricks.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Luna.” Casper gives me an exaggerated bow

Luna, I grin at the title. Yeah, I can get used to this.

“Come on,” Luke tugs at my hand “We’ve already wasted enough time as it is.”

“Yeah, the driver is waiting to take you back…” Casper trails off “Uh, are you going back?”

Luke shakes his head “There’s a change in plans. Elise will attend the ceremony with us, then she will go back.”

He gives me a pointed look as he says that, but well, I suppose we can make a compromise.

“All righty let's go then.”

…

Everyone stands up as Luke gets up from one knee, a golden crown glistering atop his dark hair, a cloak fashioned from the hide of the legendary white Lycan draped over his shoulders. He stands erect, hands clasped behind his

back, looking every inch the King they just declared him to be.

My hands sting from clapping too hard.

So I decided to put my fingers in my mouth and whistle.

Through the crowd, his eyes snap to mine, dark hues of stormy blue and I can't help the pride that flows through me.

The glass roof of the chapel displays the starry sky and the full moon almost at its peak. Luke had the ceremony

started before the moon could rise fully, it didn’t make much difference in the procedure, but it did stop him from eating the guests.

All the Alphas that attended the ceremony and the participant Alphas surround him, shaking hands, congratulating, inviting him for dinners.

“Your boyfriend just got famous,” Casper says to me, hands in his pockets

“He’s always been,” I say with a smile

“Aren’t you jealous?” He raises an eyebrow, glancing at where a very bored Luke is flanked by female Alphas and betas

Just as I look his way, he seems to sense my gaze. His eyes gravitate to mine, irritated itched on them.

“Nah,” I wave my hand dismissively “They have no chance.”

Casper laughs a little “You should talk to Gloria soon.”

I raise my brows at him “And who’s that?”

“My possessive little mate,”

I gape at him “You have a mate?!”

“Come on, Elise,” Casper gives me a bemused look “You think I traveled the world with Luke and never found my mate?”

“Then why isn’t she with you?”

“I met her last year, but we were still traveling then.” Casper shrugs “Gloria was a warrior in training at that time. I’d rather stay away from her than have her give up on all she’s worked for.”

“Aww, Cas, that’s so adorable.” I nudge him with my elbow

“Firstly, thanks for acknowledging my good heart, and secondly,” he gives me a look “Cas? It sounds like a girl’s nickname!”

“You do love drama.”

“You wound me, Luna.”

“And me too,” a familiar deep and hard voice says

Luke takes my hand in his, away from prying eyes. I feel the scorching warmth of his skin. Maybe to anyone else,

he would look perfectly fine, but I can see the tension in his shoulders, the way he’s rubbing his temple now and then.

He’s having a hard time keeping it under control, I squeeze his hand, hoping to be of some comfort.

Luke couldn’t dose himself with wolfsbane because it would tamper with the ceremony. Goddess, we’ve managed this on a thin margin.

“You’ve never given me a nickname,” Luke says

I grin “What about all those during the Hunt? Like bastard, idiot, asshole—

His finger pressed against my lips “Maybe you need to reconsider, Hazel.”

Before I could reply, Casper coughs distinctively.

“There are praying eyes everywhere,” he coughs again “Get a hold.”

“One of the few smart things you say, Hendricks.” Luke puts my arm through his

We go around the Chapel, interacting and talking. It’s strange how all these Alphas and Betas are talking to me, respecting me. It feels good, to be considered an equal.

Well, most of the time.

“Alpha Winters!”

“Alpha Pines,” Luke nods towards a man

My eyes fly in his direction. He seems to be in his mid-twenties, maybe a year or so older than Luke. Dressed in a

neat tux, with chestnut curls down to his shoulders, he looks pretty handsome.

“My man,” he shakes Luke’s hand heartily “Congrats! I can't wait for you to take charge. It’s about damn time young

men told hold of authority.”

“Thank you, Xavier,” Luke says formally “I’m sure you’re happy about this.”

His brown eyes fly to me and he offers me a crooked grin “Didn’t know you brought along a date, Winters.”

Luke raises an eyebrow “You didn’t recognize her?”

Xavier looks surprised “Should I?”

Luke glances at me, I smile at him before turning my eyes to the Alpha standing in front of us.

“Elise Attwood,” I offer him a professional smile

His eyes widen and his jaw drops “You accompanied him on the Hunt?!”

I can't help the laugh that escapes me “What were you expecting, Alpha?”

“Some old battle-ax,” He says, looking pretty serious “At least not a bathing beauty.”

“I’m flattered,” I roll my eyes with a smile

“Allow me to introduce myself,” he sweeps my hand in his and presses a kiss to my knuckles “Alpha Xavier Pines,

Alpha Supreme of Europe.”

“Pleased to meet you.” I nod

“Feel free to be pleased by me anytime, little lady.” He winks

Luke’s arm around my waist tightens just slightly. I offer Alpha Xavier a small smile, praying to the Goddess he does not get his nose broken.

“Say, I have a vacancy for my secretary,” Xavier says, not at all bothering to be subtle “Ever thought of visiting

Canada, Elise?”

Before I can reply, a hard voice does it for me.

“Elise will be staying here, Alpha Pines,” Luke’s voice reverberates with a low growl “With me.”

Alpha Xavier looks at him, then looks at me and holds his hands up in mock surrender, a little smirk playing on his lips.

“I was merely joking, Alpha Winters.” He says “I should get going.”

I let out a sigh and turn to my favorite brooding granite statue “Did you have to do that?”

Luke’s eyes meet mine, the obsidian took over the blue “Yes.”

“It’s not like I was going,” I tell him

“I didn’t like the way he was looking at you,” Luke says, pulling me closer to himself. His eyes go over the room

once “I don’t like how any of the men are looking at you like it's some mating ball.”

I grin at him and wiggle my brows “Are you insecure, my love?”

Luke narrows his eyes a fraction “Irritated would be a better word, Hazel.”

“Then pick up a few things from me,” I say cheekily “Like not being irritated by people flanking your mate.”

He frowns a little as I say that “So you wouldn’t be bothered by any woman flirting with me?”

“Nope.” I shake my head

“Why?”

“Because I trust you,” I smile, touching my fingers to his cheek “And if any dumbass goes as far as to kiss you, I’ll have to get her executed.”

“That would take some explaining, Hazel,” Luke says, a faint smile on his face

“Don’t worry,” I wink “I’m pretty good at convincing people.”

“You two just cannot stop that, can you?” Casper says, walking over to us, a frown on his face

“Stop what?” I ask, dropping my hand from Luke’s face

“This,” he makes a discrete gesture towards us “In a setting like this, someone is always watching.”

Sighing, I realize he’s right. We do need to keep our guard up.

The party goes on for a few more hours and in the dark hours of the morning, we finally make it outside towards the residential area build in the chapel’s neighborhood to accommodate guests.

While Luke deals with the remnants of our guests, I take a shower and change into a loose nightshirt and sweat pants for a little while, I’ll have to leave in a few hours.

I brush through my hair while standing by the window, the moon high in the sky, humming to myself when the door opens. A familiar rich aroma drifts over to me and soon enough, two arms wrap around my waist, pulling me to a warm chest.

“Waiting for me, Mia Regia?”

“No, not really,” I say, a little smile playing on my lips

Luke’s lips brush against my ear “Liar.”

I’m aware of the way my heart gallops in my chest “Whatever makes you sleep at nights, Winters.”

Since I’d brushed all my hair against one shoulder, the side of my neck catches his attention.

“You make me sleep at night,” his warm lips brush over my cold skin “But you’re leaving.”

“I’ll be back soon,” A little whimper escapes my mouth as my head unconsciously moves to a side

“Not soon enough,” His lips move down before going up again, leaving fire in their wake

My eyes flutter close and I let myself fall into him, my skin singing with sensations and my mind only anticipating where his lips would go next.

“My Elise,” Luke presses a kiss to my cheek, my jaw, my neck “Only mine.”

My muddled senses don’t let me reply. His hands linger at the hem of my shirt, I don’t tell him to stop, his warm arms slip up and around my bare waist making my breath hitch in my throat.

“Even if you don’t come back,” His voice is husky with possession “I will always find you. I will never let anyone take you from me.”

My mind comes in sharp focus, I move his arms from around me and he lets me before I turn around to face him.

Luke leans forward, my hands fall on the windowsill behind me, his arms cage me in place.

“You don’t trust me to come back?” I can’t hide the hurt from my voice

“No,” Luke says quickly. “No,” His voice softens “I trust you with my life, Elise. I just…”

He lets out a breath and puts his forehead against mine, his obsidian eyes look at me with so much affection, it escapes my mind that these eyes belong to something deadly primitive.

“Every time I thought of my mate, I thought she would run away from me. Like everyone else.” His voice is quiet in the fragile silence “You’re the first one to have seen me and not turn away.”

His fingers trail down the side of my face, my neck, my arm, obsidian eyes follow their path.

“This feels so surreal, Hazel, so perfect it doesn’t seem true. I’m afraid that I will close my eyes,” He closes his eyes, a furrow between his brows “And when I open them again, you will not be here anymore, you will not be mine.”

“This is real, Luke.” My arms wrap around his neck and place a soft kiss on his lips “And I will always be here.”

A faint smile touches his lips as he opens his eyes, the blue much more prominent than the black now.

“Keep yourself safe while I cannot, Mia Regia,” Luke says “I will be back to you as soon as possible.”

I grin at him “You said you’re not a king.”

“But I never said you’re not a queen,” he says, locking his lips with mine, making me feel like a true queen