The Luna's Ugly Disguise

Chapter 5 - Evelyn

Waking up in Lucael’s arms was like a scene from a storybook. Something I could never have imagined. Probably one of the best sleeps I think I ever had. So content. Warm. Protected. It was a feeling I cannot explain. And the purring noise from the wolf within my mind had become more and more like a pneumatic drill, telling me she may well be happy too…

Lucael stroked back my hair so tenderly as I yawned sleepily. There had been little sleep last night. We had spent much of the night exploring one another’s bodies, learning what the other liked, and enjoying the new bond that we shared. We were new mates after all…

And, once we were showered and changed, he had wasted no time in suggesting we leave. “You want me to come with you today?” I had asked, more than a little surprised by his suggestion, given my doubts of last night before our night together.

“You are my mate, Evelyn. My wife. Of course I want you to leave with me. I do not plan to leave you behind.” Was his answer, and the truth was, I saw no reason to be apart from him. In fact, the very thought filled me with dread. Yes, I would forever have ties to my pack, because of my mother more than my father, but I could not see they were reason enough to stay. Besides, I saw only struggles ahead due to my father and my step-mother. Not to mention not knowing how Celeste may react to the news of Lucael choosing to mark me….

No. My mate was right. There was no reason I should not go with him. I had a mate who wanted me. He had made me feel more cherished and cared for in the short time we had been together than I had been in a long time. I could not risk that. I knew, deep down, I was not wanted here, in my own pack, at least not yet. And likely never would be while my father was in power.

“Pack a few things, and we will leave right away.” I was told, and with that nothing more was said. I did as I was asked, and I left my pack with a simple few goodbyes to the people that mattered the most. The people who had always treated me with care and respect. My family were nowhere to be seen, telling me all I needed to know.

Before long, we were arriving at Sun Wolf Pack, and I was in awe at the vast size and the beauty of the pack. My own pack was beautiful. But Lucael’s pack was something else entirely. Pulling up outside the packhouse, I could see the anticipation upon my mate’s face. “We will be going to introduce you to your new pack.” He informed me.

Nerves immediately swarmed me. I was not good with situations like this. Mainly because my own family had ensured I was kept out of them. Nothing but an embarrassment to them. Or so they said… “Erm, right away?” My voice stuttered, anxious at what the pack members here may think of me. I was an embarrassment to most. Why would he sound so excited at the thought of showing me off?! But Lucael simply looked at me with a smile.

“Of course. Their Alpha has found his fated mate. It is a great day.” He said rather proudly. “Why would I not want to show off my fated mate?” He added, and a wave of guilt flooded me. Of course. He had told me last night the way he had waited so patiently for his fated mate. 35 years of age, and waiting since he had come of age for his fated mate, to the point he was beginning to believe there was no longer any hope until I had stepped into the room yesterday. My heart had gone out to him as he had described his feelings. Not beginning to be able to imagine how he must have felt. I should do it for him, and I knew it...

I nodded, as Lucael offered me his hand, having stepped from the car. “Come, my angel, let us go and meet our pack.” He said with excitement, leading me through the grand double doors of the packhouse. Our pack. Again, I think I liked the sound of that...

The packhouse, while the exterior was older, inside was modern and sleek. Everything a younger Alpha would want. The hallway was long, and had a number of corridors leading from it, as well as sweeping staircases. “Come, they are in the main hall.” Lucael encouraged, as my steps began to flounder. I was filled with nerves.

“What if they don’t like me?” I whispered.

Lucael looked at me in disbelief. “But you are my fated. They will love you, Evelyn. You are their Luna.” He said, like being their Luna, and their Alpha’s fated would be enough. Yet I feared it would not be. Other than for my mother, I had never been enough. Surely the pack members would need more…

We reached a large set of double doors, and Lucael squeezed my hand reassuringly, before stepping inside. A grand hall sat beyond the door. Again, modernly renovated, and today filled with people who I could only assume were pack members. All of whom had their eyes upon me. Curious gazes lingering upon their Alpha and the currently unknown she-wolf he was escorting through the crowds. As we reached the front of the hall, Lucael turned to his people with a broad and confident smile.

“Good Morning.” He said, with nothing but happiness in his tone. “As I am sure you have been made aware, there is an announcement to be made. And today, I will be the one to make it.” His eyes drifted across the busy hall. “Yesterday, I went to a neighbouring pack with the intention of agreeing to a marriage, as many of you were aware, however, upon my visit, I met my fated mate…” Gasps of shock, followed my murmurs of conversation about what Lucael had just announced filled the surrounding space. Color rushed to my cheeks, while my mate simply smiled proudly. “So, to you all, our pack members at Sun Wolf, may I introduce my mate, your Luna, Evelyn.”

My head felt like it was spinning, and I felt like I was frozen in time as the air around me buzzed with what felt like happiness and excitement. They seemed happy for their Alpha. Genuine happiness. I could feel the glimmer of the morning sunlight shining through the large windows of the hallway upon us, lighting us up like we were in a spotlight. And I looked towards Lucael anxiously. “You look so stunning, angel.” He reached for my hair. “Your hair is so beautiful in the sunlight. Like spun gold…”

I had hoped for reassurance, but before he could say another word, pack members came rushing over to greet us. People wishing to offer their congratulations. Wanting to shake my hand. Others wanted to tell me how beautiful I looked… I had never felt so out of place, yet so cherished in all of my life. It was the strangest feeling. Even in a pack that I called my own home. A pack that I had grown up within. Laughter filled the air as conversations flowed. Friendliness and care surrounded me. An unexpected kindness that filled me with the warmest of joys deep within my heart. Already the pack felt like home.

I lost count of the many people who approached us to speak to us, all so kind in their words. Offering us their best wishes. I smiled tenderly at my mate, who nodded back at me proudly. ‘I told you they would love you. You are a natural.’ He reassured me through our mindlink. Now in place since marking one another.

A young girl with the sweetest of dark braids approached from the side, having to dodge the many others edging their way forward. And within her hand she offered me a small bunch of wild flowers. I could sense her unease and nerves, so I quickly knelt down to speak to her and thank her for the kind gesture. I loved flowers, and had often picked wild flowers as a young girl. Seeing them reminded me of that. I could feel the eyes of many within the crowd observing me, smiles upon their faces, murmurs of praise being spoken about my kindness, when in my mind the true kindness had been the young girl bringing me the flowers…

Lucael had stepped aside, talking to others, leaving me to speak to more pack members who approached as time passed. The conversation soon becoming easier. More comfortable and free flowing the longer I stayed there. Not one judgmental glance had been given, and I found myself laughing at their jokes, feeling free enough to make jokes of my own, which too, were met with laughter. I could feel myself relaxing, despite being surrounded by so many people. Something I had not done in a long time. I was smiling. Warmth rushed through me as my eyes drifted across the room full of pack members who had welcomed me with open arms. I felt acceptance.

My wolf purred, that same contented purring sound she had continued to make since we had met Lucael, as I found myself fidgeting with the silver, moon-shaped badge upon my chest. A symbol of my status of Luna, and a gift given to me from Lucael as we arrived at his home. I truly could not help but wonder how fate had shone down so kindly upon me. I was surrounded by people who had met me with warmth and acceptance, in spite of my fears. They were trusting me with their Alpha. A man they loved and respected. I must vow within my heart to become a Luna worthy of that trust. Protecting the pack that is giving me a new life. That was something I had to do, I told myself.

My eyes drifted around the room once more as I held the flowers given to me close to my chest, and Lucael’s eyes found mine instantly, and his face broke into a smile. ‘Can I steal you away now?’ He asked with a hint of teasing, as he edged his way though the crowd toward me. ‘I don’t think I want to share anymore.’ He added with a chuckle, bringing a flush of color to my cheeks, and surge of craving to my core. I think I liked having a mate…