#16 Bows and Arrows

Adira

After ensuring that the ceremony was all ready to go, the staff was in place, and the guests were being seated, I went back to check on Marcy. She was standing in front of the mirror this time, a huge smile on her face. Her golden blonde hair was curled and laying over her shoulders, a crown made of flowers pinned into her soft curls.

She was wearing a navy blue dress that fell to the floor, a short train fanned out behind her. It was the traditional color for any pack ceremonies, but the design was up to her. She chose a simple strapless gown with a modest sweetheart neckline and a line of crystals wrapping around her waist, making her appear taller and slimmer than she already was. Otherwise, the dress was plain with a satin slip and a sheer overlay.

She wore the traditional Luna jewelry that was passed down to each Luna: a set of sapphire teardrop earrings set in gold, a golden necklace with a single sapphire dangling from the center, and a sapphire and diamond bracelet. Her heels were golden to match.

“You look radiant, Marcy.” I grinned and she blushed, turning around to face me.

“Thanks, Addie.”

“You ready?” I opened the door and motioned for Silver and Mattie to leave.

They would join the crowd, sitting in the front row, while Marcy walked herself down the aisle.

“Actually, there is one thing,” Marcy said, grabbing my arm, “I wanted to know if you would walk me down the aisle.”

“Oh, traditionally…” I started to say, but one look at Marcy’s face had me changing directions, “But, I was never one to follow traditions.” I smirked, offering her my elbow.

Marcy grinned and gladly took it. Together, we walked towards the french doors at the back of the house. On the other side was the large backyard of our home. Tonight, it was all dolled up with rows of golden chairs, blue satin tapestries, and warm twinkling lights.

“You ready?” I squeezed Marcy’s arm and she took a deep breath before nodding,

“Ready.” She smiled dimly at me; it didn’t quite reach her eyes, but it was better than the sobbing from earlier.

I nodded at the guards waiting by the door. They were dressed nicely in black and white suits and ties. They bowed their heads towards Marcy,

“Luna.” They said before pushing open the doors.

Marcy began to tremble at being called Luna, but once the doors were opened she immediately calmed and held her head up high. I felt the moment her eyes locked with Aidian’s because her heartbeat quickened and she began walking more confidently. I smiled at her and then looked towards Aidian who was grinning from ear to ear.

“Thank you, sis.” He linked me.

“Anytime.”

I nearly stumbled as the scent hit me like a wrecking ball.

Marcy looked up at me, but I just smiled and played dumb. She looked straight ahead again, focusing on Aidian as I fought the urge to fidget.

The scent was strong and overwhelming, rushing through me like a tidal wave. It smelt like ocean spray, sea salt air, and sunshine. My heart began to beat faster, my palms sweating, and I prayed that no one else would notice. I felt his eyes on me the entire, they were burning fiery holes straight into my sole, but I knew that I couldn’t react.

He was here.

“Mate! Mate! Mate!” Lucille shrieked in my mind, slamming against the confines as she tried to get free.

“We can’t, not here, Lucille. This is about Aidian.” I shushed her.

Lucille whimpered. She adored Aidian and would never do anything to get in his way.

“I want mate.” She whined.

“I know. Soon.” I promised her.

She went silent in my mind and pushed aside our matebond so I could focus on the ceremony.

When we reached the end of the aisle, Aidian flashed me a look that told me I was so busted. I just grinned at him and shook my head slightly. I knew I’d hear about it later, but for now, his attention was back on Marcy. Marcy took Aidian’s hand and he helped her up the steps.

“And where do you think you’re going?” Aidian asked me as I turned towards my seat in the front row. I looked at him from over my shoulder, “Come on.” He nudged his head towards the stage.

I grumbled under my breath. He knew I hated the limelight. I begrudgingly climbed the stairs and stood beside Madge and Silver.

“Thank you, Sparrow pack and friends, for joining us today….”

Aidian dove into a speech about the strength of the pack, the honor of taking it over, and the pleasure he has of leading it with Marcy. He did a quick version of the Luna ceremony, pricking her finger and mixing their blood to officially welcome her to the pack. He started talking about his role as the Alpha, but I stepped forward and cut him off,

“Are you seriously going to give a speech about yourself?” I said and a chuckle surfed through the crowd, “As the only one who can, other than Marcy, I’m going to interrupt you, big brother.”

Aidian chuckled at me and stepped back, motioning me forward. The crowd was laughing and smiling. When I stood center stage, I felt his eyes again. His presence was standing over me like a looming shadow. I fought back the urge to scan the crowd, but it didn’t matter; my eyes connected with his the second I looked up.

“Today, we grieve the loss of an era,” I began, my eyes boring into his, inserting my dominance, “Alpha Reggie and Luna Megan have fallen, but the Sparrow pack remains strong. From the moment we were born, our parents prepared Aidian and I to lead. For a while there, they weren’t sure which one of us would take over,”

I laughed, tearing my eyes from my mate to look back at Aidian,

“We all know that if it had come down to a fight, today would be a very different day,” The crowd started laughing again and Aidian just rolled his eyes, “I truly believe that the best man for the job is standing up here today. He was born to be an Alpha, a leader, and a warrior. He can pull the strength from his pain and make this pack strong again,

“Today, we grieve, but tomorrow we start building a new chapter. Our parents infused us with values and morals, the same values and morals that they gave to the pack. I know that Aidian will uphold those traditions while also creating new ones. Aidian and his Luna, Marcy,” I offered Marcy a smile and she returned it, “Will bring new perspectives and new traditions to the pack. I’m confident in their leadership and I….”

I paused and turned towards Aidian, putting my closed fist over my heart,

“I, Adira Sparrow, sister of the Alpha of the Sparrow pack, pledge my loyalty to Alpha Aidian.” The teasing was gone from my voice and my expression was stern as I spoke to my Alpha.

The rest of the pack echoed my words, placing their fists over their hearts and hitting their knees. Since I was the Alpha’s daughter and now sister, I didn’t have to bow before him, and thank the Goddess for that, but I did owe him my respect and submission.

Aidian bowed his head and winked at me before turning towards the crowd and offering them his appreciation. I lifted my head and glanced back over the guests.

He was standing in the back, his fist over his heart and his body arched as he bowed, but he wasn’t on his knees; he didn’t have to be. He was a leader himself. His fiery orbs were locked onto me and clearly had never left. When our gazes locked again, Lucille howled in my head and started pacing.

I was being pulled towards him before a hand landed on my shoulder. The bubble around me shattered and I snapped my head towards Aidian.

“You okay?” He leaned down and whispered in my ear.

“It’s fine, problem for another day.” I said, patting his arm.

His eyes pinched together, but I just shook my head. He wanted to know what was going on, but he knew better than to push me; I would tell him when I was ready.

“Go, be with Marcy.” I pushed him away.

“Thank you for what you said.” Aidian said seriously before sneaking off to wrap his arms around Marcy.

The crowd dispersed to the reception area where several tables were set up for eating and a large buffet was being looked after by the staff. There was a dance floor and music was already quietly playing as the servers carried trays full of champagne flutes around the grounds.

I made a beeline for the woods, not wanting to be caught up with the guests of the party. I looked over my shoulder, knowing that I was being followed. When I hit the treeline, I kicked off my heels and started to run. Lucille was yelling at me, wanting to know what the hell I was doing, but I ignored her. I kept running.

I heard him behind me, so I picked up the pace. I wasn’t stupid, I knew I couldn’t out run him, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to try. He deserved to know what he was getting himself into and it certainly wasn’t a cute little game of cat and mouse.