The Nymph of Black Forest

Micah and I are working on my dress for the Luna ceremony. I , also, made a little suit for Micah. I really should stop treating him like he’s a tiny human..but he feels like he is! He was my only friend..for so long. My dress is going to be mid-calf and made of gauze fabric in the brightest white. A scoop neckline and spaghetti straps. I created a cowl dropped back that dips to my hips. Ribbons hang down from the neckline, in all the colors of the rainbow and my headpiece is fresh flowers with the same ribbons trailing down my back. I’m not going to wear shoes.

The ceremony is in a few hours, and guests have been arriving all day. Micah watched some of the arrivals but he said they are boring. Same thing, over and over. The visitors say hello and Derek thanks them for coming..and he acted it all out for me. And I’d have to agree. Boring.

Sadie and I are doing each other’s makeup. I was helping her with her beautiful blonde hair, but I don’t know the first thing about curling irons and kept burning my fingers. Which wasn’t any fun. I did lace flowers though and she looks really pretty.

We have been getting to know each other the last few hours. She is the only daughter of the Beta of Silver Crescent Pack.. and has two brothers. One older, one younger. She just turned twenty a month ago and she and Shawn are trying to have a baby.

She used to be really shy..and doesn’t fight unless she has no choice. I really like her. I have never had any friends, so I’m awkward and anxious around her. She’s the same around me..it’s a learning process. But she just adores Micah, and that says more about her character, to me, than any words could.

She just told me the king and queen have arrived. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to act around them.. I mean.. I have been around the Gods for special events… but I think gods and goddesses behave differently. They are rowdy and mischievous. They are loud and boisterous. I usually just sat in a chair against the wall and I don’t think I am supposed to do that today.

I finally got Micah all suited up and he looks absolutely adorable. I showed him in the mirror and he executed a perfect bow! I giggled and he told me Derek taught him. He’s excited because he’s walking me down the aisle. Sadie helped me into my dress and fitted my flower wreath on my head…making sure the ribbons hung true. I left my hair loose.. just because I wanted to be able to shift into Edina without too much fuss.

When we stepped out the doors to the patio leading to the backyard, my breath caught. It was lovely with little fairy lights and beautiful vines and flowers twinkling through the trees. I looked up the aisle and saw Derek standing there with an elderly gentleman..who obviously was the king. Causing Micah to chatter..what gave it away? The crown? And I whispered “Hey!”

I walked toward the stage..and Derek. He was smiling at me softly.. when my eyes met his, he winked and my nerves settled down. He looked so handsome.. wearing a white flowy shirt..open at the neck and black slacks. He was barefooted, as well and I fell in love again! He goes out of his way to make me feel comfortable in his world..understanding it’s all so new to me.

I reach him and he takes my hand..leading me to the center..he introduces me “Rhiannon..this is King Edward, my uncle..and the man doing our ceremony.” I smiled and tried…failing..but tried to curtsey. The king grinned at me saying “None of that, girl. You’re my niece now!” And I felt my blush creep up my ears.

Edward takes my hand, holding it palm up..he began “Do you, Rhiannon Smalls, solemnly swear to uphold all duties as Luna of Mountain Moon Pack..and to Alpha Derek Kingston..to love and aid your members. To be the mother they need in times of strife. To live and die for the safety of your pack. To be faithful to your mate and Alpha. Always by his side..In love In faith and In loyalty. By the Goddess blessings.” And I said “I do solemnly pledge my oath and my devotion to my mate, Alpha Derek Kingston and to our pack, Mountain Moon.. To love..to protect and to defend..with my heart..and with my life. By the Goddess’s blessing”

He sliced my palm as Derek sliced his, and clasped our palms together and Selene shined her light directly on our joined hands. Edward said “The Goddess blesses this union.. you may now mark your mate” And Derek moved my hair to one side..as I moved the collar of his shirt aside, he whispered “Together” and our canines sank into one another’s necks. I felt a rush of voices in my mind.. then, I felt Derek. All things Derek. His love. His happiness. His devotion to me and the pack. His dedication and loyalty. It brought tears to my eyes. And he kissed them away. Then he kissed my lips..so lovingly..tenderly.. as he whispered “I love you” and I whispered it back..in his mind. He looked startled, then he smiled..kissing me again!

We turned to face the crowd and he raised our joined hands above our heads! The crowd whistled, clapped and shouted. A flash of bright blinding light shot from the moon.. and as we watched, Selene stepped into the clearing. She smiled and opened her arms to me and I flitted directly to her. Wrapping me tightly in her arms, she smiled at Derek “You are the nephew of a king. I gave you one of my most precious wolves.. the niece of a Goddess. I cannot tell you what.. you have to uncover that… I cannot tell you why…you will have to discover that… I cannot tell you who or where.. that is for your uncle! I can only tell you.. the prophecy has begun! Remember! Mother Moon is always watching!” Then she was gone..and we all stared at Edward. He sighed and said “We need to talk!”

Derek shook his head “Not yet. And not tonight! Tonight, we run..we feast..we dance, and we celebrate! Time for talking comes tomorrow!” And he shifted into Ambrose! My big, black monster of a wolf. I untied the straps of my dress letting it flutter to the ground, and shifted into Edina. Ambrose licked her ears..her muzzle. Rubbing down both sides of her.. making sure her fur was completely scented by him he led us to the front of the pack. Howling loudly, everyone followed suit. Edina howled beside him, and the leapt into the forest to run with their pack for the first time as Alpha and Luna