Christine's Point of View
The big moment was coming up. All the wolves in the pack felt restless during this time of year.
The Moon Goddess's energy grew stronger with each passing day, and the night when she blessed the new generations was approaching by leaps and bounds.
It was the only time when the packs cast aside their pride and gathered to make preparations for the coming-of-age ritual.
My parents were overflowing with exaggerated joy these days; after all, their only daughter was to participate in the ritual.
-Oh, Rhis, you must try this on. -My mother kept handing me dress after dress, each one carrying a delicate, luxurious touch that very few families could afford.
And me? I couldn't help but pose and try on everything there was while looking at myself in the mirror. Fated mates and lunar ceremonies were secondary to me-after all, I already had a promised future.
Even so, I couldn't help but enjoy looking beautiful, being the envy of every woman and the desire of every man.
The shop assistant appeared with a new batch, and one of them immediately caught my eye.
-Mother, what do you think of this one? -I grabbed a vintage red dress. It had a gorgeous neckline-not too revealing, but perfectly designed to do justice to my beautiful body.
-I am so sorry! That one is already reserved. It must have gotten mixed up when I grabbed the other dresses. -The employee rushed to take the dress from my hands, earning a glare of pure hatred from me.
Naturally, I didn't let go. -Then I will pay double. -I said, my voice commanding and arrogant.
The assistant turned pale. -I... I'm sorry, but it's a custom order for someone very important. I cannot make an exception.
I was about to snap back, -So am I. -but my mother cut in.
-Sweetheart... maybe that dress isn't such a good idea anyway. Besides, you should wear white for a ceremony like this. -She waved her hand at the assistant to dismiss her, and the girl practically fled.
I turned my angry gaze toward my mother, who spoke in her usual calm, patient voice.
-Rhis, don't argue over things like this. Any dress looks beautiful on you; you don't need to wear something so vulgar.
I frowned. Just what I needed-my mother thinking I looked cheap. I opened my mouth to argue, but once again, I was interrupted.
Cedric Valkan. My Alpha.
My expression changed instantly. -Ced!- I beamed, stepping forward to wrap my arms around him.
His usually tense, hard jaw relaxed immediately. He gave me a small, affectionate smile. -Sorry I'm late, Rhis.
Cedric's Point of View
Feeling Christine's arms around my shoulders was one of the best sensations in the world, making me forget for a brief moment that we were still standing in a clothing store.
I glanced at her lips. She noticed and flashed one of those playful, flirtatious smiles I loved so much, tempting me to kiss her right then and there.
Fortunately for my self-control, her mother interrupted before I did anything inappropriate in front of her.
-Cedric, it's so good to see you. We were just deciding on the dress Rhis will wear for the ceremony.
My smile widened as I looked back at Christine. -Oh, really? And how is that going? -I leaned close to her ear, whispering for her ears only, -Do you need any help putting them on... or taking them off?
Christine gave me a playful nudge, keeping up her usual flirtatious charm. -I might take you up on that offer... some other time.
She then pulled away, and I felt the warmth leave my skin. Still, I didn't push. I stayed there for the rest of the afternoon, watching her pose for me and imagining her reaction when I surprised her with a proposal ring.
It was going to be perfect. I had already arranged for live music to play soft, gentle melodies in the background. I would get down on one knee in front of her, holding a ring made with a pink diamond-Rhis's favorite color.
The only people who knew about this were her mother, Lilith, and my Beta, who had organized everything. I'd had to ask Lilith for help in choosing a dress fit for the occasion, as I knew the press would be eager to snap photos of the moment, and there was nothing Rhis loved more than shining in the spotlight.
Luckily for me, Christine seemed to listen when her mother guided her toward a beautiful, moon-white dress that perfectly complemented her hair.
Christine's Point of View
One day before the ceremony.
The week flew by. Cedric was busy the rest of the time- it seemed he was planning our engagement to the last detail. I didn't waste the opportunity to drop hints to the journalists, extracting a promise from them not to print anything until he actually proposed. After all, I didn't want to ruin his surprise.
My older brother, Luca, because of our parents' request, spent the week coaching me on how to behave during the ceremony.
-When the moment comes, you will kneel on the ground in front of the spring and offer your prayers regarding whatever you feel is right to ask for or give thanks for.
Luca was leaning against the desk in his office, sipping coffee. Despite all the pending paperwork, he always had time for me.
-...I have to kneel? -My face twisted in disgust, which only made Luca roll his eyes as he walked over to the couch where I was sitting, happily eating desserts.
-Yes, Rhis, and I promise you won't die from doing it. -He teased, affectionately ruffling my hair. -Now, go bother someone else, or come help me with this boring paperwork.
His words drew my attention to the stack of documents on the desk. -That looks like quite a lot... Aren't they demanding too much of you?
Luca let out a tired sigh. -It's necessary if I want to become a good leader. You know our pack is a pillar here. I need to know our lands and our people inside out, or else our enemies will eat us alive.
I gave him a playful nudge. -You're going to be a great Alpha, dummy.
That managed to coax a laugh out of him. -I hope so.
I headed toward the exit, pausing just before opening the door. -Are you going to the event tonight?
Luca laughed. -You're the only one who actually enjoys those places. My plans involve sleeping for more than eight hours, if the Goddess wills it.
I rolled my eyes. -You'll never meet your fated mate that way, Luca.
-Oh, right, and have you had any luck? -Luca asked mockingly, making me roll my eyes again.
-First of all, without the ceremony, it's impossible for me to feel my bond. And second, I don't care anyway. Cedric is about to propose to me. -I said proudly.
Luca nearly choked on the coffee he had just sipped, coughing as a smug grin spread across my face.
-Cedric is doing what? Damn, why did nobody tell me anything?
-Because nobody knows. I'm not even supposed to know, but the other day I decided to drop by his packhouse, and it turns out he was in his room practicing the speech he's going to give when he gets down on one knee. -I smiled.
Luca started laughing. -The fearsome Cedric Valkan practicing a speech? I don't buy it.
-Well, he's going to propose tonight or tomorrow. And when you see the ring, you'll know I wasn't lying. -I stuck my tongue out at him and left with mock offense to go get ready for my future engagement.
