I had thought that after meeting Stephen, I would be relaxed. Instead, I was holding a heavy heart in my chest.

It was a serious kind of discussion that I couldn't handle.

All I wanted to do was hug Pete and Natalie and cry until death.

To lift my own mood, I ate two of the ten sandwiches that Aunt Kate had made for herself. It was great of her to take care of herself with all the cravings. She was suffering urges to eat at irregular times which was why, she would already make sandwiches so she could only eat light and not give in to all the delicious, oily food being made for the Ceremony nights. Because her scheduled diet already included so much.

Tonight was about rituals.

The first ritual I was supposed to do as Mom's daughter was to bathe and keep myself all clean. She didn't allow any of her females to put anything. Make up or even lotions. She said that everything would be done at the grounds. All we had to do was dress up.

I was confused and equally excited about it. Though, the thought of going pure in front of Declan or Emmanuel was not thrilling. I had gotten dark circles from my two-day journey of Rucussa breeze and Natalie's full moon night adventure. I was sure, I would look like a Raccoon amidst the spotlights.

I was finishing my third sandwich that Aunt Kate offered with a sweet smile. While Natalie and Keira were waiting for Eva to come out of the bathroom. Mom was braiding Natalie's hair, mixing threads in between. The amazing thing was that she had different colored threads.

"Misty, you'll be the next. Because Keira will get her hair braided by me."

I chewed on the last bite and moaned tiredly.

Eva didn't even give me one minute as she immediately opened the bathroom, making our breaths stop.

"Wohoo," mumbled Keira while observing her dress.

I moved my eyes from her golden blouse to her cream-colored plain round skirt without extra fitting or plates, till ankles. It was all cut-sleeved and even showed a little bit of her midriff.

Eva held a smug look before catwalking to the mirror. Aunt Kate threw the cream colored scarf to Eva who immediately started tying it around her waist, completing the look.

"Mother, what do you think?" Eva asked hopefully while observing her mirror image.

Instead of a reply, we heard a choking sob.

Eva sighed heavily while Natalie moved away from Mom. Her braids were done, completely tight and savage.

Eva went towards Mom, kneeling in front of her while Natalie checked her braids in the mirror, giggling to herself.

"Why do you cry?" said Eva with a sad face. "Am I to suffer any of you cry each day?"

Mom wiped her cheeks while sobbing hard. "You'll be gone," she choked out.

Eva smiled through glossy eyes. "I am supposed to just like you did. Aunt Kate did. This is the only right thing I will be doing in life. Won't I? Don't jinx it by showing your precious tears."

Keira smiled at the scene while Aunt Kate had her pregnancy hormones rolling. She had forgotten her sandwiches and was already weeping.

"Misty, go to bathroom." Mom ordered from in between her sobs and I was surprised.

Nonetheless, I got up and picked up my dress. I had spent only two minutes in the bathroom, just when I heard something unexpected.

". . . Misty. . . I didn't breastfeed her, Eva. Do you understand the depth of that sorrow of me? You were eight-months-old when I left you. . ."

I pressed my ear to the door, listening carefully.

"I know, Mother—"

"Now, you don't." Mom was crying. "You hate me for leaving you. I was a bad mother to you. I apologise with all of my heart—"

"No. Don't. I should be the one apologising," said Eva in a soft tone. "Actually, I am proud of you for what you did. I like to say that my Mother has been a rebel. I know how much I love Pete and Thomas. If my own mate hurts any of my brothers, I will kill him. But it was our father you had as culprit. You gave him the pain in the way it hurts him."

Mom was weeping while saying, "I have never discriminated any of my pups. You all are special for me. . . Evangeline, you have been a special one to me. You are my alter ego. The one I couldn't because I was the youngest sibling."

Eva chuckled in delight though I could hear her sniffling. "But I have inherited father's anger. Haven't I?"

Mom must have nodded because they chuckled immediately. "Would you forgive me for all the times I made you cry?"

"If you stop crying now. And those times, I deserved the beatings. Someone had told me that the pup who gets most beatings is the most loved. So, I know that it was your love," replied Eva while I gave myself a smug look in the bathroom mirror. Hell, those were my words.

"I love you," whispered Mom as I opened the door.

Both stiffened as if they didn't hear me eavesdropping with their werewolf hearing. Maybe, they were truly into the moment.

"I love you too, Mother. Just keep sending me your handmade jam that I won't survive without," joked Eva while wiping her and Mom's eyes. "Now, come on. Get up and get ready. Wait, do Misty's hair. Ah! Everyone get ready. I don't want to be late for my own rituals."

"You just can't wait to be bonded with Leo forever," teased Natalie while Keira entered the bathroom with her dress in hand.

I checked myself in the mirror and smiled satisfyingly at the parakeet green blouse and skirt. The scarf I had to tie around my waist was of net cloth as if soft organza. Ah! I loved the ribbons that Mom braided my hair with. There were two French tail fishes going back to my hair length.

"So, it's almost like a Wedding?" I asked, turning around and gasping at seeing Keira.

I was happy to see her all-over wine-colored dress. Because Eva's combo was giving me complex.

"Yes, it is." Aunt Kate smiled. Her face was all chubby from this last months. She looked cute with the dark red lipstick. Make up? Oh wait! She was mated. The purely clean thing was for unmated females.

"Eva will be wedded to Leo?" I confirmed, glancing at Eva who looked fascinated by the very idea. Though, she was equally shy about it.

Mom was doing Keira's hair, matching her with Maroon ribbons.

"Yes," said Mom. "After years, she has gotten ready. Now, don't ask her repeatedly. She might change her mind who knows."

"No, mother. This time, Leo has done some magic," said Natalie while pouting and clicking a selfie on my camera. This was her behavior even when we were not on much talking terms.

"I hope, someone responsible does magic on you too. Goddess, I will be at peace." Mom mumbled, making her gasp.

I chuckled when Natalie retorted. "Mother, I am the magic that will happen to him. Let the stars decide."

Aunt Kate laughed loudly.

Eva, Keira and I were equally amused.

"Indeed," said Mom while shaking her head in a sweet chuckle.

* * * *

I was the only one to wear a warm jacket over the dress to save myself from the chilly wind. And I wasn't happy about it.

Alpha Rucus' statue was surrounded by the crowd of Alphas and Betas, the families and the packs. There were big lights and big chants.

Mom and the other Lunas were singing the prayers. Taria and Beta Iago chanted spells while Mom and Gilbert offered clothes of same style and chunks of meat as the treat to the Moon Goddess.

Pete was standing in the middle. Tattoos were painted on him by Uncle Robert and other Alphas. Those were ancient signs that Alpha Rucus' statue displayed too.

It turned scary for me when Mom and the females chanted spells as if they were wailing. Their voices were echoing in sync and an aura had formed around the crowd.

Gilbert who was dressed in fur skirt just like Pete and all other males tonight, faced Pete when the last ritual came.

A fire was lit right in the statue's feet.

Gilbert was given the knife and with the shine it looked like it was of silver. Pete forwarded his wrist.

Thomas who was standing beside me in the fur skirt and a crown of feathers around his head just like Alpha Rucus, started hooting. "Alpha Pete!"

The crowd roared with cheers.

Nirvan and others joined. "Alpha Pete!"

Pete looked around with humbleness in his kohl eyes. Mom and Gilbert, both looked emotional.

Alpha Rudy joined the hootings, making the weirdest and loudest howl I had ever heard.

"Let the universe know, it's Alpha Pete reporting!" Thomas shouted loudly.

Everyone chuckled and cheered along. I joined in and clicked the photos to die for.

Gilbert made a cut at Pete's palm, letting the blood drop in the fire.

Mom changed the prayers with closed eyes. Aunt Kate and Taria were singing along the rest of females of our pack.

Uncle Robert was provided the cotton from the crowd which Nirvan had brought actually. He further forwarded it to Gilbert who brought it under Pete's blood drops, pressing it on to the cut and twisting the arm to stop bleeding.

A silk red cloth was folded around his palm and knotted.

Gilbert raised the very hand and faced the crowd with Pete smiling in confidence.

"My dear Pack, here I give you your new Alpha Pete!" He shouted and howled loudly.

Cheers and hoots continued while rounds of applause followed.

Crowds started dispersing because the next rituals for mates were to begin in the grounds. But the Alphas and Betas had stayed for Nirvan too had to attend prayers and chants. He too had to submit his blood.

Where Beta Iago and Taria looked happy anyway, Nirvan looked like he was beaten to stand there.

Though, it was all done perfectly.

We all submitted our prayers to Alpha Rucus'. I personally asked for the World to be great and kind like I always do. I also added for him to take care of my Gran and my Werewolf family.

Mom had asked me to make one special prayer to the Moon Goddess in the end.

I had asked for Pete, Thomas and Natalie to have kind and loving mates.

I could have asked for PhD too. But then, it just came suddenly and I blew the prayer away to the Goddess.

The environment at the grounds was amusing. Because the unmated wolves were asked to sit quietly for the prayers and wait for their turns. While the rest of us were allowed to eat the delicious food.

Uncle Robert, Aunt Kate, Natalie and I took seats at the tables.

In the middle of the ground, a bonfire was created. Mom was again chanting spells more like wailing with the other Lunas. One by one each couple repeated the chants after Mom and their own Lunas. The females opened their scarfs and tied it on the hands of their mates after sacrificing their blood drops in the bonfire. The males were gifting a piece of shred from their fur skirt for the female's hand. They also put the feathery crowns on their female's head.

It was completely adorable when Mikhal and Nina had the first turn.

Slowly, the rest of the newly formed couples from their pack came. Some even shared kisses and vowed to love each other. There were giggles all around and sniffles from the parents who were watching from the far.

Luna Elsie was sobbing hard when Klynn and Orina performed the rituals. I had almost fainted from how beautiful Orina looked in without jewels too. The tattoos on Klynn's torso were giving the vibes of Werewolves I had once seen in my childhood storybooks.

Ah! Those innocent fantasy days.

I was almost done with my dinner and Natalie was already done. She returned with desert plates in her hand and gasped when she looked at the bonfire.

I looked back at the bonfire and realized that it was the Beta's turn.

Leo came hand in hand with Eva to the front. Natalie sobbed and even my throat filled up. Aunt Kate squeezed Uncle Robert's hand while sniffling hard.

I looked around and caught Gilbert at the stall where wine glasses were being served. He had paused to watch the scene. His eyes held unshed tears and jaws were clenched. Pete who was taking care of the drums and other musical instruments on the side of the ground, had also paused.

The shocking scene was when Mom started sobbing through the chants but her smile wasn't wavering. Leo was continuously glancing at Eva while she was smiling back at him. They looked so beautiful and happy together.

Far away on the side, Thomas was standing speechless. His eyes holding shock and disbelief.

Luna Anne cut their palms with proud smile on her face.

Leo said some vows as the blood drops fell in the fire. Eva repeated and vowed to love her mate for all her lives.

Claps erupted around in respect and happiness for the couple. My heart was curling in emotion.

Eva gave him her scarf while Leo offered his shred of fur to cover her wound. His headgear was so beautiful, Eva looked like a happy bride. Did he already know that she was wearing golden? As his feathers were golden and yellowish.

Luna Anne and Mom hugged them tightly, muttering blessings in their ears.

Both then departed to rest and have food.

I looked back at Gilbert who was still watching Mom sniffling quietly. Pete continued his job while Natalie was feeding Jiro. Nirvan was wiping Thomas' cheeks and patted his back hard.

"Where's Keira?" Aunt Kate asked Uncle Robert hopefully.

Natalie glanced at me blankly.

"Maybe, she has decided to accept him wholly." Uncle Robert said while looking for her in the crowd of couples waiting to be bonded with rituals.

Natalie and I started looking around. It was Northern Pack's turn.

"The only male who couldn't wait to mark his mate," commented Mom while twisting Viktor's ear, making Gina blush furiously.

It was hilarious to see all the Lunas adoring the couple. Viktor was teasing Gina through  his meaningful vows. His crown was so extra with extra feathers. But it matches Gina's orange scarf beautifully.

Alpha Rudy gulped down wine with Gilbert when Gina was claimed bonded to Viktor. Alpha Brexton of Northern pack was only amused. Most of the couples were from his pack.

From the corner of my eyes, I caught Nirvan serving wine on the tables and trying to sniff the air desperately too.

A chuckle left my mouth while I shook my head. His unbreakable hope was admirable and hilarious.

"Where were you?" Uncle Robert asked.

I looked back at our table. Keira was here with her plate of food. Aunt Kate and Uncle Robert exchanged a blank glance.

"Collecting food."

Taria was sitting on another table with the females of our pack. Aunt Kate gave her an apologetic look and in return, the lady only smiled and shook her head.

"You know that, we will support you in every decision of yours." Uncle Robert said as we all saw Keira's eyes going numb at seeing her Uncle Ryan's daughter Alanna getting bonded with Jasper.

"I am giving him time to make it up to me, father." Keira spoke while eating food carelessly.

Natalie and Aunt Kate were quietly listening. I was clicking the photos of the ceremony, still catching her words.

"He will be hurt," said Natalie.

Keira shrugged her shoulders. "He hurt me too. It will be fair enough."

Uncle Robert gulped and turned quiet.

Ivan was nowhere in sight. I couldn't even imagine which street he had chosen to cry tonight because Keira was being moody about their relationship. Though, I couldn't blame her.

A plate broke right near the next table.

It caught all of our attention.

Natalie scoffed at seeing Nirvan clutching his chest and wincing hard. He was sweating and even started breathing roughly.

Gilbert walked from the wine stall to near our table. He observed Nirvan as Taria too had gotten up from her chair in worry.

"What's happening?" Beta Iago joined the scene.

Thomas too approached them with worry in his eyes. "Hey! What's wrong?"

Nirvan groaned hard and even the Lunas have started glancing.

Gilbert was about to carry him in arms when Nirvan growled and sniffed hard into the air. His eyes turned dark and claws protruded from the fingers.

"Nirvan!" Gilbert growled in his Alpha tone to calm him down.

Nirvan only groaned and pointed shakily at the far table on the other side of the bonfire.

"Who?" Gilbert asked immediately.

Thomas watched in shock as Nirvan let out a desperate growl.

"Fiona."

It came out shaky and loud. Natalie gasped while Aunt Kate chuckled in disbelief.

Thomas shook his head in utter jealousy.

"Impossible."

* * * *

It was a shame as half of the males of our pack were unsure about their mates. All of them decided to skip the rituals in fear.

The couples who performed the rituals were less in numbers.

Ivan had showed up finally. His tattoos were making him look so attractive. I actually felt the vibe, I received on the night of my kidnapping. He looked confident. But all of that was to cover his broken heart.

Keira was laughing around and enjoying the wine with her friends.

Mom was checking her list of females and males that were supposed to do the ceremony. Her face fell when she understood Keira's decision. She called the other couples.

I was quietly sitting on a chair. Beside me was a short table full of alcohol glasses. Natalie was on the other side of the table, glaring at the couples. Beside her, was Thomas, looking blankly at the bonfire.

"I can't believe he got one of the fairies," said Thomas, making me snicker.

Nirvan was standing away from all of the function with Fiona, making introductions to her and beginning conversations. The female looked equally interested. She hasn't shifted yet. Her parents who were also Beta couple of Hidden furs, asked for the time until Fiona would shift and be able to perform rituals fairly.

"He will be having pups with shiny white hair!" Thomas whined.

Natalie shook her head while passing him a glass.

"No, I can't." Thomas groaned.

"Why? You need it." I said, looking around and taking pics.

"Declan, that hulk, threatened to kill me if I don't stay pure until the ritual Ceremony gets completed. He thinks that I will be bonded with Alyssa for real," said Thomas with a scoff. "Rituals? My ass!"

"Wait until she drags you to that bonfire herself," joked someone.

We three looked at the intruder and sighed heavily.

"Oh! How hurtful! You guys aren't happy to see me," taunted Axel with a confident smirk. Behind him, his friends Miku and Dylan were smirking too.

"Axel, buzz off." I said before he could say more.

The moron ignored me and scoffed again while looking at Thomas. "Go, Tommy. Alyssa, our dear friend is waiting for you to drop blood."

"I didn't know you were a messenger," muttered Thomas, totally upset by the scenarios.

"Messenger of your death," mocked Axel. "Anyway, we believe in you, Tommy. We are sure, you'll bond with my good friend tonight. She demands your little dick desperately. See, how Fiona's parents are looking at Nirvan, all impressed. They might change their mind and allow them to perform rituals tonight only. You shouldn't be more late. Eva has already been enough."

The morons laughed mockingly.

Natalie who was drinking wine from the glass, clenched her jaws.

Thomas and I exchanged a surprised glance when she got up and glared at Axel.

Natalie gritted