AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And you’re sure you’re willing to go through that? You must be certain. There’s no going back once you’ve begun. I say this not only out of concern for my son and his feelings for you, but out of concern for you as well. You need to be certain of your commitment to him.”
“I understand. As much as I wish the situation with Ian hadn’t happened, it did give me the clarity to know what I want. I know, without a doubt, I want a life with Ethan. I’ll do what it takes to make that happen.”
“And this attachment Ethan spoke of at dinner…I assume you’ve cut all ties with him?”
“Yes, absolutely. He’s no longer in my life.”
“Good. I’m happy to hear that.” Her face, however, doesn’t seem to have received the message. Her smile is tight and forced. I can’t blame her for wanting to get a few things straight with me. I can imagine if I were in her shoes, and it was my son whose heart was at risk of being broken, I would also want to protect him. “So,” she says with a sigh. “I’ll call my friend tomorrow, and we’ll get an appointment scheduled so she can begin to design your gown.”
“You are going to be a gorgeous Luna,” Vanessa chimes in. “I can’t wait to find my mate. I’m having a huge party. Huge,” she says, extending her arms.
“Oh, Vanessa,” Caroline says, shaking her head while I giggle.
As I’m wishing this night could just be over, Vanessa nudges me with her elbow. “Come with me. Let’s go get a drink.”
I nod and stand. “That sounds great.” I’ll do anything to escape Caroline’s scrutinization right now.
Vanessa grabs two champagne flutes in the butler’s pantry. “Don’t worry about my mom,” she says in a hushed tone. “Ethan may be Alpha, but he was always a bit of a mama’s boy.” She giggles, and I can’t help but join her. “Let’s be real, Liv. You’re aware your situation isn’t exactly ideal. She’s not thrilled about everything that’s happened this far, and she’s protective of my brother. Unfortunately, that means she’ll probably be a little harsh with you.”
“I’m sensing she’s not exactly excited about the situation.”
Vanessa pours us each a glass of champagne. “She’ll come around, and I’m totally on your side. You’re going to be Luna. You can handle my mother.” She clinks her glass to mine. “Cheers,” she says with a wink. We both take a sip of our champagne when we hear yelling coming from down the hall. Vanessa and I frown at each other and immediately head back to the family room.
“This is fucking ridiculous, Dad! No!” Ethan comes charging around the corner into the family room.
Edwin follows him. “Ethan, I’m afraid this is what the council is requiring.”
“Fuck, Dad. Come on. This is too much.” Ethan shakes his head, looking at me. “I won’t take that risk with her.”
My heart jumps into my throat. “What’s going on?” I ask. Ethan pulls me to him, wrapping me tightly in his arms. “Hey, it’s okay. Tell me what’s wrong.” I pull back to see his eyes, and Isense his fear of losing me again. “We’re in this together. Please tell me what’s going on.”
“As a part of the Combined Pack Council, Dad received some information about your transition today. There’s this ancient standing law, and it’s total bullshit, but apparently, some from the older generation are pushing it.”
“Okay, what is it?” I ask as my heart pounds in my chest.
“If you were a transitioning human as a mate to almost anyone other than the Alpha, things would proceed exactly as I’ve told you, but because you’re a human transitioning to a position of power as Luna, things are different. The Combined Pack Council says there’s a law stating you have to be turned in public for the pack to view, and they plan to hold you to it.”
“In public?” The words sink in my stomach along with my heart. “I don’t understand. I thought the turning took place during…you know. Ethan, they surely don’t expect us to do that?”
“No, it won’t be like that if we do it in public. I would have to mark you without the benefit physical intimacy brings.”
The realization hits me like a rock in my stomach. “So, it’ll be more painful.”
“Yes, much. And it’s generally just more dangerous. It’s a less controlled environment. It’s not happening. I won’t allow it.” Ethan turns his attention back to his dad. “It’s like they want to make a fucking show for the pack out of this.”
As Ethan’s words sink in, I think back to the day Chloe and I went shopping. The anger bubbles up in my chest. This is just more of the same. “So, these are people like that woman, Betty, who tried to scare me when I was shopping with Chloe?”
“Yes. A vote against it would have to be unanimous, and a couple of them are refusing to give in. Dad already tried to convince them.”
“I’ll do it. I won’t let them push me out, Ethan.”
Ethan’s face drops. “Baby, you don’t know what you’re saying. I’m not letting you do it this way.”
“It sounds like we don’t have a choice, Ethan. In fact, I insist we do it this way. Let the entire pack see what I’m willing to do to be with you…what I’m willing to do to be a part of this community. If they want to see what I’m made of, I’ll show them.”
“Well, this would be an opportunity for you to prove to the pack you deserve to be their Luna,” Caroline says. I want to turn to her and ask if it’s actually an opportunity to prove toherthat I deserve to be Luna, but I don’t.
“I respect you for not backing down, Olivia,” Edwin says, “but I also understand the concern for your safety is a valid one. I’ll continue to do whatever I can to try to convince the council that a public turning isn’t necessary.”
