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Before long, they broke apart, breathless and laughing. As she watched Orion in that moment, laughing and happy, Seraphina realized with startling clarity that this was the vision she'd had three weeks ago where she saw him laughing with her. The realization made her heart swell with pure joy.

Seraphina's heart fluttered as Orion's strong hand guided her through the castle's grand double doors into the ballroom. She gasped, momentarily overcome by the transformation of the space. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over tables draped in midnight blue linens adorned with centerpieces of stargazer lilies and silver candelabras. The ceiling had been decorated to mirror the night sky, stars twinkling above them just as they did outside.

"Do you approve, my Luna?" Orion whispered, his breath warm against her ear.

"It's magical," Seraphina breathed, squeezing his hand. "Like dancing under the stars without leaving the castle."

Her attention was suddenly captured by three women rushing toward her from across the room, their faces alight with joy. Lorelei led the charge, her brown hair swept up in an elegant updo, her earth powers evident in the subtle glow of her skin. Behind her was Helena, her flame-red hair cascading down her back, tiny sparks dancing in her hazel eyes. Isolde followed, her blonde hair shimmering with what looked like droplets of water that never fell, her sea-green eyes bright with emotion.

"You did it!" Lorelei exclaimed, pulling Seraphina into a tight embrace. "You're one of us now!"

Seraphina returned the hug, her heart swelling. She stood among her college friends who had all, remarkably, undergone similar transformations.

"The Luna Life Club is complete," Helena laughed, joining the hug. "Though I still can't believe you snagged the oldest, grumpiest alpha of them all." She winked at Orion, who surprised Seraphina by not growling at the teasing.

"Hey, watch it," Seraphina said with a grin. "That's my mate you're talking about."

"And don't you forget it," Orion rumbled, his arm sliding possessively around her waist. The heat of his touch through the delicate fabric of her wedding dress sent warmth pooling low in her belly.

Isolde's eyes were bright with unshed tears. "When my powers manifested and caused that tidal wave, I thought my life was over. I never imagined..." She glanced over her shoulder at Nereus, who was deep in conversation with Draken and Sol across the room, the three alphas cutting imposing figures in their formal wear.

"That you'd find your own sexy wolf?" Seraphina finished for her, laughing. "I know exactly what you mean. I was convinced I was going crazy, and now..." She leaned into Orion's solid presence, drawing strength from his warmth.

"Now you're the Luna of the Starlight pack," Lorelei said, her tone part proud, part impressed. "Draken says Orion's pack is one of the oldest and most powerful."

"Second only to mine, of course," Draken called over, his enhanced hearing picking up their conversation. The alpha of the Moonshadow pack lifted his glass in salute.

"In your dreams, pup," Orion shot back, but Seraphina felt his chest rumble with amusement against her back.

Helena twirled her red hair, tiny flames dancing harmlessly across her skin. "So, what's next for the astronomer turned wolf queen?"

Seraphina's eyes brightened. "Actually, Orion's given me the observatory. I'm establishing my own research facility here."

"So, you're still going to work?" Helena asked.

"Of course, she is," Orion answered before Seraphina could, his voice firm but filled with pride. "My Luna has one of the finest minds in astronomy. Why would I keep her from the stars that led her to me?"

Seraphina tilted her head back to look up at him, her heart expanding with love. For all his dominant alpha tendencies, Orion understood her need for purpose beyond being his mate.

The music shifted, a slow, haunting melody filling the air. Orion's grip on her waist tightened infinitesimally.

"Ladies," he nodded to her friends, his tone polite but brooking no argument, "if you'll excuse us, I'd like to dance with my wife."

The possessive rumble in his voice when he said "my wife" sent a delicious thrill through Seraphina. Her friends exchanged knowing looks before stepping aside, returning to their own mates who waited patiently nearby.

"Marking your territory?" Seraphina teased as Orion led her to the center of the dance floor, which cleared immediately for them.

"Always," he replied unapologetically, turning her to face him. One large hand settled on the small of her back, the other capturing hers as he pulled her close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from him. Her body responded instantly, melting against him as if they'd danced together for centuries.

The pack watched from the perimeter as Orion guided her in slow, graceful circles. For a man so physically powerful, he moved with surprising elegance.

"Happy?" he murmured, his eyes locked on hers with an intensity that still took her breath away.

"Deliriously," she admitted, feeling the bond between them pulse with shared joy. "I never imagined this would be my life."

"I waited four centuries for you," Orion said, his voice lowering to a register only she could hear. "Every starry night, every century that passed, was leading me to you."

Tears pricked at Seraphina's eyes. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting so long."