Page 199 of Beneath the Blue Moon

“‘They shall be as one—one mind, one body, one soul.Oncejoined, their powers will increase, growing stronger by the day.From theirunion, a new breed shall arise—faster, stronger, more powerful.Every wolf nearand far shall know this mighty alpha pair who will crush evil and unite packs.’Now, is there anyone here who still doubts that these two are fated to betogether?”

Silence.

I told you that you were meant for me.

Maybe you were meant for me.You ever thought of that,Sir Alpha?

Okay, we were meant for each other.

Better.

Clara closes the book and turns to face us.“Join hands.”

I take Casey’s small, delicate hands in mine and stare downat her—my destiny.I would do anything for her.I can’t wait for her to have mychildren.

Soon, Ethan.

I know.We have nothing but time.

Clara binds our hands together with the ancient ceremonialribbon and begins reading from the equally ancient Canalunium, our book ofrituals.It’s in an obsolete language, so I have no idea what she’s saying.Casey raises a questioning brow.

It’s the language of my ancestors.

Oh.

The wind picks up, swirling leaves and dust in the air.Lightning strikes the ground close by and Casey jumps, moving closer to me.Thunder roars above and Clara begins to read faster.More lightning flashes inquick succession.The thunder that follows sounds like bombs going off, shakingthe ground with as much force.I look up at the sky and see the swirling blackclouds.This is no ordinary storm.Casey stares at me, fear in her eyes.

What’s happening?

I don’t know, sweetheart.Just hold on to me.

***Casey***

What the fuck is going on?Ethan’s right; this is noordinary storm.I grip his hands so tightly, I’m probably cutting off both ourcirculation.Clara is chanting away, seemingly oblivious to everything.Cloud-to-groundlightning strikes again, hitting a tree next to us.I almost jump into his arms,but our hands are tied.The wind howls, getting stronger.Clara is fighting tokeep her book open.My hair whips around my face, making me wish I had put itin a ponytail.Out of nowhere, a whirlwind envelops Ethan and me and we’re liftedinto the air.

“Ethan!”

“Hold on!”

He tightens his hold on me, and I grab his wrist as best Ican as we’re both lifted by the swirling vortex.I realize we’re not spinning,but going straight up.Lightning cracks again, and an electric charge runsthrough my body.Did I just get struck by lightning?No… it seems to be comingfrom Ethan.He’s gritting his teeth.It’s as if there’s some force flowingthrough his body and into mine.I throw my head back as the charge intensifies.My whole body is shaking.I can’t talk, can’t even scream.I watch as theswirling black cloud in the sky spins faster.A lightning bolt shoots from thecenter, and I just know it’s heading straight for us.It strikes the groundbeneath us and then I feel us being slowly lowered.Our feet touch the groundand the whirlwind disappears.So does the cloud, the lightning, and the wind.The night is calm and clear once more.

What the hell was that?

He raises an uncertain brow.Some old wolf magic?

You don’t know?You mean it’s never happened before?

No.

The mutterings from the crowd reach my ears, and I look overat them.Everyone is shocked and somewhat scared.Even his mother.She’sstaring at me like I just sprouted wings.Wait… I didn’t, did I?I look behindme just to make sure.Okay, I’m good.Clara finishes reading and closes herbook.

She turns to the crowd, arms raised, and proclaims, “Kneelbefore your alpha pair.”

Everyone falls to their knees, heads bowed.She turns backto us with a huge smile.After she bows before us, she removes our binding thenmotions Charlie, Anna, and Brick forward, who kneel before us.Ethan places hishands on Brick and Charlie’s heads and motions for me to do the same to Anna.They begin reciting their oaths, and I feel another charge run through my body.It’s subtle, but this time, it’s coming from me and being passed to Anna.Shetrembles beneath my hand, and I look over at Brick and Charlie.The same thingseems to be happening to them.By the time they’re done with their oaths, thecharge has gone.And just in time, too.I feel the twitches beginning.Weprobably have a few minutes before the moon is full.

“Rise.”

I glance at Ethan as he issues the command.When he nods tome, I turn to Anna.