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THIRTEEN

DRAKEN

D raken adjusted his forest-green tie as he surveyed the grand ballroom through the French doors that opened onto the castle gardens. Twinkling lights dotted the trees and hedges, casting a magical glow across the perfectly manicured grounds. Inside, crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, their light dancing off the polished marble floors.

“Quite the turnout,” Sol Cadoret said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Though I hear rumors your Luna is... unconventional.”

“Since when do you listen to rumors, Sol?” Draken kept his voice level, though his wolf bristled at the implied criticism.

“Since they’re usually true.” Sol’s lips quirked. “But then again, you’ve always done things your own way.”

Before Draken could respond, Nereus Varon approached with Orion Guillaume. “The gardens are spectacular,” Nereus said. “Your Luna’s earth magic at work?”

“She’s still learning to control her powers.” Draken’s chest filled with pride, remembering how quickly Lorelei had progressed. Her determination to master her abilities despite her initial skepticism had impressed him more than he cared to admit.

“A novice Luna?” Zephyr Osman joined their circle, champagne in hand. “That’s... different.”

“Everything about this situation is different,” Taran Almond added, his meaning clear in his pointed look.

Draken’s jaw clenched tightly. “Different doesn’t mean wrong.”

The other princes exchanged glances. Draken fought the urge to growl. He missed Lorelei’s presence beside him, her quick wit and sharp mind. She would have handled their subtle digs with far more grace than he was managing.

“When do we meet this mysterious Luna of yours?” Orion asked.

“Soon enough.” Draken checked his watch. His wolf paced restlessly, wanting to be near their mate. “Once all the guests arrive.”

“And your pack? How are they taking the news?”

“They haven’t heard it yet.” Draken’s tone carried a clear warning. “Tonight will be her first introduction.”

Sol whistled low. “Bold move, announcing it to everyone at once.”

“Sometimes the direct approach is best.” Draken’s gaze swept the room, noting the growing crowd of pack members mingling with the supernatural dignitaries. His fingers itched to loosen his tie, but he maintained his rigid posture. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other guests to greet.”

He moved away, his wolf’s agitation matching his own. Soon, he told himself. Soon Lorelei would be by his side where she belonged, human or not.

Draken soon paced near the grand staircase, his wolf’s restlessness mirroring his own. The summer breeze carried the scent of roses through the open French doors, mingling with the excited chatter of guests. His pack members bowed respectfully as they passed, their eyes bright with anticipation.

“My prince.” Agnes Blackwood, who’d served his family for over two centuries, approached with a warm smile. “The decorations are exquisite. And these tremors in my bones... I haven’t felt such power since your grandmother was Luna.”

“Thank you, Agnes.” Draken’s tension eased slightly. If anyone represented the heart of his pack, it was Agnes. “Your support means more than you know.”

“Nonsense.” She patted his arm. “We’ve weathered many changes together. The pack will adjust.”

More of his people gathered nearby, their expressions open and trusting. The sight settled something in him. These were his people, his responsibility. They’d followed him through countless challenges.

“Getting cold feet?” Chuck appeared at his side, adjusting his own bow tie.

“Never.” Draken’s wolf growled at the suggestion. “But Lorelei...” He glanced up the stairs again.

“Is probably as nervous as you are.” Chuck grinned. “More, actually. At least you know everyone here.”

“That’s what concerns me,” Draken muttered. “I dropped quite a bomb on her this afternoon about the pack’s... prejudices.”

“She’s tougher than you think.” Chuck nodded toward the gardens. “Remember how she handled those accidental earth tremors yesterday? Pure instinct.”

“True.” His mate might be human, but her power was undeniable. Even now, he could feel it thrumming through the castle foundations, responding to her presence somewhere above.

A young pack member approached, barely containing his excitement. “Alpha, is it true? We’re finally meeting our Luna tonight?”

Draken smiled despite his concerns. “Indeed we are, Marcus.”

“I can’t wait to see what she’s like.” Marcus bounced on his heels. “The whole pack’s been talking about nothing else.”

“I hope they’ll remember their manners,” Draken said pointedly, though his tone remained gentle.

“Of course, Alpha.” Marcus straightened. “We’d never disappoint you.”

Those words, simple and sincere, reinforced what Draken already knew. His pack might be surprised, even shocked, but their loyalty ran deep. They would adapt. They would accept.

Draken stepped onto the first riser of the grand staircase, commanding the room’s attention without effort. His wolf preened at the gathered crowd – alpha wolf princes from the other five territories, betas, and pack members alike filling the grand ballroom. The crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow across their expectant faces.

“My friends,” his voice carried easily through the space. “Tonight marks a momentous occasion for the Moonshadow Pack. After centuries of waiting, our Luna has awakened.”

Cheers erupted, the sound reverberating off marble floors and stone walls. Draken’s chest filled with warmth, though anxiety gnawed at his gut. His wolf paced desperate to be near their mate.

Then she appeared.

Lorelei appeared at the top of the stairs, and Draken’s breath caught in his throat. The deep green gown hugged every curve, its gold embroidery catching the light like actual vines creeping across the fabric. Her brown hair cascaded past her shoulders in waves, framing a face that managed to look both uncertain and determined.

His wolf howled with approval. Mine .

The crowd’s enthusiastic applause faltered as Lorelei descended. Whispers replaced cheers, spreading through the room like wildfire. Draken caught fragments of conversation:

“But she’s...”

“How can this be...”

“A human?”

The silence that followed felt thick enough to cut. Lorelei reached the bottom of the stairs, her chin lifted proudly despite the tension. She took her place beside him, close enough that he could feel the slight tremor in her hands.

Draken wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against his side. The gesture was as much for his benefit as hers – his wolf demanding they protect their mate from the scrutiny.

“My Luna,” he said loud enough for all to hear, letting his pride show through. Let them see his certainty, his acceptance. The pack would follow his lead.

The marble floor beneath their feet vibrated slightly – Lorelei’s powers responding to her emotions. Rather than concerning him, it made Draken smile. His mate might be human, but there was nothing weak about her.

Chuck caught his eye from the crowd and raised his champagne glass in silent support. Agnes beamed from her place near the front, nodding in approval. These small gestures of acceptance strengthened Draken’s resolve.

He looked down at Lorelei, finding her brown eyes already fixed on him. Despite everything, despite the weighted silence and judging stares, she managed a small smile that hit him right in the chest.

His wolf settled. Whatever came next, they would face it together.

Draken squared his shoulders and tightened his grip on Lorelei’s waist, drawing strength from her presence. His voice rang out across the grand ballroom with the authority that came naturally to an alpha.

“Yes, the Luna is human.” The words were clear and confident despite the shocked expressions before him. “I was just as shocked as you all are, and you can understand why it has taken a week before Lorelei is being introduced to you.”

He felt Lorelei’s slight tension beneath his fingers and stroked her side soothingly. His wolf preened at how naturally she leaned into his touch.

“Because I myself was concerned with the fact, I took my time to meet her, really get to know her. I feel confident that, though she’s not a wolf, she’s still capable of leading our pack alongside me.”

The murmurs shifted from skeptical to curious. Draken caught Agnes’s approving nod from the crowd, and several other pack members began to whisper more positively. His enhanced hearing picked up fragments like “well, if the alpha believes in her” and “she does have strong earth magic.”

Pride swelled in him. His pack was already starting to come around just as he knew they would. His wolf sang with satisfaction.

“Humans don’t have the fated mate sense like we do,” he continued, allowing a hint of humor to creep into his voice. “So I’ve also been spending time trying to show her how much we have to offer.” He glanced down at Lorelei, catching the slight blush that colored her cheeks. “And that’s what I’d like to ask of you all tonight. Get to know our new Luna, but make sure to leave a favorable impression and help me woo my future queen!”

Laughter rippled through the crowd, breaking the last of the tension. His wolf practically strutted at how well his words had landed. Even the visiting princes looked more intrigued than judgmental now.

Draken’s chest filled with an overwhelming warmth as he watched his pack members already starting to gather closer, their expressions open and welcoming. He’d known his people would follow his lead – they always had – but seeing it happen filled him with a deep satisfaction. His Luna deserved nothing less than their full acceptance.

Draken soon drew Lorelei closer. The silk of her gown whispered against his tuxedo as he bent to whisper in her ear. Her scent - earthy rain and moonlight - filled his senses, making his head swim.

“You’re breathtaking,” he murmured, letting his lips brush her ear. “The way you’re handling this, standing tall despite their stares...” His wolf preened as a shiver ran through her. “You’re showing them exactly why you’re meant to be Luna.”

Her pulse jumped beneath his fingers where they rested at her waist. The marble floor trembled ever so slightly - her magical powers responding to his proximity just as his own powers surged at her touch.

“I’m terrified,” she whispered back, though her spine remained straight as steel. “But I refuse to let them see it.”

“That’s my mate.” When had his opinion of humans changed so dramatically? This woman had turned his world upside down in the best possible way. “Strong. Determined. Perfect.”

She turned those sharp brown eyes on him, a hint of mischief dancing in their depths. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Your Highness.”

“Is that so?” He pulled her impossibly closer, his wolf delighting in her soft gasp. “Then let me add brilliant and gorgeous to the list.”

“Careful,” she breathed. “You’ll make me lose control of my powers in front of everyone.”

“Let them see.” He traced his thumb along her waist. “Let them witness exactly how powerful their Luna truly is.”

Her answering smile lit up her entire face, and Draken’s heart stuttered. How had he ever thought being mated to a human would make him weak? With Lorelei at his side, he felt invincible.