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It was her first day of coronation, and Ashley proved beyond a reasonable doubt that she was capable of handling the challenges of the pack.

"Thank you, Ashley. We have to thank Luna Valerie and Alpha Denzel properly when Luna Valerie regains consciousness."

Ashley responded tiredly. "Yes, we have to."

The battle was not easy, and the level of powers used drained her considerably.

Alpha Lawn and Luna Alma were the proudest parents at the event due to how their two daughters saved the pack with their Alphas.

Alpha Idris discerned from the bond that Ashley was tired. She was not the clingy type, so this required haste.

"I will take you to bed and take care of the rest," he said. Ashley did not refuse his kindness, especially when she had not even mentioned it.

That was the great thing about the mate bond and marking each other.

Alpha Idris lifted Ashley in his arms bridal style, about to hasten to the pack house when the pack members and warriors surrounded them.

The guests and all those in attendance had joined, as if they were aware of something that both the Alpha and Luna did not know about.

Ashley tiredly opened her eyes to see all the pack members kneeling in reverence of her.

This was the closest they had come to death when other warriors were eaten raw. They were not ungrateful and would show Valerie her reward before she left for the Evergreen Pack.

Ashley’s heart warmed, and it made it all worth it that she did not, for once, think about her safety when she decided to defend her pack.

She whispered to Alpha Idris. "Please let me stand on my own."

Alpha Idris obeyed, and Ashley addressed the pack members, at the same time Adira returned from the safe house.

"You all don’t have to do this, really. This is my pack, and it’s my responsibility to defend it. Rather, let’s wait for my sister to wake up, and then we can do this together for her."

The responses were not what she expected. "We understand what you are saying, Luna," one of the warriors who spearheaded this said, the others nodded their heads in unison.

"But we still have to show our gratitude. Everyone could have gone into hiding, but you decided to take the risk, so we thank you and will ensure that you enjoy your stay in this pack to the maximum."

The rest cheered on. Due to this bravery, the fears looming over the pack were gone.

"You should all enjoy the refreshment. I will take her to rest a bit," Alpha Idris said and supported her once more to the bedroom.

The warriors and pack members broke out into cheers, and the clouds gave their showers. Most of them were prepared to have a moonlight party at the midnight hour after the refreshment.

No one except maybe their guests would be able to sleep.

Alpha Denzel watched Valerie sleep like a baby. Ever since getting her wolf back, this was the first time he saw her so tired and decided to leave her to rest.

Stepping out of his room, he was met with Idris, asking, "Is Ashley alright?"

"Yes. She was just exhausted. How about Valerie?"

"Sleeping. I’m going for a walk."

Alpha Idris thought for a while and suggested. "Why don’t you wait for me to sort out the guests, and we can go for a walk together. This is our first time losing warriors and being denied their cremation because they served as meat for their predators," Idris said sadly.

Denzel understood the feeling. It was the same as whenever he equally lost a warrior and patted Idris on the shoulder.

"Everything will be fine. Having the chance to cremate fallen warriors or not, the feeling of loss remains the same."

Alpha Idris nodded his head, knowing that was also another truth.

He attended the reception, but both he and Denzel ate nothing. They could not also drink anything because their women were not with them, and due to Adira’s condition, Troy insisted that they leave early.

Some guests left after the refreshment, but those having to drive long journeys stayed behind to rest and begin the journey before the break of dawn.

At midnight, the moon gave its light, brighter than anyone they had ever seen, a clear indication that the moon goddess was on their side and blessed them.

Alpha Idris and Denzel smiled when the pack members partied under the moonlight but did not join them.

Even some of the guests who claimed to need rest for the journey had woken up because they slept too early, joining the party.

The two Alphas talked as they waited for the party to be over before going back to bed.

"If anyone had said a day like this would come in our lives, I would not have believed it," Alpha Idris said. Alpha Denzel agreed.

"Same here, but I’m glad for all this. For someone like me, happiness seemed to be too far to reach but still found me."

Idris smiled as they gazed at the moonlight, wishing their women were there to experience it with them.

"Honestly, I never thought I would ever see a soft side of yours. You were always too cold."

Denzel smiled. Those were the times he felt empty and afraid of any other of his loved ones dying.

"You would have been worse if you were ever faced by an enemy like Conrad," he chuckled. Idris laughed.

"That guy was something I don’t have words to describe, but also, I wonder why you stopped drinking."

Alpha Denzel recalled how he could drink and smoke like a chimney before but without knowing, he quit smoking too.

Pain might lead to so many things, but joy equally healed. "We need to celebrate the women the moon goddess gave us, Denzel. I will get some glasses and champagne," Idris said when a familiar voice cut in.

"You two are celebrating without us? How rude?" The two men were flabbergasted when they turned in the direction of the voices.