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It’s taking me two weeks to mull it over, and over these weeks, I’ve spoken to Shayna countless times. Of course, she can’t help much, being a werewolf herself, but she believes I’ll do okay. I laugh at her response. Okay? From what Larc and Shayna describe, I’m worried I’ll be split in two or my neck will snap right off my shoulders. In front of everyone! Which then has me thinking of the decapitated heads Larc carried out from Ben’s cabin. My body shudders from the memory.

The ceremony will definitely put a strain on my mind and body. I’ve been in this community for over a year, so it seems like ages since I’ve been near Ben and his sick friends. I’m acclimated to the werewolf community, where I don’t walk around naked or have sex in public. This has become my norm, and now I’ll have to do both at the ceremony.

Not to mention the two most crucial and painful things, which I’ve scoured through the werewolf book Larc first gave me and the internet. His knot will be the size of a fist. I’ve been fisted before, and it hurt like hell. I’m not even sure his knot and fisting are comparable. Unfortunately, lube won’t be used during the ceremony. At least, I don’t think it will be, which will force the vomit right out of me. And I can’t forget the bite either. According to the internet, a wolf pressure bite is 1,200 pounds, so it can puncture through skin, muscle, and bone. My heartrate picks up thinking about it. Plus, I’m supposed to bite him at the same time.

How can I bite Larc when I’ll be in excruciating pain from his bite and knotting?

I’ve shuffled through pages of every werewolf book in the library, looking to find the results of a werewolf and human mating ceremony, except there’s nothing. The pairing is so rare, the werewolf writers decided not to even bother mentioning it.

This whole topic has made me physically sick, and I’ve been vomiting on and off. I’ve been through so much pain I’m taken back by my reluctance. On top of the actual ceremony, I’m second-guessing whether I’d make a good Luna. Maybe it should go to a werewolf.

No! No! Larc is my mate. I refuse to give him up.

But if I don’t go through with the ceremony, all we’ll be is mates, and I’ll be letting the pack down. It’s important a Luna is there to calm and comfort the Alpha, which I seem to be the only one who can. The responsibilities are endless: making sure the community runs smoothly, meetings are attended, keeping the pack safe, etc. Now, I understand why everyone wanted Shayna. She’s a werewolf, strong, a leader, can handle the financials…except Larc wants me.

It's a Wednesday and Larc has a meeting with a couple of FBI agents regarding an upcoming mission. The others remained behind. The autumn crispness is inching its way into the early mornings. Hugging my coffee cup, I let the tears fall while I juggle the pros and cons of the ceremony and being Luna. Lately, my emotions have gotten the best of me. While reading through the werewolf books and coming up empty, I bawl my eyes out, and Larc will hear me and console me. I think about becoming the strong Luna the pack needs, yet I break down in tears for the littlest things.

Out of nowhere, Kyle drops into the chair and clears his throat.

“What’s wrong, Ivy?”

My mouth drops open, and the tears immediately stop. Kyle has never asked me questions involving my feelings. It’s like he doesn’t care. I’ve witnessed his thoughtfulness toward others, so it’s not that he doesn’t have feelings. I assume his brooding is directed only at me. From the get-go, he disliked me, and every conversation we have he’s usually brisk. The only time he stepped in was when Ben almost raped me, which I am thankful for. This kind of question from him throws me off.

I inhale, wiping at my face, and offer a soft smile.

“Nothing. Thank you.”

“I’m getting myself a cup of coffee, do you want a refill?”

I nod and he takes my cup inside and returns, handing me my coffee. Because my head is a jumble, Kyle’s silence is appreciated.

Again, he catches me off-guard by asking.

“Have you decided on the ceremony?”

A weak laugh comes out.

“Oh…that’s all I’ve been thinking about.”

“No decision yet, huh?”

My head shakes in place of words.

“Is it the nudity, fucking in public, the biting, or knotting that’s the issue?”

“All of the above.”

He smiles at my response. Surprise. I can’t recall ever seeing him smile. And it’s a handsome smile. Heck, he’s already handsome, but the smile kicks him up a couple of notches. It’s astounding and unfortunate he hasn’t chosen a mate. I might not be someone Kyle likes, yet there’s no denying his magnetism. Of course, it doesn’t compare to my wolf-charmer.

“I’m not going to lie, the ceremony is intense.”

“From what I’ve read and heard, I don’t doubt you.”

He tilts his head to the side.

“After some embarrassment and pain, it will be rewarding.”

My mouth drops open.

“You two were meant to be.”

Mouth still open. Kyle laughs. Laughs! The deepest, sweetest laugh I’ve ever heard.

His hands fold in his lap, and he gives me a deadpan look.

“The Luna is very important to the pack. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. The interesting thing here is for the first time in possibly a century, a human will be leading next to our Alpha. If you go through the ceremony, it will fuse you and Larc together. There’s no going back.”

He stands, and I ask.

“Why are you telling me all of this?”

“Because you’re strong, Ivy. No matter what your fears are regarding the ceremony, it’s nothing compared to the hell you’ve been through, and you came out alive. Because if there’s anyone in this community that is more deserving and has earned the place of Luna, it’s you. Because Larc needs you by his side. With the two of you together, this community will thrive beyond expectations.”

I’m dumbstruck. Tears pour down my cheeks.

“Because I admire you and would be honored to have you as our Luna.”

He leaves, and my mind is trying to catch up with what just happened. Mouth open, waterfall of tears, I have this overall warmth radiating inside. For the first time, I received validation from Kyle, and it’s enough for me to make my decision.

When Larc returns from the FBI office, I tell him I want to go through with the ceremony. Although I could see apprehension on his face, his smile rises above it. I didn’t tell him about the conversation I had with Kyle, because it was a private conversation. From what I know regarding Kyle, he wouldn’t want me divulging things he said to me.

Preparations for the ceremony have been made, and the cabins cleared out, rebooking people for the following week. The werewolf community doesn’t want to worry about guests since it’s such an important event. They even closed off the parking lot in case someone wanders here, wanting to book a cabin.

The big event is today. Larc and I are in bed, sifting through our own thoughts while listening to the weather report on the television. It’s going to be a cool day, but at least the sun will be out. His arm cuddles me to his side, and like so many times, he unconsciously strokes his cock under the sheet. I find it sexy as hell.

I reach for it, and he stops me, catching my hand in his.

“No way, little sprite. We can’t do anything until the ceremony.”

This elicits a sigh from me. “Nothing?”

Larc’s eyes meet mine. “Nothing.”

He kisses the top of my head.

“So, are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

He mutes the TV.

“Let’s go over a few things. My mom, Shayna, and Louisa, who asked to be a part of it, will be here at nine this morning. They’ll get you ready for the ceremony.”

“And what exactly are they doing to get me ready?”

A tint of pink creeps over his face.

“Uh, your hair, waxing, and some other things I’m unsure of.”

I tickle his side.

“Unsure or unwilling to tell me?”

His deep melodic laugh puts me at ease.

“Unsure. You’ll be in good hands though.”

A little before nine, Larc leaves the house and the women pour inside. They’re jabbering on how beautiful the setup outside is and how I’ll make a wonderful Luna. I know they’re saying so to calm my nerves, which I appreciate.

Maggie asks.

“We’ll need to tend to your privates. Would you feel more comfortable with me or Shayna?”

Now I’m blushing. After all I’ve been through, you’d think nothing would faze me, except having these women who I admire prep my privates for a ceremony is mortifying. They’re all waiting for my response, but I don’t have one. I mean, none of them working on my vagina would make me comfortable.

Shayna touches my arm.

“Hey, I’m sure this is difficult. I just want you to know that Maggie and I are here not only to take care of your needs, but to help you through this journey. How about we both pamper you?”

She glances at Louisa.

“Or all of us? We’ll make it like a coming-out-vagina party.”

This has me laughing.

“One of us will tend to your crotch while the other two talk to you.”

She reaches over and lifts a bottle.

“We’ll even drink champagne while we bare your pussy.”

We laugh, and Maggie slaps her arm.

“Shayna! Watch your mouth.”

“Oh, come on, we all know what it is, and your son is about to pound into it.”

Not only am I turning beet red from embarrassment and laughter, but Maggie is red from head to toe. This has me laughing harder, and when I loosen up, she does, too.

In the ensuite washroom, big enough for the entire community, I strip and lay down on the portable bed they brought in. Maggie does the dirty deed while Shayna pours us all a glass of champagne. I’ve been waxed plenty of times, so I’m used to the pain. Shayna and Louisa are animated, talking about the décor, and that everyone wears a simple smock to the event. Nothing underneath. This has me smiling. At least we’ll all be dressed the same…until I’m not.

Maggie finishes the waxing.

“Now, I’m going to apply some oil to the area. I also want to talk to you about this.”

She holds up a small vial.

“We’re not supposed to use anything, but if you’d like, I can insert this into you. It’s an elixir, which will lubricate and numb you for several hours. There’s no guarantee it will take away all the pain, but it should lessen it. It’s up to you. The only ones who will know about it is everyone in this room.”

I nod.

“Good. I’ll apply it a half-hour before the ceremony.”

For the rest of the time, Shayna talks about her mate. She’s not sure what will happen after the pack is good to go, which might be within a year. The way she talks about him in a dream-like state is the same way I think of Larc. My musings about him lighten my mood and warm me. He’s the rainbow after a storm. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. All I have to do is survive this event, and we’ll live happily ever after.