Chapter 148

Olivia POV

The celebration started in a small way at the temple.

As Luna, I was frequently asked to call for the Goddess’s blessing for pups, newly born or unborn, but it was quite special to do it for my own child.

As I stood there by the Orb of the Goddess, my hand upon it, Elroy stood on the other side with his hand on mine. Beside me was my mother, and to his was Iris. Our betas finished our circle as our witnesses.

I looked up, as I always did in the temple, to enjoy the white dome and circles of green jade.

With the hand not on the orb, I took out my vial of water collected under the full moon and drank a sip before passing it to Elroy, who also drank before passing it to Iris, then to Sam, then to Jordan, then to Claudia, and then, now empty, back to me.

“Please bless my child, Goddess, source of strength for all wolves. Gift my child with love just as I gift her with mine.”

I watched Sam’s and Jordan’s widen. I had forgotten to warn them that I knew my child’s primary gender. I sent them a smile.

“Please bless my child, Goddess, so that she may grow strong with a heart of joy. Guide me to love her with wise and tender care. Guide my daughter to you through her life, as I pledge I will endeavor ever to encourage.”

Elroy nodded. “I pledge I will help to guide our daughter. I revel in the blessing of the Goddess upon her.”

Iris and Claudia pledged their guidance as well, and the ceremony was over.

Well, that part of it.

We all changed into what Jordan called our “glad rags” before we went into the ballroom, where the crystal chandeliers threw shimmering light into dozens of glasses of champagne. I sipped sparkling juice out of a champagne glass and smiled over at the many still dazed-looking council members and elders as they mingled as Elroy had instructed, ignoring Pack politics and welcoming all.

The Palace band was playing a jazzy waltz, and there were tables positively groaning with food. Jordan had outfitted me in a white dress that made my belly look like a flower bud and flowed down to touch the floor and hide my extremely flat and padded shoes.

“I would ask you to dance,” Elroy said in my ear as he slid a strong, warm arm over my shoulders, “but I’m not quite sure—”

“Of the steerage?” I asked.

We looked at each other and laughed. Then he took my hand, and together we walked to the platform. At Elroy’s nod, the band played a few more notes to end their song, and everyone turned toward their Alpha and Luna.

“Long ago, Lunaris was something of an experiment for wolves,” Elroy began. “It was meant as a stop-gap measure, a way to deal with a division of Stormhowl that avoided a splintering that would have led to all-out war. It was more successful than anyone had anticipated, and Lunaris has thrived and grown strong.”

There was a gentle murmuring of agreement and nodding of heads, though some looked irritated, and not just the wolves of Ravencrest.

“But nevertheless, Lunaris was never meant to be permanent, and it has now become a victim, if you will, of that unexpected success. The Pack made of Packs has itself begun to divide, and again we are faced with the threat of inter-Pack conflict.”

The irritated faces turned to expressions of curiosity, and everyone seemed to lean forward in anticipation.

“It is time, past time, really, for us all to be united as one Pack. There will no longer be a Lunaris Pack, but more than that, the Packs of Eclipse, Ravencrest, Moonshadow, White Paw, Serenity’s Children, Nightfall, Dreamwalkers, Wolfhaven, and The Blessed will no longer exist as well.”

He turned up his hands, and nine Alphas of the various ex-Packs joined us on stage. I met Mother’s eyes and smiled, and she nodded approvingly.

Elroy looked out over the awestruck gathering. “We are all now Stormhowl Pack once again, and as Stormhowl we will move forward together.”

And at this signal, everyone on the platform, including me with my straining belly, transformed into our fur, put back our heads, and howled. Without hesitation, everyone in the room followed suit.

It took hours for the party to wind down, and the sun came up while there were still people dancing to the band.

Elroy and I sat alone at a table. I had long since abandoned my sensible shoes, and my bare feet were happily resting on the cold floor. I had a plate of food I was still working on, and Elroy was sipping at a cup of what I was sure was cold coffee.

“Jordan told me she wants to start her own clothing brand,” I told him.

He nodded and stifled a yawn. “It’s more than time she did. Will you miss her as your beta?”

I snorted. “I have no intention of giving her up as my beta. She’ll work here at the Palace.”

“Good. I can keep an eye on my investment.”

I raised my eyebrows at him. “Oh? You’re going to invest in my beta’s business?”

“Of course I am. So are you. It will help us pay for some of the expenses you’ve been racking up since you became Luna.”

“Expenses?”

“Sure. The battle with Denis alone cost a staggering amount, to say nothing of the parties you insist on throwing every other week.”

I thought about it while I chewed on some prosciutto-wrapped melon balls. “I think we need to do a bit of work on the Palace Temple.”

Elroy frowned absently. “That temple is perfect.”

“The building, yes, but the grounds could use some work. I want to add a meditation walk and a labyrinth.”

“A maze?”

“No, it’s a circular walking path,” I explained. “The path turns and turns as you walk, encouraging you to think through a problem by viewing different sides, taking different directions. According to mythology, it was designed by Daedalus to trap a wolf who had gone insane. Instead, the wolf used the path to think his way back to sanity.”

Elroy thought about it, yawned, and nodded. “OK. But I’d like there to be flowers. Can it have flowers?”

I smiled. “You’re a good son to your mother. We’ll surround it with flowers and some benches.”

Elroy nodded again. “Yes, to rest after all that walking.”

I nodded and ate some boudin. It was spicy, and I followed it with a little watered-down ale Iris said I could enjoy in moderation. My stomach felt a little off suddenly, and I thought the bubbles might soothe it.

Elroy met my eyes and smiled drowsily. I knew without using the mindlink our thoughts were of the same thing: the quiet joy of this domestic talk, the bliss of just being here together.

Naturally, it was at that moment that Sam, who had gone to bed hours ago, came rushing into the room and up to our table.

“Alpha,” he said to Elroy. “There is a delegation at the gate.”

My husband scowled. “A delegation of what Pack?”

Sam took a moment and then said carefully, “No Pack, sir. Humans.”