The ceremony had concluded in a swirl of smiles, hugs, and heartfelt congratulations. The garden was still buzzing with the lingering excitement of the morning's events. As the pack members began to disperse, I felt a gentle tug on my hand. Aiden stood beside me, his eyes twinkling with what I hoped was happiness.

We made our way towards the buffet line and dance floor. Eating and drinking the champagne that was flowing freely.

"Sis! Congrats!" Harry shouted, running at me.

He picked me up in a big wolf hug.

"Thanks, Harry." I glanced around us. "Have you talked to Mom and Dad yet?"

"Are you kidding? I was waiting for you," he laughed.

"Geez, thanks."

"Elara."

I cringed at the voice behind me. I turned around and forced a smile.

"Dad."

"How are you?" he asked.

"I'm great. Thank you for coming." I felt someone grab my hand and squeeze tight.

I nearly let out a breath of relief to see Aiden standing beside me.

"Alpha Aiden," my Dad said coolly.

"Beta Alexander. I'm glad you could join us on such a joyous and wonderful day."

"Yes. It is a beautiful day. I am glad to see my daughter happy."

Aiden put his arm around my waist and pulled me close. "She is a remarkable woman and you should be so proud of her."

It looked like his lip quivered just a moment. "I am very proud of her and I truly am happy for you both."

"Thanks, Dad," I said.

"Sweetheart, we love you," Mom added at his side.

"Ugh, stop with this sappy crap, "Morgan whined. "Can we leave now?"

"Ah. The sister I've heard so much about." Aiden's lip curled.

Morgan batted her eyes at Aiden and smiled coyly at him. "I'm the better sister."

"Not from where I'm standing," he said. "Now, if you don't mind, I would like to dance with my Luna."

He whisked me away, leaving Morgan standing there gaping like a fish, to dance on the incredibly crowded dance floor.

"I don't think I've ever seen her speechless," I giggled.

"Well, she needs knocked down a peg or twenty."

"Did you mean what you said, Aiden?"

"What?" he asked.

"That I'm the better one?"

"Of course, my love. You are the most incredible woman alive. Plus that hair. That beautiful fiery red hair. It matches your personality."

I buried my face in his chest as we twirled about the dance floor.

The hours passed and the sun dipped into the horizon as the moon rose. It gave a red hue as it cast its eerie glow amongst us all.

"Ready to go to Silver Lake?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, my heart pounding with the anticipation of what lay ahead. "Ready as I'll ever be."

We walked through the garden and the path lined with well-wishers offering their congratulations and blessings. As we reached the edge of the garden, I looked toward the forest. An immaculate, and ridiculously large white tent was erect and covered in flowers.

"The changing tent?" I asked in a giggle.

"I guess so."

We walked hand-in-hand toward the tent. It was split in two halves, mine slightly larger to make room for the hairdresser and makeup artist.

"What is all this?" Aiden asked.

"Hair and makeup touch ups when we get back."

"Laura is efficient," he said.

I nodded in agreement as he helped me out of my gown.

"Make sure you hang up your tux. Laura would have an aneurysm if you leave it on the ground," I told him while hanging my dress up.

I placed the shoes nicely under the dress and felt the familiar and uncomfortableness of my body changing. I dropped to all fours as my bones broke and rearranged. Fur sprouting up and a tail popping out.

As we emerged in wolf form from the tent we both let out a loud howl. The throng of people around the manor house let out a chorus of cheers as we ran off into the woods towards Silver Lake.

As we approached Silver Lake, the trees parted to reveal the glistening expanse of water, its surface shimmering in the glow of the blood moon. The lake was breathtaking, a perfect mirror reflecting the sky and the surrounding forest. The tranquility of the scene was almost surreal, a stark contrast to the bustling ceremony we had just left behind. Aiden shifted back to human form first.

"This is it," Aiden said, his voice wavered a bit as I shifted in front of him.

I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of peace settle over me. "It's perfect."

We walked to the edge of the lake, the soft earth giving way under our feet. The marking ceremony awaited us, a sacred ritual that would bind us together in a way that words could never fully capture. As we stood there, hand in hand, the significance of the moment washed over me. This was our time, our sacred promise to each other and to our pack.

I took a deep breath and turned toward Aiden. He smiled as he leaned toward me. I cocked my head to the side exposing my neck and collar bone for him. He sunk his teeth in deep. It hurt, but something else took over the pain. Something I'd never felt before. Once he finished, I did the same to him.

The wounds we gave each other healed over quickly, leaving only the soft white of the scar in the shape of our teeth.

"Our marks," I said softly, tracing the outlines on his shoulder.

"I can't believe this has finally happened." A tear slid down his cheek.

As we stood there just basking in the red glow of love...or the blood moon, I felt the rocks beneath us shake a bit.

"Did you feel something?" I asked in a whisper.

"Um, yeah. I definitely did," Aiden answered.

We both looked around until we both focused on the lake. It was bubbling. Almost like it was boiling.

"What the hell," I gasped.

"Is it supposed to do that?" Aiden asked.

I shook my head. A pedestal rose in the middle of the lake, and an incredibly beautiful woman emerged from the other side. Aiden pushed me behind him, trying to protect me.

"Fear not, my children."

"Huh?" I asked, peeking out from around Aiden.

She held out her arms toward us. I was so distracted I didn't notice that we were suddenly wrapped in white light that enveloped our bodies, transforming into garments. Aiden's shirt morphed into a tunic, reminiscent of those worn in ancient kingdoms, complete with intricate embroidery and a regal, deep blue hue. His pants turned into old-fashioned trousers made of a coarse, dark fabric, looking sturdy and worn as if from times long past. The light around me draped itself into a long, flowing white gown, shimmering with an ethereal glow. The gown had delicate lacework along the sleeves and hem, and it felt both heavy and soft, as though spun from the finest silk.

"I'm so confused right now," Aiden said to me but toward the being.

"Who are you?" I shouted at her.

"I am Mother to all," she answered.

"That didn't really answer my question," I said quietly to Aiden.

"What do you mean 'Mother to all?'"

"I am the origin, the essence of life itself," she explained, her voice soothing and melodic. "You found the moonstone."

Aiden tightened his grip on my hand, his body tense with anticipation. "Yes. We did."

"Only the true heir to the kingdom could do such a thing. An heir meant to protect and to lead," she replied, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. "The blood moon marks the beginning of a new era. You are the guardians of this realm, destined to preserve the balance between wolf kind and the evil that threatens you all."

I felt a rush of emotions. "What evil? We've read about an evil, but what is it?"

"A great threat from the times of Fenrir, my first King," she continued. "His son was a threat to the kingdom and was banished, and like your ancestor, Aiden, his line has survived. Your union strengthens the pack, and your bond is the cornerstone of our world's stability. The power within you must be nurtured and harnessed for the greater good."

Aiden and I exchanged glances, the weight of her words sinking in. This wasn't just about us anymore; it was about our responsibilities to our pack and the world we were a part of.

"But how do we do that?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

"Trust in yourselves, and in each other," she said. "You have all you need within you. Your journey will not be easy, but it will be worth it."

"But we have the moonstone so everything will be fine," Aiden said.

She smiled faintly at us both. "You have the moonstone but the prophecy cannot be stopped."

As she spoke, the light around us intensified, filling us with a warmth that chased away any lingering doubts. I felt a surge of strength and determination, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"I am the goddess Selene," she declared, her presence exuding an ancient power. "And I have brought gifts for you both."

With a graceful wave of her hand, two crowns materialized in the air before us. The first crown, destined for Aiden, was a majestic piece adorned with intricate patterns of wolves and moon phases, crafted from gleaming silver and studded with sapphires that sparkled like the night sky. Selene placed it gently on Aiden's head.

"This is the Crown of King Fenrir," she said, her voice ringing with authority. "Wear it with honor, Aiden, for you are now the King of your kind."

Aiden's eyes widened with awe as he touched the crown, feeling its weight and significance.

The second crown, meant for me, was equally magnificent. It was fashioned from the same silver, but it was more delicate, adorned with intricate floral designs and accented with diamonds and sapphires that shimmered like stars. Selene placed it tenderly on my head.

"And this," she said softly, "is the Crown of Fenrir's Queen, Guinevere. Elara, you are the Queen and protector of your people. The rock to keep the great king steady."

I felt a wave of emotion as the crown settled on my head, its presence both comforting and empowering.

"Thank you, Goddess Selene," I said, my voice filled with gratitude.

"Your journey is just beginning," she said, her form starting to fade. "Remember, you are not alone. The strength of the moon and the spirits of your ancestors are with you always. Before I go, you must not allow Lucien's heir to get the stone. It's not just a magnificent gem, it does contain powers beyond your imagination. If he gets the stone, the world is over as you know it."

With those final words, Selene vanished, leaving Aiden and me standing by the lake, newly crowned and filled with a sense of purpose and destiny. The water had returned to its serene state, the bubbles gone as quickly as they had appeared.

Aiden pulled me close, his eyes filled with love.

"Nobody is going to believe this," I whispered.

"I don't know how they can't." He grasped my hand, kissing the back of it. "We'll do this together, Elara. No matter what comes our way."

I nodded, feeling a deep connection to him and to the path we were about to embark on. "Together."

As we made our way back to the garden, the night felt different. There was a new sense of purpose, a clarity that hadn't been there before. The well-wishers greeted us with smiles and cheers, but our minds were on the future.

"What are you wearing?" Laura asked.

"Um..." I started.

"Why are you wearing a crown?" Morgan sneered. "What now you think you're some Queen?"

I glanced at Aiden.

"We need to speak with the pack Alphas. Immediately. Everyone else please enjoy the party. Eat. Drink. Have fun!" Aiden announced as we walked into the house.

The garden buzzed with life as the celebration continued.

"Elara, Aiden," Harry called out, rushing towards us. "Did something happen by the lake?."

Aiden and I exchanged a quick glance. "You should join us and the other Alphas. Find your Father. I suppose he can sit in for Conrad since he decided to not show up."

Harry's eyes widened in astonishment. "Yeah. Absolutely. Let me go find him."

"If Harry and Dad get to go, I get to go," Morgan shouted, stomping up to us.

"You need to go find Mom and stay with her," I ordered. "I don't have the time for you to throw yourself a pity party and be upset. Please. Go."

"You can't speak to me like that." She jabbed her finger in my face.

Before I could even get a word out, Marshall had her in an arm bar and was escorting her away from us.

"I guess that works better than me yelling at her," I laughed.

"Marshall is good at his job," Aiden said with a nod.

We hurried up to the office and waited as the other Alpha's, Harry and my Dad joined us.

"Okay, what's going on?" Alpha Xavier asked.

"Why do you two have crowns?" Dad asked next.

"The prophecy is still coming true," Aiden said, leaning on the table.

"What prophecy?"

"Are you sure?" Alpha Graham questioned.

"Beta Alexander, you would know what we were talking about if your Alpha wasn't such a bull headed asshole," Aiden yelled. "But that's not your fault. And that's okay."

"Dad, there's this prophecy that a Lycan King will be crowned and lead the packs in solidarity against a great evil," I told him.

"And you two think you're it?" Dad asked in almost a scoff.

"We don't think anything. The Goddess Selene crowned us," Aiden nearly growled at him.

"Right. The Goddess Selene."

I pursed my lips and was about to say something when the table shook. My eyes widened as the familiar glow from the lake emanated from the ceiling. As the light subsided, Selene stood on top of the table in the center of the circle of people around it.

"Beta, do you question my anointed King and Queen?" she bellowed down to my Dad.

"Wh-what is this?" he asked, stumbling back.

"I am the Goddess Selene. These two wolves are my anointed King and Queen. King Aiden is the last living descendant of King Fenrir who was given lands to rule over. He shall lead you all against the evil that threatens all wolf kind," she said. "Do not question me again."

As she finished what she was saying, she vanished in that same light.

"Holy Goddess," Harry gasped.