Ariana woke up with a heavy head as she had not slept well last night. The words of Narcisse, the seer and her mother were revolving inside her head. Just when she was thinking about a serene future with her mate, the old hag had to open his mouth, she thought. She was sipping tea and thinking about it when Anwar entered and sat beside her.

"And finally he remembers that he has a sister." She gestured with her hands as if presenting him.

"Stop being so dramatic." Anwar scolded.

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes. After a pause, she continued. "Everyone is finding their mate nowadays. You, Christof... It's only a matter of time before Emma finds hers as well. Then, I'll be stuck with Ivory."

"What did you just say?" entered Ivory, followed by Christopher. Her face clearly showed that she was offended. She took a seat. "What's so awful about being stuck with me?"

"Yes, Ari. Pray tell her." Anwar teased.

"Uh- nothing." Ariana chuckled nervously. "I was just spitting nonsense."

"Aw Ari. I always knew you had thing for me. Don't worry at all. Even though I've found my mate, I shall still give you my company." Christopher cooed.

"Oh for God's sake. Will you stop talking like this? I honestly don't know how poor Scarlett will tolerate you for the rest of her life." Ariana shook her head.

"Yeah. Poor Scarlett." said Ivory in a dry tone.

This of course killed the vibe of the room.

"Do not get me wrong, Christopher. I am thrilled that you have found your mate. But you surely know how people haven't been taking this news well. They are concerned whether Scarlett, considering her background, will be able to tale the role of Luna of Celik or not." Ivory explained.

"I am aware, Ivory. But Moon Goddess must have thought of something before pairing me with her. Call me selfish, but even if Scarlett is not able to fit the role of Luna to my pack, I will never let her go."

"And nothing is more important to us people of Celik than the happiness and well-being of our future Alpha." Naomi and Emma joined them. Christopher smiled at their words.

"By the way, you are welcome, Christof." Ivory had a smug smile on her face. "Had I not asked you to tag along with us to the farm, you wouldn't have met her."

"Whatever." Christopher rolled his eyes. "And what is with you calling me Christof?"

"Oh. Emma asked me to call you that." answered Ivory.

Emma chuckled. Christopher turned his head towards her. "As your future Alpha, I forbid you from calling me that." Emma was about to protest but stopped when given a stern look.

"By the way, Christof," Ariana started. Everyone laughed. "When are you going to introduce Scarlett to your parents?"

Christopher sighed before answering. "Mother and Father said after the coronation ceremony.Everyone is busy today."

"Why?"

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"Today is the Oath taking ceremony."

"Oh..."

"Ari?" Emma called. "I know this is personal. But aren't you afraid of yesterday's prophecy?" Everyone looked at her silently, expecting an answer except for Anwar. "No! Do not let yourself suffer because of another prophecy."

"Exactly. It might be false." Naomi took Ariana's hand between her hands, trying to assure her.

"Mother said that the seer was the one to prophesize the death of former King and Queen." Ariana stated in a soft voice. Everyone became silent.

"Where is Persephone?" asked Anwar, breaking the ice.

"Probably with Mary. They might be grooming each other like monkeys somewhere." answered Ariana.

Everyone started joking once again. After a series of laughter, Anwar spoke, "Do you people know? Nate is coming today."

"Who is Nate?" asked Emma.

"My brother." answered Ivory.

"And my childhood friend." answered Anwar.

"Oh I see. Nate is short for Nathaniel Astor!" Emma exclaimed.

"Yes." confirmed Ivory.

"What if he is your mate, Ari?" Emma suggested playfully.

"It would be great!" Ivory clapped. "Luna Ariana of Pack Ziram."

Ariana shook her head and lowered here eyes. How nice it would have been to tell them about the man from the garden. But then, how could she tell others about it when she wasn't certain herself.

Just then Luna Iria entered. "Ivory. Your brother has arrived."

Ivory stood up in excitement and rushed out. Everyone else too followed her out to meet Nathaniel Astor.

Contrary to the things Ariana had heard about Nathaniel, he was a tall well built man. She remembered the time when Anwar and Persephone had compared him to her. According to them, Nathaniel was as introverted and bookish as her. But the man in front of her seemed quite extroverted. He was actually mixing well with everyone.

Ariana was lost in her thoughts when Ivory dragged Nathaniel by his arm and placed him in front of her. "And she, my brother, is Ariana, the youngest daughter of Alpha Edward."

"Hello, Lady Ariana." He spoke politely.

"Hello, Lord Nathaniel." She smiled a little.

"Seriously? That is how you greet each other?" Ivory scrunched her nose in distaste. So did Ariana.

"Excuse my little sister, Lady Ariana. She can be rude sometimes." Nathaniel turned towards Ivory who sticked out her tongue in response.

"And no need to be so formal with me. You can call me Nate."

"Well then you can call me Ari."

They smiled at each other and parted their ways.

"So she isn't your mate?" Ivory whispered, clinging to her brother's arm.

"Does it seem like it?" Nathaniel snapped.

"Well no..."

**~~~**

The Oath taking ceremony had commenced. First, the Alphas. future Alphas, Lunas and the future Lunas took an oath. After them, the Betas, Beta females, Gamma and Gamma females took the same kind of oath. The oath was a solemn promise to manifest their dedication towards the Kingdom in the time of need and to place their loyalty towards their Alpha King before anything else.

As the ceremony ended, everyone shifted into their wolves. Howls of all the strongest wolves in the Kingdom got even Ariana's adrenaline pumping.

. **~~~**

Everyone was feasting after the display of energy when Alpha Edward noticed that his precious little child wasn't anywhere to be seen.

Just then Narcisse, the Seer arrived. Everyone cleared and made a way for him. Ariana only realized then that the seer was not present during the entire Oath taking ceremony. It's rather suspicious, she thought.

The Seer suddenly approached Alpha Edward. "You seem agitated." He spoke slowly.

"I cannot seem to find my daughter Persephone." replied Alpha Edward. Then he turned towards his wife. "Have you seen her?"

"I haven't." replied Luna Barbara, worried about her daughter's whereabouts.

"Do not worry, Alpha. Your daughter is precisely where she is supposed to be." answered the Seer, calmly.

Although Alpha and Luna were puzzled, they accepted the wise Seer's response and returned to the feast.

**~~~**

It was midnight already. But Ariana's eyes were wide open. How could she sleep? It was her eighteenth birthday after all. She was in bed, lying on her back, fidgeting with her hands to calm her delirium. However, she was startled when she heard a knock at the door and the sound of footsteps fading away. She flipped over the sheets and got out of bed.

"Who's there?" she asked, approaching the door cautiously.

There came no answer.

When she opened the door, she was perplexed to see what was in front of her.

It was a bouquet.

A bouquet made of five red roses arranged in a circle.

And a beautiful gold rose, embellished with red gemstones, in the middle of the five natural roses.