(Harper’s POV)

The day was filled with awkwardness. Colton’s mum and the Luna obviously knew about the change to the intention ceremony, and both seemed to be very excited about it.

“Isn’t it a little quick?” I asked as the Luna held up different dresses to my body.

“Or a lot quick,” Louise said, which earned her a glare from the Luna

“Louise dear, I’m not sure you can understand the want to be connected to your fated mate once you find them,” Caroline chastised, and I glanced at Louise, who blushed. She saw me looking and looked away. I knew already that she had found that fated mate, but she still wasn’t admitting it to herself. Forget anyone else.

“Now, Harper dear,” Caroline said. “I know that it can feel a little fast, but it is quite an acceptable time frame.”

“And didn’t I hear that you asked to be marked on your first mating?” the Luna asked, and I blushed. Oh my goddess, did everyone have details on mine and Coltons first time. The Luna took my blushing as a good sign and smiled.

The door opened, and Damien walked in. I was standing in just my underwear, and he took his time observing my body.

“Oi! Pervert,” Louise called, glaring at him, and he glanced at her briefly before turning to Alex and whispering something. Alex looked over at me as Damien relayed his message, so I didn’t have to guess the topic of the conversation. I glanced at Louise, and she met my eyes and shrugged.

“Damien, dear,” the Luna said. “Don’t be so rude.” Damien smiled at his mother. He crossed the room and kissed her on her cheek.

“My apologies, mother,” he said with a smirk. “I was just relaying some information regarding a surprise that Colton is cooking up and also to deliver this.” He nodded to the door as it opened, and an omega walked in with a large white box. He put the box on the table and quickly scurried out again.

Damien walked to the box, opened it, and pulled out a dress. I couldn’t help my gasp. The dress was beautiful. It had a solid grey underdress, which looked quite short, but the over layer looked to be spun from silver. It was an elaborate lace pattern that started in a fitted bodice effect and then flared out and fell to the floor. As Damien moved towards me, it sparkled in the sunlight from the window, and the long skirt portion moved like it was feather-light. He held the dress up to my body and smiled.

“Colton is right,” he said, looking into my eyes. “You will look beautiful in this.” I felt a heat rising to my face. Was Damien flirting with me? I wasn’t the only one who thought so.

“Hey jerk, get your own girl,” Louise called. “Stop hitting on your best friend’s mate” Damien rolled his eyes and then winked at me before turning to Louise.

“How about you, Louise?” He grinned, and I saw something crossover Alex’s face. I couldn’t tell what it was, but it wasn’t pleasant.

“Hmm, no thanks,” Louise smirked. “I’d rather fill my mouth with hot coals.” Damien laughed.

“Well, maybe another time.” He glanced at the Luna, and they shared a brief look before he turned back to me.

“There are shoes and accessories in there too, with compliments from your mate.” He half bowed and winked again.

“Good day, ladies. I will see you this evening,” he said, and with a nod to Alex, he left the room.

The rest of the day was mostly uneventful and spent getting ready for dinner. Around half an hour after Damien’s visit, a mass mind link went out from the Alpha informing everyone that tonight’s pack dinner was mandatory and formal dress. I was sure that by now, everyone would have heard that Colton had found his mate, although I highly doubted anyone knew who I was. It didn’t matter because by 7 pm tonight, everyone would know. The thought made me want to run and hide and maybe throw up a little. I could imagine the judging stares from the girls who hung off of Colton at any chance they got. They would think that I wasn’t anyone special and certainly not good enough for the future Beta of the pack.

But it didn’t matter because 7 pm quickly rolled around, way too quickly for my liking, and I was standing by the double doors to the grand hall awaiting the announcement. My dark hair had been straightened and pinned to the side, so it flowed over one shoulder. The dress, which fitted perfectly, sparkled in the dim lights of the entrance hall. The accessories included a silver arm cuff and a diamond clustered clip in my hair, and the silver sandals were thankfully only an inch high on the heel. My makeup had been done similar to the Mid Summer ball with soft silvers and white and a pretty pink l*p stain. I had been told that the pack would gather at the tables in the grand hall, and then the Alpha would speak. Then Colton would leave his place at the head table and come to the back of the room and present me officially.

I was all alone except for Alex, who stood by my side. He smiled at me as I trembled at the thought that every pair of eyes in the room would see me when those doors opened.

“Don’t worry, you’ll do amazing,” Alex whispered in my ear. “And you look beautiful.” I blushed at the compliment, raised my head, and took a deep breath.

I listened as the Alpha cleared his throat, and the room descended into silence. The Alpha talked about the connection between the fated mates and how finding that mate in this big world and finding them in the same pack was such a rare occasion. He then announced that Colton had been so lucky and obviously destined for greatness to have been given such a rare gift from the moon goddess.

“I am beyond pleased to announce that not only is Young Beta Colton’s new mate a prominent member of our pack.” I scrunched my face at that. I was hardly prominent.

“But she has already proved her worthiness but activating the up-ranking prior to the marking ritual.” There was a hushed murmur that ran through the crowd. “Which is why we have agreed to the couple’s decision to make tonight’s pack dinner into their Intention Ceremony.” The Alpha finished proudly. There was another wave of noise from the pack, this time louder and with a sense of anticipation. The room slowly quietened down to an almost silence again before I heard the Alpha speak again.

“Colton Stokes, future Beta of the Midnight Moon pack,” I heard a chair move, as I guess Colton stood up from his seat. I suddenly went from nervous to very nervous and felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“Please do us the honour of presenting your goddess-given fated mate to the pack.” I heard more murmuring and movement as Colton made his way down the stairs and to the back of the room. The doors to the room opened, and Colton stood in front of me and looked me up and down. I watched as his eyes switched from the light hazel into the pure gold as he whistled low in appreciation. I took in his appearance as I smiled shyly at him. His black suit and silver tie looked amazing against the white shirt. He stepped out of the room and up to me and bent to lay a gentle k**s on my cheek.

“You look stunning, mate,” he whispered against my cheek. “I hope you have been a good girl because I really want to take this dress off you later.” I closed my eyes and focused on anything, but what he was saying, the last thing I wanted was for a room full of werewolves to be able to smell how much his words excited me.

He took my hand and began his signature rubbing of circles with his thumb until my breathing evened out again, and then turned and gently pulled me into the room.

We stood at the entrance with everyone watching us. Colton squeezed my hand and smiled at me before turning to the room. holds text © rights.

“Alpha Sir, and fellow members of the Midnight Moon pack, may I present Miss Harper Kirby as my mate.”