Brenna
“Shall we proceed?” A sly smile spread across Magenta’s lips.
“By all means,” Adan replied, taking my hand as he looked into my eyes, causing my heart to flutter.
“Alpha Adan Patrick Cole, do you take Luna Brenna Alicia Sutton to be your lawfully wedded wife and Mate?” Magenta asked. “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
Adan’s eyes were filled with so much love I thought my heart would burst receiving it. “I do.”
Magenta smiled as she turned to me. “And do you, Luna Brenna Alicia Sutton, take Alpha Adan Patrick Cole to be your lawfully wedded husband and Mate, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
Tears filled my eyes, and my voice was thick with emotion. “I do.”
Magenta cleared her throat as she turned to Adan. “Do you have a ring?”
“I do.” Adan smiled as he slipped his hand into the inside pocket of his suit coat, pulled out two rings, and handed them to Magenta.
In turn, Magenta held them on the flat of her palm. “Adan, take her ring and repeat after me. ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’”
Adan took the ring, and electricity ran through my body as he held my hand, looking into my eyes. “With this ring, I thee wed.” Then he slid the gold band onto my finger, where it would remain forever.
“Brenna.” Magenta smiled as she held Adan’s ring out to me.
I took it and looked into Adan’s eyes. “With this ring, I thee wed.” Then I slid the ring onto his finger.
A broad smile spread across Magenta’s face. “Adan, you may now kiss the bride.”
Adan took me into his arms and gently smoothed the back of his hand over my cheek. “I love you, Brenna.”
“I love you, too.”
Then his lips descended upon mine as fire coursed through my veins. I opened for him, and passion overtook us both. Adan pulled back a moment later and he gave me one last sweet kiss.
“Congratulations!” Magenta pulled first me and then Adan in for hugs. “You both should get to your suite before the Blood Moon is in full swing.”
“Thank you.” Adan gently squeezed her hand. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“To both of us,” I corrected, giving her a small smile.
“It was my pleasure.” She wiped the corner of her eyes and sniffed. “Now, go. Have a wonderful life together.”
Just then, Magenta weaved and Adan caught her, then led her to sit in a chair. “Magenta, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
She nodded, a small smile lighting her lips. “I’m fine. I just need Willow, the Witch Supreme.” Her eyes met mine. “Brenna, could you summon her?”
I nodded. “Yes, of course! Adan, give me your phone—”
“No, summon her,” Magenta repeated. “I’ll tell you how.”
“Oh-kay….”
She smiled. “Just close your eyes, hold out your hands, and repeat after me.”
I nodded, doing as she said.
“Vocatio veneficae summae salices,” she breathed, her eyes growing heavy.
“Magenta?” I knelt beside her, my eyes wide as I took her hand.
“Do it,” she commanded, her eyes weak, reflecting her countenance.
I closed my eyes and said, “Vocatio veneficae summae salices!”
Suddenly, my mind zoomed through space when a woman with beautiful long white hair came into view.
The woman frowned. “You don’t have to yell, you know.” She raised her chin as she took me in. “Who are you? Who sent you? State your name and your business immediately before I block you—”
“No,” Magenta said beside me. “Willow, I sent her.”
“Magenta?” The woman’s silver eyes flashed, her lips snarling. “What have you done to Magenta?”
“Nothing!” I replied. “I’m Brenna, the new Luna of the Moon Shadow Pack. I’m not familiar exactly how this works, but Magenta asked me to summon you. She just married Alpha Adan and me, and then collapsed. She said that you can help.”
Willow nodded. “Go back. I shall be there momentarily.”
“Then you’ll come?” I tilted my head to the side, hopeful.
She scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. “Yes, of course! I’ll explain everything when I arrive. Now, be gone!”
She raised her arms, and my spirit zoomed back into my body. I gasped as my eyes flew open.
“Brenna, are you all right?” Adan asked, concern filling his voice.
“Oh, she’ll be fine.” The woman from my vision walked past us to Magenta. “Out-of-body experiences are always draining, especially when it’s your first time.”
“Out-of-body experience?” I scoffed.
“Yes, yes!” Willow said, but her eyes softened as she took Magenta’s hand. “Magenta, my love, hang on.”
Magenta shook her head, trying to sit up. “No, Willow. It’s my time.” She gently ran her fingertips along Willow’s cheek. “And I wanted to see you one last time. I also need to pass you my magic—”
“No!” Willow fell to her knees beside Magenta as she held her hand. “I’ll give you some of my magic—”
“I’ve taken enough over the years,” Magenta cut her off, giving her a soft smile. “If you give me much more, you won’t have enough for yourself.”
“It’s okay.” Tears coursed down Willow’s cheek. “The world wouldn’t be the same without you. Here. Take my hand—”
“No,” Magenta said firmly. “Let me go. It’s my time.”
“Why didn’t you come to me sooner?” Willow growled, glancing at me over her shoulder, tears filling her eyes.
“I’m sorry.” I shook my head, shocked. “I had no idea—”
“Neither of us did,” Adan finished.
“It’s no excuse!” Willow’s voice bellowed, filling the room.
“Willow, will you spend our last moments together yelling at a new Luna?” Magenta smiled as she gazed into her eyes. “Give me your hand, look into my eyes, and I’ll perform the transfer—”
“No!” Willow sobbed. “No! You can’t leave me! You’re the best of us!”
Magenta gently touched her chest. “I’ll always be with you... right here.”
A sob choked in Willow’s throat. “Why didn’t you send for me sooner?”