Derek’s POV
After the meeting, I walked to my office with Erika.
Actually, I was a little worried. I didn’t know how Erika would react when she knew the punishment for Angel. These days we really got along with each other and I didn’t want to ruin it. Hopefully, she just forgot about it.
However, immediately after we went into the office and closed the door, Erika folded her arms in front of her chest and looked at me with her lips tightly shut.
What do you mean by unusual? She mind-linked me.
It took a second for the word to sink in. After a second, I realized what unusual meant and burst out into a smile. She must be thinking about it all the time.
I cleared my throat and looked her in the eye. “Erika, as I said, it’s unusual. I don’t want to keep it from you, but for some reason, I have to keep it a secret for now. I promise it’s not a bad thing and you don’t need to worry about it. It can even be a good thing for her. I promise. And don't get distracted by it. What you need to do is to prepare for the announcement and then hunt James. Pick up a gown that you like and show up in front of the public in your best look,” I said as I stroked her hair.
Erika looked at me confused. She thought about it and tried to ask me some questions several times. But she didn’t. I knew that she wouldn’t ask me about it anymore. She would focus on the announcement.
It was decided temporarily and everyone was informed on short notice. Everyone was busy, especially Carl and Erika.
The next day.
I had been nervous since I woke up this morning. For the whole day, I couldn’t eat much. I was very excited that Erika would officially become my Luna. At the same time, I was also worried about any potential accidents. Last time, I trusted her, but she failed me. I didn’t punish her but I knew that I would go crazy if the escape thing happened for a second time.
So I had been very cautious this time. I checked the food and drinks she took by myself. I didn’t allow her to stay alone before the announcement began. It seemed that she had no problems with my precautions and she accepted them all with a smile.
The announcement would begin in thirty minutes. Erika was in the dressing room for the whole afternoon and I couldn’t wait to see how she looked.
I went to the dressing room. The instant I walked in, all my attention was attracted to her. I was hypnotized by her and walked to her before I knew it.
She looked gorgeous in a satin gown in pale blue. Her hair was put behind in a bun and fixed with a pearl hairpin while the hair in front of her forehead was curled. She always had her hair braided because she used to fight a lot. Although she didn’t need to fight so much now, she still braided her hair or just let it hang loose over her shoulder. Now that her hair and makeup were all done, she looked like a real queen.
She felt my gaze and turned to me with a smile.
“You look so beautiful.” I leaned over and cupped her chin so that I could admire her beauty closely.
Thank you, I’m still picking up a necklace to match the gown, she mind-linked me, pursing her lips. There was a dozen of necklaces in front of her and she didn’t know which one to choose. I ran my fingers through the necklaces and a pearl necklace matched her dress well. But I was not satisfied. There must be a necklace that could do better.
Suddenly, the blue heart-shaped diamond necklace flashed through my mind. It must fit her perfectly.
The bad news was that I had thrown it away. But I knew where to find it.
“Excuse me,” I said and then rushed out of the dressing room, ignoring the confused look on everyone present.
As I ran out, I took out my phone and called Francis. “Where is the heart-shaped diamond necklace?”
Francis didn’t reply immediately. Then I heard a chuckle on the other end of the line.
“The one you threw out of the car? Why do you ask me for it?” he asked.
“Save it. I know you picked it up. I saw you at the auction that day. Where is it? I want it now.” I shouted at the phone.
When I discovered that Erika had escaped, I dumped the necklace in anger. I knew that Francis must have picked it up. It was a precious necklace and I didn’t think he could resist the temptation. By the way, we both bid for it in the auction. He was disguised as an old man but I still recognized him.
“OK. It’s in my pack house. When will you use it?”
“I want Erika to wear it during a ceremony which begins after thirty minutes.”
“Fine. Ask Angel to fetch it. I’ll wait for her at the border.”
Twenty-five minutes later, Angel appeared at the door of the dressing room and panted.
“Where is the necklace?” I asked urgently.
Angel took it from her bag and handed it to me.
I ran to Erika with the necklace.
“Look what it is!” I said as I helped her wear it. It matched her gown perfectly.
The necklace! I didn’t dare to ask you about it. I thought you must have thrown it away. She mind-linked and covered her mouth with her hands excitedly.
“I did throw it away out of anger, but I knew that Francis would pick it up because it was a rare necklace. And I just got it from him.”
The ceremony began. I walked to the stage, glanced at the pack members, and cleared my throat. I had given numerous speeches ever since I became the Alpha of the pack. But thinking of what was going to happen, I was a little nervous and my voice trembled a little bit.
I announced that Erika was the Luna of my pack and gave her a moon-shaped diamond brooch that had the word Blood Moon on it. It belonged to my mom, the former Luna, and now it belonged to Erika. I pinned it on her gown.