Erika’s POV
I was thrilled when I looked down at the brooch on my gown which glistered. I glanced around the audience. Hearing that so many people were shouting my name, I was even more excited. Although the pack members already called me Luna, it felt completely different when the brooch was passed down to me. At this moment, I felt that I indeed became a part of the pack and a sense of purpose overcame me.
I swore in front of the pack members that I would try my best to be the Luna of the pack. Deafening applause sounded from the audience. Derek sat in the first row and also applauded with a proud smile on his face.
I stepped off the stage and walked to my seat. It was a short ceremony and it ended soon.
Then the pack members all left while the pack leaders stayed in the venue.
I stood in front of Derek and the pack leaders and mind-linked.
I swear to the Moon Goddess that I will not escape again and that I will be loyal to the Blood Moon Pack for the rest of my life.
The pack leaders all bared their necks to show submission to me. Derek looked at me with a satisfied smile on his face. Our eyes met. I couldn’t hold back the smile on my face, either.
After then, Kent and Gerald left soon to make some preparations. It was eight o’clock. One hour later, we would come to the forest and capture James.
I didn’t leave with them immediately because I needed to change my clothes. Before that, Derek held me in his arms and we looked each other in the eye. The instant I leaned over his chest, I could hear his accelerated heartbeats. He had been doubting me these days and sometimes he was really mean to me. But now I could see from his eyes and he had fully trusted me.
I raised my head and discovered that his eyes had already turned dark. So his wolf was in control. He lowered his head and looked at me fixedly. There was suppressed desire in his eyes. Suddenly, he lowered his head and kissed me wildly. He pressed me into his body hard. The necklace was between our bodies and it hurt a little bit. He grasped it off and continued the kiss.
It didn’t end until I was panting. I looked up at him and was surprised to discover that his canines were revealed. He stared at my neck and his dark eyes flashed with desire. Sure, he wanted to mark me. But it was not the right time.
Luna, shall we leave now? Kent mind-linked me.
I broke free from Derek.
Kent is waiting for me. I need to leave now. I mind-linked him and explained.
His face darkened immediately. He didn’t say anything. I knew that he wanted badly to mark me now, but he had promised that I could go out with Kent and Gerald for the task. Would he go back on his words? After all, his wolf was in control now.
You promised me that I could go out and help them capture James, didn’t you? I mind-linked him again and kissed him on his forehead to soothe him. Then I looked at him and waited for his reaction nervously.
Gradually, his dark eyes returned to normal. My eyes shone with his reaction.
“I’ll keep my word,” he said as he stroked my hair.
I threw myself at his body in excitement.
We went to the room where I put a bag in. I took off the necklace, the hairpin, and the brooch and put them into a black case. I handed the case to Derek. Then I changed into my fighting suit and sneakers, braided my hair, and wore my gloves. I did it as quickly as possible and it only took ten minutes to change from a gorgeous queen to a woman warrior. There was no time to remove the makeup and I decided to go out with the makeup on.
Derek raised his eyebrows at my new look. Although I always threw daggers at Derek, he had never seen me dressed like a real fighter.
I mind-linked Kent and Gerald and asked them to see me in the room.
They went into the hall. They were in black fighting suits and black masks and armed with many weapons. Each of them had a big bag on their back. Their jaws dropped as they looked me up and down. Unlike them, I brought nothing with me. I could summon daggers and I wouldn’t get lost in the forest. So bringing too many things was a burden for me.
Kent looked at me doubtfully and frowned. “Luna, don’t you need to bring something with you? Or do we need to bring more warriors to protect you? Gerald and I need to get James and we can’t protect you.”
I rolled my eyes at him. I had never seen such a stubborn sexist. I didn’t need any protection.
I mind-linked. We will creep on James and sneak attack him. We can’t bring more warriors. I’ve been to the forest countless times and I didn’t need anything with me.
“Don’t worry. She knows what she’s doing. She’s a better fighter than you two and she can protect herself. But still, don’t let her do the fighting thing. She’s only responsible for finding James,” Derek commanded with a proud tone.
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
They both bared their necks to show submission.
Then Derek turned to me. “Take good care of yourself. If anything happens, mind-link me and I’ll come to your help.”
Don’t worry. I’m very familiar with the forest. Nothing will happen. I will come back as soon as possible. I mind-linked Derek and reassured him.
“I know you can do it,” he hugged me.
It was eight thirty and it was time to leave. We went out of the hall and got in the car that Gerald drove there. I was carsick so I began to sleep after I got in the car. When I woke up again, we just arrived at the forest. We got out of the car and began to walk deeper into the forest. The game began now.