Mae POV
I stand in front of the mirror and stare at myself. I have never been so dressed up in my life. Not even for homecoming or prom when I was in high school.
Raven gave me a dress to wear for the occasion. It is a light blue mermaid gown. There are jewels that cover the bottom of the dress and scatter as they move upward. I am pretty sure this dress cost more than my old apartment did.
I sat in the make-up and hair chair for hours. My make-up is light, which I am grateful for. The artist kept it natural. My hair is in soft waves down my back with a headband that has silvery crescent moons on it. I look like a princess.
Someone whistles from the door, and I turn to see Kieran leaning against the frame. He is wearing a black tux with a bowtie. He looks delicious.
"You clean up nice," I say, trying not to drool.
"Not as nice as you," Kieran says as he saunters over to me.
He wraps his arms around me and tries to kiss me, but I dodge his lips. "Don't ruin my make-up," I warn him. "It took hours."
Kieran pushes his lip out in a pout. "Fine."
He offers me his arm, and I take it. Kieran leads me out of the spare bedroom and down the stairs of the pack house. He stands at the front door and opens it for me. I am shocked when I see what seems like hundreds of people moving toward the back of the pack house.
Kieran leads me around back and I stop in my tracks. The backyard of the pack house has been transformed. There is a huge canopy covering the backyard, and there are flowers covering everything. Tables have been set around the edges, and there is a large dance floor in the middle.
Music is already playing loudly, and couples are dancing. Everyone is laughing and having a great time. I seem to be the only one that is nervous. Butterflies are swarming in my stomach, and I feel like I am going to vomit.
"Are you ready?" Kieran asks as he squeezes my hand. "Raven has asked to introduce us."
"Introduce us?" I can't keep my voice from shaking.
"Raven has already been introduced to the crowd, but she wanted to introduce us," Kieran shrugs his shoulders. "Normally, the Queen would be the last to enter, but she wanted to make an exception this time."
"Okay," I say weakly.
Kieran guides me toward the canopy and we stop right at the edge. Kieran nods to someone on the other side of the yard, and the music dies down.
Raven steps onto the stage at the far end of the canopy and smiles brightly at us. She is wearing a blood-red dress that hugs all of her curves. Her black hair is pulled back at the base of her neck, and her lipstick matches her dress. She looks stunning.
She clears her throat into the microphone, and the crowd immediately looks in her direction. They all lower their heads in respect.
Raven nods her head, and the crowd relaxes a little. "I know it is customary for me to be the last to be announced, but I couldn't resist the chance to introduce my little brother."
The crowd erupts in laughter, and Kieran groans beside me. I can't help but smirk a little at his discomfort.
Raven is smiling brightly at the crowd. It is obvious she was born to lead.
"It is my pleasure to introduce Alpha Kieran and your new Luna, Mae," Raven's voice echoes loudly through the night.
Kieran stiffens at my side, and my mouth drops open. I don't think either one of us was expecting her to introduce me as the new Luna of the pack.
Leaning into Kieran, I whisper into his ear. "Did you know she was going to tell everyone?"
"I didn't," Kieran replies. "But it is too late to change it now."
Kieran leads me down the aisle toward the stage.
I focus on my steps, praying that I don't trip. I don't want my first impression of being Luna to be an embarrassing one.
I can hear everyone whisper as I walk through the crowd with Kieran. I know they are talking about me. Many of them are looking at me skeptically. I am sure they can tell that I am a human.
"Hold your head high," Kieran whispers next to my ear. "You are their Luna."
I didn't realize I was staring at the ground until Kieran told me to hold my head high. I take my eyes off the ground and look straight ahead. I focus on Raven in her red dress. She has a big, toothy grin on her face. Raven isn't looking at Kieran. Her eyes are focused on me.
Kieran leads me up the stairs to the stage, and Raven embraces me warmly. Kieran takes the microphone from Raven and faces the crowd. Raven steps to my side and holds my hand while Kieran speaks.
Kieran scratches the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well, Raven beat me to the punch. This is Mae, and she is my second chance mate. The Moon Goddess knew what she was doing when she brought Mae to me. She will be the perfect Luna."
Kieran pauses his speech and looks back at me. I dab at the tears that are gathering in my eyes. Kieran holds out his hand for me. As soon as I put my hand in his, he pulls me across the stage. Wrapping his arms around me, he dips me low and places a deep kiss on my lips.
I gasp, and Kieran's tongue slips into my mouth. He kisses me passionately and then sets me back on my feet. I sway a little, and my face blushes.
The crowd erupts into a series of cheers, and my face blushes brighter.
"Let's party!" Kieran yells into the microphone.