Kieran POV
Taking Mae by the hand, I try to lead her down the stairs to dance, but Raven refuses to let go of her hand.
"You have to make the proper introductions," Raven whispers to me.
"You have already done that," I remind her.
Raven nods her head in the direction of the pack elders who are making their way toward the stage. None of them look excited. In fact, they look angry.
The elders walk past Mae and me and walk right toward Raven. Raven holds her head high as the elders approach her.
"I don't think we have to remind you that you don't have any say over who our pack's Luna is," Elder Clark snaps at Raven.
I push Mae behind me and step in Raven's direction. No one has the right to speak to my sister that way.
Raven must sense my anger, and she holds up her hand to stop me from attacking Elder Clark.
"I think you forget that I was chosen by the Moon Goddess herself," she smiles at him. "I am only a vessel to make sure what she wants is done."
Elder Clark scoffs loudly. "What makes you think the Moon Goddess wants this… human… to be the Luna of our pack?"
"If she didn't want it so, she wouldn't have made her Kieran mate," Raven replies.
Mom pushes through the group of Elders that has surrounded us. "Gentlemen," she interrupts. "I don't think now is the time for this conversation. We wouldn't want the pack to think that we are not unified now, would we?"
Elder Clark backs away from Raven, and I see her let out a breath. I know these kinds of confrontations make her uncomfortable. She is trying so hard to be the Queen that is expected of her, but I know it is out of character for her. She relies on her mates for strength. I think that is why the Moon Goddess blessed her with two.
"This conversation is not over," Elder Clark says through gritted teeth.
"It sure feels like it is over," I snap at him. "The Luna Queen has spoken. Mae is the new Luna of the North Pack. Unless you would like to go against what the Queen has said. But then that would make you a recusant."
Elder Clark's mouth opens and shuts, and like a fish gasping for air. We all know what happens to recusants when they are found. Raven has a smirk on her lips and mouths, "Thank you," in my direction.
When Elder Clark finally comes back to his senses, he smooths his hands down his tux. Peering behind me, he extends his hand to Mae. Mae takes a small step to my left and shakes Elder Clark's hand. I can see that he is trying to intimidate her, but Mae is refusing to back down. She plasters a fake smile on her face and stares him right in the eyes.
The handshake lasts what feels like forever. The tension in the air is thick between us all. Finally, I take Mae's hand from Elder Clark's and lead her away.
I keep her close to my side. I don't know how the rest of the pack is going to react. I hope they are more welcoming than the elders.
Mae's shoulders are stiff as she walks beside me. I can feel how uncomfortable she is through the bond. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I hold her close, hoping that the sparks of the mate bond will make her feel more at ease.
As we move through the crowd, all of the pack members are baring their necks to us. Not one tries to deny Mae the respect she deserves. Mae nods her head politely to each person we pass, and I worry that she is going to wear herself out.
I guide her to the middle of the dance floor and press our bodies together. Mae's head tilts down as a blush spreads across her cheeks. I grab her chin before the music begins and force her to look into my eyes.
Her pupils dilate, and I can almost hear the dirty thoughts running through her mind. Bending down next to her ear, I whisper, "Later."
Mae's face blushes an even brighter shade of red.
The band begins to play, and we sway along to the music. Mae rests her head on my shoulder and lets out a comfortable sigh. I peek over her shoulder and see everyone is watching us. No one looks upset or disappointed. They all look eager to meet her.
To be honest, I am surprised. I thought there would have been more pushback from the pack because she is human.
Every so often, someone breaks through the mind link and congratulates me for finding my mate. Many of the women tell me out lovely she is. It makes my heart swell with pride knowing that she is going to be accepted.
We are lost in the moment while we are dancing, and we don't see a little girl run to our side. The little girl tugs at Mae's dress, grabbing her attention.
The little girl couldn't be more than five or six years old. She is wearing a very poofy dress that makes her look like a princess. She is holding a flower in her hand that she swiped from one of the tables.
Mae bends down to the girl's level and smiles at her. "Hello."
The little girl is bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet with excitement. "My name is Sofia!" She squeals.
Mae looks at the child with love. "It is nice to meet you, Sofia. I am Mae."
"Mommy says you are the new Luna," the girl begins to ramble. "I hope to be a Luna one day."
Mae looks up at me for guidance in the conversation, but I shrug my shoulders. Mae rolls her eyes playfully in my direction before turning back to the child.
"I've heard being a Luna is hard work," Mae tells Sofia. "I am nervous."
"You will be great," the girl yells above the music. "I just know it."
The little girl holds out the rose in her hands for Mae to take, but her little hand wrapped too tightly around the stem, and she was poked by one of the thorns. Tears begin to swarm in her eyes, and she starts to cry loudly.
"Oh no," Mae says gently. "Let me see."
The little girl holds out her hand, and there is a small puncture wound on one of her fingers. Mae gently wipes away the blood and places a kiss on the little girl's finger. The bleeding stops, and so do the child's tears.
Sofia lifts her arms in Mae's direction, asking to be picked up. Mae doesn't hesitate. She picks up the little girl and searches the crowd for her mother.
Suddenly, the alarms sound, and everyone begins to scatter. Mae has heard the alarms once before. She is bound to know that a rogue attack is coming.
Mae's eyes are wide with fear, but she holds Sofia's head to her chest and covers her ears.
"There is no time to get you back to the safe room," I warn her as I start stripping off my tux. "You will have to hide."
"Where?" Mae's voice is shaking.
"Take the child and hide in the trees," I command her.
Mae doesn't argue. There is no time for a kiss goodbye. I watch her helplessly as she kicks off her shoes and runs under the protection of the trees. I say a prayer for the Moon Goddess to keep her safe.