Unwilling Mate

Chapter Six

Keidan and Riley celebrated their graduation the night before, and now Riley was getting ready for her Luna ceremony. She was fixing to be crowned Luna in front of the entire pack. Unfortunately, Riley and Keidan had already marked one another so another bite was required for show. Riley’s parents were in attendance, her father having just recently returned from a mission at another pack and looked pleased, but a little harrowed from the events there. Details of which, were hidden from Riley.

Riley stepped out of her room in a long blue shimmering dress. It had silver tassels that hung down over the front. It was floor length, and fitted well. Her hair was curled and placed into an elegant half updo. She slipped into a pair of silver laced heels. Her parents helped her from the large bathroom she was dressing in, to the hall where the ceremony would take place. Her father kissed her forehead and escorted her down the walkway and both parents stood behind her on her side, Keidan’s parents stood behind him on the other side.

The pack members made up the attendance of the audience there. Most were surprised, but supported Riley anyway. As Riley scanned the crowd briefly, she noticed that the three she-wolves that had tormented her, were missing. She chopped it up to jealously and support for Kamilla. However, Kamilla’s parents were there showing their support. Nicholas cleared his throat to speak.

“I Alpha King Nicholas of the Silversin Pack, hereby state that today, the twentieth day of May… That my heir, Keidan Woods of the Silversin pack will announced as Alpha hensforth. Does anyone challenge this claim?” When there was complete silence he nodded over to his wife. Alondra smiled sweetly. Her blue eyes shining.

“I Alondra Woods, of the Silversin Pack ask for the permission from Allison, and Derrick Hawthorn to allow their heir, Riley Hawthorn to become Luna and mate of Keidan for the Pack, Silversin now and hensforth.” She paused, looking at Riley’s parents who voiced their agreement. “Does anyone wish to challenge this claim?” When there was silence, the Luna and Alpha nodded to each other and stepped back.

“Riley Hawthorn, I ask you to accept the duties and responsibilities of being my Luna, and my life mate.” Keidan said sweetly, and slid the decorative signet ring on her finger. “I, Riley Hawthorn accept the roles and responsibilities of becoming your Luna, and agree to be your life mate.” Riley said with a smile and slipped the Alpha Signet ring on Keidan’s hand. Riley and Keidan took turns biting each other on their marks, and the crowd erupted in cheering and applause.

The reception hall was a lively place after the ceremony with lots of laughter, music, drinks, and food. It was a grand celebration. Riley danced with her mate, and some of the other wolves. Jasper gained the title of rock Keidan’s beta. Riley was given a second in command of her own, Alice. Keidan and Riley retired to their shared bedroom of the estate, and spent the night in the passionate love making of the mating ritual, and the next morning, they both said their goodbyes to the Alpha King and his wife. Riley took over her duties as Luna the following day. Riley and Keidan didn’t really see much of one another, Keidan had meetings with other pack Alphas, while Riley had to spend time seeing to their warriors, and other smaller tasks, along with the civil rivalries that deal with the pack.

“My Luna!” One of the female pack members came bursting into her office, looking absolutely disheveled and in ragged clothing. Alice was on her heels. “I asked her to book an appointment.” Alice said with a long sigh.

“It’s okay, Alice. Merida was it? What’s wrong? How can I be of assistance?”

“Thank You, Luna Riley.” Riley waited as the woman composed herself. “I was mated to Wester Longbrook. I accepted the mate bond, and he, I’m even marked..” Riley looked at her with a confused expression.

“Honey, slow down and tell me how I can help.”

Merida tried to calm herself and continued speaking. “I was assaulted! By someone who is not my mate, despite being marked… I need help and they hurt Wester!”

A serious look came over Riley’s youthful face and she pointed to the chair. “First, where is Wester?” The woman was absolutely sobbing at this point and Riley took in a ragged breath. “Our house, on Brokenbow street.” Riley nodded. “Send a couple of our men to collect him and take him to the hospital.” Alice nodded and quickly left the room.

“Now, breathe and tell me what happened.”

“We were making lunch, and his friends came to the house drinking. Um they were making comments about me, and Wester got mad. One of them grabbed my chest, and Wester shifted. They all shifted and ganged up on him, I didn’t shift because of the baby and… they took turns assaulting me when Wes was down, and I couldn’t tell the Alpha it was one of his inner circle on it, and you’re a woman so I thought you’d understand I just didn’t know what else to do!” She said as she continued sobbing hysterically.

“Okay okay. You’re safe now. I’m the Luna, and we’re going to handle this. Who are the men that assaulted you?”

“Ace Brentwood, Adam Creed, and Michael Williams.” Riley raised her eyebrows. “Okay, I need you to go down to the hospital and get yourself checked out, I will inform my mate and we will find these men and bring them in for punishment. Messing with a marked woman is a crime in its own, but Merida you’re carrying a pup and that’s an entirely different situation. I’ll have someone take you.” Merida reached up and hugged Riley gratefully. Riley petted her hair to comfort her and when Alice walked in, she could only sigh.

“Take Merida down to the hospital, and get my mate in here as soon as possible.” Alice nodded quickly.

“Yes, Luna. Right away.” Riley sighed, her first day and things were already tense.