Rejection and Second Chances

Becoming Luna

“You’re going to be the most beautiful she-wolf here.” Ashton’s eyes glistened as he looked at me. His fingers found their way into my hair, running through it and tickling down my arm. Sparks flew where our skin collided, and I relished the feeling of his touch. “But we both have to get ready.” I nodded as he kissed my forehead and backed out of the room.

Yessenia walked in, closing the door behind her and turning to smile at me. She already had her hair and makeup done, looking gorgeous in a natural look with winged liner and a nude lip. Her hair was straightened and more than halfway down her back.

“Alright, have you showered?” She said, almost like a drill sergeant. I don’t know what came over me, but I stood up straight and put my hand up to my forehead, saluting her.

“Yes, ma’am!” She giggled.

“Shaved?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Oiled and lotioned?”

“Yes, ma’am!” We both burst into laughter, Yessenia grabbing her stomach as she wheezed.

“Alright then, let’s get started on your hair and makeup!” I sat down on the bed in front of her, letting her put creams and liquids and powders on my face. I closed my eyes when she told me to, looked up at the ceiling when she wanted, sucked in my cheeks, puckered my lips, and blinked more than a few times. After a while, she stepped back, admiring her work.

“Mhm, absolutely gorgeous.” She put her hands on her hips. “I knew it. You dressed plain because if you didn’t, you’d outshine all of us; literally every day.” I giggled at her words, looking at myself in the mirror. I blinked a few times, not recognizing myself. She had done a dramatic look, with a red eyeshadow that matched my dress with a cat eye and shorter false eyelashes, with blush and shiny highlight covering my cheeks. The look was finished with a matching red lip liner that faded into a nude matte lip.

“Wow.” I breathed. “Is that…me?” She laughed, the sound coming out like a tinkle.

“Yes. And if you look closer, I also marked down your freckles and made them darker.” I leaned closer to the mirror and tears sprung to my eyes. I never knew I had freckles. They were so cute. I blinked rapidly, looking at the ceiling to stop myself from ruining Yessenias hard work.

“Alright, let’s get started on your hair before we run out of time!” She said, setting me back down on my bed. She began brushing my hair out, rubbing an oil through it and wrapping it around a hot curling wand. She brushed it out afterwards, but I didn’t understand why, and sprayed it with some hair spray that would make it stay curly. I heard the snaps of rubber bands and my head tilted to the left and right a couple times. She smiled, stepping back again.

“Get dressed first.” She instructed, and I did as told. I grabbed the dress and matching panty and bra set and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind me and stripping down. After putting on the underwear set, I slipped the dress over my head, being careful not to mess up my hair.

“Oh wow.” I said as I looked at myself in the full body mirror. My leg poked out of the slit, looking long and slender even before I put the sandals on. I exited the bathroom and she gushed at me.

“Oh yes, you look absolutely perfect.” She squeezed. “Let’s get these shoes and this jewelry on and complete the look!” I nodded, pulling the sandals out and strapping them up my calf. Thankful that my toenails were painted so my feet didn’t look plain in the sandals, I twirled in front of Yessenia.

She nodded at me with a huge smile on her face, putting my mom’s ring and a bracelet on each wrist as well as a ring on my other hand.

“Voila!” She said, and I looked in the mirror. “You are now ready to become Luna!” I laughed, my nerves beginning to catch up with me.

“Are you sure I should do this?” I asked, fidgeting with my fingers. She looked at me questioningly.

“Do you not want to be mates to Ashton?” Her voice was quiet, likely suspecting the worst.

“It’s not that at all!” I said quickly, grabbing my cheeks in surprise. “I just…I don’t know if I’m ready to take control of an entire pack that I didn’t grow up in.” My voice was getting quieter as I spoke and I stared at the floor.

“Adelina, look.” She said, grabbing my hands and forcing me to look at her before continuing. “I don’t think anybody is ready to take control of an entire pack, but instead are forced into it and learn as they go. And there’s always the help of the previous pack leaders to guide them along as well.”

I nodded, hearing her words and clearing the anxiety from my head. I can do this. I won’t embarrass myself, and I won’t embarrass Ashton.

“Are you ready?” Yessenia’s voice broke through my thoughts. I nodded again and she smiled. “You look gorgeous. You were made for this.” I smiled back, nodding at her and following her out of the room and through the packhouse, out the back door.

The entire pack was there, and they looked nice. The pack elder was by the back of the area underneath two large oaks that were lined with other oak trees. Oliver, Chase, Elizabeth, and Makayla were chatting with pack members, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying. My eyes searched anxiously for Ashton, and I saw him over by a table where his parents were sitting.

I made a beeline for him, my dress swishing through my legs as I walked. He was looking around and his eye passed over me as he searched, doubling back and widening when he saw me. I smiled as I stopped in front him, and he smiled back at me.

“Wow, Adelina.” He said as he looked me up and down a couple times. “You look more stunning than anything over ever seen in my entire life.” I giggled at his words, blushing as he grabbed my hand and kissed it a couple times.

“Yes, Adelina, you look very grown and mature.” His mother said, and I turned to bow to the future ex Alpha and Luna of this pack.

“Thank you, Luna Maria. You also look very lovely this evening.” I said respectfully, smiling up at her as I arose from my bow. Her eyes twinkled as she smiled at me.

“Yes, but tonight isn’t about my mate and me, it’s about your mate and you, honey.” Her voice was light and I found myself nodding along to her words. “Go enjoy yourself and mingle with your pack members.” I bowed to her, catching her smile and shining eyes as I turned away with Ashton.

“She adores you.” He whispered as we approached Oliver, Chase, and their Lunas.

“Hello Adelina.” Makayla said. I bowed to her and the others, not forgetting my place and the respect I must show. Makayla looked at me in confusion. “This is your Luna ceremony. Why are you bowing to us?”

“Is that not the respectful thing to do?” I asked, equally confused. She pursed her lips.

“Well, yes, to those who rank above you.” Her eyebrow raised.

“Currently, you still outrank me, Luna Makayla.” I smiled. Chase was watching with curiosity, and Oliver looked confused as well. Elizabeth just held Oliver’s hand, watching quietly. Makayla nodded, closing her mouth. I had a feeling she wanted to say more, but the pack elder took precedence over her words.

“Welcome, everyone.”