The Luna’s Choice

Chapter 179

08:45

Chapter 27: Theo

Ayla and I weren’t ready to spend another night apart yet, so while the others remained in their groups the rest of the night(except for my father), I slept in my own bed with my mate. We woke up with some extra time, and I eagerly spent it making love to Ayla before she was called away. While any intimate moment we managed to share these days was enough for me, I was eager to get to a point when I could take my time with her.

The rest of the day was hectic but went by smoothly. Once we were all dressed and ready to go, I went to the ladies‘ suit to pick up Ayla. We would go to the banquet hall before everyone to start greeting the attendants. There were a few standard ways to hold a mating ceremony. The more traditional practice entailed the ceremony taking place at the beginning of the evening, followed by a reception of the couple’s choosing. In those cases, the mating couple would have chosen to mark each other in front of their friends and family.

Mina and Briggs opted for the more private option. We would be starting with a reception gathering in the banquet hall first. The night will close out with the promise ritual. They will leave directly after, where they will mark each other in private.

After my experience marking Ayla, I encouraged their choice. Ayla and my public mating ceremony will be a little different from either option since we are doing it on the solstice. However, we will be marking each other again in front of most of the pack. While I was -greatly looking forward to sharing that with my pack, I still wouldn’t

change our original mating for anything.

As I thought about that night, Ayla opened the door to meet me. My breath caught as my eyes fell on her.

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She looked stunning in a flowy, pale green dress. Her hair had been pulled up with whispy curls framing her face. Suddenly, it was going to be a lot harder to make it through this evening.

She smiled as she looked me up and down. “I always knew you’d clean up nicely,” she teased, taking my arm as she kissed my cheek.

I swung her around and pulled her against me, leaning in to graze my lips along her jawline.

“And here I was, wondering how the hell I was going to make it through the evening without tearing this dress off of you,” I said lowly.

“Okay, you two, knock it off,” my mother’s voice pulled us out of our bubble. “Get moving. People have already started to arrive.”

Ayla laughed as she dragged me down the corridor to the elevator, where I may or may not have let my hands roam the whole way down. We were smiling and laughing playfully as we approached the banquet hall. Suddenly, Ayla stiffened and her smile faltered slightly, replaced by one that no longer reached her eyes. I looked to see what had caused the change and my own mood dropped.

Our first guests to arrive were none other than Malcolm and Julia Neale.

I sighed. Looping Ayla’s arm in mine, I proceeded toward the entrance to greet our guests.

“Malcolm, Julia,” I acknowledged. “We were expecting to see you two here this evening.”

“We couldn’t miss the mating ceremony of our favorite Beta, now

could we?” Julia cooed annoyingly, looking as cheap as ever in a tacky gold dress.

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“We were passing through on business anyway,” Malcolm said. “What better way to spend the evening than such a joyous occasion? And I must say, Luna Ayla, you are looking absolutely magnificent this evening.”

“Thank you, Mr. Neale,” Ayla replied tightly.

Luckily, the next group of attendees was approaching us.

“Well, I hope you two enjoy yourselves,” I said diplomatically, gesturing them towards the hall. “Please, help yourselves.”

The two continued past us and we gave each other a look.

‘I didn’t know they had been invited. Ayla commented through the mind–link.

‘I honestly don’t think they were,‘ I replied. ‘I’ll have Jimmy and some of the others babysit them to keep them away for the evening.‘

We continued to greet everyone as they came in, eventually moving in to announce Briggs and Mina’s entrance. We made our way to the platform at the head of the room as my mother linked me to say they were waiting outside. I quieted the room.

“I want to welcome everyone and say how excited and happy I am to be up here tonight,” I spoke to the crowd. “I couldn’t ask for a better Beta. Knowing that mine has ended up with his perfect mate brings me joy and comfort. No two people deserve it more. And I’m happy to be gaining a new friend and family member.” I squeezed Ayla’s waist. “So, I’m proud to introduce Beta Briggs and his mate, Mina.”

The opposite doors opened and Briggs and Mina entered. I tugged Ayla closer as I watched how happy they looked. Mina looked beautiful and Briggs was mesmerized. I kissed Ayla on the temple and helped her off the platform. The band went to the stage and the party

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got underway.

Ayla and I were making our way toward the spot where some of our group of friends were congregating. I was stopped in my tracks as a gray head of hair jumped in front of me.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Alpha,” Harmon said as he shook my hand. “My flight was delayed.”

“Harmon, no worries,” I said, jovially returning his handshake. “I’m just glad you could make it.”

I saw a flash of gold coming my way, and I suddenly realized why Malcolm and Julia showed up tonight.

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