Chapter 188: Chapter 188 Joining the Pack 1
Caroline’s POV
I woke up feeling sore but satisfied from last night with Draven. I reached over for him, but his side of the bed was empty. Blinking in the morning light, I realized he was already gone.
"Draven?" I called out, but got no answer.
I yawned and sat up, my muscles aching a bit.After a quick shower and getting dressed, I went downstairs to find everyone rushing around with decorations, food, and other stuff that looked ceremonial.
Eleanor saw me and hurried over, looking excited.
"There you are, sleeping beauty! I’ve been waiting for you to wake up," she exclaimed, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward a side room."I’ve got a bunch of outfits for you to try on. We need to find the perfect one for tonight."
"What? Already?" I asked,"Where’s Draven? And where’s Liam?"
"Draven took Liam to meet with some of the visiting alphas and their cubs. Don’t worry—they’re having father-son bonding time," Eleanor assured me. "Your man has been up since dawn, by the way. He sent out an urgent mind-link to everyone in Storm Valley about your pack joining ceremony before the sun was even up."
"He really isn’t wasting any time, is he?"I mumbled, following her into what appeared to be a makeshift dressing room.Clothing racks had been wheeled in, filled with beautiful dresses in various shades of white, silver, and blue—the colors of the Storm Valley Pack.
Nate appeared at the doorway, carrying a tray of coffee and pastries. "Morning, Carrie! The madness has officially begun," he said with a grin, setting down the tray. "Both your parents and Draven’s pseudo-parents have arrived. They’re all eager to witness you join the pack tonight."
"My parents are here?" I asked, nearly choking on the coffee I’d just sipped.
"Yep. Beta Robert and Lena flew in at first light when they got Draven’s call," Nate explained. "They’re with Alpha Arthur and Clara right now, getting settled in the guest quarters."
Eleanor handed me a stunning silver dress with blue accents. "Try this one first. And yes, your father seems surprisingly pleased about the whole thing. I think he’s just relieved you’re finally joining a pack, even if it’s not Blood Moon."
"Ryan, Luke,Joseph and pretty much everyone Draven could round up have been put to work," Nate continued. "They’re setting up the amphitheater for the ceremony, sending invitations to neighboring packs, arranging for enough food to feed several small armies. You know, the usual rush job when an Alpha gets impatient."
I sank into a nearby chair, feeling overwhelmed. "This is all happening so fast."
"That’s putting it mildly," Eleanor snorted, holding up another dress against me. "And don’t get me started on this weekend’s wedding plans. I’m already having heart palpitations thinking about organizing a proper Luna wedding ceremony in three days. THREE DAYS, Carrie!"
"I told him it was rushing things," I said weakly.
"Rushing? This is warp speed, honey." Eleanor shook her head. "But at least the joining ceremony tonight is straightforward. You pledge your allegiance to Storm Valley, Draven formally accepts you and Liam as pack members, and then everyone goes for a run under the moon. Simple enough."
Nate leaned against the doorframe. "Simple except for the fact that Draven’s invited half the werewolf community to witness it. Alpha Gerald almost had a stroke when he heard how many prominent wolves would be attending."
"What? Why would he invite so many people?" I asked, alarmed.
Eleanor and Nate exchanged knowing looks.
"Because he’s proud, Carrie," Eleanor said softly. "He wants everyone to know that you’re his true mate, that you and Liam are becoming official members of his pack. It’s his way of saying no one should ever question your place here."
My throat tightened with emotion. Even after everything we’d been through, Draven still found ways to show how deeply he cared, how determined he was to protect me from the prejudice I’d faced all my life as a scentless wolf.
"Now, enough sentimentality," Eleanor declared, breaking the moment. "We have approximately eight hours to transform you into the most breathtaking woman Storm Valley has ever seen. Ava’s coming later to help with hair and makeup."
A soft knock at the door interrupted us. Ryan stood there, looking slightly harassed but grinning nonetheless.
"Just checking if the soon-to-be pack member needs anything," he said. "Draven’s driving us all crazy with his perfectionism. I swear, if he asks me one more time if I’ve confirmed whether your favorite tulips will arrive on time by air..."
I couldn’t help but laugh. "Tell him I’m fine and to stop terrorizing everyone."
"Will do," Ryan nodded. "Oh, and just so you know, Liam is having the time of his life. Last I saw him, he was sitting on Draven’s shoulders while Draven showed him off to every important wolf in attendance like he’s the crown prince of the universe."
My heart swelled at the image.
"That reminds me," Eleanor said as Ryan departed, "we need to get Liam fitted for his ceremony outfit too. As Draven’s heir, he’ll have a special place in the ritual."
The day passed in a whirlwind of preparations. I tried on countless outfits before settling on a stunning silver-blue dress that seemed to capture the moonlight itself. My mother cried when she saw me in it, while my father, to my surprise, actually smiled with something that looked like pride.
When Draven finally returned with Liam in the late afternoon, my son was bubbling with excitement, chattering about all the "big wolves" he’d met and how his daddy had promised to teach him to shift when he was older.
Draven pulled me aside for a moment, his violet eyes intense. "Are you ready for tonight?" he asked, his voice low and intimate.
"As ready as I can be," I admitted. "Though I wish you’d warned me about inviting so many people to witness my joining ceremony."
He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Only the best for my future Luna. I want everyone to witness what I already know—that you belong here, with me, as my equal."
"Even though I’m still scentless?" I couldn’t help asking.
Draven’s expression grew serious. "Especially because you’re scentless. After tonight, no one will ever dare question your place in this pack or your worthiness to stand beside me."
Inside me, I felt Rory stir with anticipation. My wolf had been unusually active all day, sensing the significance of what was to come. After tonight, we would no longer be lone wolves. We would have a pack, a family that extended beyond just Draven and Liam.