Chapter 27.
The mansion's wide front door opens. There stands my mom, as beautiful as ever. A buzzed bald cut that defines her blessed Afrocentric features that are to be envied. Wearing a beautiful strapless royal blue deep v-neck lace gown and a brilliant Kolkata gold necklace and matching earrings. Her light blue eyes are watery as she hugs me with deep affection.
“Azah my bubs, you look stunning” She whispers.
“Mom, what’s happening? This doesn’t seem like a small birthday celebration.” My mom only wore her Kolkata gold necklace twice.
“Oh baby, it’s much more than that.” she kisses me on both cheeks. Joshua holds out his arm for her to take, while he takes one last look at me and winks. Then turns his head and walks forward with mom. Sara has already gone inside, it’s just my dad and I left standing at the front entrance.
“Your mom wore that headpiece too you know.” My dad said with pride. I look at my dad. This moment feels so rich, and warm. Those same hazel eyes I have are now watery. Conflicted with emotions of joy, and sadness.
“I didn’t expect you to leave me so soon.”
I choked. I didn’t have anything to say to this. He takes me by the hand and I lock my hand around his arm. We walk forward in silence. The outdoor decor is elegant and breathtaking. The gorgeous and magical aisle is filled with white and gold petals. White ghost chairs face forward, forming a circle. The aisle extends all the way to the banyan tree where a mandap is set up. Its design has heavy florals, hanging white blooms suspended from the canopy.
I see many people now standing upon our arrival. I paused at the grand entrance, realizing what was happening. All of sudden my heart begins to race furiously, a fluttery sensation in my stomach as we continue to walk. I’m anxious and nervous, ready to take flight. My dad held me tighter. “Azah, look at him.”
And so I did. No camera could ever capture the essence of this man’s beauty. He turns around, and even from afar you could see his pearl white teeth. His espresso brown skin acts as a canvas. Overflows with warmth, and luminosity, making the skin shine from within without much effort. He is wearing an exquisite royal blue velvet double-breasted suit with gold embroidery, the patterns matching my saree. A white dress shirt underneath and a blue bow tie, dress pants matching the colour of his suit.
I see him and become blind to all else. Our eyes meet. It is then that I began to imagine, began to want a life with him and only him. Because he is the only one my heart longs for, my heart knew him, and now my heart has found him. I couldn’t wait any longer to be by his side. I tried to take a few steps up the mandap, but my father’s hold tightened. I turn to see him with tears slowly streaming down his cheeks.
“Azah.” His eyes are warm yet sad.
“Baba” it’s ok you can let me go.
My dad’s arm loosens his hold on me and lets me go. As I turn, I see Zion's hand reaching out for me. I take his hand. The warmth of his hand feels like home.
Josiah smiles as he waits for us to approach.
“Please be seated. First, I would like to thank everyone for coming today. Those who aren’t residents of this town and those who are. Welcome to Columbia Deacon Heights. It’s no accident that each of you is here today, and each of you was invited to be here because you represent someone important in the individual and collective lives of our Luna Azah Safaa Moons-Ānanda and Zion Aaron Zeus-Heights. We are honoured here today to not only stand as witnesses to this union. But we are also celebrating this day as the birthday of our Luna.”
“The most remarkable moment in life is when you meet the person who makes you feel complete. The person who makes the world a beautiful and magical place. The person with whom you share a bond so special that it transcends normal relationships and becomes something so pure and so wonderful, that you can’t imagine spending another day of your life without them. We thank our Moon Goddess for giving us a soul that completes us. Our mates. With that note, I’ll leave the rest to Mr. Jacob Deacon.”
Jacob Deacon?
Jacob Deacon arrives, giving a reassuring smile.
Zion lets go of my hand, as Jacob takes the same hand that had held onto mine. He takes a silver knife and draws on Zion’s palm. Zion's eyes flash for a second. Then he takes my hand and draws the shape of the half-moon. Afterward, he takes Zion’s hand and mine and our hands automatically intertwine.
“Alpha Zion and Luna Azah. If you are to love. Love as the moon loves. Luna Azah you are his moon and he is your night. Zion, remember that the moon never steals the night, it only unveils the beauty of the dark.”
“With these words, and the promises your hearts have made to each other. I stand here today along with the residents of Columbia Deacon Heights, acknowledging Alpha Zion’s true mate as our new Luna.”
The crowd suddenly cheers and applauses loudly. Zion kisses me passionately and whispers “I’m so in love with you Azah Safaa. Out of all the chapters in my life, the best chapters are the ones with your name written in them.”
The crowd continues to cheer loudly, along with an unexpected great howl. “Zion?” I could tell from Zion’s face that this wolf howl isn’t someone from our pack.
Jacob Deacon, Andy Heights and I assume Jose Columbia instantly start shifting and together ran to where the howl came from.
“So much for a peaceful ceremony,” I said, with concern.
Zion’s face begins to relax and chuckles. “Don’t worry, it’s still peaceful, the howl is from my birth pack.”
“Wait thee Great Dire pack has come out of hiding?”
Zion picks me up bridal style “Who cares Azah. Today it’s about you!”
“Today is about us,” I said correcting him.
He looks at me with love in his eyes, “When I first saw you and picked you up like this. I had secretly prayed to the Moon of Goddess that she will bless me with you as my mate.”