Chapter 95: NINETY-FIVE
Triple celebration
All the dawners gathered in the open packhouse courtyard that was decorated and lined with chairs on the night of the full moon. They were gathering for a double celebration tonight; the beta's joining ceremony and the appointment of the new Dawn Gamma, Kiron Jivani. The air was filled with excitement, most coming from friends of the bride and groom as they all took their seats and waited patiently for the about-to-be-joined couple to arrive.
Soon after everyone was gathered, the doors swung open and the alpha of the dawn pack entered, holding his mate's hand in his, everyone stood to acknowledge his presence and as Ava marched forward holding Lucas's hand, wearing a bright red dress, she could feel all the stares pinned on her but this time it was different, she didn't feel any form of embarrassment or shyness like she did at the peace ball, instead it felt like she was home, like she was in the midst of her family, just like it was with the moonlighters, maybe it's because they were all familiar faces, these people she'd stayed with and had grown to love. They walked forward to take their seats at the front of the congregation, alpha Lucas was later directed to sit in the place where he usually sits whenever the dawners were gathered, the mighty throne of the alpha, right in the middle of that of the beta and gamma but he refused, saying he wants to sit with Ava.
The bride and groom entered next, and everyone stood up once more, including Alpha Lucas and his mate, Kiara was dressed in the most sparkling white gown laced with beautiful designs that Ava picked out from the garden, her hair was tucked in a neat bun and her made-up face was covered with a light veil. Smiles and cries were shared amongst the audience as they watched the couple march in and take their seats beside where the alpha and his mate stood.
After they entered, everyone took their seats back and then alpha Lucas walked forward to the podium to give his speech.
"We, the dawners are gathered here today to witness a union, a union formed from this pack, a union that we know that the goddess will guide us through, and that is why we are doing it under the full moon; when her light shines the brightest upon us, in hopes that her light will guide this union to greater achievements. Cian and Kiara, please rise and come forward."
Ava helped Kiara with her dress as she held Cian's hand and headed towards the stage. Alpha Lucas also gestured to the little ring bearer, who stood up from his seat holding the rings on a pillow. Alpha Lucas took the rings and handed each one to Cian and Kiara before proceeding with the vows.
"Do you Cian Budnik, take this woman Kiara, to be your lawfully joined mate? Do you promise to love her in sickness and in health? In good or bad, for better or for worse? Will you cherish her, and promise never to leave her until death do you both part?"
"Yes, I do Kiara, I promise to love you in sickness and in health, in good AND bad, in both better and worse times, I promise to cherish you, and never to leave you till death do us part."
Lucas turned to Kiara. "Do you also agree to this, Kiara Dandi?"
She smiled at Cian, repeating the vows, "I do."
"And do your wolves also agree to this union?"
They both howled, indicating that the wolves answered for themselves.
"As all has been said and done, and by the power vested in me as the alpha of the dawn pack, in the presence of all the dawners where the goddess's light is present upon us, I, Lucas De' Clan, now pronounce you both man and mate, we will now seal this union with a kiss."
After they both exchanged the rings, Cian wasted no time in lifting the veil and kissing his new mate fully on the lips, everyone applauded the new couple as they shared their first kiss together as mates, then they marched out of the halls and changed into their wolf forms, running to the forest at the back to howl and mate under the moonlight for the first time, Alpha Lucas had already prepared a small honeymoon for them in his cabin afterward.
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As it was arranged after the wedding, the proceedings continued, Kiron marched in with a small set of guards which represented the whole army force of the dawn pack, he walked towards the stage while the guards assembled behind him, alpha Lucas was waiting for him when he reached the front.
"Kiron Jivani, my loyal trustworthy
servant whom I have bestowed this great honor, is with great pleasure I appoint you today as the new gamma of the dawn pack. Now are
you ready to lead the force dignit
nothing short of loyalty and
are you ready to prepare these men
for battle, to train them in skill and
combat, and do you swear to protect the dawn pack by all means
necessary when you are bestowed
this great privilege?" Content
"I swear to perform my duties efficiently as the new gamma of the dawn pack sire, I promise to protect and lead the force into victories in the battles we will face in the times to come."
The ring bearer returned with
another pillow, but it didn't contain
rings this time, it contained a
pendant, the gamma symbol. "Very well, I see that you are prepared for your new assignment, and from this day onward, I appoint you, Kiron Danfo, to be the new Gamma of the dawn pack. I bestow upon you today this pendant of the gamma, it will strengthen your powers and will guide you and your men for many victories to come. From now on, these men answer to you, and you answer to me."
"Yes sire," he replied receiving the pendant in his hand, absorbing its power before placing it back on the bearer's pillow to be returned to the packhouse vaults.
"Congratulations Gamma Kiron Jivani. And to all dawners, I present to you, your new gamma.”
Everyone stood up, cheered in excitement and applauded the new officer in charge of the dawn pack army, some wondered what had happened to Gamma Filip as they clapped, but the majority who hated him didn't care, they were just glad not to see his face anymore.
Kiron bowed once more and took his seat on the left side of the alpha's throne for the first time. Alpha Lucas continued.
"We are not done yet, I made it known to everyone that there will be a double celebration, but tonight, I have decided to add one more item to the list, Ava Maynard, my dear mate, will you please rise and come forward?"☐☐☐☐☐☐☐