The Unwanted Luna

-POV Ayame-

"Ayame, are you ready?" The Elder asked, and I turned my attention back to him.

"Yes." I called, and he grinned. I can do this. "On my honor, as a maiden of this pack and a spirit of the Goddess, I accept my role as the next Luna of the Tri-Shifter Pack of Bodhi Cora. I will protect all its members and provide guidance and comfort to my Alphas. I will respect all creatures and be the voice of calm and safety for those who need it. I shall be a servant to the pack's health, growth, and life. I, Ayame Radavier, pledge these truths from here until death!" I called out using my birth name.

The whole audience remained as silent as before and the Elder's eyes even grew at this declaration. Maybe not telling people who my father was before the ceremony was a good idea. After hearing their reactions to his name.... It made sense. It was a safety precaution. After a continued moment of silence, the Elder realized it was his turn and scrambled for the stone tablet with the original scripts of our ranked member oaths. "Ayame, please turn to your mates to complete the bond." He stuttered.

I turned to my triplets and they grinned at me when Conri stepped forward and sliced my palm with a quick sweep. I rested my palm over a corner of the large tablet. The gray tablet glowed, then Conri, Edon and Vil did the same. Our four palms, sealing the oath. Once the glow disappeared, I heard howling and cheers echoing throughout the trees. The connection amplified and I felt the souls connecting with me all at once, but I was prepared for the onslaught thanks to my mates.

I smiled and they smiled back. "From this moment on, I present to you, your new Luna, Ayame Radavier of the Tri-Shifter Pack!" The Elder called and the cheers continued.

"It's time for your first shift, little one. Are you ready?" Conri asked.

"We will see you on the other side, Princess." Edon added.

"My wolf cannot wait to see yours, Angel." Vil growled, but his eyes were already bright orange. Someone's impatient.

I turned to my dad and a subtle whimper fell from my lips. I know he wanted me to be a werebear even when I was just a little cub, but after my mom and uncle cast that spell, she was sealed away forever. I'm just grateful I have another chance.

As if he already knew. He came up and ruffled my hair. "I'm not mad, starlight.... I promise. Now, let's see your wolf shine!" He shouted with a big smile on his face while my uncle stood behind him shaking his head. I have a feeling those two go way back when it comes to my dad's childish behavior. Now that I remember everything, I know they do.

I took a deep breath and walked forward as my bones began to shift and crack. I howled at the moon and set my spirit free, remembering all the lessons my father taught me as a child and the training I received from my mates now. The rubber band that came back to me earlier completely snapped and before I could think, I was on all fours. I slammed my paw into the ground and another howl rolled through my jaws as I relaxed into the humming pain residing in my bones and joints. It started to fade and my eyes flashed open to welcome the sights and sounds through my spirit.

The packs answered me back with roars from the Lycans and werebears followed by howls from the wolves. "I'm free!! I'm finally free!! I'm so happy! Thank you for waiting, Ayame. Wasn't that so much easier?" My spirit said happily while we jumped around like a small pup. She was right. Shifting now is much easier than what I was expecting. It had to do with the full moon. I'm sure of it. When I was a child, I did meet my spirit when I was around four or five. My father helped me through my first shift and it was horrible. I remember after that day he shifted into his black bear and allowed me to snuggle into his fur for the rest of the night...as a cub...because I was too scared to shift back. No full moon then. My mother was laughing so hard when she realized what had happened, but she was so proud that I had found my spirit. I laughed along with her before she bolted into the trees on the path the guys showed me last week. In seconds, a massive bear was running next to me, a wolf on the other side, and a Lycan in front. My triplets. My heart swelled more than before and Vil lightly tapped me with his tensed shoulder as his brown and gold fur mixed with my black fur. My paws were white with flecks of brown as they crushed the falling leaves around them, and I loved it! I was much smaller than Vil, and my ears only reached just above his shoulders. The other two, however...forget it. They were massive in this form and their human form.

The howls continued to ring until the packs turned around at a small lake in the far north. Then, my triplets guided everyone back to the pack house. "Princess, Charlie needs to talk to us asap. We will meet you in the office. Your wolf is gorgeous, by the way." Edon called happily. I giggled and nodded at him. His bear huffed and snuggled into my neck before he met up with his brothers to go find some pants. I decided to head back to the pack house instead. I'm still more modest than my shifter counterparts. Maybe after a few shifts, it'll get easier. "Okay... time to shift back." I mumbled hesitantly.

"I got you." My wolf encouraged. Once it made it up the stairs, I glanced around and started to shift back to my human form when I knew the coast was clear. "That's it. You got this." She squealed happily and, thankfully, I could see my fingers and toes again. I was gasping for air as it felt like it was completely knocked out of me during the process, but I didn't want to stay out here too long.

I willed my feet forward and I scurried through the front doors. As if she was called, Elizabeth was there with a robe in hand. I sighed in relief and gratefully took it. "You did wonderful, Ayame! Congratulations." She said happily, giving me a hug. After remembering my past, everything was so easy to accept. Even the shifting. Even though I had my bear for six years until she was taken away, everything about tonight felt different. It was hard...don't get me wrong, but it felt...different. I want to talk to Uncle Rollo, but I also feel like whatever Charlie has to say is more important. I can wait. He's been patient, dealing with Malerie all this time. I...I can wait.

"Thank you, Elizabeth." I said with a smile on my face but tears in my eyes. Would my mother have been proud of me now too, like she was before? Would...would she be happy that, even though Rollo wasn't a seer, I was still blessed with this second chance?

"Of course my dear." She came up and gave me a gentle hug that I didn't know I needed. Once Elizabeth pulled away, she took me to the guest bathroom next to the alphas' office, and I could hear they were already in there. I took a quick shower and put on my new dress. Elizabeth helped me braid my hair into a bun and I hurriedly walked out of the bathroom, hoping I didn't miss anything. When I stepped inside, Charlie was there with the biggest smile on his face and a woman standing next to him.

The guys were also happy and it looked like the whiskey had been brought out. I furrowed my brow and closed the door behind me. "What did I miss?" I called to the group.

Charlie turned to me with the biggest smile. "Hey sis! You did great! And shit, your wolf has a lot of power in that tiny body of yours! Half the pack couldn't even keep up!" He called, and he seemed much lighter than ever before.

I couldn't help but smile back. It was infectious and I'm elated he called me his sister! It's pretty much unspoken, but now that he said it outloud, I will be abusing that right thoroughly. "You got that right!" My wolf howled. I'm sure she is just as happy to see our Head Warrior with less weight on his shoulders as I am. I wonder....are they...? "If you have to wonder you already know." Well, she isn't wrong.

"Hey! Not everything needs to be as big as you giants to be strong!" Emily shouted, snapping me out of my internal chat. Kyle pulled her to him and she squealed at the touch. "Hey, no fair!" She grumbled, trying to pull her shirt down. I think it was Kyle's from the ceremony. Was I the only one who had changed already? I know she has no modesty. Most shifter females don't, and they really don't care, but she said that we had to look nice when we headed back out of the reception.

The woman next to Charlie laughed lightly and I could tell immediately that she was one gentle soul. She will fit right in and help me tame the crazy...I mean Emily. I sighed as Emily and her mate started rough housing while she did her best to get free. Yeah...they were made for each other. "Don't mind Em, who, by the way, needs to get dressed." I glared at her and she finally pulled out of Kyle's grip and ran out the room.

"Sorry Luna." She mocked before I threw the closest pillow I could grab at her giggling, retreating form.

The woman furrowed her brow and hesitated before fidgeting with her dress. Charlie's grin faltered as he felt her discomfort. I walked up to her and closed the space between us. "Sorry my friend is crazy. Hi, my name is Ayame." I said with a smile and held out my hand. She waited a moment before grabbing it, and a small design colored her skin before disappearing and the same thing happened to my forearm. "What was that?" Vil growled, appearing behind me in seconds. Oh boy.