Alpha’s Rue: His Shunned Luna (Athena Enchanted) novel Chapter 147

Chapter 147

“I shall,” Kingston says, stripping his shirt and handing it to Rowan, along with his shoes. His eyes meet mine as he steps forward, hardly wincing when his feet touch the coal. He remains poised, but the way his shoulders tense tells me it hurts.

I don’t know how I’m supposed to look at him when looking at him right now makes me want to cry. Lumi keeps humming in my head, trying to distract me from the growing ache in my chest as Kingston walks to me.

The path is too long, the coal is burning too brightly, I can’t do this. My eyes shift for a moment, landing on Father, the stern look on his face is enough to suck it up.

Kingston continues to walk like he is walking on water instead of fire, calm and eyes on me. His head slightly shakes, watching me. Tears fill my eyes but I don’t let them fall, not when he’s being so strong to get to me. This is a test of our bond, and how much it means. He could have easily declined and no one would have batted an eye, but here we are, he chose to honour me. To honour the pack.

When he steps off the fire and onto the podium, I see him wince a little, it’s brief but I catch it. My eyes find elder Winston, wanting him to hurry the hell up. Two of Alpha Dante’s healers step forward, carrying a basin with the sacred water.

I’m moving before they can set the water in front of him. I don’t need to be told, I know the ritual. I need to wash his feet, and by the end of this if his feet remain badly burned, then I’m a bad omen for the pack, that and I’m not pure of heart when it comes to the pack. But I know my heart, and my heart is standing with his feet badly burned right now.

I carefully lift his foot, he barely puts weight on it, making it easy for me to wash it in the sacred water. Everyone keeps a watchful eye on us, I don’t need to look to know that they’re waiting-some praying for the bad omen. I wash his feet carefully, not caring much for the outcome, but to just ease the pain.

The water swirls pink with blood, and ash floats, so much ash. When I remove his leg from the water, I check for the damage, to my surprise, the burns have faded. Not slowly like they should have, but instantly.

I look up at him, and a tear rolled down my cheek. He nods, offering a small smile. It’s not until both his feet are washed that elder Winston inspects his feet, giving the crowd a nod. “The bond holds,” he says. “The fire has found no weakness,” he tells them, his voice heavy with pride.

Kingston kneels, swiping the tear from my face with his hand. “It’s okay, Siren.” He whispers, “You did so well.”

“You’re hurt,” I swallow.

He helps me up, leans in and whispers again. “I’m okay, Siren. I would walk through fire for you any day.” He says, smiling when he pulls away.

And I believe him.

For the first time in a long time-I really believe him.

He takes my hand in his and leads me back to where I stood, hand in hand, we face the pack, with elder Winston standing in front of us.

“Kingston Vale,” he begins. “Do you accept the mantle of leadership? Will you guide and protect this pack as one heart, bound to your Luna?”

His response is instant, “Yes.”

Elder Winston turns to me. “Aeliana Hartley, do you accept the mantle of guidance? Will you stand beside your

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Alpha, to nurture and protect this pack as one heart?”

I nod, “I will.”

“I do,” I say-voice clear, strong.

“Repeat your vows,” Elder Winston orders.

Kingston’s grip on my hand tightens, and we begin. “By moon and blood, by bond and by bone, I bind my life to yours. I bind my strength to yours, my heart to yours, your people are mine, their problems ours, and everything that the sun touches under Mooncrest. Through storm and starlight, through peace and war, I am yours as you are mine. Until the moon forgets to rise.”

Kingston’s brother steps forward, carrying a silver box etched with runes and they set it on the altar, surrounding it with sapphire and moonstones. I know what is inside before it opens, a gem the size of childs head which is protected by magic. Legend says it can only be touched by a true Luna. “Aeliana Hartley, approach the heart of the Mooncrest.”

I hesitate, scared of touching it. It won’t burn me but it will be embarrassing when I touch it and it remains encapsulated. “Go on.”

“I can’t,” I choke out, holding on to his hand tighter.

“Nothing will happen, go.” He tells me, his voice soft and adamant.

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