My Mate Chose My Best Friend, So His Uncle Claimed Me novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42: The Luna of Golden Eclipse

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By the time the sun began its slow descent, the ceremonial ground of the pack was already arranged like a stage. The banners were set up and swayed gently; the insignia of the Golden Eclipse Pack was engraved on them.

I could even hear the faint murmur of the people gathering, which elevated my nervousness. I told myself that I was prepared to face the whole pack of members of the Golden Eclipse Pack, yet here I was feeling like I was about to back away.

But what set me on the stone was seeing Lucretius standing at the center of the sacred circle, his presence always commanding yet calm. Just the sight of him was enough for me to calm down, and I should entrust everything to him.

He looked so dashing just by wearing a dark ceremonial robe that was embroidered with silver threads, shimmering in the afternoon sunlight.

Not only that, it didn’t escape me that he was wearing the brooch I gifted to him on his birthday. The joy I felt overwhelming from how nervous I was.

When his eyes lifted to meet mine, it felt like the crowd seemed to vanish. And my heart felt a little ticklish when he offered his hand to me.

“Come, my Luna,” he said, his deep baritone voice was pulling me in to submit to him like a command.

Heaving out a sigh, I stepped forward and didn’t hesitate to accept his hand, my gown brushing against the grass. I could see the flower arrangements, which were full of chrysanthemum flowers, making me stunned in surprise before turning to Lucretius.

Why was my favorite flower being set up here? Did he ask someone to arrange these?

I almost blurted it out, but all I could do was stare at him.

He must have felt my gaze. So, he gently squeezed my hand and brought my hand to his lips, sending shivers down my spine.

In front of me, I caught the crowd giggling and cheering at his actions. And that was when I almost forgot that we were supposed to be lovey–dovey to everyone.

“I shall thank everyone for attending the Luna ceremony. I have known that you are also longing for Luna of our pack, and finally, I have found the right person who shall fulfill her Luna duty,” Lucretius uttered, gesturing his hand to me. “I know many of you are still surprised that I got married so suddenly, and I’m just as thrilled to share that she’s the most beautiful and perfect person in my eyes. She’s my greatest love, and I’m proud to let the world know she’s mine.”

I held my breath, gulping at the admirable speech he announced. My stomach even somersaulted out of nowhere.

He didn’t have to tell white lies in front of his pack members. Yet, he even informed everyone as if I were his mate, when that

was not the case.

I knew because Alpha Derrick had uttered such a loving speech towards Luna Olivia before. And we could see the love in their

eyes.

And between Lucretius and I, there was no love at all. We were only bound by contract. And I was only here as a temporary Luna that everyone would forget about once his mate had finally come to his life.

But for the sake of my vengeance, I would let this pass. Because in my peripheral vision, I could already see the creasing forehead from Redmund, looking bewildered at his uncle’s words.

Which reminded me about earlier in the garden… It was truly fascinating to say those words to him.

My wolf was delighted at how I could stand up for myself. We were no longer the Euphyllia who wept over a broken heart after being rejected by our mate.

I paid attention when, before us, upon a stone pedestal, there lay a ceremonial cup, and the silver knife on top of it. Joaquin stepped forward, drew out the silver blade, and presented it to Lucretius with a respectful greeting and a bow.

Chapter 42 The Lund of Golden Eclipse

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Lucretius released my hand, and for a moment, I felt loneliness when I couldn’t feel his warmth anymore. I secretly pinched myself, wondering why I had to feel that.

He took the blade first from him. I watched him draw it across his palm without hesitation and uttered the words.

“As you become the Luma of my pack, you must fulfill your duty not only to me but to all our pack members. Become their mother figure and share with us your Luna knowledge to help my pack members and the pack affairs along with me. As our blood binds as one, you will become a part of me and I will become a part of you.”

He didn’t even flinch from the pain before handing me the knife.

My hand trembled slightly. Not from fear, but the weight of the responsibility that would be bestowed upon me.

And the Luna ceremony wasn’t new to me. I had witnessed Luna Olivia performing it with Alpha Derrick years ago and saw how she bore the responsibility of being our Luna. She handled it well, and I hope that when I officially become the Luna of another pack, I will also be loved by my pack members just as I cherished the existence of my Luna back in the Starry Shadows Pack.

As the blade grazed my skin, the sting was sharp and brief, followed by warmth. This wasn’t as painful, especially since there was no wolfsbane smeared in the blade.

Ther., Lucretius infused our hands together with our sliced palms drifting with our mixed blood, as Joaquin caught a few drops of blood from us. He took the cup from Joaquin with our mixed blood in it. He was the first one who drank it and bestowed the cup on me. I emptied the cup and bestowed it back to his Beta.

With that, I inhaled sharply as I felt a gushing emotion of becoming the Luna of the pack. There was this surging emotion of becoming a mother to them, and I was willing to help them with everything I could.

I really felt it. Every heartbeat in the pack, every breath they took.

‘Luna Euphyllia.‘

Shudders coursed through my skin as their voices resonated within my mind. I could feel their warm welcome, matching their smiling faces.

Joaquin shouted in rejoice, “Behold, our Luna of the Golden Eclipse Pack, Euphyllia Ivara Ruinart–Franciosa!”

I was nervous that all I could receive was a deafening silence. But a few seconds later, the whole ground was covered with a round of applause as they cheered for us.

“Hail, Luna Euphyllia!”

“Hail, Alpha Lucretius!”

“Long live, Alpha Lucretius, Luna Euphyllia!”

My chest felt like about to burst in happiness. Their welcoming cheers filled my heart, and I felt like I was about to cry. As I turned to Lucretius, I was about to say such words of how I felt, but then, his lips claimed mine, earning a gasp from the crowd.

My eyes widened in surprise. But it didn’t take long for me to respond as I slowly closed my eyes and returned the kiss. His body was warm, radiating heat toward me. Being inside his arms brought comfort that I had never felt towards my former mate.

There was something about it, along with his passionate kiss, that I couldn’t explain.

The way Lucretius kissed me, which was slow and fervent, even his arm that was possesively snaked around my waist, made me forget where I stood, made me forget the crowd, made me forget that everything between us was just a contract.

Strange…

Must I supposed to feel this way? Was this feeling a valid reason to ever feel?

When he finally pulled away, his hazel eyes searched mine, his expression was unreadable as ever. My lips tingled from the

Chapter 42 The Luha of Golden Eclipse

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lingering warmth he left. It was as if I could still feel him kissing me.

The cheers from the background snapped me back to reality. Some of our pack members had transformed into their wolf forms and howled in unison for the celebration.

My wolf even howled in the back of my mind. She was proud and vigorous, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

The ceremony gradually shifted into celebration. Music began to play, soft and elegant, and the people started gathering around the banquet tables. But I was separated from Lucretius the moment the women of the pack surrounded me, looking excited to

meet and talk to me.

“Luna, you’re the luckiest woman in our pack! Trust me!”

“You’re so beautiful, Luna! What’s your secret to your beauty?”

“How did you meet Alpha Lucretius, Luna?”

I tried my best to reply to each of them, but the last question slightly caught me off guard. I always knew the day would come when someone would ask how we met, but how do I explain that our first meeting was in a tavern and that I was betrayed by my mate?

I was about to mind–link to Lucretius that I needed help from here, but his voice cut through the giggling.

“Mind if I borrow my Luna, everyone?”

Everyone turned their heads in his direction and immediately made way for him. They giggled more when he walked past them, and in the corner of my eyes, there was someone who was about to faint.

I didn’t know why, but I felt this gnawing feeling when I saw that, but it was thawed instantly when he was in front of me and took my hand. “Come. There’s someone who wants to see you,” he said, bringing out my palm to his lips.

My breath almost hitched at his action. For a moment, I felt like my heart just fluttered. But I tried to hide that when I tilted my head, curiosity getting the best of me. “Who is it?” I asked as we combed the crowd.

I got distracted when our pack members approached us with bows and greetings. I smiled at them, thanking them for the warm welcome.

Among them, I saw a familiar figure, my eyes sparkled upon seeing Alpha Derrick and Luna Olivia of the Starry Shadows Pack.

“It’s them,” Lucretius remarked.

That bewildered me at first until they walked toward us, both dressed formally My throat constricted upon seeing them.

“Lord Lucretius,” Alpha greeted, then turned to me with a faint smile. “Lady Euphyllia. Congratulations on your Luna ceremony. You look radiant.”

I managed to smile back, trying my best not to let my voice croak, seeing the two most important people in my life. “Thank you, Alpha Derrick. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Lucretius stepped closer, his hand resting lightly at my waist. “I invited him,” he said smoothly. “He and his Luna will also walk you down the aisle on our second wedding day as your guardians.”

“As… my guardians?” I parroted, my voice sounded in disbelief.

Lucretius’s eyes softened, though the corners of his lips curved in that faint, unreadable smile of his. “You were once under their care, were you not? It’s only fitting they stand with you when we hold the grand ceremony.”

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