Chapter 145: I45 - luna belinda
145
~Belinda’s POV
It was finally the day. I was supposed to be the one Damon looked at that way. I was supposed to be the one he stood beside, whispering love words to. Yet here I was, forced to smile like everything was fine, while inside me, fire burned hot.
Tonight was my night. My coronation. The day I had planned and fought for. If I let Damon’s foolishness distract me, everything I had built would crumble before my eyes. No—I couldn’t let that happen. I was so gorgeous as my designers and hairdresser exceeded my expectations.
I sat in front of my mirror, fingers tapping against the edge of the wooden table. The reflection staring back at me wasn’t calm. My eyes were sharp, restless. My lips pressed into a thin line.
"Belinda," I whispered to myself, leaning closer to the mirror. "You can’t lose this. Not now. Not when everything is finally in your hands. Lisa can smile all she wants. Damon can hover all he wants. But at the end of tonight, you will be Luna. No one can take that away from you."
The thought made me sit straighter. It steadied me, even as my chest still carried the weight of jealousy.
A soft knock came on the door.
"Belinda," Kael’s voice rumbled. "Are you ready? Everyone’s waiting."
I drew a deep breath, smoothed my gown, and forced my voice into something steady. "I’m coming."
Inside, though, I was still trembling with rage. Damon’s face flashed in my mind, smiling at Lisa. No. Tonight, he would smile at me. He would have no choice.
I walked out of my room with the help of the maids, my gown trailing behind me like flowing silver. The triplets were already by my side, dressed in their royal attire. They looked so striking and powerful, and for a moment I felt so proud, so lucky, that I was the one to be crowned their Luna. This was my night.
Just then, my eyes caught Lisa stepping out of her room. She wore a dress so plain and ordinary that I had to bite down on my lip to stop myself from laughing out loud. Did she really think that simple thing was enough for a night like this? I wanted to roll my eyes, but instead, I straightened my shoulders and kept my expression cold. Without giving her more than a dismissive glance, I turned away and walked with confidence toward the grand hall, determined to shine brighter than anyone else tonight.
The ceremonial drums began to echo faintly from the great hall, vibrating through the walls. That was the signal. My moment was here.
Kael stood and offered his arm with a small bow. "Shall we escort the future Luna?"
"Yes," I said, placing my hand on his arm, though I kept my chin high. "Take me to where I belong."
When we entered the hall, the sight nearly stole my breath. The entire place was bathed in silver and white. Candles lined the walls, their flames flickering softly, as if bowing to the Moon Goddess herself. In the center of the hall, a wide circle had been drawn in white chalk, filled with intricate runes that glowed faintly under the torchlight. Above, a wide opening in the ceiling revealed the night sky, the full moon hanging heavy and luminous. Its light poured down in a pale column, illuminating the circle like a divine spotlight.
The pack was gathered in rows around the circle, dressed in their finest. Their faces were expectant, reverent, some whispering blessings under their breath. My heart hammered, not out of fear, but exhilaration. This was mine. This moment was mine.
At the far end stood the High Priestess, draped in robes of midnight blue and silver embroidery. Her hair, long and white as snow, shimmered in the moonlight. In her hands, she held the Luna’s Veil, white, sheer, embroidered with threads of silver and small moonstone beads. It glittered faintly like captured starlight.
Beside her was a golden basin filled with water from the sacred spring, glowing faintly, and a dagger with a hilt wrapped in leather. The tools of the ritual.
The drums ceased. The hall fell silent.
The High Priestess lifted her voice, clear and commanding. "Tonight, under the gaze of the Moon Goddess, we gather to crown a Luna. Belinda, step forward into the circle."
Kael gently let go of my arm. My heels clicked softly against the stone floor as I walked alone into the glowing circle. The moonlight fell over me like a cloak, bathing my gown in silver fire. My skin prickled, goosebumps rising as if the Moon Goddess herself had reached down to touch me.
"Belinda," the Priestess said, "you are chosen to stand beside the Alphas, to guide the pack with wisdom, strength, and compassion. Do you swear to bind yourself to this duty?"
"I swear," I said firmly, my voice carrying through the hall.
"Do you swear to place the pack above yourself, to protect them as a mother protects her child?"
"I swear."
"Do you swear to honor the Moon Goddess, and let her light guide your every decision?"
I lifted my chin. "I swear."
The Priestess nodded, satisfied. She raised her hand, and the pack responded in unison, their voices low and powerful. "We accept her."
The ritual moved forward.
Two attendants brought forth bowls of burning herbs, the smoke fragrant and heavy, filling the air with sage and lavender. They circled me, chanting, before placing the bowls at the edge of the chalk runes. The scent clung to my hair, my skin, and I breathed it in like it was victory itself.
"Step forward," the Priestess commanded.
I did, until I stood directly beneath the column of moonlight. The Priestess dipped her fingers into the glowing basin, flicking droplets of sacred water onto my forehead, then over my chest and hands. The water was cool, almost shockingly so, making me shiver.
"In the name of the Moon Goddess, you are cleansed of selfishness, of weakness, of all that would hold you back. Tonight, you are reborn."
The pack murmured in reverence, some bowing their heads.
Then came the final part, the blood pact.
The Priestess held out the dagger. Its blade gleamed dangerously in the moonlight. "To lead, you must bleed with your people. You must share in their pain and bind yourself to their fate."
I extended my hand without hesitation. She sliced my palm lightly, just enough for crimson drops to fall into the basin. The water hissed and glowed brighter, as though drinking my blood. My heart thundered, but I kept my face calm, composed, regal.
The Priestess raised the basin high. "Blood and moonlight, bound as one. A Luna is born tonight!"
The pack howled as one, the sound echoing through the hall and rattling the very walls.
She then placed the Veil over my head, draping it carefully so the moonstones sparkled against my hair. The weight of it was light, yet it carried centuries of tradition. Finally, she lowered the silver circlet onto my head, a crown of delicate metal, shaped like crescent moons intertwined.
"Rise, Luna Belinda," the Priestess declared.
I rose, my chest swelling with triumph as the pack fell to one knee, heads bowed. The sound of their loyalty vibrated through my bones.
I had done it. I was crowned.