Chapter 204: Chapter 204 The Luna’s Responsibilities
Caroline’s POV
I awoke with a start as Liam cried from his room. Immediately, Draven’s arms tightened around me, pulling me back against his warm chest.
"I’ll get him," he murmured sleepily against my neck, placing a soft kiss there before rising from our bed.
The past few days since our wedding had been a whirlwind. Not only was I adjusting to being Mrs. Thorne and officially moving into the pack house with Liam, but I was also stepping into the role of Luna,something I hadn’t fully considered when agreeing to marry the Alpha of Storm Valley Pack.
I stretched languidly, enjoying a few more minutes of warmth before facing the day. From Liam’s room, I could hear Draven’s deep voice speaking softly to our son, followed by Liam’s delighted giggles. The sound made my heart swell.
When I finally made my way downstairs, I found them in the kitchen. Draven had Liam perched on his hip while attempting to make coffee one-handed.
"Good morning, my beautiful wife," Draven smiled, leaning down to kiss me. "I made you coffee."
"Mommy!" Liam squealed, reaching for me with grabby hands.
After breakfast, Draven looked at me seriously. "We have the shifting ceremony tonight for the Morgan twins. As Luna, you’ll need to lead the welcome ritual."
I nearly choked on my coffee. "What? Draven, I don’t know the first thing about conducting a shifting ceremony!"
"The previous ceremonies were handled by the Elders, but traditionally it’s the Luna’s responsibility,"he explained, rubbing my shoulders reassuringly. "It’s your first official duty as Luna. I’ll help you prepare."
My stomach twisted with anxiety. I’d attended these ceremonies as a participant, but never led one. "What exactly do I need to do?"
"You’ll welcome them, prepare the ceremonial drink, and lead the pack in the traditional blessing. It’s about creating a supportive environment for their first shift—you know how painful it can be." His violet eyes softened. "As inherently social creatures, the only thing known to help wolves with the pain of the first shift is to have supportive family, friends, and community around them."
I nodded slowly. As Beta’s daughter, I’d seen my fair share of shifting ceremonies, but I’d never been responsible for one.
"You’ll be perfect," Draven assured me. "Eleanor’s mother left detailed notes on all the Luna duties. I’ve asked Clara to bring them to you at the office today."
At Thorne Enterprises, I juggled my regular work with studying the ceremonial notes Clara had delivered.
"Knock knock," Kyle peeked around my office door. "How’s my favorite Luna doing?"
I groaned dramatically. "Terrified! I have to lead the Morgan twins’ shifting ceremony tonight and I’m completely unprepared!"
She laughed, settling into the chair across from me. "You’ll be amazing, Carrie. Remember when we went through our ceremony? It’s mostly about making the shifters feel safe and supported."
"But what if I mess up the blessing? Or forget part of the ritual?" I fretted, flipping through the Luna handbook. "There’s so much to remember!"
"The pack will follow your lead no matter what," Kyle reassured me. "Besides, your energy and intention matter more than perfect words."
Just as I was beginning to feel slightly better, my phone buzzed with a message from Draven,
"Don’t forget about our meeting with the Riverdale Alpha at 2pm. As Luna, you should be there."
I sighed heavily, rubbing my temples. "Apparently I also need to attend diplomatic meetings now."
Kyle squeezed my hand. "Welcome to Luna life. But remember, Draven chose you because he knows you can handle this. We all do."
After Kyle left, Clara appeared in my doorway. "Luna Caroline, may I come in?"
"Of course, Clara," I smiled, grateful for her steadying presence.
"I brought you something," she said, placing a small wooden box on my desk. Inside was a beautiful silver pendant etched with the Storm Valley Pack symbol. "This belongs to the Luna. Draven asked me to give it to you for tonight’s ceremony."
I lifted it reverently. "It’s beautiful."
Clara explained. "It symbolizes your connection to the pack’s wolves."
My fingers trembled slightly as I fastened it around my neck.The weight of responsibility settled on me.
"You know," Clara said gently, "I’ve worked with Draven for years, and I’ve never seen him as happy as he is with you. The pack feels it too—your warmth, your genuine care. That’s what makes a great Luna, not memorizing rituals."
Her words calmed me somewhat. "Thank you, Clara."
That evening, I stood before the pack.
The Morgan twins,sixteen-year-old girls with matching nervous expressions,stood in the center of the circle.
Draven squeezed my hand reassuringly before taking his place among the pack members. I was on my own now, the silver Luna pendant cool against my skin.
"Tonight," I began, my voice stronger than I expected, "we gather to welcome Emma and Olivia Morgan to their wolf forms for the first time."
The words of the ancient blessing flowed from my lips as if I’d been reciting them all my life. As I spoke of the pack’s strength, unity, and support, I watched the twins’ expressions change from fear to determination.
"Remember," I told them softly, "your wolves are not separate from you—they are you. Embrace them, and you embrace your true selves."
As the twins began their shift, cries of pain escaping their lips, the pack formed a tighter circle around them, offering encouragement and strength. I felt Draven’s pride through our mate bond as I guided everyone in the supportive chanting that would help ease the twins’ pain.
When it was over and two beautiful young wolves stood before us—one silver, one russet—the pack erupted in celebratory howls. I knelt before the new wolves, placing my hands on their heads in the traditional Luna’s blessing.
"Welcome, sisters," I whispered, feeling a profound connection to these young pack members.
Draven stepped forward to bless the two newly transformed wolves.
Later that night, as Draven and I lay in bed, he pulled me close against his chest.
"You were magnificent tonight," he murmured against my hair. "The pack is lucky to have you as their Luna."
I smiled in the darkness, feeling the weight of the Luna pendant still around my neck. "I was terrified."
"No one could tell," he assured me. "You were born for this role, Caroline. Just as you were born to be my mate."
As I drifted off to sleep in my Alpha’s arms, I realized that perhaps I could handle this Luna business after all.