Welcome Home Mate
Chapter 96

ROXIE

I couldn't believe my eyes as I stared at myself in the mirror.

I have been at the b**t crack of dawn, getting ready. Who knew I had to be exfoliated and moisturized to make myself look good for one day?

My night with Sofia was quiet as we watched two films and then went to bed. We did open a bottle of wine but didn't finish.

I couldn't stomach it, not after all the training I had done.

Bex and I were nervous, which meant sleep didn't come straight away. When it did, I was out like a light.

I woke up to smelling food cooking, which I was happy to devour in a whole second. After food, Sofia invited a woman to the house to do our hair and makeup.

Three hours later, I am now standing in front of my mirror in my dress.

I looked like a princess.

My hair was in loose curls, and my make-up was light.

The design of the dress that Sofia created was perfect for me. It suited me. The length was way past my knees, as I thought, but I forgot there was a slit going up the leg. Sofia designed it for the slit to be up to the middle of my thigh, creating more room. Lace was added to make sleeves and a bodice on top of the dress.

The dress was perfect.

Sofia bought me some clear, open-toe shoes with a high white base, which pulled everything together.

I stared at myself, trying to figure out whether it was me.

I could feel Bex move in my head and purr slightly.

"You hot," she said as she came closer to look. "You will make mate drool."

I smiled.

"Not what I wanted to hear," I said. "But I will take it."

Bex was quiet, but her warmth spread through me. "You look stunning, Rox," she said. "I think mate won't be able to keep his hands to himself later. But I mean it, you look perfect."

I looked back at her as she smiled.

"Thank you," I said, trying not to cry. I didn't want the woman to come in here to redo my makeup again.

I knew everyone was here as Lex mind linked me last night and this morning to tell me.

"ROX," called out Sofia. "Are you ready? Your Dad and Keith are here."

I stared at myself for a little longer but sighed.

I best show my face now.

I turned around and headed to the bedroom door, but I looked back at myself in the mirror.

I sighed and opened the door, walking out.

I headed down the stairs slowly, never taking my eyes off the stairs as I ensured I didn't fall in the shoes. As I got to the bottom, I looked up, and there staring back, my Dad and Uncle Keith, all mouths wide open.

I stepped closer, and my father shook his head and came closer to me. "You look stunning, Rox," he said as he held his hand to me. I took it, but he made me twirl around like he did when I was a child. I stopped and laughed slightly. "Thank you," I said. "The dress used to be mum's dress. What do you think?"

My father eyes widened as he looked at the dress.

I felt nervous, but as soon as he took me in and his eyes met mine, he smiled.

"You look stunning," he whimpered, "you look so much like her, and she would be so proud of you."

I smiled, feeling my heart break slightly.

A lone tear escapes his eye, but he wipes it with the back of his hand.

I looked over to Uncle Keith, who was nodding.

He came up to me and hugged me. He pulled back and smiled. "You look stunning, Luna," he said.

I smiled.

I know I have to get used to people saying that; I would be hearing it all day today.

I sighed and looked at Sofia, who was smiling.

"Where's Jason?" I asked.

Sofia cleared her throat.

"Jason's with Lex," she said. "He will see you when you get there."

I smiled.

My father moved slightly and placed his hand in mine, which made me look at him. He smiled. "Shall we?" he asked as he looked between us all.

I nodded.

We all left the house and headed toward the pack house. It was silent when we walked like there was no one around. Everyone was waiting in the pack house. It was surprising to learn how many people could fit in the hall a few days ago. "It's so quiet," says Bex in my head.

Sofia, Uncle Keith, and Dad went in as we approached the pack house while I stood behind them. They all hugged me and told me that they would see me later. I looked toward the door and noticed Huw standing by the hall entrance. I smiled. "Wow, Luna," he said as I walked over to him, as he closed the door behind my father. "You look gorgeous."

I beamed.

"Thank you," I said. "Should you be in there with the rest of them?"

Huw shook his head. "I'm here to open the door for you," he said.

I frowned.

"You should be..." but before I could finish what I wanted to say, he shook his head and smiled.

"My family agreed for me to be here," he said as he placed his hand on the door handle. "I wanted to open the door to my Luna, the one I will follow till my end."

I stared at him with wide eyes.

Huw stared at me.

"Are you ready, Luna?" he asked.

I looked toward the door and nodded.

Huw smiled and opened the door.

I stepped closer and was stunned. The hall was filled with pack members, alphas with their Luna and Beta, and even the Elders.

I felt nervous, but as I stepped further into the hall. An aisle was created for me to walk down, my eyes searched for him, and as my eyes went to the front, there he stood.

Lex.

Holy goddess, he looks freaking hot in that suit.

His eyes met mine.

I could feel a mind link open, knowing it was him.

"You look stunning," he murmured. "Eyes on me, Rox. Think no one else is here, just us."

My nervousness subsided by the comment as I walked.

My mind was racing, but murmurs were circling. I didn't want to hear anything.

As I stepped closer to Lex, he held his hand to me, and I took it. He leaned into me and placed a kiss on my cheek.

f**k, my core was tightening; this wasn't the place for this.

My body reacted to him, which is normal, but something was off. I wanted him in every possible way.

"Calm down," he muttered.

I gulped and tried to control myself.

After a few seconds, Lex led me to the stage, where he guided me up the steps in front, and we stood before Elder Issac and Alpha Frank.

Alpha Frank smiled at me.

His eyes went to the crowd, but I kept my eyes on Lex.

I needed to keep on him, or I had a version of me throwing up all over people.

Lex smiled.

"Welcome, one and all," Alpha Frank shouted. "We want to welcome you all to the ceremony of Luna Roxie."

There was silence around the hall.

"This ceremony will be short as we have many things planned, but also some entertainment that our Luna will be showing us," he said. "As you all know, this has been a long time coming for our pack, and once Luna Roxie has her mark of the Luna, the pack will officially have its Luna."

I looked to Alpha Frank, who turned to look at me and smiled.

Elder Issac said a few words, nearly making most pack members fall asleep, but it had to be said.

"Luna Roxie," Alpha Frank called as he placed his hand out.

It was time for me to become the Luna.

I knew I had to hold his hand, which I did. Alpha Frank looked over to Elder Issac and nodded. Elder Issac put a knife in his hand.

Alpha Frank looked toward me and spoke again.

"Luna Roxie, will you accept to be a fair and true Luna," he said. "Someone that people can come to, someone who will protect the pack. Will you follow beside your alpha and mate, Alpha Lex, on his path to be the next alpha?" "I will," I shouted.

Alpha Frank nods, moves the knife to my hand, and slices across. Blood trickles out, and he looks to Lex, who has his hand ready and hands the knife to him. Lex slices through his hand and places it in front of his father. Alpha Frank places our hands together.

I looked toward Elder Issac, who now has moved out of the way, and there was another man, another Elder, who I had only met once, Elder Warick. He was the Elder of witches.

Elder Warrick stepped forward and placed his hand on ours; he muttered a few words, and then a burning sensation rippled through me. I look at Lex, who holds my gaze.

After a few moments, Elder Warrick moves back, and Alpha Frank steps up again.

He smiles.

"I would like to introduce Alpha Alexander and Luna Roxie," he shouted as he hoisted our hands.

I could feel a slight burn on my shoulder.

"What the hell?" I whispered to Bex.

Bex moved closer and gasped.

"You were the crescent of the pack," she muttered. "It proves you are the Luna."

I didn't say anything.

Cheers erupted around the hall, and everyone was on their feet.

Lex and I dropped our hands down. Lex moved closer, pulling me toward him to face him. He placed his hands on my cheeks and kissed me.

More cheers could be heard, but I was on cloud nine as my mate kissed me.

I pulled back as Alpha Frank moved to the side of me.

"Now," he shouted, making everyone calm down, "now, we will feast and dance. The fight will begin in a few hours. You can enter the pack grounds and take your places as the Alpha and Luna collect their thoughts." All pack members were trying to talk to us, but Lex moved me toward the back of the stage and away from everyone. He pulled back the curtain and pushed me away from everyone.

Lex looked down at me and smiled.

"My Luna," he murmured as he lowered his lips to mine and kissed me again.

I kiss him back and moan into his mouth as his hands go to my waist.

What the hell was wrong with me?

I moved back and licked my lips.

Lex stares down at me. "You okay?" he asked.

I nodded.

"I guess I want my alpha," I said, which made Bex howl in excitement.

Lex laughs.

"I will have you through the night, sweetheart," he said. "But we have to get through the next few hours and the ultimate fight, and then I am taking you to our bed where I am ravishing you till I can't anymore." The way he spoke affected me, and I liked the idea of him being with me.

f**k, what the hell?

I cleared my throat.

"I think we should get back out there," I said as I removed the curtain.

I stepped out with Lex's hands still on my waist. He stopped me and leaned into the crook of my neck.

"Damn, you smell so sweet," he said, kissing my neck.

I moan.

"Don't," I muttered.

Lex moves back and sighs.

"I think I might get Dad to put your fight first," he said.

I looked over my shoulder at him with a questioning look.

"Huh," I said. "I thought we only had my fight."

Lex shook his head.

"My father only booked four fights, which included yours," he said. "I think he wanted to make it a night to remember."

I should have thought about that. I did leave Alpha Frank to plan it all, and it would be something to watch the other fights.

"Did he tell you who I am fighting?" I asked.

Lex shook his head.

"Not a clue," he said. "Come on, let's get outside. The quicker we get out there, and you fight, the quicker I can take you back to the house."

"I might want to watch the other fights," I said jokingly.

Lex frowned.

"I will do whatever you want," he said. "But one thing is for certain; I will be having my way with you sometime through this event, even if it's in a corner somewhere."

The thought of that excited me..

I licked my lips, but Lex groaned.

"f**k, Rox," he said as he leaned and kissed my head. "You definitely not going to make it easy for me."

"Nope," was all I said as I placed my hand in his, making him drop his hands from my waist and guide him to the side entrance, where everyone was waiting for us. "GIVE IT UP FOR ALPHA LEX AND LUNA ROXIE," yelled Alpha Frank as we stepped outside.

Chants and cheers could be heard around the pack grounds from every pack member and others around.