CHAPTER 146: 146 - MY PRIDE

146

~Belinda’s POV

When I reached the center of the hall, the elders stopped me. With solemn faces, they spoke blessings, their voices rising together like a chant. Then, in a symbolic gesture, they took my hands and placed them into the hands of the Alphas: Rowan, Damon, and Kael. One after the other, they held me, strong and firm, as though promising never to let me go. The crowd cheered loudly, the sound vibrating through my chest. In that moment, I truly felt claimed, bound, theirs.

After the handing over, the music shifted, louder and livelier this time, drums thundering in rhythm while flutes and string instruments filled the air with bright notes. The once solemn atmosphere of the ritual broke into joy, into pure celebration.

Tables stretched across the hall, covered in silver plates piled high with roasted meats, spiced stews, sweet cakes, and jugs of dark, rich wine. Servants hurried about, filling goblets, serving platters, and making sure no one’s plate was empty. The hall smelled of roasted boar, honey, and freshly baked bread, and my stomach growled in protest even as excitement kept me too full to eat much.

The triplets were in their full glory tonight. Rowan sat tall, his aura of command impossible to ignore, every Alpha in the room casting respectful glances his way. Damon was the charmer, laughing, clinking goblets, drawing people in with that dangerous grin of his. Kael, quiet but no less intimidating, stayed close to me, his presence grounding me in the whirlwind of the night. Together, they radiated power, three Alphas who had managed to share one throne. No wonder the other packs revered them.

One by one, the invited Alphas from neighboring packs approached, each carrying a gift wrapped in fine cloth or polished wood. I watched, wide-eyed, as they laid treasures before my Alphas, ornate swords forged with silver and steel, jeweled goblets, chests filled with gold coins, rare furs, and even a pair of white stallions said to be descended from a legendary bloodline. Each Alpha bowed low, offering not only gifts but also words of respect, pledges of loyalty, and prayers for peace between our packs.

Damon and his brothers accepted every gift with dignity, their voices strong and steady as they exchanged toasts and promises. At one point, Rowan raised a goblet high, his eyes flashing as he shouted, "To the unity of the packs, and to our Luna!" The hall shook with cheers, goblets slamming against tables, wine spilling over hands as everyone drank in my honor.

Dancing began soon after. Warriors clapped their hands and stomped their feet in rhythm, forming circles where men and women spun each other around with laughter. Children darted between the dancers, their laughter ringing like bells. The music grew faster, more frenzied, until the whole hall seemed to move as one body, one beating heart.

I was pulled into the dance more than once, by women who wanted me to join them, by warriors eager to honor their Luna. My gown swirled around me as I moved, laughter spilling from my lips. Each time I glanced back, at least one of the triplets was watching me. Their eyes never left me for long, their pride evident, their possessiveness impossible to hide.

The music softened, the drums rolling like thunder before coming to a pause. The hall grew quieter, though the flickering of the candles and the soft silver glow of the moon still washed over everything. My heart skipped when the master of ceremonies announced that my father would now give his speech.

I froze for a moment, my hand still linked with Rowan’s, Kael’s, and Damon’s.

My father stood slowly. His face was proud, but his eyes shone with something deeper, something only a daughter could recognize. The room hushed even more when he stepped forward. The other Alphas and elders turned to face him, respectful, waiting.

"My daughter..." his voice started strong, carrying through the hall. "Belinda has always been a flame. A stubborn flame, yes... but one that does not die. From the day she came into my life, I knew she was born for something greater than just an ordinary role. And tonight, I see that prophecy fulfilled."

My chest tightened, heat rushing to my eyes.

"My daughter..." he began, his voice steady but thick with emotion as he looked toward me. "She is no longer only mine to guide or protect. Tonight, she stands before the moon and before this great pack as your Luna."

He turned slightly toward Rowan, Kael, and Damon, bowing his head respectfully before continuing. "To the three Alphas, mighty leaders chosen by the Moon Goddess herself, I place her into your hands. Not as one I give away in sorrow, but as one entrusted into a greater purpose. She has been raised with strength, with love, and with honor. And now, she belongs not just to me, but to you, and to this pack."

His eyes softened as he looked at me again. "Please protect her, and may her flame bring light to your reign. I entrust her to you, not as something lost, but as a gift the Moon has now multiplied for us all."

The crowd erupted with applause, cheers, and stomping feet. My father turned to me then, his lips trembling with a smile. "Belinda, you are my pride. Go and lead, my daughter."

I couldn’t help it, I stepped forward. My legs moved before my mind could catch up, drawn by the trembling in my father’s voice, by the raw emotion in his eyes. Before Rowan or the others could stop me, I closed the space between us and threw my arms around him. The hall seemed to pause with me, the air thick with silence. My father’s strong arms came around me instantly, holding me the way he had since I was a child, but this time it was different. His body shook against mine, trembling with quiet emotion, and I felt the steady beat of his heart, heavy and proud.

"I love you, Father," I whispered, my throat tight, my words muffled against his shoulder.

"And I love you, my Luna," he whispered back, his voice breaking just enough to betray the man beneath the title of warrior, beneath the weight of being an elder. He pulled back slowly, his calloused hand brushing against my cheek before he released me.

A cheer erupted from the crowd, swelling until it filled the entire hall. The musicians struck their instruments again, a triumphant, jubilant sound that rose high into the rafters. Laughter, clapping, and joyful cries filled the air as the moment turned from tender silence to roaring celebration.