#Chapter 102: The Ceremony Begins

DEREK The sun was hovering just above the trees, and the cocktail hour had rounded out with a glass of celebratory champagne. Paper lanterns swayed overhead like little glowing moons, casting halos of light over the crowd. Music filtered in from the edges of the lawn—strings and flutes now giving way to soft drums, the kind that stirred something ancient in your blood. I was just finishing a conversation with one of the Moonstone Betas—pleasant enough guy, though I could tell he was still trying to figure out if I was a threat—when I heard Aiden’s voice cut through the noise. “There he is!” he shouted, barreling toward me at full speed. Before I could brace myself, he grabbed my hand. “Come on! It’s starting!” “What is?” “The opening speech. Grandpa’s gonna do it!” He yanked on my arm with surprising strength. “We have to go stand with Mom!” I didn’t even have time to ask questions. Aiden dragged me through a sea of legs and laughter, winding between small children wit