Filed to story: The Wolf Prince’s Fated Love
Shay
“So, given what we’ve learned recently about my gifts, Leigh and I were discussing that it might be best if she applies the fertility water during the ceremony.” Brielle was biting her bottom lip nervously. “Unless you guys want to have a baby right away, but frankly, I don’t really know how much control I have over my…” She waved idly at herself, at a loss.
“Her mojo’s running wild, Shay, and you do not want her sprinkling hyperpowered preggo juice on your feet instead of the regular rose hips.” Leigh shook her head and pointedly took the jar from Brielle. “I’m vetoing that option.”
I nodded wordlessly, sudden, intense nerves making it impossible to speak.
I was ready to bond-so ready, I could practically feel the way his fangs were going to sink into my neck tonight. But something about the official ceremony vibes was making me incredibly anxious. We’d minimized it as best we could, but there were only so many ways you could change the actual ceremony. I even felt a little nauseous, which was super weird. My wolf was quiet, so clearly, I wasn’t picking up any latent danger. Just regular old social anxiety, fueled by childhood trauma and a healthy dose of people are scary as fuck.
Walking across the clearing while everyone stared… I swallowed hard, staring down at my dress with major second thoughts. It was gorgeous, the prettiest dress I’d ever seen, frankly. But I was so exposed in it. Thin spaghetti straps were all that held it up, my mate marks on full display. Even the parts between my breasts were framed by the deep V-neck. It dissolved from the bodice down into a skirt of organza ruffles, feeling silky and soft around my legs as I walked.
I’d loved it on sight, knew the peek at my marks and my bare throat would drive Dirge wild. And yet… now I was second-guessing even this.
Brielle laid a hand on my arm, the touch gentle. She didn’t say a word, but the room flooded with a soft, soothing scent. A gentle stream in the summer sun.
I looked up to see Brielle frowning in concentration. “Is anything happening? I can’t tell.”
A wave of calm washed over me, and the lump in my throat finally eased. “Yes, actually. Thank you.”
“Oh good.” She shot me a happy smile before grabbing her glass bottle of ceremonial perfume. It was full of lovelace, a potent aphrodisiac for shifters. I swallowed hard at the reminder that we were about to head to the clearing.
“One last thing,” Leigh said with cheer as she stopped us by the door. She lifted the hem of her own dress and stuck out her foot. “Show me the toes!”
I rolled my eyes, but grinned at the memory of Gracelyn doing the same to Brielle a few short weeks ago. I lifted the hem of my gown, showing off my freshly painted digits and the anklet of bells circling my left ankle.
“Excellent. Let’s roll out!”
Brielle groaned at her movie-quote tone. “What are we now, robots?”
“Hey, we transform into wolves. It counts,” Leigh joked as we stepped out into the cool night air.
I let their quiet chatter roll over me, comforting me as we walked. It didn’t take long to get to the walkway that led into the bonding clearing, just long enough for Brielle’s soothing omega scent to evaporate. The lump was back in my throat and my nerves were thrumming double time by the time we stopped next to a few of the older pack females who’d volunteered to prep the clearing.
One of the women addressed me with a warm smile. “Good luck tonight, honey. You look beautiful. Ready for us to start the music?”
I was frozen to the spot, but Leigh answered for me.
“Yep, she’s ready. Just got a case of the prebonding jitters.”
The older woman laughed, resting a hand on my shoulder. “It’s going to be just fine, honey. I saw him out there, and he’s nervous as a bee with no honey. You two are going to be a lovely couple.” She gave me a squeeze, then they walked off as soft notes began to weave into the air.
“Do you need a minute, or are you ready to get this show on the road?” Leigh asked, eyeing me up and down. She reached down to adjust a layer of fabric that wasn’t lying perfectly enough to suit her, then nodded.
I bit my bottom lip, still not able to answer her.
“Bri, she needs some more of your mojo if you can work it up.”
“I can try,” she said with a tired smile, but I knew it took a lot out of her-and hurt, if I’d interpreted Karissma’s information correctly.
I shook my head, forcing myself to speak to put them both at ease. “I just need Dirge.”
Brielle smiled with a knowing look. “Well, then, let’s get a move on.”
They each kissed me on the cheek before they started walking down the path.
In a matter of a few heartbeats, I was standing all alone in the forest. My toes dug into the soft grass, and I let out one big exhale before I followed them. I was still nervous, but that wasn’t the most important thing now, was it?
I didn’t want to be alone and afraid anymore. I wanted him.
As I stepped into the clearing, I kept my eyes on the ground, afraid to trip and ruin the beautiful gown. But despite my fear, my eyes were drawn to Dirge’s like magnets. He was breathtakingly handsome in dark gray dress slacks and a creamy button-up. His hair was slicked back, his sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows, showing off bitable forearms.
He must have read my anxiety on my face. I sucked in a surprised breath as he stepped out of the circle, breaking all the protocols that had been drilled into us over the past week as he nearly jogged to stand before me.
“Don’t be afraid. It’s just me, and you, and the moon.”
I leaned into his calloused palm, soaking in his touch like a plant starved of sunlight turned to the sun. He was my grounding place. He was my home. His voice, his touch, his scent-everything that was him soothed me, brought me back down to center. I was okay, and I was more than ready to bond with my mate.
Shifting the bouquet of beautiful flowers to one hand, I held out the other to him. He laced our fingers together with practiced ease, and together, we walked to the moonlit circle of flowers, Leigh and Brielle trailing behind us with their ceremonial gifts.
It was stunningly beautiful in its simplicity. The moonlight reflected on the lake, the heady scent of crushed flowers rose from underfoot, and the sparkle of stars high overhead made the perfect symphony of beauty. As soon as we were all in place, I passed my bouquet to Brielle so I could hold Dirge’s hands in both of mine. But now that we were here, now that I’d gotten over the nerves about all the formality of this night… I was ready. Like a thoroughbred chomping at the bit, I was ready to run away with him.
Suddenly, this ceremony couldn’t happen fast enough. I shifted on the balls of my bare feet in anticipation.
Gael stepped forward first, holding up his palm. My mouth dropped open at the blueish gem the size of an egg he cupped there. Even in the dim light, it sparkled like a diamond.
“For prosperity,” he said with a smile, leaning down to place the stone at our feet.
Leigh was next, waiting until Gael had stepped all the way back behind Dirge before entering the same space. “For fertility,” she said with a cheeky grin as she knelt and splashed the rosehip water over our feet and ankles.
Brielle’s eyes were misty as she came forward, unstoppered bottle of perfume in her hands. To my surprise, she dipped her fingers straight into the thick oil as she spoke. “For passion,” she said, and then dabbed the warm, dripping oil behind both my ears and inside my wrists. She turned to Dirge and repeated the action. My blood heated as his eyes grew dark when they met mine.
Reed was the last one to make an offering, as was custom. He held up two shining golden rings. “For eternity.” There was love and pride in his eyes as he handed each of us the other’s ring. “And may you have all the joy in your lives together,” he added, sneaking a hug for his brother before stepping back into place.