Stretching I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes as Violet burst into our room. “Ben, I can’t find Saman...tha.” She glared at my mate. “I have been looking for you for over an hour. The guards saw you going to the north border, and you didn’t return... I’m going to kill you.” Samantha just giggled. “Why didn’t you check in here first, it is my room. Duh.” Violet just looked at between me and her wide eyed. “Uh. Well. You give me a headache!” “Newsflash!” She laughs as she goes to the bathroom. “So, what is the big emergency?” “Oh, it’s some of our allies are starting to arrive. Your family’s pack are already here, Ben. And the Roanoke pack is a few hours away. Everyone else should be here in the hour.” “Alright, are everyone’s rooms ready?” “Yes of course...” “So, again. What is the big emergency? Did Lily ever decide if she wanted to receive her mark in front of the pack or wait until tonight and get it privately?” “She is still set on getting it privately.” Violet smiled, being marked during the mating ceremony wasn’t required but some couples insisted on doing it in front of an audience. “I don’t blame her.” I added. Me and Samantha already had this discussion, and we feel the same way. Its more romantic to have our marking done in the bedroom versus in front of everyone’s nosey eyes. It wasn’t like the whole pack wouldn’t know when it happened anyway. Violet told me when Greg marked Jess a massive wave of power flooded the pack bond, even the unshifted pups felt it. That is not natural, and I wondered what would happen when Samantha marked me. Nick ran into our room now, with my dad right behind him. His bandages were finally fully removed a few days ago but there was still a faint line down his face. The cast was still there and probably would be for a few more weeks. “Hey Dad!” My heart, my poor heart. “Can Grampa take me to my appointment today?” “If he wants to, he can.” I answered as my dad smiled. “Be good! And no sweets before breakfast!” I added. Not that my parents would listen to me at all. I chuckled at myself as Samantha walked out of the bathroom in her housecoat. “Anyway, Samantha, we have to be downstairs soon for hair and makeup.” She caught my eye and smirked. ~~~ I walked my mate down to the pack house spa and poked my head in to see Lily. She was a nervous mess. Mom was down here too and yep, she was crying. When I caught Lily’s eye I waved and smiled. She smiled at me, but I could feel the anxiety rolling off of her. So, of course, I did the best thing I could. “Good luck Sis! Don’t trip!” “BEN!!!!” She shrieked at me, and I closed the door as a makeup case was thrown against it. I said, I’m a proud brother right now. I go to walk away when the door flies open and she grabs me in a hug. “Thank you, little-big brother.” She whispered, using the nickname she gave me when she turned five. Damn it, now my vision was turning misty, and I looked at the ceiling as I pulled her in for a hug. “You’re going to do fine Lil, and remember, just give the word and all three of us will beat him up for you.” We looked at each other and broke out laughing, we would get our asses kicked. “I have to go and make sure your mate isn’t trying to sneak out the back remember?” I teased and winked as I went back up to their suite. My dad and Nick were in here now, Nick had his cast changed and the doc said not much longer until his bones are completely healed. He was already dressed in his little tuxedo, and he was sitting in the corner and pouting. Daren was sitting on the bed, and he was pale. Greg and Jake were rubbing his back and trying to calm him down. Greg looked up at me and sighed. He linked me. He warned, and I nodded. Nick looked up at me and walked over. “Dad... I don’t want to wear this.” He pouted as he pulled on his tie and jacket. “It's too tight and hot.” “No, we have to wear it.” I say as I fix his tie. “We need to look nice for Uncle Daren and Aunt Lily’s big day.” “All day?” He whined. “Yep.” “But they won’t be! Penny said after this they are going to rip their clothes off and wrestle! So why can’t I take this off and put on my jersey?” The room was deathly quiet and from the look on Greg’s face he wanted to be anywhere but where he was. I gave him a look, I was NOT READY for this conversation! “Because Alpha Samantha said so.” My dad answered with a smile. “She said we all have to look nice until the big ceremony tonight.” Thanks dad! “Even you, Grampa? But you’re an alpha too!” “And she would kick my butt if I made her angry. You don’t anger another alpha, Nick. Just because I am an alpha doesn’t mean I can always do whatever I want to do.” Nick pouted again and went back to the corner and sat down as we finished getting ready. I could feel the amusement in our bond, and I knew she was laughing out loud. She sighed in my mind now. I hear her roaring in my mind; I smirked. She started to sound somber again. I sigh as I finish with my own tie, keeping it a little loose. “The girls are almost ready. Are you going to walk down there or are we going to have to drag you kicking and screaming?” ~~~ Soon we are all standing on the platform waiting for my dad to walk Lily down the aisle. My mate was standing in front of us, as she would be leading the mating ceremony. I sighed, if I was already titled, I would be standing beside her, but I am standing on the platform away from her, on the side that Lily will stand on. Chris, Laura, and Jake were on this side as well facing Greg, Jess, Violet and Elder Alan. Daren was a pale shadow of himself, and Samantha only smiled calmly at him. My mom was in the front row, crying happily while Nick stood beside me pouting. His tie was crooked again, and I straightened it for the fourth time today, giving him a stern look as I did so. Samantha growled softly at him as he tried to shake me off. Finally, my mate stood up tall and smiled. “Ladies and Gentlemen.” She announced, “Please stand.” I quickly tightened my own tie and looked over as Penny started skipping down the path, her hair in twin braids down her back with flowers woven in. Slowly she climbed the steps, walking over to Samantha and curtseying before she turned to Daren and curtseyed again. Daren smiled and bowed slightly. Penny played her role perfectly, imitating the act of the Moon Goddess creating their bond together. She then walked to Daren’s side and stood opposite of Nick who was still pouting. Now I watched as my dad walked down the path with Lily on his arm. She was dressed in a flowing white gown with her hair styled in an updo with lilies in her hand. I nudged Nick, his turn was coming up next and he gulped. As my dad got to the platform, he paused and kissed Lily’s cheek, I could see unshed tears in his eyes. Nick slowly stepped down and offered Lily his hand, which she took as he led her up the stairs and to Daren’s side. Carefully he placed Lily’s hand on Daren’s, and they smiled at each other and faced my mate. I smiled at Nick proudly as he returned to my side. His role was the act of the bond between them drawing them to each other. “Please be seated.” Samantha smiled as she addressed the crowd. “Daren Rhodes, born of the Silver pack, now known as SilverFang. You have petitioned your alpha to acknowledge and accept your mating to your true mate, Lily Shields of the Black Hill pack. Do you swear to not only your alpha but also to the Moon Goddess herself that she is your true mate?” “Yes, Alpha.” “Lily Shields, born of the Black Hill pack, you have petitioned your alpha to acknowledge and accept your mating to your true mate, Daren Rhodes of the SilverFang pack. Do you swear to not only your alpha but also to the Moon Goddess herself that he is your true mate?” “Yes, Alpha.” She smiled, blushing. “The bond created by the Moon Goddess, is acknowledged. Those in attendance today rejoice as the Goddess smiles down on this couple!” “PRAISE BE THE GODDESS!!!” We all say in unison. “Show us proof of your commitment to your bond and to the Goddess!” Samantha smiles as she ties a long ribbon around their clasped hands. Slowly Daren smiled at Lily who flipped her hair off of her neck, leaning up on her tiptoes she gently kissed his marking spot as he did the same to her. “PRAISE TO THE GODDESS!!!” We all chanted again. “That which the Goddess has formed, and witnessed by me, Samantha Serene Silver, Alpha of SilverFang cannot be broken.” “BONDS ETERNAL! EVERLASTING!!!” We chanted again. “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you all. Daren and Lily Rhodes of SilverFang!” Everyone in the crowd stood now, clapping and cheering as Daren held Lily’s hand as they walked off of the stage, followed by Nick and Penny. Poor Nick, traditionally the unmated wolves in the pack would try to get close to the pups who represented the Moon Goddess and the Bond. Superstition said that they would help spur the Goddess to guide them to their own mates. ~~~ “Dad! Dad! Look!!!” Nick came running over to where me and Samantha sat under the giant canopy. He handed me a fistful of candy and small toys. “People keep giving me stuff!” “That’s because your tie is straight.” I say as I fix it again, it's almost all the way off now. “Imagine what you would get if it was always straight.” Samantha snickered beside me as she ate some more cake. “If you want to take off your tie you can.” Nick lit up and started for his tie, “But, if you take it off then you have to put on high heels like I have on... I think my feet are bleeding right now.” I bite my smile back as Nick shakes his head. “No, I don’t want my feet to bleed.” “Then keep your tie on. Neatly.” She added. “Okay...” He pouted until someone from another pack called his name. I laughed as he walked over and showed how straight his tie was. Penny ran over to them, more ribbons had gotten tied into her hair undoubtedly from single wolves. I grinned and I snapped a few pictures as they talked to the unknown she wolf. “You know the night they met Lily had to run almost clear to the other side of the pack, Daren was busy helping some omegas from another pack and had his back turned. She plowed into him and scared the life outta him.” She sighed with a dreamy look in her eye. “Most couples when they first meet, they can’t help but tackle each other, but when we met it was like a missing piece of my heart snapped back in place. I mean, don’t get me wrong I still wanted to slam you against the door.” She giggled. “But it was like I had more control over myself.” She shrugged. “And... part of me was scared you would run back out the door when you saw me...” I smiled and pulled her chair closer to me. “Like you would let me get very far...” I teased but the look on her face stopped me. “No, if I thought... you didn’t want me... I would have let you go.” “Well, Love, it’s a good thing you are all I ever wanted.” I hugged her to my side as she started to purr a little. “I missed that...” “What?” “Your nickname for me.” She giggled softly. “I missed hearing you say that.”

Chapter 111