Page 52 of The Alpha's Shattered Bonds

“The snow has stopped,” Kelly called from her post at the infirmary window.

Three months had passed since the battle with the Black Moons, and Kelly was back for the Yule holiday from Silver Moon University, working as one of the infirmary aides as usual. The infirmary, since Linda’s death, had become my domain.

Both Kelly and Laura were catching me up on the missing medical knowledge. But I had plenty of herbal and magical knowledge under my belt, making me a capable healer.

Not that we were working today. We’d vacated Tyler’s house to get ready here.

“Still time for one more prosecco potion,” Vivi said as she topped up mine and my friend’s glasses with fizz.

Vivian was one of the Black Moon Pack females who had sworn allegiance to our pack. There had been many Black Moon females and pups who had sworn their allegiance to our pack or to one of the other packs. Where the Black Moon females and pups had integrated, sadly, none of the males had shown any remorse, and they had been executed a month after the battle. But many like Vivi had integrated into our pack well, keen for the new chance at a happy, stable life, and it was heartening to see.

Tara was reclining on one of the beds, mussing up her short hair so that it was jagged, highlighting her delicate but angledfeatures. My lips twitched. She seemed oblivious to the way she was creasing her bridesmaid dress. To be fair, I thought we’d have to wrestle her into the dress. It was a testament to our friendship that the warrior had agreed to it.

On the other hand, my maid of honor, Selina, looked flawless in her long peach dress, her golden hair flowing down her back in ringlets.

Tyler and I had decided to hold a formal mate bond ceremony, wanting to finally celebrate our bond with the entire pack. Deep winter was drawing in, and Nahachoh would likely soon be cut off from the rest of the packs. I’d wanted to hold our mate ceremony while our friends could still join us.

It was tradition for Silver Moon brides-to-be to wear the giak-adorned gowns that Igaluk’s handmaidens had supposedly worn. But, for me, those overly fussy gowns and official tunics would forever remind me of Linda and Elder Darius. So, I’d opted for an ivory gown, its color reminding me of the pristine snow that blanketed our beautiful lands.

“It’s time,” Selina said with a grin. “You ready?”

I nodded, taking a deep breath as I wandered to the door. The snow had been shoveled all the way up to the mansion’s gardens, and as Tara and Selina held my train, it only took us a few minutes before we arrived in the gardens.

During our planning, Tyler had been happy for it to take place elsewhere if I’d desired. The last thing he’d wanted was for thoughts of the past—of memories of watching him standing on this lawn with Linda—to spoil my happiness. But I wanted our mate ceremony to take place in the place that had long been home to us both.

Besides, the way the pack turned towards me, their eyes centering on me with joy and their faces lighting up as they watched me walk up the aisle, couldn’t be further from the past. I felt lit up from within as our pack shared in our night. I looked around at the faces and people I had come to know, not just as packmates but as friends and loved ones. Perhaps no more was that clearer than the man who stood next to Tyler. The dark-haired, earnest-eyed warrior, who was once my bully, looked at me now with the firmest friendship. I was reminded of a promise Logan had made to me—that when my parents’ names had been cleared, I could have friends here, that I could belong, and I felt how true that was.

Once Logan and I had severed our mate bond, what remained was a friendship I was thankful for every day.

Right now, Logan whispered something in Tyler’s ear, making my mate smile and bright blue eyes brighten. I was even more thankful that the two men had been brought closer by what had happened.

As the music started from the string quartet, Selina whispered, “That’s it, Mia, you can start. Nice and slow, baby.”

Mia, my little flower girl, walked ahead of me, smiling as she scattered yellow pomenta flowers, red spray lilies, and silvery kiva petals along the aisle, the colors commemorating all our allied packs who had helped us win the war against the Black Moons.

This victory had been possible because the Shadow Moon Alpha and Luna, along with the Moonlight Alpha, were attending a meeting in Matsuna—a town bordering our lands—on the night the Black Moons attacked. Tyler had alerted our allies to theinvasion, and fate smiled upon us, positioning them nearby. The Alphas and Luna were traveling with large units of warriors, allowing them to swiftly come to our aid.

As I walked down the aisle, I smiled at the friends from our neighboring packs gathered here. Leah stood with Alpha Kyle, holding their newborn son, Jason, along with their daughter Lina. Alexis stood beside them, a huge grin on his face for once as he watched little Mia ahead of me.

My heart seemed to miss a beat as I looked up ahead at the dais, enshrined by torchlight. Alpha Tyler, looking commanding yet relaxed, waited for me in his tux, not a hair out of place. Elder Carl was overseeing our ceremony, looking quite at home before the big ceremonial book as I mounted the dais to take my place opposite Tyler.

Elder Carl began the ceremony, his voice rich with joy and meaning.

“The mate bond is a sacred covenant in our pack and in all shifter society. But I defy any of you to present a couple who had displayed its sanctity better than the two people here tonight. Their love has proved that the mate bond is stronger even than death itself.”

My eyes shimmered with tears as I thought of how Tyler had come back to me. Gratitude and love swelled through my chest as the full fortune of how much the Moon goddess had blessed us with enveloped me.

Tyler took my hands, his warmth radiating through me as he gazed deeply into my eyes.

“Seraphina, I vow to be by your side, to protect you and cherish you through every trial and tribulation—to love you fiercely and support you unwaveringly.”

We’d decided to dispense with too much ceremony, and I grinned as Tyler finished his short but sweet vows, following with mine, “Tyler, I vow to stand by your side like the great twin peaks of Nuvuja. To be your strength in times of lightness and darkness.”

Elder Carl had promised to keep the ceremony brief, too, and now said, “By the power vested in me by Igaluk, I pronounce you mates.”

All the pounding, breathless anticipation that had filled me melted away as my lips met Tyler’s in a kiss, soft but electrifying.

Later, as we arrived back at the kitchen door, Tyler swept me into his arms, and I felt a thrill rush through me as he carried me over the threshold. The sight of our quaint kitchen glimmered with light, sending familiar warmth wrapping around me like the sweetest embrace.

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