Page 53 of Crew

She nodded and turned her attention to the females, who’d come to be as close as family to her.

“You look lovely,” Tris said, smiling at her.

Zara was wearing a black silk tank and short skirt, with low-heeled sandals. She’d curled her hair and put on a little makeup too.

“Thank you,” she said.

Nancy handed her a box tied with a silver ribbon. “This is for you,” Nancy said, her voice going low and reverent. “When I met Dexter, he’d just formed the herd and there wasn’t any information about the history of his people or stallions in general. A lot of the main history of the horse shifters is lost to time because no one keeps official records and everyone is so secretive. So I decided to write a history myself, which is at the house. I think every alpha female should keep the history of their people, so this is for you.”

Zara unwrapped the package, revealing a leather-bound book. The cover was a deep chestnut brown embossed with intricate patterns of running horses. The pages were thick, cream-colored paper, and there was a leather tie to keep it closed.

“How do I start it?” Zara asked.

“However you’d like,” Tris said. “It’s the history of the Little River Herd and not Dexter and Nancy’s herd, so it’s up to you to fill the pages as you see fit.”

“Exactly,” Nancy said. “You can add Crew’s family history and yours, plus the rest of the herd members. Definitely add in the fight to keep the farm from usurpers.” Nancy put her hand on top of the book and smiled. “It’s for the stories of the herd’s lives—challenges and triumphs, matings and babies.”

Tears stung Zara’s eyes. “Thank you so much. I can’t wait to get started.”

“The next generation of stallions will take over when you and Crew are ready to retire, your eldest child and his or her mate can fill the pages for their people. It’s a blessing to be able to keep a real history.”

“I’ll cherish it.”

The trio hugged, and then Zara set the book on the dresser and headed out to the ceremony with them, ready to get to the best part of the night.

* * *

Outside on the lawn, standing in front of the firepit that blazed brightly in the setting sun, were Crew and Dexter. Nancy and Tris took their seats with the other members of the herd, and Zara walked down the steps and toward her mate, smiling as his heated gaze met hers.

When she’d reached them, she and Crew faced each other and held hands.

Dexter smiled at both of them. “We’re gathered tonight to honor the mating bond between Crew and Zara and to witness two great moments: their mating and Zara becoming alpha female of the herd. These commitments are sacred, bonding not only Crew and Zara to each other, but Crew and Zara to the herd.”

He looked at Crew. “Crew, do you vow to honor Zara as your mate, to protect her, love her, and lead with her for the rest of your life and into the great beyond?”

Crew gave Zara’s hands a light squeeze, his eyes shining with love. “I do. Zara, you’re my heart and my alpha female, and I promise to love you, protect you, and stand by your side forever.”

Dexter nodded and then looked at Zara. “Zara, do you vow to honor crew as your mate, to love him, stand with him, and lead with him for the rest of your life and into the great beyond?”

Emotion bloomed in her as she looked into the eyes of the only male who’d ever held her heart. Her eyes stung with tears, but she blinked them back. “I do. Crew, you’re my heart and my alpha male, and I promise to love you, support you, and face every challenge by your side.”

Dexter put his hands over the top of theirs and said, “By your spoken vows and the witness of the herd, I declare that Crew and Zara are mates from this day forward forever.”

The herd cheered and clapped, and Crew leaned forward and kissed her.

She wanted to kiss him a lot more, but they weren’t finished yet.

As the herd quieted, Dexter presided over the ceremony as the only herd elder, joining her to Crew as his alpha counterpart. She promised to stand by Crew, protect the herd, and uphold their traditions with the utmost care.

“Little River Herd,” Dexter said with a loud voice. “Do you accept Zara as your alpha female and promise to follow her leadership and stand with her and Crew?”

They shouted together, “We do!”

“As it’s been spoken,” Dexter said reverently, “so it shall be. I present to you Zara and Crew, your alphas.”

The herd cheered again, and this time, Dexter stepped back and Crew pulled her close.

“Hello, beautiful Alpha,” he whispered.

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