Page 43 of Grey
Nancy, Tris, and Zara had spent the last hour with Tatum helping her get ready for the ceremony and giving her the herd gift of a necklace with a horse medallion that each female wore. He stood with Dexter, anxious to see his soulmate.
The females walked out of the house and took their seats, and then Tatum appeared. She was wearing a gauzy, pale dress that made her look like an angel. His heart nearly stopped beating at just how beautiful she was and how much he loved her.
She walked to him with a big smile on her face, her eyes shining with excitement.
They faced each other and held hands. Dexter smiled at them. “We’re gathered tonight for Grey and Tatum—not just to honor their mating but to welcome her officially into the herd.” He looked at Grey. “Do you vow to honor Tatum as your mate, to protect her, and love her for the rest of your life and into the great beyond?”
“I do,” he said. “Tatum, I promise to love and protect you forever.”
Dexter nodded and then looked at Tatum. “Do you vow to honor Grey as your mate, to love him and stand with him for the rest of your life and into the great beyond?”
“I do,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Grey, I promise to love you and support you forever.”
Dexter put his hands over the top of theirs. “By your spoken vows and the witness of the herd, I declare Grey and Tatum mates from this day forward forever.”
The herd cheered and clapped, and Grey leaned forward and kissed her.
Dexter lifted his hand and everyone went quiet. “Little River Herd, do you accept Tatum as a member?”
They shouted together, “We do!”
Grey grinned. He loved the herd. But not as much as he loved his soulmate.
“As it’s been spoken,” Dexter said reverently, “so it shall be. I present to you, Grey and Tatum.”
The herd cheered again and Grey drew Tatum close. “Mine,” he said softly, and then he kissed her.
“You’re mine too,” she said with a chuckle when the kiss was over.
He stared down at her, his heart swelling. Releasing his tight hold on her, he dropped to one knee and brought the pouch from his pocket. Taking out the ring, he held it up to her and said, “Tatum, you’re the most important person in my life. You complete me in a way I never thought possible, and every day is better because you’re in my life. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Her eyes glistened with tears. “Yes!”
He slipped the ring on her finger and rose to his feet, bending her back slightly and kissing her again. Hell, he was going to cry too, it was so damn sweet.
The herd cheered and clapped loudly, whistles echoing around them, and he smiled against her lips.
“This is the best night,” she said.
“I’m not done yet, sweetheart. First we eat, then I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“A sexy one I hope?” she whispered.
“The sexiest.”
He righted her and said to the herd, “Let’s eat!”
Tatum wasn’t sure if the butterflies in her stomach as she and Grey climbed the stairs into the barn apartment were from nerves or excitement or arousal, or a combination of all three. But she felt like her whole body was vibrating from the fluttery feelings.
Grey gave her a sexy smile, all banked heat and wicked thoughts, as he opened the door to the apartment and let her in. He followed, closing the door behind them, and she gasped at the scene before her.
There were electric candles flickering on every flat surface, illuminating the space with a golden glow. He’d moved the screen that separated the bed from the rest of the space and placed an electric fireplace, which bathed the bed in reds and ambers.
Music played softly, and he took her hand and drew her close, turning in a circle and dancing her to the center of the room. She hadn’t danced since high school, and the feeling of being turned around the room and held close by the man she loved was the sweetest thing.
Was it possible to fall even more in love with someone?
To fall harder and deeper?
