Page 20 of Her Arranged Alpha
Nina shrugged. "Well, you guys will, too."
I frowned, knowing we wouldn't. We might be doing the ceremony, but there was a key factor that we wouldn't be doing. Normally, the wolves were supposed to have close contact, which couldn't happen since I couldn't shift.
My fingers shook as I thought of that. Sex after was a large part of the ceremony as well. People never wanted to admit to it, but that strengthened the bond.
There was a soft knock on the door, and Frank pulled it open. He was wearing a nice tux, looking happy as his eyes spotted Nina. "Are you guys ready?"
Nina jumped up. "We are. Just finished her make-up."
"You look nice, Jillian." Frank offered me a soft smile, and I tried to return it, knowing my stomach was twisted up.
"We're ready if you guys are."
Nina linked her arm with mine, bouncing on her heels. They walked with me down the hallway leading to the front of the church. Unlike a wedding, the ceremony was small. You didn't invite a bunch of people. Frank opened the door, and the room was dark, lit by candles. Maddox was standing near the front with the priest. The rest of the Alphas were there with their wives. I swallowed, feeling nervous.
We walked down the aisle, and Nina leaned closer to me. "He looks good."
I knew she was talking about Maddox, and I couldn't argue with her. Maddox always looked good. He was hot, withthat perfectly framed face and those blue eyes. He was what women fawned over.
But I was only angry. I was stuck here with no escape.
Once at the front, Frank took Nina to a seat. Maddox extended his hands, and I took them.
"Alright, let's get started."
I chewed on my cheek, trying to look at anything besides Maddox, but it was hard. He looked good. He had just shaved, and I could smell his aftershave. His blue eyes stared at me, looking at me softly.
I swallowed.
"This bond is deeper than any other. You will form connections with your children, friends, and family, but the bond between you as husband and wife is different—it's deeper. You know it, and your wolves know it."
I swallowed.
"This is generally the part where you shift." The priest said, waving a hand between us.
My entire body locked up, and I felt a cold sweat roll over me.
Frank coughed. "Uhmmm…yeah…Matthew…Jillian has never shifted. So, she won't be doing that."
I felt utterly embarrassed, and I knew my cheeks went red. I suddenly couldn't look at Maddox.
"We just skip over that part," Maddox said, sounding unmoved.
The priest cleared his throat. “Yes…uhmmm…”
I looked over at Nina, who gave me a sympathetic smile. It didn't make me feel better.
The priest wrapped a rope around Maddox's hands and then around mine. "Okay, this rope symbolizes your bond. It's no longer two but one. You will feel each other's emotions, sense each other's fears, and live together in symmetry."
I felt like falling as I felt something shift in me. I knew instantly that my connection to my wolf was different, and it would never be the same.
I couldn't listen. My mind was a mess as I stood there staring at Maddox. So many questions and emotions filled my mind. I knew I would never be able to run because Maddox would sense me. I'd never be able to get free.
I was trying to think of the positive. I was Maddox's mate, Maddox's wife, so many people would like me. But they were all aware of what I'd done.
"Jillian," Maddox said, my name snapping me from my haze.
"Huh?"
