Page 50 of M.A.Y.A
From: [email protected]
Subject: Come for a visit?
Mom,
I hope you and Dad are enjoying your roaming trip around the world. Something incredible has happened while you’ve been away. I’ve been blessed with finding my mate. Maya is…otherworldly. She’s strong and protective, and she’s the only one I’d ever want to lead the pack with at my side.
I love her. I didn’t think it was possible after knowing her for less than two weeks, but we’ve talked for hours into the night. We watch TV shows that she doesn’t understand yet and lay in the clearing on Den property to map constellations. She’s the one I want to come home to.
She is my home.
It would mean a lot to me if you and Dad met her. I can’t wait for you to welcome her into our family. She could use more love. As much as the pack can give her.
Your son, Isaiah
* * *
Isaiah enlisted the help of some Den mothers to prepare for the claiming ceremony. He wanted something special for his mate. He knew that they had a long road ahead of them when it came to earning her trust, and he was starting with memorializing their future together.
He waited for her in the clearing outside of their home, his chest bare, his pants pressed and creased. Sonya and Cindy had kicked him out of his rooms earlier so they could help his love get dressed, and he’d been anxious to see her ever since.
His heart started pounding when he felt her approach the door. He was more nervous than he’d been the day he became Alpha. The day he’d first addressed his pack as the new leader. He knew he’d remember this moment for the rest of his life.
She stepped into the sunlight and Isaiah’s breath caught at the first sight of her.
Maya.MyMaya.
She walked into the clearing in her pale-white satin gown with thin straps that looped around her neck. Her back was bare despite the fall weather, and she had wildflowers tucked in her hair.
“I don’t know the last time I wore a dress,” she said softly as she swayed back and forth. “Maybe when I was a child?”
“I am afraid you won’t be wearing that one for much longer either,” Isaiah said softly. “You look so beautiful.” His heart was on the verge of bursting when she walked towards him.
When they stood inches apart, Isaiah stroked a finger down her cheek and watched it bloom with the prettiest blush under her brown skin. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she whispered.
He was brimming with happiness at the thought that he got to spend the rest of his life with this woman. He cupped her face in his hands before pressing the gentlest kiss he could muster against her glossy lips. He tasted her breath, her joy, her excitement, and most importantly, the way she felt about him, as she melted against his chest and kissed him back.
“Come with me,” he said quietly when he pulled away from her. “It’s time for us to claim each other, mate.”
Maya didn’t hesitate and put her robotic hand in his. He tugged her close and smelled the crushed cranberries and wet metal against her skin.
They headed toward the waterfall, the same place that she’d found peace with him once before. The pack knew that today they would confirm their mating bond and had given them space to be together.
“I can’t believe we were fighting for our lives yesterday, and now we’re taking a walk through the woods,” Maya said.
“It’ll be a different walk soon,” he replied. “The leaves will change color and drop in another few weeks.”
“I didn’t think I’d be able to see the seasons change with you.” Her voice came out on a shaky laugh as Isaiah laced his fingers with hers. “I woke up this morning waiting for the other shoe to drop. Are we rushing things? Should we have waited to make sure that the portal is impenetrable?”
His grip on her hand tightened. “There is no way I’m delaying this any longer. Tomorrow is the end of our mating period, and we’re committing to each other today, Maya. That’s final.”
There was a long pause, and then she giggled. The sound was so freeing that he couldn’t help but smile.
“What’s so funny?”
“You sounded so cranky when you laid down the law.We’re committing to each other today, Maya. That’s final.” She tried to mock his deeper voice.
