Page 18 of Wild Wolf
His mouth curved up in the barest smile. Jordan felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this could workout.
Then she remembered the real reason why they did this. Nolan needed a mate, and she needed to avoidprison.
Tristan placed a hand on hershoulder.
“Before I begin, do you want this, Jordan?” The Silver Wizard’s dark gaze scrutinized her, though his words were low enough no one in the audience could hear. “I must have your answer before I make your unionofficial.”
She thought of all the rules, traditions and restrictions awaiting her as Nolan’s mate. She thought of the love they once had, and lost. She thought of the years spent running, the odd jobs, the low end jobs struggling to make it in a dank apartment festering with mold and roaches, no real home but theroad.
I have to get off this carousel. Or my life will end up as a sideshow. The notion made her laugh a littleinside.
“Ido.”
Once she said it, she knew this was what she wanted. Jordan felt certain of it. It wasn’t the thought of darkness and prison, but the thought of the sunshine Nolan had once brought into herlife.
She hoped he could bring it backagain.
Tristan nodded atAiden.
Aiden removed something from his inner jacket pocket. It was wrapped in blue velvet. She felt her stomach turn over as sunlight winked on the silver ceremonialknife.
Aiden handed the knife first to Nolan. Nolan’s gaze centered on her. Without flinching, he cut his palm with the blade, then handed it toher.
Jordan handed Nia her bouquet and took the blade. Her cut was quick, deeper than intended, and bled likecrazy.
Droplets splashed onto the pristine white boards of the dais. The burning pain barely touched her. Jordan was far toonervous.
“Clasp your hands so your open wounds meet and your blood mingles,” Tristaninstructed.
If only she could stop shaking inside, but that was impossible because this was too important. This dream she’d once harbored of marrying Nolan, a girlish dream that died thenight…
Don’t think of that. Focus onnow.
She and Nolan clasped hands, their mingled blood dripping to the wooden floor of the dais. Tristan bound their wrists together with a leather cord. “May you always be tied together by the bonds of loyalty, courage, strength, andlove.”
Her heart pounding so hard she knew he could hear it, Jordan began to recite hervows.
She forced her voice to remain steady. “I, Jordan Baxter, take you Nolan Mitchell, of my own free will, as my mate. I promise to honor and respect you, to love and cherish you with my body and my spirit, to stand by your side as our alpha leader and support you above all others, and to be yours,forever.”
Please mean the same thing, she silently pleaded with Nolan as he wet his lips, preparing to recite his own vows.Please don’t hateme.
Nolan stared into her eyes. He squeezed her handreassuringly.
“I, Nolan Mitchell, alpha of the Mitchell Tennessee pack, take you Jordan Baxter of own free will, as my mate. I promise to honor and respect you, to love and cherish you with my body and my spirit, to stand by your side as my alpha female and support you above all others, and to be yours,forever.”
His gaze remained steady. “I promise to protect you with my body, your honor with my spirit, and defend you to the last drop of myblood.”
To the last drop of his blood. It wasn’t a vow made lightly, and far as she knew, only alphas fully committed to their mates uttered it at theceremony.
Guilt wrestled with joy. Nolan was a male of worth, of honor. He deserved a mate equally so. She could not speak, only close her eyes as he kissed her, his mouth firm, warm, andauthoritative.
The kiss did not last. Tristan touched their hands and their wounds immediately healed. “Congratulations.”
Nolan gazed at him with respect. “Will you stay and have supper withus?”
“I’m afraid I cannot. But thankyou.”
Before she could thank him, the wizardvanished.
