Page 83 of The Alpha's Heir

We say our goodbyes and tell them we will see them this evening. Hopefully, Nikki will be moved by then too.

“Shortie, there is something I want to show you before we go back home.” Aiden covers my eyes with his big hands, the tingles from our bond work their way throughout my body. He guides me down the path. “It’s not 100% ready yet, it needs your finishing touches but we should be settled in by the time the new baby arrives.

My heart skips as I realise what he is showing me. He lifts his hands and, for the first time in a long time, I see our cottage. The roof is repaired, the windows and doors have been replaced, the garden has been planted and there is a ribbon wrapped around the front door.

“Want to see inside?” he asks me, and it warms my heart that he is nervous of showing me. This must mean a great deal to Aiden.

“Of course, I do. This is our forever home, Aiden. Thank you for doing this, I love you so much, Alpha.” His eyes flash black in desire before he takes my hand again.

“I love you too, my Luna.”

*** Preston ***

The day is finally here. I wear my suit and smartly polished shoes. My hair is slicked back, and I’ve even had a wash. My parents tell me I scrub up well. I hope I make them proud today as I make my commitment to Amber and to our future.

Our pack Shaman and the Elders all take part in the ritual that bonds me and Amber together for all eternity in the light of the Moon Goddess. We’ve already mated and marked each other, but now our wolves get to seal their commitment to each other too.

Amber mindlinked me about an hour ago in a bit of a tizz. Your mama is curling my hair and is clipping little pink flowers in it, Preston. It’s a good job I love you or I would be scarpering right now. I’m a warrior, for fuck's sake. Although I laugh, I am also relieved that the two most important women in my life are getting along. Even though Amber is grumbling about the hair situation, I also know that deep down she is happy to have my mum’s help and support today and for the future too.

“Are you nervous?” my Alpha and future brother-in-law asks me and, in all honesty, I’m not. I don’t have a smidge of doubt about my love for Amber. My only regret is not doing this a very long time ago.

“No, not even a tiny bit. I have wanted this for the longest time. I am beyond excited. I cannot wait to make my declaration.” Aiden smiles as he pats me on the back.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better mate for my little sister. I wish you both all the luck and happiness in the world. Look after her, Beta, like you’ve always wanted to.” We embrace as friends. Friends who have been through hell and back together and are both here living to tell the tale and both within reach of our happy-ever-after.

“I will, you know I will.” Aiden’s eyes glaze over, and he tells me Amber is ready. My parents join me on stage and Aiden leaves to collect Amber.

“We are both mighty proud of you, son.” My father, the tough-talking, formidable former-Beta, has tears in his eyes as he finally watches me claim my mate.

“She looks gorgeous, Preston, an absolute stunner.” I’m about to tell my mum that Amber is always gorgeous, but when she steps into the ceremony room linking arms with her brother, my breath catches in my throat.

Amber walks towards me, tall and lithe. Her skin sparkles and her red hair is curled and cascades down her back. Her eyes are bright and clear, her face is flawless. She is wearing a white and gold floor-length gown, she looks otherworldly, like an ethereal goddess sent for me to worship. A lump forms in my throat as she slowly makes her way to the stage. I am in disbelief that this is finally happening.

Aiden whispers to Amber and she nods to him, and he holds her hand as they climb the steps together. As she approaches me, my heartbeat accelerates. This is it; she is going to be mine and I am hers. Aiden places his sister’s hand in mine.

“I wish you both good health and fortune for your lives together. May the Moon Goddess bless you both and this union.”

Amber’s hand trembles in mine. This woman has taken on men twice her size, has battled and brawled with the best of them and yet she is shaking right in front of me.

Nervous, Red? I mindlink while looking into her eyes.

Just a little bit. Don’t let me fall over, will you? The whole audience, my parents, our Alpha all disappear. It’s just me and my mate, and the Shaman who conducts the ceremony.

I will never let you fall. I will always be there to catch you and support you. I love you, I tell her honestly.

She stares, mesmerised, into my eyes. I love you too.

As we finish reciting our vows and make our blood promise, the pack cheers and applauds us. I am overjoyed when I feel the binds that tie us together strengthening and tightening. I kiss my mate to the chagrin of our congregation, and I am astonished when I see the tears of joy streaking her face. “I’m sorry I made you wait so long, Preston.”

“You are worth the wait. Thank you for finally making an honest man out of me, Red.”

Later, we will shift so our wolves can finally mate and mark each other, and our bond will be solidified then. But for now, we go and celebrate with our friends and family. At last, she is mine.

*** Aiden ***

Eva is a blubbering mess by the end of Amber and Preston’s ceremony. I laugh at her as she blames her tears on her hormones. I cannot help but kiss her on her temple as she wipes away her happy tears. “Oh, Aiden, I can’t wait to have our Mating Ceremony now. That was incredible. It was so touching and beautiful and meaningful.”

It has been my hope that once Eva saw a ceremony, she would be more willing to make that commitment to me, and it looks like my plan is working. “As soon as our pup is born, and you can shift, we'll have ours too. We could do your Luna Ceremony before then, though.” I have no qualms about naming Eva my Luna before our official mating ceremony. Yesterday, her father named me Alpha of the Moon Stone in her stead. This pack is officially half hers now.

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