Page 52 of Soul Bound

“It doesn’t sound feasible,” Aaron agreed. “I know I’d remember if we’d met,” he continued, giving Marshall a heated look.

“It’s possible your bond is strong enough to meander through a crowd looking for its match,” Alice said with a chuckle, “But I doubt it. You must have brushed against each other. I imagine the club was crowded. You could have passed each other and not known.”

“So what happens now?” Aaron asked. “We’ve established that Marshall has enough shifter DNA to invoke a once-in-a-generation mating soul bond.”

“Sometime over the next few days, you’ll have to claim each other and seal the bond,” Alice said.

“Is there some kind of ceremony?” Marshall asked.

“Not really,” Kyr said, tapping at the tablet he held. “You can have the traditional mating ceremony, but there’s nothing specific I’ve found for a soul bond ceremony. As they are so few and far between, a normal ceremony suffices.”

“And what happens at a traditional mating ceremony? I’ve attended one or two over the years but never really paid attention to the formalities.”

“It’s very similar to a human wedding ceremony. The pack alpha usually officiates, vows are spoken, and there’s paperwork to make it all official, followed by a party.”

“Really? Is that all?” Marshall was surprised. He’d expected more somehow.

Alice cackled, and next to him, Aaron sighed.

“What? What am I missing?”

“What Kyr has described is correct, but what he didn’t say was that afterward, the couple claims each other. Only then is the mating bond complete.”

“And when do they do that?” Marshall asked slowly, guessing what Aaron was going to reply with.

“On their mating night, of course,” Alice told him with a gleeful grin.

“Of course,” Marshall agreed dryly.

“Don’t worry, Marshall. You’ll know what to do when the time is right,” she reassured him.

“Alright then, now we’ve got that settled when are we having the ceremony?” Anna asked, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Mom!” Aaron moaned. “A little less enthusiasm, please?”

“It’s not every day your eldest son finds his mate. This is an occasion. And with you being Alpha, we’re going to have to make it a celebration.”

“Can we keep it low-key, please?” Aaron pleaded.

“But….” Anna began, but she stopped at a quelling look from her husband.

“Let’s give Aaron and Marshall a few more days to get to full strength. Then we can discuss the ceremony. Marshall needs to tell his family about this, and we do need to make a Pack announcement that Aaron has found his mate,” Vaughn said.

“There are some who are not going to like that you’re mating a human,” Alice said. “No offense, Marshall.”

“None taken.”

“I feel it will be in the best interests if they claim each other first and seal the bond. Then we can announce they are mated. Marshall, of course, can let his family know beforehand. We can arrange a quiet family dinner for them to come and meet you prior to the official mating ceremony.”

“Won’t they be more upset if they mate before the ceremony? You know we have a few traditionalists in the Pack,” Vaughn commented.

“This is the best course of action for now,” Alice said.

“If that’s all, then I suggest we let Aaron and Marshall continue on their path, and we’ll reconvene in a few days’ time.” Vaughn stood, adjourning the meeting.

Aaron led Marshall outside into the spring sun. After being cooped up inside for three days, they both needed fresh air and sunlight. They followed the path heading toward the river, the fine gravel crunching beneath their feet.

“Where are we going?”

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