Chapter 31
641words
"I'm nervous," I admitted, smoothing the delicate lace at my wrists.
Elena smiled knowingly. "Every bride is nervous. But few have what you have—a mate bond that already tells you everything you need to know about the man waiting for you."
She was right. Through our bond, I could feel Derek's excitement and love pulsing steadily, a warm current that calmed my nerves better than any words could.
A soft knock at the door announced Marcus, Derek's Beta, who would escort me to the ceremony.
"It's time, Luna," he said with a respectful bow. "Everyone is waiting."
I took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm ready."
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The clearing had been transformed. Lanterns hung from tree branches, casting a warm glow over the gathered pack members. A path of silver petals led to a natural stone altar, where Derek stood waiting, his tall figure commanding in traditional Alpha ceremonial attire—black with silver accents that caught the moonlight.
But it was his face that captured me completely. As I walked toward him on Marcus's arm, Derek's eyes never left mine, and the love I saw there made everything else fade away. Through our bond, I felt his breath catch at the sight of me, his heart racing to match my own.
When I reached him, he took my hands in his, and I could feel the slight tremble in his fingers—the mighty Alpha, nervous just as I was.
"From the first moment I saw you," he said, his voice carrying clearly to every ear, "I knew you were meant for me. Even before I understood what a Mate bond was, my soul recognized yours."
Elder Thorne stepped forward, her ceremonial robes gleaming in the moonlight. "We gather tonight under the full moon to witness the union of Alpha Derek Sterling and Luna Lena Grey, already joined by the sacred Mate bond, now to be joined in the traditions of our people."
She wrapped a silver cord around our joined hands. "This cord represents the bond that already exists between you—unbreakable, eternal, blessed by the moon herself."
Derek's eyes held mine as he spoke the traditional vows. "I, Derek Sterling, take you, Lena Grey, as my mate, my partner, my equal. I pledge to protect you, though you are strong; to guide you, though you are wise; to love you, though you already hold my heart. Under the moon's witness, I bind my life to yours."
Tears blurred my vision as I repeated the words, my voice steady despite the emotion welling within me. "I, Lena Grey, take you, Derek Sterling, as my mate, my partner, my equal. I pledge to support you, though you are powerful; to challenge you, though you are certain; to love you, though you already hold my heart. Under the moon's witness, I bind my life to yours."
Elder Thorne nodded in approval. "The moon has heard your vows. Now complete the bond in the way of our ancestors."
Derek gently pulled me closer. We had discussed this part of the ceremony—the ritual sharing of blood that would complete our union in the eyes of the pack. It was symbolic now, as our Mate bond was already fully formed, but tradition held it sacred.
He shifted partially, just enough for his canines to lengthen, and I did the same. With tender care, he bent to my neck, his breath warm against my skin. I felt the brief sting as his teeth broke the surface, marking me as his. Then it was my turn, my teeth finding the spot where his shoulder met his neck, tasting the coppery sweetness of his blood.
