Chapter 48 - Forgiveness.

These weren’t just any old powers! The ancestors had to have something very special in mind for Rebecca. Lena opened the circle and a group of girls rushed over to congratulate Rebecca, but Lena got the feeling they weren’t friends. She gave them just enough time to gush and then slipped her arm into Rebecca’s and led her away.

Ben nearly jumped out of Alaric’s arms and into Rebecca’s. His little eyes were ablaze with excitement as he told Rebecca what the next steps were and she couldn’t help but laugh. He still thought that only he and his mother knew what magic was. Lena smiled as she watched Rebecca patiently listening to Ben explaining each step of the ceremony now that it was over.

To their left, the music started up indicating that the party had started and people cheered as omegas came out with food from all directions. Lena breathed in the scent of the food and smiled. Her body went rigid when she felt his strong arm slip around her waist.

“I take it this is where we dance?” Alaric’s hot breath blew into her neck, giving her goosebumps before he led her onto the makeshift dancefloor. He pulled her tightly into his arms and her body felt as if it was going to melt away into his. They were still the perfect fit, even after she went to bed. Which was strange because her body changed after she gave birth.

Alaric was an incredible dancer, which made Lena feel incredible as he guided her over the floor with such precision. She was reminded of how safe she had always felt in his arms, even after everything that happened. As if he would never hurt her … Would he? Would he ever be able to harm his mate without harming himself?

“I can see the wheels turning in that beautiful mind of yours.” He frowned and Lena sighed.

“I was just thinking that we never had our first dance at our mating ceremony.” Lena blurted out the first thing that came to mind and her eyes grew wider at the realization that that was probably not the best thing to say.

“Yes,” His eyes turned cold for a moment before he took a deep breath. “Lena, I … I don’t …” He stuttered and her hand involuntarily slipped down the side of his cheek. “Can we please start over?” His eyes filled with tears and Lena didn’t even realize that they had stopped dancing in the middle of the dance floor. All eyes turned to them as Alaric went down on one knee and held her hand in his.

“I never thought I would ever be able to do this. I was planning on asking you the night of our mating ceremony.” Ben came running towards them with a small box in his hands.

“I kept it safe just like you told me to, daddy.” Ben beamed as he handed it over to Alaric. The quick exchange between the two of them was so damn precious that Lena felt the tears starting to form in the back of her eyes. She knew what was happening, but she couldn’t exactly wrap her mind around it. Why?

“Thanks, my boy. Now let me ask her, okay?” Alaric ruffled Ben’s hair and it struck Lena how easily her son accepted Alaric and started to call him daddy. “Lena, I know we accepted each other as mates according to our traditions, but I wanted to ask if you would marry me. I want you to be my wife. I want the world to know that you are mine.” A soft growl escaped as he said the word and Lena gasped when he opened the box. Inside the box was her mother’s ring!

“Where did you get that?!” She was almost too scared to touch it.

“I had it made. I found a photograph of you with your parents after you were taken prisoner and I kept it. I used it to show the jeweler what I wanted. I know I can never give back what I took from you, but I can try to replace some of it.” His eyes filled with sadness as he explained. “But I’m getting off track here.” He laughed nervously.

Lena was in shock. How could he even think of asking her to marry him after she ran away? Did he really love her that much? She shook her head and his eyes grew wide.

“Oh, goddess! I’m sorry! That wasn’t a no.” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gripped his hands. This man loved her. She knew deep down in her heart that he was a good man. He did what he did to her coven because he was such a good man. He was doing what he had to, to defend his family. “Yes, I will marry you.” Lena knew at that very moment that she loved him and that love could overcome anything and everything else that happened to them.

Alaric jumped up and pulled her into his arms as joyous whoops and howls went up all around them. Lena felt awful that they were taking away from Rebecca’s special day, but when Rebecca told her it was actually her idea, she felt slightly better. Rebecca was hoping that if Alaric used this perfect opportunity, Lena would say yes and she was right.

Lena felt love coming from not only her new family, but also from the pack. Even the wolves who seemed upset that she had made a run for it all those years ago seemed to be happy for them. Little Ben was ecstatic, and Lena wasn’t even sure if he knew what all of it meant. They started to make their way through the crowd as people congratulated them and Lena felt really overwhelmed, but she felt happy.

For the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to feel happy. They no longer needed to hide. She no longer needed to hide. She didn’t have to hide her magic. She could just be herself. They reached the back of the crowd who were all laughing, eating, and dancing and Alaric pulled her tightly into his arms. Their eyes met and all the feelings she had for him before flooded her entire body.

“I love you, little witch.” Alaric smiled as their eyes met and his lips softly touched hers as if he was trying to taste her. Lena melted into his embrace, slipping her arms around his neck as their kiss deepened and their passion grew.

“Mommy!” Ben squealed, breaking their kiss before things got too heated and Lena felt a bright blush creep over her cheeks as she looked into Alaric’s eyes. Ben stood beside them blinking as if he was waiting for some kind of response when Lena turned and picked him up. “There is cream ice. You have to taste it. There are so many colours and I want to try each one of them.” Lena burst out laughing as she heard him saying the words the wrong way around again.

She really wanted to correct her son, but today wasn’t a day for correction. It was a day to celebrate. Alaric slipped his arm around her waist and took Ben from her. They walked over to the dessert table and Lena was just about to tell Ben that he had to eat some food first then she decided against it. It was a day for celebration after all, wasn’t it?

Today she would allow Ben to have whatever it was that he wanted. She got what she desired even if it took her a while to see it. She still got it. They ate ice cream with Ben and then danced his sugar rush off on the dance floor. The night turned out a lot better than she could ever have imagined and as the pack slowly started to make their way back home, she found herself not wanting it to end.

There was something she still had to say to Alaric. It might be the wrong time and it might be the wrong thing to say, but she felt the need to say it nonetheless. He needed to know and she needed to get it off her chest. Ben chased after a very happy Rebecca as they were walking back and Lena stopped and looked deep into Alaric’s eyes.

“Alaric, I forgive you.” He looked a little confused for a moment.

“You don’t have to say anything.” He stroked her cheek as if he knew what she was going to say next.

“I have to. If we are ever going to move forward … Please, just let me get it out. I forgive you for killing my parents, and I want to apologize for what they did to yours.” He nodded looking grim and pulled her into his arms. “I’m also sorry I ran away and I didn’t talk to you about my fears. I made so many mistakes.” Tears started to stream down the sides of her cheeks and he let go of her just enough so he could look into her eyes.

“I forgive you and I love you.” Lena felt relief flood her as his lips touched hers.