Chapter 48: The Ceremony

[Dove]
"Come on, Dove!" Megan's voice crashed into my dreams.

Visions in my slumbering mind burst like bubbles. I felt my body's weight once more and groaned quietly.

"Wake up. We got a long day ahead." My covers were rudely torn from me and a cold gust washed over me.

I shivered slightly. "What long day do we have? Stop it, Megan," I grumbled.

A hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me to a sitting position. Then, two hands cradled my cheeks and squashed them hard, like a soft toy.

My eyes flared open at the pain and I looked soberly at the annoyed face.

"You. You have a long day. Let's go." Megan took my wrist again and pulled me off the bed.

She tried to push me towards the bathroom when I stepped aside and gave her a solemn expression.

Throwing her arms down, she shot me an exasperated look. "Okay, what? Come on, say."

Cole's tone in her voice brought a surge of tears to my eyes.

"Oh no, no, no, no." She grabbed my shoulders and shook me hard. "You're not doing this to me. Stop it."

I lifted my gaze at her miserably and sniffed. She moved me to sit on the bed and then sat beside me.

More gently, she asked, "Tell."

"I don't think we should go ahead with this," I muttered sadly.

Clearly knowing what 'this' was, Megan sighed, "You want another woman to have Cole, then."

"No!" I looked incredulous now.

Megan's eyes widened slightly at my exaggerated response. Until my breathing steadied again, she soothingly said, "I don't know what is going on in that brain of yours. But I know what is going on in Cole's brain."

She inhaled slowly and then continued, "Cole wants you in his life. And he's doing what he can to keep you in it. It's just that simple."

I tried to recall all that Cole had said or done, and search my feelings. Do I want him in my life from now on?

Yes.

He has become a part of my life now, I can only see my future with him - and this is what matters.

Things around us are already complicated - we don't have to add more confusion to it.

I stood and looked at Megan gratefully.

"Let's do it."


******

The pathway from the mansion to the village square was lined elegantly with the spring snowflakes that glistened in the sun. I felt like I was walking on a bridge made of the brightest stars.

The dress was a-line and off-white, resembling a cloud as I shuffled along the path. It has puffy bell sleeves that cascaded off my shoulders like a waterfall and a dipped neckline that fitted nicely along the top swell of my breasts. The material was soft and flowy - Phia said it was the same fabric as the dress I wore to the feast - so it hugged my curves as the breeze teased it.

Megan was fussing about my dress's hem hooking onto the branches, so Phia taught me how to move in it, and I began to walk with greater ease.

Where were the Violas?

A small bouquet of it was in my hand and the rest were braided into my long, silver hair.

Claire did my hair. When she finished, she gave me a long hug that felt like a farewell and brought tears to my eyes.

Megan had moistened eyes too. But she insisted that they were for herself - she now has an ally against the unbearable arrogant Alpha.

As we neared the village square, Patrick and his band sounded the soft music.

The place was decorated like a winter garden. It was draped with linings of the yellow flowers, from the meadow where I first saw Cole playing with a group of cubs, and more spring snowflakes.

All the villagers were seated. Claire took my arm and we walked down the aisle towards the front where Cole was standing.

Having not seen him for one day, I was breathless at the sight of his wolfish charm. He had on a loose, black shirt that ended with a large V at his chest, showing off his defined, muscled chest. His usually wild hair was ruffling proudly in the gentle wind and his blue gaze was more intense as I went closer to him.

Claire let go of my arm and I took the last few steps towards the serious-looking giant.


******

[Cole]
She was enchantingly beautiful when she appeared, stunning the crowd to silence and blanking his mind.

As Dove came towards him, Cole tried to recall the speech he had practiced the night before, at Jude's place. But no words came to him.

He tried to stay calm.

Jude said that women needed assurance and the only way he could think of was announcing to the universe - starting from the village - that Dove was his, and his only.

They are a pair and they will stay together forever.

Since Dove only understood the ways of the Moon Goddess, Cole would follow the traditions to give her his assurance - he would hold a mating ceremony.

As he went around getting the pack to help him prepare for the ceremony, he had to patiently ignore the mischievous glint in the villagers' eyes - their Alpha had finally succumbed to his Luna, just as they had done with their mates.

Clearing his throat silently, he stared at the captivating face and said, "You know what this means?"

She studied his face and whispered, "You're sure about this?"

Cole nodded.

"But, you don't have to force yourself, Cole. You can take your time--." She took his hand and smiled at him.

"This is to tell you." Cole squared his shoulders and stepped closer to her. "That you're staying with me forever." His fingers reached out to wipe the wet corner of her eyes. "You promised, twice."

He glanced at the villagers and back at her. "I want you by my side. Not because of your special power. Not because you are a tribute. But because I can't have any other woman."

Cole clasped her trembling hands together and squeezed tightly, then brought them to his lips and kissed them hard.

His voice was tender when his deep blue eyes bore into hers. "I only want you, Dove Summers. Be my other half?"