.57. Somebody else.

Another winter wonderland opened its arms to the couple walking down the forest path. Hand in hand, they have spent a year getting to know each other better, from simple things as taste in music, favorite foods or movies, to more important matters about personalities. Perhaps the year hasn't been easy, but they still stood by each other's side despite all obstacles. The young Alpha never tried to rush his mate.
Many rumored about his lovers, mistresses, and occasional hookups with the servants, but those things were as fake as the rumors about Luna's pregnancy. The pack couldn't wait to meet the next heir, yet the year had passed, and the young Alpha couple didn't bother to finish the mating process. Many thought that their union wouldn't last since wolves usually mated within a few days after meeting their mates, not to mention Alphas.

"Do you like it here?" Zane smiled, side-glancing at his mate. There were no words to describe the feeling he felt. Camilla would walk around amazed even when the first snow fell, barely covering a see-through layer over the ground. The moments didn't matter for some people, while Zane spent all of his free time around her. The center of his universe now was the woman who couldn't tolerate him a little over a year ago.

"Of course I do. We're stuck in paradise; how could I dare to complain about such a gift? But, do you?" Camilla stopped, letting Zane hug her from behind while her eyes kept admiring the frozen Kingdom she loved so much. The young woman often wanted to take walks to the cliff, but she needed her mate for that. Not only would the male whine about her safety, but whenever he was around- it was warmer. If needed, Zane held her for hours, staring at the view in front of them in silence.

"You know I love all walks we have together, no matter where. It's our time- just you and me, no interruptions, no responsibilities over the pack. Only you, me, and paradise." The young Alpha smiled, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. "Have you decided yet? No rush, but we have two days until the ceremony; it would be nice to know where it's going to happen. That is if you haven't changed your mind about becoming my wife. Have you?" The grip around her waist tightened a bit. Zane did that quite often whenever a topic of their future was brought into the conversation. Camilla knew that her mate didn't intend to hurt her; it was a reaction to fear and doubt- if she were about to leave, he wouldn't let go as easily as he did in the past.

Taking a deep breath, she let her thoughts wander back to the last year. There was no reason for Zane to fear losing her. If anything, he did hold the promise to become a mate she deserved. Technically, by now, they should have finished the mating process and have a child, or expect their first one. However, the young Alpha never brought up the topic of mating. They did share some quite passionate and sensual nights, but none went further than kisses and caresses. Quite a few times, Camilla was ready to forget everything and do it- they were mates, and it would happen sooner or later, but Zane held her back. The Alpha kept questioning her, deciding if she was truly ready and wouldn't regret the decision the next morning. So, nothing ever happened- the lovers promised each other to wait until their wedding happened.
Camilla had gone through quite a few heats already, but all Zane did was barricade her into the room with a couple of servants to help her. He even built a small window between their rooms so he could hold her hand to ease the pain but never get inside. The Alpha knew that she-wolves begged only to get rid of the pain, and it did hurt him to watch her in such agonizing pain. However, using the state Camilla was in would be selfish and unfair towards her. Zane wanted to wait until the day she was truly ready to connect their lives until the end of their days. Mating wasn't a joke, especially for the young Alpha since he knew the pain of being separated from a mate.

"Don't be silly; I wouldn't change my mind. Not anymore. Zane, you look like yourself, but you're somebody else inside- the new you that I've grown to love and respect. I wouldn't change a thing about us for all the money on this planet, even more beyond it. I will marry you, don't you worry about that. But I'm not sure if you would agree to the place I've chosen," Camilla sighed, closing her eyes and leaning closer to her mate. It was getting quite common to see him worried about their future and plans. Perhaps he wouldn't believe that this was a reality until they exchanged the rings and finished the mating process.

"Why would you think so?" The Alpha chuckled, leaning down and pressing his lips against Camilla's cheek. "I don't care where the ceremony happens for as long as you love it. Marriage isn't something I should have much say in- I want this to be your day. You're the one who will outshine everyone and walk down the aisle to make me the happiest man alive. It doesn't matter where it happens for as long as it does. I'd agree to get married in the pack cells if you'd want that. Just let me know, and I'll make the magic happen." His words were as truthful as they could be. Camilla knew that Zane gave her full control over planning the wedding, deciding who could be there with them and where everything happened. The young Alpha went out of his way to make his mate happy, even after a year- he would still refuse so many things he wanted to ensure that Camilla was happy.

If someone told her that within time Zane would change into a completely different person and her school bully would grow into a man she couldn't imagine her life without- Camilla would laugh at the statement. Things change, and apparently, wolves do, too, since Zane became such a bright example.

"I would like to get married here, in front of this view then. Everyone, especially your mom, wanted an indoor wedding, but I'd prefer it happen outdoors. We will have enough time to gather inside the packhouse, have a feast and enjoy the warmth, but this would be my dream come true. Not sure how you would feel about that, hence the reason why I never brought it up. This is quite a special place," Camilla finally spoke up. She kept wondering if Zane remembered where they were and why she asked to go to the particular place so often. For the young woman, it was special, they had a memory to share from a long time ago, and Camilla couldn't let go of it, especially after learning who her mate was.

"Let me guess- you thought that I forgot, right?" Zane laughed, letting go of Camilla and spinning her around to face him.

The young woman tried to avert her gaze, avoiding meeting his eyes. The Alpha gently cupped her cheek and brought her head up a little so she would have to look into his eyes. Once again, he found himself hypnotized by her beauty. Zane often spent hours watching how Camilla slept, thinking how he acted like a creep but couldn't stop. Each morning he questioned himself how he got so lucky to share his life with someone as amazing as Camilla. She was his everything- from day one.
He didn't shy away from leaning in a little, pecking her lips lightly. The bright blush crept on her cheeks the same as it usually did- even after a year, she would shy away at times. Zane rested his forehead against hers, staring into her eyes as he spoke: "This is the exact place where I kissed you for the first time. Well, if you could call that a kiss in the first place. We were kids, running around and pretending to shift into wolves; back then, we were friends. I remember how I demanded your hand in marriage, literally ordered you to marry me. Do you remember how you kept calling me stupid because we weren't of age? Even then, you were so feisty and outspoken; I couldn't stop admiring your spirit. I'm pretty sure this was the exact spot we stood on when I kissed you. The same place where you swung your fist and nearly broke my nose." Zane laughed, remembering the things they never discussed.

Both of their lives were connected since early childhood, yet they grew apart as time went by. Zane and Camilla used to be friends, if not the best friends. They would spend hours roaming around the forests, sharing their dreams and passions. His and Camilla's parents were close friends, so while the grown-ups would have occasional dinner dates- the two of them would spend time outdoors or watched movies together. Even the young Alpha admitted that he had made many mistakes, agreed to way too twisted opinions, and followed the pack rather than led it. Since Zane was the next Alpha in line, everyone wanted to be his friends- especially the more popular kids. As soon as those friends appeared in his life, he forgot about the girl who was around when nobody else was.
The male followed opinions that weren't his and excluded the lower rank people out of his life, forgetting their importance. However, the feeling never faded, and since Camilla didn't return them- Zane started bullying her. At first, as a teenager, he thought that might gain her attention, perhaps give him time with the girl. Then, growing a little older, Zane became her only bully since everyone else thought he hated her. Still, Camilla never tried to fight back or give him as much as side-glance, which made him even angrier. Before finding out that she was his destined mate, Zane was so blinded by anger and hurt that he forgot about his true feelings.

"You remember," Camilla whispered, her eyes slightly widening in surprise. It was beyond her to even assume that the Alpha would ever think of the early memories they shared. Sometimes Camilla missed things how they were back in the days, but all good things did come to an end, and right now, she was in a better place.

Many still doubted their relationship and the intentions both had for this union, but the lovers didn't care about things rumored by others. Zane felt like the happiest man alive just for having Camilla around- the marriage and mating didn't cross his mind for as long as she was there. On the other side, Camilla kept worrying about the things to come, but at this point, she felt like she had won a jackpot. Her mate finally listened and tried to be the best version of himself without waiting for anything in return. Many things, spoken by others, did worry her, but Zane was always there to calm her down. He would stand in front of his mate, no matter how strong she was.

"Of course, I do. How could I forget the punch you threw?" The young Alpha laughed, teasing Camilla.

"No, you weirdo, I mean the kiss," she smiled, shaking her head in amusement.

"Which kiss? What are you talking about? I might have some memory loss or something because I can't recall memories of what you're talking about. Mind to refresh them a little? You know- for scientific purposes." Zane wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, his eyes focusing on Camilla's lips. Even at times when they had small arguments, Zane would do the same- letting her win every time just because of the tempting distraction. If it were up to him- her lips would be forever attached to his.

"I might, who knows," Camilla instantly caught on his game and jumped right in. Teasing each other was something both did for fun, especially in moments that seemed to go towards more severe topics or unpleasant memories. She slowly snuck her arms around his neck and pulled him a little closer, admiring the gentle smile on his lips. Going through everything they had to was worth it- worth every second, especially now, when both of them found each other. They weren't Luna and Alpha. They weren't the big bad bully and Omega servant. They were Camilla and Zane- mates, friends, partners, fiancees, and lovers, just two wolves madly in love with each other.

The Alpha pressed his lips against hers, giving into the wild sensations each kiss brought upon them. The sparks never died down- they became more intense, bringing more passion, lust, and desire in their relationship. Despite the inner need to ravish Camilla, he still kissed her slowly, gently holding the sides of her face in his hands. They didn't deepen the kiss- it was about love, real feelings, and emotions rather than raw need. Zane broke the kiss, placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and wrapped his arms around Camilla. He held her for a good minute or two, closing his eyes to enjoy the intimate moment between them. "I love you."