20. THEO

Chapter 20

THEO

“Come on, Brother!” Anastasia grabs my arm and tugs me forward. Of course, I'm much firmer on my feet and don't move an inch.

It's still amusing, though, as I chuckle under my breath.

“Wait, Ana,” I plead as I remove the black velvet box from inside my suit jacket pocket. Lifting the lid off the box, I look up at my sister and ask, “What do you think?”

Anastasia gazes into the box, her eyes widening with surprise when they land on the piece of jewelry. The stunning teardrop diamond set in a white gold band glints under the light.

My sister looks up at me as her jaw drops.

“It's perfect!” Anastasia beams. “But what about Mom's ring?”

I shrug as I replace the cover on the jewelry box. “Mother's ring will be your heirloom when you marry.”

“Theo–” Anastasia begins to protest, but I stop her by lifting a hand in the air.

“No, I will hear nothing of it,” I say as I return the box to the inner pocket of my jacket. “You are still meant to find your fated mate. And you will marry him.”

Anastasia blushes as she turns to the door. A self-satisfied grin grows on my face as I tug the lapels of my suit jacket to straighten myself out.

I would have given Mother's ring to Mia if I wasn't so sure Anastasia wanted it. After all, Mia and I have been determined to forge a new path for ourselves ever since learning about her lineage.

I follow Anastasia down the corridor of an upstairs section in the pack hall. She throws me a thumbs up before disappearing through the door of Mia's dressing room. I try stealing a quick glance, but all I hear is Mother's voice before the door is shut in my face.

Sighing, I know I have to exercise a little more patience until Mia is completely mine. At least, before the Moon Goddess, she's been mine in previous lifetimes. And she'll continue being mine for all of eternity.

“I can't believe I had to cancel my own plans for this,” Liam teases when he joins me at the altar.

The Nightwalker wolves are gathered in the grand hall, my father seated in the front row. I smile at him, and he nods in response. A gesture to show his pride.

“You think I would have let the Beta of the pack get married before the Alpha did?” I chuckle, watching Jarrod show pack members to their seats.

Liam places a hand on my shoulder just as the song changes. “I'm really happy for you, Theo.”

My attention is drawn to the aisle, where Mia appears at the doorway. She's breathtaking in a white dress with flowing sleeves and a figure-hugging bodice.

She looks up until our eyes meet, stealing my breath with her alluring hazel depths. A nervous smile lifts her heart-shaped lips as she slinks her arm into Anastasia's.

The two women exchange glances before they begin walking down the aisle. With every step they take closer, everything and everyone around me begins to fade.

When Mia is just a few feet away, nothing else exists except for her and me. All I see is her as she places her hand in mine and steps onto the platform of the altar.

“Hi,” she says with a smile that sets my heart alight.

It skips a beat and I lose my breath as I gaze into her eyes. Holding her hand, she joins me as we await my father joining us on the stage.

When he arrives, Mia blushes before we turn to him.

“Dearly beloved…” he begins as he repeats the words that will seal the deal and make her mine in this lifetime. At least, as far as marriages go. With her hand in mine, I give hers a gentle squeeze, feeling the way she relaxes beside me.

The official wedding ceremony continues as father goes on. “... So that the sanctity of marriage binds these two souls as they become mates.”

When he says the word ‘mate’, my mind travels to the near future where I am able to mark Mia. Claim her as my mate – a ritual that I’ve been planning for later tonight.

‘Theo..?’ comes her mind link as I feel her tugging my hand. I snap out of my daze, realizing that it’s time for me to put the ring on her finger.

Liam takes a step forward – as my best man – to hand over the ring. I take it from the box, stare into Mia’s eyes as I slide it onto her finger.

The blush that creeps over her cheeks fills me with pride. I know I am the reason for her shyness, and it does wonders to my soul. Like my life’s greatest achievement stands in front of me.

And that truly is the case, considering that I had spent most of my life dreaming about the fated mate bond. A rare occurrence, which is my gift to behold. Our gift.

When the ring is at the base of her ring-finger, Mia gasps as she beholds its beauty. I think she’s admiring the stone, but her voice in my head tells me otherwise.

‘I am yours now,’ she whispers shyly as she looks up at me with the brightest blush on her cheeks. Her natural color magnifies over the makeup painted on her face.

I have the sudden, strong urge to pull her toward me. That’s exactly what I do, crushing my lips to hers as the hall unravels in cheers and applause for their Alpha and Luna.

When I break the kiss we regain our breaths, I take her hand and we turn to the crowd.

‘We should get out of here,’ I suggest, speaking to Mia telepathically as we regard the Nightwalker wolves. Waving at them and giving them our best smiles.

From my periphery, I notice the look of displeasure on Mia’s face. ‘We can’t leave right now, Alpha…’

‘Why not, Luna?’

Again, she blushes a bright shade of pink when I call her by her title for the first time.

‘Because…’ she begins just as Anastasia climbs onto the platform and pulls her into a hug. ‘... Ana planned the whole ceremony. The least we can do is stick round for the feast.’

Mentally, I groan. Even though I put on a smile of gratitude for my sister’s sake when she hugs me. I soon lose my bride’s attention when my parents grab her and haul her into the evening’s festivities.

“What’s up with you?” Liam asks when he sees me staring after Mia as she’s led out of the hall.

Grouching and blowing a breath through my lips, I shrug. “Nothing.” I turn to pat him on the shoulder. “Let’s go join them for dinner.”

“You don’t seem hungry though,” Liam makes the observation with a frown.

“Oh, trust me…” I chuckle as I hop off the stage. “... I am starving.”

“Woah, Alpha!” Liam teases as he lifts his hands up in surrender. “I don’t want to know.”

I roll my eyes at the Beta just as the Delta joins us halfway down the aisle. “Oh, please!” I brush off as I blow a breath out. “You’re just butthurt ‘cause I’m beating you to it.”

“No, I’m not,” Liam protests, though he stares forlornly at Amelia when we leave the hall.

Most of Nightwalker are gathered around the buffet table, filling their plates with heaps of the meal Anastasia and Mother prepared. Mia is shown to a designated seat, and waves me over.

I shake my head at her, refusing to join her at the table. Instead, I turn in the opposite direction and head back to the house.

‘Alpha Theo! Where are you going?’ her urgent voice rings out in my head.

My lips curl into a smirk, knowing that it’ll only be a matter of time before she follows me. ‘I told you we should get out, Luna Mia,’ I chuckle as I open the front door.

Standing between the doorway, I cross my arms and lean against the frame, her sigh signaling that she’s coming over.