52. Shay
FIFTY-TWO
Shay
" S o, given what we've learned recently about my gifts, Leigh and I were discussing that it might be best if she applies the fertility water during the ceremony." Brielle was biting her bottom lip nervously. "Unless you guys want to have a baby right away, but frankly, I don't really know how much control I have over my…" She waved idly at herself, at a loss.
"Her mojo's running wild, Shay, and you do not want her sprinkling hyperpowered preggo juice on your feet instead of the regular rose hips." Leigh shook her head and pointedly took the jar from Brielle. "I'm vetoing that option."
I nodded wordlessly, sudden, intense nerves making it impossible to speak.
I was ready to bond—so ready, I could practically feel the way his fangs were going to sink into my neck tonight. But something about the official ceremony vibes was making me incredibly anxious. We'd minimized it as best we could, but there were only so many ways you could change the actual ceremony. I even felt a little nauseous, which was super weird. My wolf was quiet, so clearly, I wasn't picking up any latent danger. Just regular old social anxiety, fueled by childhood trauma and a healthy dose of people are scary as fuck .
Walking across the clearing while everyone stared… I swallowed hard, staring down at my dress with major second thoughts. It was gorgeous, the prettiest dress I'd ever seen, frankly. But I was so exposed in it. Thin spaghetti straps were all that held it up, my mate marks on full display. Even the parts between my breasts were framed by the deep V-neck. It dissolved from the bodice down into a skirt of organza ruffles, feeling silky and soft around my legs as I walked.
I'd loved it on sight, knew the peek at my marks and my bare throat would drive Dirge wild. And yet… now I was second-guessing even this.
Brielle laid a hand on my arm, the touch gentle. She didn't say a word, but the room flooded with a soft, soothing scent. A gentle stream in the summer sun.
I looked up to see Brielle frowning in concentration. "Is anything happening? I can't tell."
A wave of calm washed over me, and the lump in my throat finally eased. "Yes, actually. Thank you."
"Oh good." She shot me a happy smile before grabbing her glass bottle of ceremonial perfume. It was full of lovelace, a potent aphrodisiac for shifters. I swallowed hard at the reminder that we were about to head to the clearing.
"One last thing," Leigh said with cheer as she stopped us by the door. She lifted the hem of her own dress and stuck out her foot. "Show me the toes!"
I rolled my eyes, but grinned at the memory of Gracelyn doing the same to Brielle a few short weeks ago. I lifted the hem of my gown, showing off my freshly painted digits and the anklet of bells circling my left ankle.
"Excellent. Let's roll out!"
Brielle groaned at her movie-quote tone. "What are we now, robots? "
"Hey, we transform into wolves. It counts," Leigh joked as we stepped out into the cool night air.
I let their quiet chatter roll over me, comforting me as we walked. It didn't take long to get to the walkway that led into the bonding clearing, just long enough for Brielle's soothing omega scent to evaporate. The lump was back in my throat and my nerves were thrumming double time by the time we stopped next to a few of the older pack females who'd volunteered to prep the clearing.
One of the women addressed me with a warm smile. "Good luck tonight, honey. You look beautiful. Ready for us to start the music?"
I was frozen to the spot, but Leigh answered for me.
"Yep, she's ready. Just got a case of the prebonding jitters."
The older woman laughed, resting a hand on my shoulder. "It's going to be just fine, honey. I saw him out there, and he's nervous as a bee with no honey. You two are going to be a lovely couple." She gave me a squeeze, then they walked off as soft notes began to weave into the air.
"Do you need a minute, or are you ready to get this show on the road?" Leigh asked, eyeing me up and down. She reached down to adjust a layer of fabric that wasn't lying perfectly enough to suit her, then nodded.
I bit my bottom lip, still not able to answer her.
"Bri, she needs some more of your mojo if you can work it up."
"I can try," she said with a tired smile, but I knew it took a lot out of her—and hurt, if I'd interpreted Karissma's information correctly.
I shook my head, forcing myself to speak to put them both at ease. "I just need Dirge. "
Brielle smiled with a knowing look. "Well, then, let's get a move on."
They each kissed me on the cheek before they started walking down the path.
In a matter of a few heartbeats, I was standing all alone in the forest. My toes dug into the soft grass, and I let out one big exhale before I followed them. I was still nervous, but that wasn't the most important thing now, was it?
I didn't want to be alone and afraid anymore. I wanted him.
As I stepped into the clearing, I kept my eyes on the ground, afraid to trip and ruin the beautiful gown. But despite my fear, my eyes were drawn to Dirge's like magnets. He was breathtakingly handsome in dark gray dress slacks and a creamy button-up. His hair was slicked back, his sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows, showing off bitable forearms.
He must have read my anxiety on my face. I sucked in a surprised breath as he stepped out of the circle, breaking all the protocols that had been drilled into us over the past week as he nearly jogged to stand before me.
"Don't be afraid. It's just me, and you, and the moon."
I leaned into his calloused palm, soaking in his touch like a plant starved of sunlight turned to the sun. He was my grounding place. He was my home. His voice, his touch, his scent—everything that was him soothed me, brought me back down to center. I was okay, and I was more than ready to bond with my mate.
Shifting the bouquet of beautiful flowers to one hand, I held out the other to him. He laced our fingers together with practiced ease, and together, we walked to the moonlit circle of flowers, Leigh and Brielle trailing behind us with their ceremonial gifts.
It was stunningly beautiful in its simplicity. The moonlight reflected on the lake, the heady scent of crushed flowers rose from underfoot, and the sparkle of stars high overhead made the perfect symphony of beauty. As soon as we were all in place, I passed my bouquet to Brielle so I could hold Dirge's hands in both of mine. But now that we were here, now that I'd gotten over the nerves about all the formality of this night… I was ready. Like a thoroughbred chomping at the bit, I was ready to run away with him.
Suddenly, this ceremony couldn't happen fast enough. I shifted on the balls of my bare feet in anticipation.
Gael stepped forward first, holding up his palm. My mouth dropped open at the blueish gem the size of an egg he cupped there. Even in the dim light, it sparkled like a diamond.
"For prosperity," he said with a smile, leaning down to place the stone at our feet.
Leigh was next, waiting until Gael had stepped all the way back behind Dirge before entering the same space. "For fertility," she said with a cheeky grin as she knelt and splashed the rosehip water over our feet and ankles.
Brielle's eyes were misty as she came forward, unstoppered bottle of perfume in her hands. To my surprise, she dipped her fingers straight into the thick oil as she spoke. "For passion," she said, and then dabbed the warm, dripping oil behind both my ears and inside my wrists. She turned to Dirge and repeated the action. My blood heated as his eyes grew dark when they met mine.
Reed was the last one to make an offering, as was custom. He held up two shining golden rings. "For eternity." There was love and pride in his eyes as he handed each of us the other's ring. "And may you have all the joy in your lives together," he added, sneaking a hug for his brother before stepping back into place.
"Dirge and Shay." Kane nodded to each of us in turn as he stepped forward to complete the ceremonial binding. "We gather here under the Goddess's moon to bind you two together as mates. It is an eternal bond, forged by the love of the Moon Goddess, lasting in life and beyond the pall of death. Alpha Dirge, what do you offer this woman to prove that you are worthy of her love?"
Dirge swallowed hard, and I'd swear that the pinch of anxiety I felt behind my breast wasn't mine, but his. Was our bond finally snapping into place? The thought brought me such joy, such peace.
He reached into his pocket, slowly pulling out a piece of paper. "This might be a really bad idea. But, I wanted you to have this. And if you don't like it, I'll buy you anything you want. Hell, I'll let Reed buy you anything you want. But you deserve to know the truth."
I took the paper with curiosity, not sure what could be printed on it to give him such apprehension. But when I unfolded it, the news headline nearly jumped off the page.
Sex Trafficking Ring Dismantled, More Than Two Hundred Young Girls Saved
A messy, masculine scrawl of green ink was on the side, right between the headline and the article. He'd written: You saved them.
I hastily folded it back up, clutching it to my chest like the most precious artifact. "Is this what I think it is?"
My voice was hoarse with emotion, but for once, I didn't care. It was an emotional night.
"It is," he murmured.
I had tears in my eyes as I hugged him, practically crushing him to my chest. He hugged me back just as hard. I don't know how long it was before we pulled apart.
But when we did, Kane smiled and asked, "Do you accept his offering?"
"I do," I said, nodding as happy tears trailed down my cheeks .
Dirge's thumbs sneaked up and wiped them away, love and joy practically radiating from him. He mouthed something to me, and it took a moment for me to catch it.
My warrior.
I almost didn't hear Kane as he told us to exchange rings. Almost.
Dirge slipped a stunning ring on my finger, the band made of two golden threads twined endlessly around. I couldn't see where one ended and the other began, just beautiful continuity. Centered on top was an emerald, the giant rectangular stone as heavy as it was gorgeous.
"It was hard to get so quickly, but as soon as I saw the color of your marks, this piece from our family collection came to mind."
Family collection? I was wearing a piece of his history? Tears pricked my eyes again, but I dashed them away with the heel of my free hand. I didn't want to spend this night crying, happy tears or no. I wanted to spend it reveling in the moment, drinking in every second, burning it all into my memory.
"It belonged to my grandmother and was made for her bonding ceremony. But if it doesn't suit you, you can choose?—"
I shook my head, stopping him in his tracks. "It's perfect, just like the man who gave it to me."
Dirge smiled, the pleased look he wore sending a bolt of want singing through my veins. He held up his hand for his own ring, and I tried to put the lust aside to focus on the ceremony.
I slipped the heavy gold band over his knuckle, and it slid home perfectly. It was carved by the pack's jeweler with images of two running wolves. Little bitty diamonds were worked into the scene, sparkling like stars over the wolves' heads.
It was nowhere near as precious or even as important as his centuries-old family heirloom, but I hoped he liked it.
"It's perfect. It's us," he murmured, pinning me with a heated look. I didn't know if it was the moon or the lovelace or just the incredible intimacy of the shared moment, but I was burning up with need. This ceremony needed to end .
Kane cleared his throat, but he didn't look annoyed that we'd interrupted his ceremonial words to chat. He smiled warmly instead, one eyebrow raised, asking if we were ready to continue.
We both nodded, so he continued, reading the last part from the little black book clutched in his hands.
"The bond between mates is sealed with a bite. It is tradition for this to be done privately, and it must be completed before the moon sets on this night. In the eyes of the Moon Goddess and these witnesses, I bless this joining. Go forth and claim your mate."
As soon as he snapped the little book closed, Dirge's hands were in my hair, pulling me close so he could devour my lips in a ravishing kiss. His wolf was there, eyes aglow as we clashed, both of us too eager to hold back.
Our closest friends cheered and clapped as we kissed, but the noise faded quickly. When we pulled apart, gasping for air, they were gone, the clearing quiet, the two of us alone.
"Are you ready, muzic? mea?"
"I am so ready," I murmured, eyes still locked on his lips. I didn't want to stop kissing him.
He grabbed me by the hips and lifted, the motion surprising me at first, but I quickly wrapped my legs around his waist. The heat of his erection was there, burning deliciously through the layers of clothing still separating us. Dirge wasted no time grabbing a handful of the gown's train so he wouldn't step on it, and then fastened his lips back to my neck.
We were moving, but I didn't care. His tongue was laving sinful circles over my neck, my collarbone. By the time he kicked the front door of the little cabin open, my straps were off my shoulders, most of my chest bared to him .
Dirge barreled straight through the door, making a beeline for the bedroom, when something finally clicked.
"Wait! Stop!"
He froze, worry etching a line between his eyebrows. "What's wrong?" He held me gently, even though I could feel the tension in his shoulders. He was a man on a mission to claim his mate, eyes aglow with his wolf, but even still, he stopped for me.
Goddess, I loved him.
"I have a gift for you too."
"Can it wait?" he asked, letting the edges of his fangs scrape along my clavicle, the implication making me shiver. He was ready.
Fuck, I was ready. The friction between us was driving me insane, and I was soaked. But I'd worked so hard this week to get it ready for him.
"It'll only take a second, I promise."
He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he set me carefully on my feet. Thankfully, he didn't let go, because my knees were already liquid and it took a second to get my bearings.
As soon as I could stand without falling down, I walked over to the sound system tucked into a cabinet right outside the bedroom door. I'd set it up this morning, so all I needed to do was push Play.
One click, and I wrapped my arms around myself as now-familiar notes began to play over the cabin's sound system.
Dirge's arms went around me from behind, his chin resting lightly on my shoulder as he listened. We stood like that for several minutes as the music rose and fell, weaving into the air, becoming part of the memory.
"It's gorgeous. Did you compose this?"
I nodded, too caught up in the thrum of heat in my veins, of want pulsing in my pussy to answer. My wolf was pushing me now. She wanted to claim our mate, the visceral need was growing overwhelming, and while I wanted him to enjoy his gift, I wanted him to sink his teeth into my throat a little bit more.
There was no more time to waste. I spun in his grip, my hands going around the back of his neck like a lasso, pulling him tight against my mouth.
Dirge didn't hesitate, a bit of that old, feral need still burning in his eyes as he reached down, looping his hands under my thighs, which he somehow still found through the many layers of skirt fabric. I could feel his heat burning through me. Between the two of us, we had enough fire burning to turn this house to ash, yet somehow, the only thing that ignited was need .
He navigated the small cabin with our lips still fastened together, each of us too far gone to separate. I hardly noticed the dip of a mattress beneath his knees because the delicious friction of his hard chest against my needy nipples was too great for me to care about anything else.
When my back hit crisp, cool sheets, I finally let our mouths fall apart on a breathless groan. He took the opening, peeling the thin straps of my dress the rest of the way down, exposing my breasts in one motion. A growl rumbled through his chest, his eyes glowing bright green with his wolf.
He kneaded my breasts with surprising gentleness given the speed with which we were racing toward the finish. I arched up into his touch, wanting more, more, more.
Dirge tweaked a nipple with one hand, sending a spiral of need straight to my clit as the other hand trailed down, slowly pushing the dress the rest of the way down. The thin prick of his wolf's claws at his fingertips showed me just how on edge he was and nearly sent me over the edge to an early orgasm.
He exposed my lacy white thong a moment later as another rumble of pleasure barreled out of his chest, sending vibrations through me everywhere he touched me. But what really shook me to the core was one little word, projected as clearly as if he had spoken right into my mind.
Mine.