Chapter 4 - Nile

I drove out of Pinedale toward the forest that bordered our town and listened to Penny humming happily in the back seat. Unlike my daughter, I did not feel carefree. My worries threatened to overcome me as my mind raced with what-ifs. I wished I had a way of knowing whether my intentions toward Violet would result in peace for the packs, but more than that, I wanted to know if it would result in a happy ending for us. After everything she had experienced—everything I had put her through—Violet deserved happiness.

My future mate and the Dark Moon alpha and luna followed behind me as we made our way to the ceremony location.

Ever since Alpha Jasper and I met, our packs had gathered at the clearing in the forest quite frequently. Sometimes it was for friendly skirmish events, and other times for celebrations. It was well-removed from the prying eyes of local humans without being too far from our territory, so it made the perfect place for a werewolf wedding.

As soon as the car came to a halt, Penny unbuckled herself and bound from the vehicle, heading into the trees. I took my time, straightening the cuffs on my sleeves as I closed the car door behind me.

Violet's car pulled up next to me, and I opened the door for her to exit. The lilac dress she was wearing fell just below her knees, swaying as she stood up and walked a few paces away.

When I had seen her just moments ago, I had been so shocked that I had barely registered anything beyond the fact that the woman of my dreams had miraculously appeared. Now that the initial surprise had worn off, I realized just how luminous she was. Her skin had always been clear and pale, but she had a certain warmth about her now that intrigued me. It was as if she had a light that was shining from within, casting a glow all around her. She held herself proudly—like a luna—and I felt sure that with enough time, I could help her understand my actions.

"Everybody ready?" Luna April asked.

I nodded and held my arm out for Violet, who took it reluctantly. It was clear that although she had agreed to this marriage, she didn't want to be any closer to me than was necessary. That was okay, though. I could be patient for as long as it took.

April and Jasper led the way, with me and Violet following behind. I could feel her body tensing as we walked toward the waiting packs.

"I know this isn't ideal," I said quietly. "But try to remember to look happy. We're just putting on a show."

Violet pinched my forearm viciously, and I looked at her in surprise, only to find that she had placed a dazzling smile on her face. Even though I knew it wasn't real, I felt my heart skip a beat. Her pink lips showcased her straight, white teeth as she grinned at me. It was the smile I had remembered in my dreams ever since I had met her. I reminded myself that she didn't love me now, and I needed to focus on the job at hand.

"How's this?" she asked.

I gave a short, exasperated sigh and covered her offending hand with my own. "Absolutely perfect," I said sarcastically.

We reached the front of the congregation and took our places facing each other on either side of Alpha Jasper, who would be officiating our mating ceremony. We had agreed that this was the best way to ensure our intentions of peace between the packs were clear.

"Welcome, wolves of Pinedale and Dark Moon packs," Jasper began. "We are here today to mark a momentous occasion! Today, our packs celebrate the next step in joining hands as we join Alpha Nile to his new bride."

A polite smattering of applause from the crowd greeted Jasper's speech. Some members of the pack had been hesitant about the idea of intermarriage between packs, but it had been too long since they had a luna's grace and wisdom to guide them. It was past time for this to happen. I hoped that soon they would be as convinced of that as I was.

"We will now hear an exchanging of vows between the couple," Jasper said.

He nodded to me, indicating I should go first. I took a deep breath, readying myself to say the words that would tie me to another she-wolf until death parted us. It was a strange feeling of déjà vu, made different by one very important thing. The last time I had taken a mate, I had been a rogue without a pack to call my own. A stranger, seeking protection and a future. Now, I was the alpha.

"I, Nile Pinedale, alpha of the Pinedale Pack, take you, Violet Jones, to be my mate," I said.

Violet hadn't even said her own vow yet, but I could feel the bond tying me to her immediately. I would do anything for her. Every sense I had was focused on the woman standing in front of me as she began to say her vow.

"I, Violet Jones of Sparkle Hollow, take you, Alpha Nile Pinedale, to be my mate," Violet said.

I wondered if anyone else had noticed that the entire world had just shifted on its axis. The feeling of such an intense bond surprised me. I had never felt something as powerful or all-consuming as this—not even with my first mate.

I placed my hand into my pocket and pulled out a necklace with a delicate gold chain. Set in the center was a teardrop emerald gemstone. I turned to face the assembled wolves, holding the pendant aloft.

"To signify the bond between us, I present this necklace as a token of my protection and commitment," I said.

I walked behind Violet and clasped it around her neck. My fingers trailed along her delicate collarbone as I settled it in place, and I felt a nearly imperceptible shiver course through her at my touch. She turned to face me as Jasper announced our marriage ceremony was complete.

"I present Alpha Nile and Luna Violet Pinedale!" he said. "You may kiss your mate."

I lifted one hand to cup her cheek as my other wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to me. Her eyes closed as I lowered my lips to hers. I had intended to give her a quick peck, but when our skin touched, I lost all sense of time. Our lips met gently at first, but soon our embrace intensified. I parted her lips slightly with my own, tasting the sweetness of her tongue as she tilted her head.

The sound of Jasper clearing his throat brought me back to the present moment, and I pulled away from her reluctantly.

Violet avoided my eyes as she turned to face the audience and focused her attention on the packs. The crowd cheered as we walked forward to greet them. Quite a few members of the packs came up to congratulate us while others drifted toward the side of the clearing where tables had been set up with food and drinks. Although Violet stayed by my side, she remained cold and impassive toward me. Until Penelope showed up, bounding up to me and throwing her short arms around my legs in a hug.

"Daddy!" Penny said before turning her attention to Violet. "That necklace was so pretty. Can I see it?"

"Of course," Violet replied, kneeling down so that Penny could get a better look.

"Oooh, it's even prettier up close. That green looks like your eyes, Daddy," she pointed out.

Violet touched the pendant delicately with a look of concentration on her face. It was clear that she hadn't realized the color similarity until it was pointed out, but I couldn't get a read on her reaction. I knew now wasn't the time for a discussion about our future or her feelings toward me, but I made a mental note to ask her about it later. There was a lot we needed to discuss. From her questions before the ceremony, it was clear that Violet believed I had quickly fallen in love with another she-wolf after callously abandoning her, and I looked forward to the opportunity to explain my relationship with my first wife to her.

"Luna, will you come dance with me?" Penny asked, grabbing Violet's hand.

"Baby, I think the new luna might want to talk to the other adults first," I said quickly, not wanting Violet to be put into a position of having to turn the little girl down.

"It's okay," Violet said to me.

"Really?" I asked.

"Of course," she said, turning her smile toward Penny. "And you don't need to use my formal title when we talk, sweetheart. You can just call me Violet."

Penny dragged Violet away toward the makeshift dance floor, and I watched as they held hands and twirled around. They looked so natural together, so at ease. It was far more than I had expected.

My daughter had never had a mother…

"Do something! The baby needs its mother," I commanded the doctor loudly.

"I'm sorry, Alpha. There's nothing more we can do," he replied. "She's lost too much blood, and we can't get it to stop."

"That's unacceptable," I growled.

I returned to Jana's bedside, holding her hand as I watched her pale eyelids flicker.

"Hold on, we're right here," I whispered to her, willing her to continue breathing as a second doctor finished delivering our child.

The sound of an infant's cry filled the room. The child had strong lungs, making her presence in the world known.

"It's a girl," the doctor said, passing the baby up to me.

I held the small bundle tentatively, afraid that she might break if I made a wrong move. Jana's eyes fluttered open, and she looked at our baby girl.

"A girl," she said weakly. "Penelope."

Her eyes closed once again, and I placed the baby in the crook of her arm, urging her to come back to us.

"You did it, Jana. She's right here. Open your eyes, dear—"

My voice caught in my throat as I saw the color begin draining from Jana's face.

The memory of the only time Penelope had been held by her mother haunted me throughout her entire life. From the moment she could speak, she was full of questions about her mom.

"Why did Mommy have to die, Daddy?" Penny asked tearfully.

"Her body got hurt, and it couldn't get better," I explained, pained that such a small person had to know this heartache.

"Does Mommy love me?"

"More than anything in the world."

Such was the life of the daughter of the alpha, cursed to live without a mother.

No one could replace her mother, of course, but watching Penelope latch onto Violet today made me hopeful. Perhaps Penny's little heart could find a way to heal now that she had a mother figure in her life.

For myself, there was no comparison. I wondered how my life might have been different if I hadn't put Violet's safety and my own duty as leader of the rogues ahead of my feelings for her.

When I met Jana, there was no love or passion. Our marriage had been one of mutual respect, but my feelings for her paled in comparison to my feelings for Violet. Still, I had done my duty by my wife, cared for her and protected her as best I could.

With Violet, though, it was all I could do to keep myself from loudly proclaiming my love and affection for her before carrying her back home to perform my marital duties. I knew in my head that this wouldn't be taken well by my new mate, so I fought my impulses as the night went on. I didn't let Violet know what I was thinking about. The last thing I needed was for her to get scared off or for the packs to realize that their new luna held a grudge against the alpha.

A slow song came on, and I moved toward her.

"May I have this dance?" I asked, holding out my hand.

She nodded, taking the hand I offered and spinning into my embrace.

"Have you been waiting all night to ask me that?" she replied.

"I've been waiting much longer than just tonight," I whispered back.

Her eyes flickered up to meet mine before she averted her gaze, glancing around at the crowd who had gathered to watch us. I could tell exactly what she was thinking, because it was the same thing running through my mind. It was impossible to tell what the other person truly felt when we were putting on a show for others.