AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I got here as soon as her hearing was over. I have to tell you something,” he said. “You are my fated mate and I’m in love with you.”
Olivia stared at him, not sure that she heard him right. “I am? You are?”
He laughed and stepped closer to her, wrapping his arms around her. “Yes. I want to know if you’ll go through the mating ceremony with me. It’ll be a lot of responsibility. I know how busy my mother always was, but I’m sure that you’ll do a terrific job.”
“What would everyone think if I took maternity leave before I start my duties?” she asked.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Remember in the hospital, I told you that I needed to talk to you?”
“Yes,” he said. “I thought that you were going to tell me that you loved me,” he said.
“I did love you, but what I really needed to talk to you about was the baby.”
“Which baby?”
“Your baby. My baby. Our baby. I found out when the doctor came in and told me that the beating hadn’t hurt it,” Olivia said. “I tried to tell you as soon as I found out, but you were difficult to get ahold of.”
He stood there looking shocked. “I’m going to be a father?”
Olivia laughed.
“Yes,” he yelled, holding her tight against him.
“Careful, you’re going to recrack my ribs.” She laughed.
The next few weeks were a whirlwind. She officially met everyone in Zac’s family, including Conner, who had come home for the mating ceremony. Zac’s mother, Elaine, was a wonderful woman. John still hadn’t warmed up to Olivia, but he was at least polite.
Olivia was relieved that she didn’t have to organize anything. The pack group that organized all the special events had taken on that task.
Sandra and Olivia’s family had come to Angel’s Creek for the occasion.
Finally, the day had come. Olivia’s mother, along with Jade and Sandra, was with her. Olivia wore a cobalt blue tunic with gold and silver embroidery decorating the garment. Her blond hair was braided and wrapped around her head like a coronet. Orange blossoms were interwoven through the braid.
“You look gorgeous,” her mother said.
Jade said, “You are going to make the best luna. I’m honored to also have you as my friend.”
Olivia hugged her and said, “I’m lucky to have you as my friend.”
Her father knocked on the door and said, “It’s time to go.”
Jade and Sandra stepped out to link arms with Conner and Ian. Olivia’s mother kissed her on her cheek and then walked to her chair at the front of the pack. Peeking out, Olivia’s heart stopped. The place was packed. There were more than a hundred people crammed into the ceremonial room.
“Did everyone in New Mexico decide to come?” she asked.
“Just a few people from Angel’s Creek,” her father said. “It seems that you have made quite a few friends. The rest are here to watch their alpha go through the mating ceremony.”
Olivia and her father stood at the end of the long aisle. For one horrific moment, she had a flashback of the last time she did this, and Declan denounced her and sentenced her to death.
She quickly banished that image and took a huge breath. This was her new start. She saw Zac waiting for her at the altar. He was dressed in a cobalt tunic that indicated his status as the alpha. He smiled at her, and the rest of the world disappeared.
Olivia glided past all the people who stood in honor of her, not seeing them. The only person in the world who existed was Zac.
Her father kissed her on the cheek and then took his seat next to her mother. Olivia’s heart was fluttering with anticipation and love as she stood next to Zac. She looked into his eyes and saw the love she felt reflected back at her. There was a connection that had grown against all the odds.
Elder Ivan began, his voice carrying the wait of authority and tradition. “Olivia, do you stand here, willingly, ready to unite your life with our alpha, Zac, to face the challenges and joys of life as partners?”
