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I began to walk. Down the steps from the house and towards them. Every step made me calmer and more sure. My body still shook, but it was anticipation and joy. They were with me, and I was with them. Always.
Our ceremony would be simple and quiet. Some who weren’t scent-sympathetic and chose to marry instead of bond, like my parents, had more complicated ceremonies with vows and speeches.
Even some, like Eva’s very public ceremony, had elements of that. The five of us didn’t want it or need it.
Bonding needed no vows. It was a vow in itself. Unbreakable and irreversible, what could you say that would ever live up to that kind of trust? So we chose for our ceremony to be beautiful, and have all our witnesses. But the words my Alphas spoke to me before we bonded would be for us alone.
I stepped up across from them, briefly glancing down at my grandmother in the first row. She smiled, telling me everything I needed to know. This was right, and there was no going back.
Reaching out, they all grabbed my hand before Gabriel stepped forward and gently took my face in his. “I’ve been trying to think of what to say, and everything I think of just doesn’t seem big enough or real enough.”
“I know the feeling,” I whispered.
“So I’ll tell you this. That morning in the studio, I was nervous. I know transitions are difficult, and I was worried what everyone would think about me and Jace and Ash working there as a pack. And then…” He took a small, hitching breath. “It didn’t matter anymore. Because the entire universe turned my head and pointed at you. It saidthere she is, she’s yours.”
“Gabriel.”
He kissed me, softly and slowly. “I love you, little one. Can I make you mine?”
“Yes.” The word was barely a breath.
Gabe tilted my head, pressing his mouth to that little space beneath my ear where my neck met my jaw. He bit me, the pain making me gasp before it disappeared entirely, replaced by the feeling of Gabriel in my chest. My steadfast Alpha whose power ran so deep it made me shake. Every breath of that power now lived in me, along with the feeling of love so desperate I could only look at him.
“Now you know how much there is I can’t say,” he whispered.
Somewhere I heard applause, but my entire world was him. The urge to strip myself naked and pounce on him was so strong, I was already questioning our choice to do this in public.
Amusement and desire gathered in his eyes, and he ran a thumb over his bite, making me shudder. “Soon.”
He stepped aside. It was only because I wanted all of them so fucking much that I could let it happen. Jace stood in front of me now, not hesitating to spin me so he held me in his arms, my back pressed to his chest. Gabe took my bouquet. Jace pressed a kiss to my bare shoulder. “Hey, baby girl.”
“Hi.”
It was like we were entirely alone, minus the feeling of Gabriel through our new bond. It nearly burst with pride, joy, and the feeling of rightness.
“I know we don’t need vows,” he said. “But I have one. I will always take care of you, baby girl. I don’t care if we’re in a fight or we’re exhausted. Doesn’t matter if I’m sick or busy, if you need me, I will be there. Even if it’s only making sure you eat breakfast, or that your feet are iced.”
I smiled, leaning back into him.
“You’re mine, and I love you.”
“Love you.”
“I’m going to bite you here.” His hand released me to touch my shoulder blade. “So when you’re on my massage table I get to see my mark. And make good use of it.”
He leaned down and broke my skin, our bond snapping into place with a warm sweetness that felt like him. The comfort of the way he cared and the brightness of his smile. That same gravity and perfection. Resonance. I pressed a hand to my chest.
When he moved away, I turned and found Roman staring down at me. Roman in a suit was something I needed more often in my life. He was stunning—powerful—and reaching for me.
“You don’t have to say anything,” I whispered. “I love you.”
Pulling me closer, he kissed my forehead. “Firefly, you make everything easier.”
“How?”
“When they told me about you, I was anxious. And then I saw you. Scented you. And I knew I would never have to be nervous with you.”
I pressed my face to his chest, fighting back all the overwhelming emotions.
