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“Since everyone is here, we can begin,” Ryder said. He stood between them with Gideon’s family on one side and Brie’s on the other. The rest of the Pack sat on the stone benches surrounding them. Gideon felt their confusion, their anger, their…happiness at his mating. He didn’t know exactly what would happen next, but he was about to find out.
Ryder spoke of the moon goddess and the story of how she made the first shifter. When the goddess had found a hunter who’d taken the life of a wolf for pleasure, and not for survival, she’d forced the human to share his body with the spirit of the wolf he’d killed. That hunter became the first shifter and made more over his lifetime. He’d also found another who could complete his human’sandhis wolf’s souls and took her as his mate.
“Since that time, mating has been one of the most sacred of bonds, superseding all bonds within a Pack,” Ryder continued. “We are here to witness the union and handfasting of our Alpha and his mate. May the goddess bless you and your future.”
“Goddess bless us,” Gideon whispered, his voice joining with Brie.
Ryder gave him a look, and Gideon swallowed hard. It wasn’t unheard of for those in the ceremony to say those words, but Gideon had never been one to firmly place himself in those traditions. However, with Brie by his side, he couldn’t help himself. He honestly didn’t know what to make of that.
He swallowed hard, knowing it was his turn to speak next.
“As your mate, I, Gideon Brentwood, promise you, Brie Jamenson, that I will honor and cherish you until the end of our days. I will protect your body and soul and remain faithful with every ounce of my being.”
He didn’t speak the words that had been spoken for ages upon ages but, rather, something from his own heart. Something he could promise. The others had spoken of love, but he didn’t love her. He didn’tknowher. Brie didn’t love him either, and lying to one another during their mating ceremony would hurt more than leaving out a promise of love.
Brie’s eyes brightened at his words, and he knew he’d done the right thing. He hadn’t lied to her but, rather, told her what hecouldpromise to do rather than what others might want to hear.
“As your mate, I, Brie Jamenson, promise, you, Gideon Brentwood, that I will honor and cherish you until the end of our days.” She took a deep breath and squeezed his hands. “I will soothe your hurts and protect your heart and soul with every fiber of my being. I will stand by your side as your mate and honor your trust, as well as remain faithful until I take my last breath.”
He blinked, and his wolf howled. She’d spoken of his heart and of the ways of a submissive wolf. While it might have stung for any other wolf, he reveled in it. She was letting him know that she wouldn’t be as other alpha females wolves would try to be. She was going to be herself and hope that was enough.
Goddess, he hoped that was enough for his Pack.
Ryder said the rest of the words and then squeezed both of their shoulders. When Brie looked up at him expectedly, Gideon licked his lips. Everyone in the circle had quieted to the point that he could hear the wind rustle in the trees as well as the soft sounds of her breathing.
He let go of one of her hands and cupped her face. She leaned into his touch, and his wolf pushed at him, wanting more. Aware of the others watching him, he slowly lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to hers.
It was just a whisper of a promise, a bare caress of lips, but it sealed his fate.
When the wolves howled around them, he pulled back, moving his hand from her face but not releasing their clasped hands.
Ryder stood behind them then put his hands back on their shoulders. “I present to you, Gideon and Brie Brentwood!”
The howls grew louder, and Brie squeezed his hand yet again.
It was only the beginning, the first step, but he’d never been so fucking scared in his life.
“I think my mother likes you,”Brie said calmly when they made their way back to his home. No, it wastheirhome now.
Gideon grunted, trying not to think too hard about what they were about to do.
“No, really. She smiled and everything. Willow might seem nice and sweet, but if she doesn’t like you, she can get mean.”
He opened the front door and pulled her into the house, closing it firmly behind them. There might not be anyone outside now, but he knew they’d be watching the house at some point. What was about to happen inside was too important not to be curious. Fuck, he felt like one of those kings from the Middle Ages when people stood beside their bed to watch them consummate a marriage.
Instead, he had wolves all around him who knew that he and Brie would be cementing their bond with both the mating mark and sex.
Not the most romantic way to start their lives together.
Though, in retrospect, nothing about this was all that romantic.
Brie pulled at his hand, and he looked down to see her frowning. “I know you’re having a weird day because—hello—so am I, but if you keep waiting for someone to put a glass on the door so they can hear what’s going on, you’re going to end up crazy.”
He snorted at the visual then shook his head. “Sorry. I’m not usually so…”
“Awkward?” she supplied, and he let out a low laugh.
“Awkward is a good word for it.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “So, let’s be honest, shall we? We’re about to get into bed for the first time and pretty much two entire Packs’ worth of people know what we’re doing.”
