AllFreeNovel
Share Us
36
KAYDEN
“You look lovely tonight, dear.” Kessa smiled as Holden and I walked into the family’s private dining room, hand in hand. “That dress is to die for.”
Holden bent his head and whispered in my ear. “It makes me want to take you back to our apartment and get you out of it the first chance I get.”
My face heated. “Holden,” I hissed, aware that everyone in the room could hear him.
Garrett laughed loudly, clapping his alpha on the back as he handed him a glass of whiskey, then pulled him into a conversation with Bridger, the three men already talking business, even if tonight wasn’t about that.
“Thank you, Kessa.” I moved to join her at the bar, where she was pouring two glasses of champagne. “You look beautiful, as always.”
Kessa gave me a quick hug before handing me a glass and clinking hers to mine. “To my future daughter-in-law. I knew all along you’d be perfect for my son.”
It was hard to believe that a month had passed since that fateful final day of the Contention. Life had been a dream, everything falling into place in a way I hadn’t dared to dream. I’d moved into Holden’s private quarters, Jenna was set up with a suite on the same floor, and Faye had been appointed as assistant to the future alpha’s mate.
Kessa and Bridger welcomed me into the family with exuberance—especially Kessa, who didn’t seem to care that Holden and I were bucking tradition by being fated mates.
“Are you ready for tonight?” she asked.
A nervous laugh bubbled up. “Do I have a choice?”
“No.” She grinned. “But I don’t think that’s much of a problem for you. You’ve adapted to everything that’s come your way.”
“Thank you,” I replied, taking a sip of champagne and smoothing the front of my emerald green cocktail dress. I hadn’t even argued with Faye about the extravagance of it, trusting that she knew best how I needed to look tonight. “But I must admit, it’s a little nerve-racking, especially considering what everyone is saying.”
Tonight, all the alphas in the land would gather here for our engagement party. It would be our first public appearance as a couple since the Contention ended, and I wasn’t under any illusions. Not everyone was pleased that we were mates.
In fact, there had been rumblings among the alphas that the entire thing had been unfair—that none of the other women had a chance from the start. Bridger and Holden had managed to smooth things over, at least to the point that no one was questioning my right to stand at my mate’s side. They’d even gotten the council to overturn the law after demonstrating I wouldn’t be a threat to the packs—that I was, in fact, an asset to them all.
It had seemed almost too good to be true. But that didn’t mean everyone was happy with it. I was particularly uneasy about facing Sydnee’s father, who had been the most vocal about how the Contention had gone down. Understandably, since he’d lost his daughter, but that didn’t make it any easier.
“What they say doesn’t matter now. The council voted. We’ll all present a united front. In time, everyone will come to see just how perfect you are for my son.” She smiled warmly, and my anxiety eased. Kessa always had that effect on me. In the short time I’d gotten to know her, I’d come to think of her as a mother figure, something that meant more to me than she’d ever know.
“That’s a fact,” Holden said, moving away from his father and Garrett to stand at my side. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in for a kiss. The sharp taste of whiskey lingered on his lips, and for a moment, I forgot we had an audience until someone cleared their throat.
I pulled away, biting my lip in embarrassment, but everyone was smiling at us. Those closest to us couldn’t be happier that we’d found each other.
“I’d like to make a toast to my future bride,” Holden said, lifting his glass. “To true love, and the woman who made me see that rules are made to be broken.”
Garrett laughed, even as Bridger leveled an exasperated look at his son.
Holden grinned. “Kidding, Father. Though you have to admit, some of our laws were long overdue for an update. Seriously, though, this is just the beginning of all the good to come. We have a bright future ahead of us.”
He looked down at me, his eyes full of adoration. Not for the first time, I wanted to pinch myself just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. So much had changed for me in such a short amount of time. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I felt it deep in my bones—this was where I was meant to be. And if I had to do it all again to get to this point, I would.
The conversation shifted to what fun the night would be, and my nerves settled a bit. As long as I had Holden by my side, I could face anything that came my way.
Just before it was time for us to go down to the ballroom, Holden pulled me into a private room. “You seem to be holding up okay. You know you have nothing to fear from these alphas, right?”
I nodded. “I do. But I just worry sometimes because I fear it’s going to be an uphill battle for everyone to truly accept us.”
“I don’t need everyone to accept us, Kayden. I have you, and that’s all that truly matters. Besides, how boring would it be not to have any more battles to fight?”
It was true. There would always be things we had to face. The difference now was that we would face them together.
“And we can always make our own rules as we go,” he said, pulling me close, brushing his lips over mine. “It’s all part of the adventure.”
I leaned into his embrace, ready for that adventure to begin. “I love you,” I murmured, kissing him again.
“And I love you.” He laced his fingers through mine as we walked toward the door. “Now, let’s show everyone exactly why we’re better together.”
“Together,” I repeated, my heart full of love for my mate. Tonight was only the first step. Our future was bright, and it began now.
