Sedona
I stand by the entry to the terrace, my hand hooked around my dad's elbow. The terrace has been transformed. The marble gleams, scrubbed clean of the blood from yesterday's fight. Strings of lights twinkle from every banister, every tree. Round tables covered in white linen bedeck the space, and every seat is filled by the members of Carlos' pack, and mine.
The scent of traditional foods fills the air and a long banquet table stands ready with heaps of savory meat, vegetables, fruits, and sweets. I can't wait to try the chicken mole, which Carlos promises is the best in Mexico.
My body's already recovered from Carlos' delicious punishment this morning, but I feel fully claimed by him.
After we made love, he took me, Garrett, and my dad on a tour of the mountain, showing us its incredible beauty and riches and introducing us to his pack members.
My mother and Amber arrived at noon and spent this afternoon helping me prepare. Amber wove a string of seed pearls in with my hair, braiding a crown around the top of my head. The rest she curled into ringlets that hang down my back.
I miraculously fit into my mother's wedding dress, a spaghetti strap white and silver gown with a V that plunges almost to my ass in the back and a more modest matching one pointing to my cleavage in front. Amber lent me a pair of silver strappy sandals. I feel like a princess about to become queen of a new kingdom.
The mariachi band finishes a beautiful ballad and everyone looks expectantly at Carlos, who has stepped to a raised dais in the center by the edge. He looks unbelievably handsome tonight in a tuxedo. He says something grand about me in Spanish. I don't know the words he speaks, but the meaning isn't lost because he stares at me with a reverence that sets my body vibrating.
His.
Every cell in my body knows it. I belong with him. To him.
He turns to the tables of Americans and says, "To say I am honored to take Sedona as my mate would be an understatement. She is my life, my light. The angel who helped me see the way to clear the oppression and corruption that's plagued my pack. I will spend every day of our lives making up for the wrongs done to her here." He makes a point of looking at my father, then my brother as he delivers this.
My father nods, as if he's been waiting for this pronouncement, and he leads me in. We're not having a real wedding ceremony the way some American wolves do. This is just a celebration of the mating that's already taken place. Even so, Juanito, shined up in a suit, holds out a small jewelry box to Carlos and my mate takes out a ring which he slips on the tip of his index finger.
He only has eyes for me as I come toward him. My father stops in front of the raised platform and kisses my cheek. Carlos reaches for my face with both hands, and pulls my mouth up to his, slanting his lips over mine.
I moan softly into his mouth and he smiles against my lips. "I love you, my white wolf." He picks up my hand and slides a slender gold band with three oval emeralds on my finger. "I'll get you a real ring soon, but I wanted to give you something tonight. This was my grandmother's."
It's loose, so I take it off and slide it on my middle finger, instead, where it fits.
He holds both my hands and gazes into my eyes. "Marry me."
I laugh. "Again, I think the deed is already done. I'm wearing the ring." I hold up my hand and wiggle my fingers.
He slides his nose over mine. "I want it all ways-legal marriage, family ceremony, moon-marked."
I press my lips to his. "You have me. I'm in. I'm all in."
Carlos grins and holds up our intertwined hands in a clear gesture of victory, turning to face the tables again. "I have found and claimed my mate. Please, let the feast begin!"
The mariachi strikes up and I lean into Carlos, soak up his presence, so solid and warm. So right.
"I love you, Carlos." He already knows, but it feels important to say it now, in this moment.
He tips my face up and stares down at me without moving.
"What are you doing?"
"Memorizing this moment. I never want to forget how wonderful it feels to know you're mine."
I rise to my toes and stamp my lips over his. "I claim you back, black wolf. You're as much mine as I am yours."
A boyish grin spreads across his face. "Promise?"
THE END