Chapter 241

Chapter 241
Connor POV

I head outside to where the other hunters are gathered in the forest clearing. We set up the ceremonial table and start laying out our ancient artefacts, our tombs, and clean needles so they can get their hunter marks. We always do the ceremony at sunset. The symbolism of a new night with new hunters protecting the world. 

As head of the hunters, I normally lead the proceedings, but I knew I wouldn't be able to mark my own baby girl, so I asked one of the others to step in. We are inducting four hunters tonight. The two that killed Anthony and Cordelia, one who killed a wolf in the battle with Malik, and my baby girl. 

The hunter council had spoken to Valerie beforehand, and she had agreed to take pictures and video, allowing us to start our own network for hunters. We realized that after the battle, we need to train the women and reconnect the hunters. 

Most of us are here because they tried to kill the pack members during raids or assessments. That's why hunters always go to explain that we live with wolves and are working together. Others need to know there is security and family here. 

I stand on the edge with the other Hunters, watching the ceremony start. Kimberly is next to me and gives my hand a squeeze in support as my eyes well with tears as soon as I see her. Michelle has to alter a ceremonial robe for her, and it still looks too big on her tiny frame. Maybe because I know the weight that comes with it. 

All four candidates step up to the altar and kneel. 

The elder conducting the ceremony in my place starts. "Tonight, we induct four hunters. Four brave souls who have already protected this world and have committed to do so til their last breath. Please repeat the hunter's oath". 

I have been telling Stella the oath since her mother died. They all speak in unison and proudly. 

"We offer our lives to protect the night for the Moon Goddess. We will uphold the honor of hunters and hunt those who aim to destroy any part of this world and protect those who can not protect themselves". 

A blade is passed down the line, and each of them makes a small cut on their finger before stepping towards the ancient records. Each presses their finger into the page, leaving a blood mark of their induction. 

As soon as they make their mark, they head over to the tattoo station to have their arm marked. I put numbing cream on Stella before the ceremony, and she was the last one to receive it. 

As soon as the needle hit her skin, she flinched and scrunched up her face. I raced over as something was wrong. 

"Stella baby, what's wrong? Are they doing it in the right spot, where the cream was?". 

She couldn't look me in the eye, and the person doing the tattoo froze at the conflict.

I ask her again, but much more firmly this time. "Stella, what's going on?". 

She looked at me like she had never looked before. With such determination in her eyes, I take a step back. 

"I washed it off. I'm a real hunter now, and nobody else had to use cream". 

I see red instantly. I think Stella could see it in my aura as well. "No one else is eight. You are not doing this until you have that cream on your arm. You hear me?". 

She starts to cry and stomps her feet. "No. I'm like all the other hunters. I don't want the cream. I don't want to cheat". 

I'm about to yell at her again, but Kimberly comes up behind me and takes my hand while she strokes my arm. She can see I'm about to lose my temper, so she takes over.

"Stella, honey. You are a real hunter. I think daddy is just worried you're going to be in pain and that scares him".  

Stella huffs but looks at the floor. "He always treats me like a baby. But I'm not. I can protect myself. I'm a hunter now". 

Kimberly does this cute chuckle that puts everyone at ease. "Trust me when I say that I know that. But you could be 100 years old, and you will still be your daddy's baby girl. I can see this is important to you, so how about I stay next to you while you get your mark, and you can hold mine or daddy's hand if you need to. OK". 

Stella nods at Kimberly and then at the member doing the tattoo. I know the arm doesn't hurt as much, but she's still my little girl. Kimberly rubs her back and tells her she is doing a good job while distracting her with stories. I probably flinch more than Stella does. 

As soon as she is done, I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. Stella mumbles into my chest so I barely hear her. 

"Do you think Mummy would be proud of me, that I can defend everyone from the bad wolves now?". 

I try to talk, but my voice catches in my throat and I sputter. Kimberly takes over again. 

"Honey, she will always be proud of you, hunter or not. We both are". 

I pull both girls into my arms and just hold them. I never thought I would get a second chance at love, but Kimberly is everything both Stella and I need. 

We celebrate the night away, but by 10pm, Stella is exhausted, and she passes out when I carry her home. I gently put her to bed and find Kimberly looking thoughtfully out the window. 

I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist. "You're amazing. You know that. I don't know what I would have done without you today". 

She turns in my arms, snakes her arms around my neck, and kisses me slowly. 

"Connor, I want to get married". 

I laugh. "Well, we're already engaged, so how about tomorrow we start looking at what we need and dates so we can......."

She cuts me off with a fierce look. "I want to get married next week". 

I stare at her, stunned. I have no idea how to respond to this. 

She gently cups my face and keeps explaining. "I never wanted a big wedding. Not even growing up. I never dreamed of being a bride. I dreamed of being a wife. Building a home. Loving my husband. Having his children. The idea of waiting to have that life for months seems ridiculous when I have everything I want now except the formal title".

I'm still stunned, but I managed to form words. "Are you sure there is enough time? A week is very close to put together an entire wedding".  

She smiles. "We can have it at the local courthouse. As long as my mum, dad, brothers, and girls are there. You can invite whoever, but I doubt there will be more than 20, even if we wait. Are you OK with this?". 

I kiss her and pour every emotion into it. "Absolutely".