Chapter 92

Chapter 92
“Yes, I think we have put it off for so long, and it is only right to fully welcome you to our pack, or…” I paused, the tongue feeling too heavy to say the words. “Are you having second thoughts about it? You can choose not to be bonded to the pack.”
I didn’t want to impose this on Toby when he had lived with them for so long; breaking the link he had with his pack and joining ours could be very brutal, and if he was going to do it, it should be on his own terms.
“It is alright. I think they have been with me for so long, and it is time for me to go.” He replied with a shrug. “Besides, this new link means I will be able to communicate with you, and nothing can supersede that.”
“You think so?” This was the last time to change his mind because come tomorrow he was going to be a full member of the pack, and it would be too late to change.
“I am very sure. Now come, let us sleep; I need to rest my aching body for tomorrow.” I happily allowed him to pull me towards himself, and I closed my eyes, content with the world.
The next day was as busy as it could get because I was trying to finish all that I had on my table in time for Toby’s coronation later in the evening. It had to be perfect, and I was not going to let anyone ruin it.
The clothes we were going to be wearing had already been delivered to us, so we just had to make this proper.
It seemed more like a human wedding, only he was going to be marking me as his, and he would be fully linked to me and the pack. And hopefully, it will be a forever thing.
I finished up with my task and went back to my room, where Toby and I got dressed, but the knock on the door distracted us, and before I could voice out a complaint, the scent of the intruders wafted to the room, and I was running towards it.
I yanked the door open, and there they were, all with smiling faces. “Oh my goddess. You are all here.” I exclaimed as I saw the gang in front of us. Kane, Ariel, their little one that was swaddled in her hands, and some of Toby's warrior friends.
Toby was already coming behind me, and he saw Kane and threw his arms around him for a hug. The sudden gesture startled Kane from the way his eyes widened, but he recovered and wrapped his hands around him while Ariel and I cooed at the display of affection.
“Ariel.” I had no hesitation as I took her in my arms, hugging her as tight as I could without disturbing the baby. Seeing one of the women I considered as my best friends was always pleasant, but seeing her with my goddaughter was even more rewarding. “I had no idea you were coming.”
“I had no idea either.” She smiled, giving me the child that was currently sleeping peacefully. “But Toby had messaged Kane about his coronation, and it is only fitting that we come to grace the ceremony and see him off for the final time.” 
“Thank you.” I told them in all sincerity. Toby may not seem like it, but I knew he was missing them, and seeing them all together would be enough to gladden his heart.
“The ceremony should be starting now, and we should go take our seat.” Kane said, gently pulling his mate towards himself and taking the baby from me. “Good luck, man.” He patted Toby's shoulders before leading his mate and his pack members downstairs.
Toby held my hands, and we went downstairs where all of the packs had gathered. We were both dressed in the white ceremonial attire, and we went up to the makeshift altar that had been arranged.
We stood facing each other while my eldest man in the pack presided over the affairs.
“We have gathered together to witness one of the sacred bonds in our pack, where one has decided to be fully bonded to us, and we pray that the goddess marks this day as fruitful. Please.”
Toby and I stepped closer until we stood face to face, his gaze locked onto mine. “Are you ready to be part of us?” I asked him, and he nodded, his eyes twinkling under the moonlight.
“I have never been more ready.” He said with a smile.
I was wearing an off-the-shoulder dress to prevent any issue with accessibility, and I angled my shoulders to give him access.
Toby’s canines descended, his eyes a milky white like the moon. He pressed his lips to my shoulder, placing a soft kiss there followed by a teasing lick, as if preparing the spot. Then, his canines sank into my flesh, and that was all the go-ahead I needed.
My canine extended, and I dug into his skin, piercing the first layer of skin and all the way through, my saliva mixing with the tangy blood.
I close my eyes as the tingling in my shoulders spreads, the pain gradually increasing as his canines dig deeper, the toxins in his saliva attacking my blood.
I took a sharp breath as it began. His memories flooded my mind—his struggles for survival when he was a young rogue. I saw him fight his way to the top, overcoming all the challenges that came his way, all with a smile on his face. Then I saw myself, through his eyes, the woman he loved. 
I could feel the bond forming, the pathway slowly opening between us, and suddenly I could feel everything, his emotions hitting me like a wave. I knew how happy he was to be here with me, how he wanted to make sure I was happy, and above all, how much he was in love with me.
Slowly, our canines left each other, and he licked the trail of blood that had spilled. I did the same, fascinated to see how quickly the wound closed, and we stared at each other, all the unspoken things flowing between us.
“You are now bound to us.” I told Toby through the link, and he smiled, kissing the new mark that had formed, which I was quick to learn was an erogenous spot.
But it was improper to start having such thoughts when my father was only a hair away. Instead, I suppressed it down and focused on the love that was pouring through the bond.
“I would never have wanted it any other way.”