Chapter 80

The lights twinkled against the dark night as everyone gathered and waited for Amanda to walk up for the ceremony. Hudson stood at the front under a wooden arch wrapped in vines with purple and white flowers. The sounds of the forest and the rushing water of the waterfall rang through the night. The music strings started to play as Amanda made her way to the walkway down the aisle. Her dress was a white chiffon gown that flowed down to the ground; it was pleated and cinched at the bust with cold shoulder straps that rested softly on her arms and shoulders. She carried a small bouquet of wildflowers as she took small steps down the aisle. Everyone stood and watched as Amanda made her way to the front. Tears began to sting her eyes. She loved Hudson's choice of where they would have their ceremony. He shared his private place with her when he showed her his wolf. It would now be their forever oasis together.

Alpha Benjamin stood at the front and faced the guests. Amanda and Hudson stood facing each other and holding hands.

"You are breathtaking," Hudson whispered to Amanda.

Amanda blushed.

"Good evening, friends, family, and fellow pack members. Tonight we celebrate the union of my son Hudson to his love and mate, Amanda. Hudson and Amanda have known each other for quite some time. Their love and faith in each other have been tested time and time again. And together, they have been able to overcome their challenges, mistakes, and faults and stand here today in front of us all and accept one another as their true mates."

Alpha Benjamin continued the ceremony. He first asked Hudson to recite his vows and then turned to Amanda to recite hers. He wrapped a rope softly around each of their arms, binding them together.

"I now pronounce you soul mates. Ladies and gentleman, our future Alpha and Luna of the Stonecrest pack!" Benjamin declared.

There was a ringing of applause and cheers.

"You may kiss your mate!" he told them.

Hudson pulled Amanda toward him and kissed her with heat and passion. Everyone stood up and cheered for the newly mated couple.

"Everyone, let's head back toward the pack house and start the party!" Benjamin cheered.

Amanda turned to start to follow the procession back down when Hudson pulled her back into his arms.

She looked at him with curiosity. "Are we not going down to the reception party?"

Hudson lifted Amanda's hand to his lips and kissed it. "We will in time." He put his hand on her shoulder and ran his fingers beneath her strap. "I was thinking that maybe we try to have you shift into your wolf," Hudson suggested. His eyes were filled with want and need.

Amanda felt Willow shiver with excitement.

"Don't we have to wait for a full moon?" she asked. Her body trembled.

Hudson smiled. "I think it will be easier for you now that we have established a bond and you are closer to your wolf."

Amanda was still nervous. Willow?

Mmm-hmm, it is time.

Amanda sucked in a breath as Hudson slowly unzipped her gown for her. She wrapped her arms around the loose garment so it wouldn't fall. Hudson leaned over and kissed her bare shoulder. "I'll shift first," he whispered as he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it to a chair.

Amanda just stood there as she watched him, her bottom lip bitten by her teeth. Hudson chuckled as he pulled her lip away from her mouth. "That's my lip to bite," he told her. His voice was deep and husky.

Amanda shivered in delight.

Hudson moved behind a tree and shifted into his wolf. Artemis pranced out from behind the tree. Amanda giggled. Artemis shook out his fur and sat proudly in front of Amanda. Amanda reached down and scratched Artemis. He purred at the affection he was getting from his mate. He began to whine as he anxiously waited for them to try to shift. Amanda sucked in a deep breath and moved behind a tree. She removed her dress but didn't know where to place it so it wouldn't get dirty. Amanda didn't want to walk out in front of Artemis naked. She was still a little self-conscious about her body. Her body shivered as she felt Hudson's hand grab the dress from her. Amanda froze but then relaxed when she felt his arms around her.

"Shh, you're tensing up. You need to relax. Close your eyes and listen to Willow. You are not alone," he whispered.

Amanda did as she was told and focused on her wolf. Willow came to the surface and was ready to shift. The pain was nowhere near as bad as the first time. Willow turned into herself and shook out her beautiful soft fur that sparkled in the moonlight. Her gray paws pressed against the dirt as she walked from behind the tree. Hudson stood there amazed at how beautiful her wolf was. Artemis whined. Hudson chuckled as he allowed Artemis to shift back. The wolves ran and pranced around each other for a short time.

Hudson shifted back into his human form, but Willow wasn't ready. Hudson tackled Willow and, with his Alpha tone, "Shift." He commanded. Amanda was able to shift back into her human form. Hudson continued to lay on top of her as he brushed her hair away from his mark. Hudson started to kiss his mark, causing tingles to run up and down Amanda's body. He lifted his head, and his fangs began to show. He bit down again into the mark as Amanda wrapped her arms around him, and the pain was soon replaced by desire, and she accepted the bond between them.

***

Deak and Vita were dancing and having a great time when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"You are not making this easy for me."

Deak turned and saw his uncle's lawyer standing behind him. Deak's eyebrows furrowed. "How did you get in here?"

"I have many clients and friends that you know nothing about. I've come to deliver to you your uncle's will." He handed him a large manila envelope.

"What's this?" Deak asked. He assumed he would read what his uncle had planned for him in a letter, making some unrealistic demands before allowing him to live his life in peace.

The lawyer pulled out a letter from his jacket and read it aloud.

"My nephew gets everything, provided he abides by a few simple things I request along the way." The lawyer then folded the letter and returned it to his jacket.

"What are his demands?" Deak asked through gritted teeth.

"All in due time. So, congratulations, you are now the new Lycan King." He tipped his head forward at him and walked off to enjoy the party.

Vita and Deak both looked at each other with cautiousness and confusion.

"Did he just say...?" Vita asked as she replayed the conversation in her head.

Deak nodded. "He said I was the New Lycan King."