As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the tranquil garden, Alex and Mia found themselves seated on a rustic wooden bench, their fingers intertwined. It was a moment of quietude, a sanctuary of their own amidst the chaos of their lives. The fragrant aroma of blooming flowers and the soothing melody of birdsong filled the air, creating a backdrop that seemed tailor-made for a profound conversation.
Mia gazed at Alex with a mix of anticipation and vulnerability. She had spent countless nights rehearsing the words she would utter, trying to capture the essence of her emotions. Now, with her heart pounding in her chest, she took a deep breath and mustered the courage to speak her truth, but before she could say anything, Alex took the lead.
"Mia," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've been reflecting on our journey together, on the pact that once bound us and the love that has blossomed between us. I've come to realize that our marriage shouldn't be defined by a contract, but by the love we share."
Alex's eyes met Mia's, their depths revealing a flicker of hope. He had longed for this moment, a chance to rebuild their bond on a foundation of genuine affection. The burdens of duty and expectation that had plagued their previous arrangement had chipped away at the love they both held within their hearts. Now, it was time to change that.
"I couldn't agree more, Alex," Mia replied, her voice brimming with sincerity. "Our past may have been entangled in obligations and promises made by others, but the future belongs to us. I want us to embark on a new journey together, one where our union is forged by love and not by necessity."
A fragile smile formed on Mia's lips, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She had longed to hear those words, to know that Alex was willing to break free from the shackles that bound them. With every passing moment, her love for him had grown, and now it could finally flourish without constraint.
"Alex, I don't want to be married to you out of obligation," Mia confessed, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. "I want to be your wife because I love you, because our souls are intertwined, and because I believe in the depth of the connection we share."
Alex's heart swelled with tenderness as he listened to Mia's heartfelt declaration. In that moment, he realized the enormity of the love he felt for her, a love that surpassed any preconceived notions of duty or responsibility. He reached out and cupped her face in his hands, his gaze unwavering.
"Mia, you are the light that guides my path, the one who has shown me the true meaning of love," he murmured, his voice filled with reverence. "I want to marry you, not because our families demand it, but because my heart yearns for you, and my soul craves the lifelong commitment that only comes with a marriage founded on love."
"Mia, these past few months have shown me the true meaning of love. It's not something that can be forced or confined to the boundaries of a contract. It's a force that blossoms naturally, bringing with it an unyielding strength and an unwavering desire to protect and cherish the one who holds your heart." Alex raised his head to look at Mia if she also wanted it.
Tears cascaded down Mia's cheeks as she whispered, "Yes, Alex. Yes, I want to marry you too."
As the night sky enveloped them, a gentle breeze whispered through the garden, carrying with it the promises of a new beginning. And in that moment, two souls merged as one, ready to embark on a future.
Alex couldn't help it as he held Mia's face in his palms, giving her a long kiss on the lips.
Mia was feeling hot already and decided to deepen everything. She teased him with her tongue and watched his reaction.
"Fuck, Mia, I want you badly," Alex confessed.
A light giggle left Mia as Alex carried her up in a pleasant style, her legs crossed around his torso as they went into the room.
As the days turned into weeks, Mia and Alex began to plan their wedding. They decided to have an intimate ceremony, surrounded by their closest friends, family, and pack members. There were no elaborate arrangements or grand displays of wealth. Instead, they focused on creating an atmosphere of warmth and authenticity.
On a sunny day, beneath a canopy of blooming flowers, Mia and Alex stood before their loved ones, their eyes locked in a promise that would bind their souls together. The words they exchanged were not scripted by tradition but woven from their hearts.
"I take you, Mia, as my partner, my best friend, and my Luna," Alex vowed, his voice steady and unwavering. "I promise to support you, to respect you, and to love you fiercely for all the days of my life."
Mia's voice trembled with emotion as she mirrored his words. "I take you, Alex, as my partner, my confidant, my Alpha and my forever. I promise to stand by your side, to cherish you, and to nurture our love with tenderness and understanding."
Their hands intertwined, their hearts beating in synchrony as they exchanged rings, symbols of their everlasting commitment. The air was charged with love and hope as the couple sealed their vows with a tender kiss, surrounded by the cheers and applause of their loved ones.
They had a pleasant celebration all through the night, pack members dancing, and elders from Mia's pack mingling with other people in the Crystal Moon pack. The celebration lasted throughout the night while Alex and Mia had a good wedding night together.
The next day, elders from Diamond pack went back home, but before they left, they dropped a message with the head maid for Mia.
After days of being indoors without disturbance strictly instructed by Alex, they both came out and went to greet Heartman and Nathalie who have taken charge of the pack affair in their absence.
Like a mother-daughter talk, Nathalie got to know the last bit of everything that happened, but Mia's face looked glum and sad. Nathalie immediately spotted it and with concern went to Mia.
"Are you ok, my child?" Nathalie asked.
"Yes, mom, just wished my parents were here too to witness everything," Mia replied.
"They're honey, they're watching you from up there, I know your mom will be so proud of you," Nathalie assured her.
Mia smiled and gave her a warm hug. Just then, a maid came in to deliver the message from the elders.
Mia took it, and Nathalie excused herself to attend to Heartman. While Alex sat close to Mia reading the written letter from the elders.
Mia looked at Alex, and he understood exactly what she meant. They went back into their room, and Mia, who doesn't know how things go about with the Alpha title, took some instructions from Alex for the rest of the day.
The elders had asked Mia to come talk to her people who need to see their Alpha and also come so they'll talk about how everything will be operated.
Before leaving, Mia told Alex she doesn't want to leave her pack without a leader. "Alex, is it possible to merge packs?"
Alex was taken aback. "Why are you asking? It's possible to merge packs."
"Are you planning on merging your pack with another?" Alex asked.
"Can't we merge with Crystal Moon?" Mia responded. "We're married now, and I'm your Luna. You're my Alpha and can also rule over my people."
"We'll ask my dad about it if that's what you want and make necessary preparations towards it. But first, you'll need to go to your pack and talk to them. See if that's what they want and discuss it with the elders; they know better," Alex advised her.
Mia started preparations and set out for the Diamond Shadow pack three days later. Her pack welcomed her happily.
Mia scheduled meetings with the elders and other high members of the pack.
"Good morning, my elders. It's no news that my dad and mom are dead, but now the throne has fallen to my shoulders, meaning I'm to be Alpha," Mia stated.
"I can't stay as Alpha because I'm married, and my husband is the Alpha of another pack. So, I've come with the intention of merging our pack and the Crystal Moon pack together. If you have objections, please state them," Mia concluded her speech.
"We have no objections, Alpha. Seeing our pack barely has youths to fight and protect us and the little cubs, we're mostly old men, women, and children, so merging is the best," the leader of the elders agreed, and so did all the other elders.
"We'll have the news passed to the pack tomorrow morning and bring you a scroll and a teacher to help you master the process of merging if it's okay with you, Alpha," the second elder said.
"I'm fine. I don't really need a teacher to understand what is already written in scrolls," Mia said to the elder and thanked him.
"I'll take my leave now. I'll be needing rest before I start preparations tomorrow," Mia said and left the elders first.
Immediately she got inside her room, she called Alex and giggled because of the way Alex replied.
"Hello, husband. How was your day, and how are you doing?" Mia said.
"When are you coming back home to me? I miss you so much. Is everything settled?" Alex asked her.
"Everything is settled. I'll be starting training tomorrow morning, and you should do the same," Mia said.
"Why can't you train here with me? I'll teach you better than any teacher will. Just come back home," Alex pleaded.
"Who will lead my people to your borders?"
"They know it already. Just come back home, please. You already know I miss you," Alex whined like a child.
Mia and Alex talked at length before they finally went to bed. Early the next morning, Mia started her training.
In five days after the training session ended, she led her people to the borders of the Crystal Moon pack.