Chapter 80 Final Moments of Loneliness.

Chapter 80 Final Moments of Loneliness.
Bella’s pov. 
“Are you ready?” Brooke whispered quietly, biting her lip as she stared at me, waiting for an answer. 

“I’m… ready,” I hesitated, not because I didn’t want to go down there and promise the rest of my life to John… no, that wasn’t it. 

It was the way my heart beat in my chest, the way my mind went blank. 

The way my stomach fluttered at the thought of him. And the way he probably looked right now. 

I’ve never seen him dressed up before. 

And he’s never seen me this dressed up before either. 

Garrett and I’s mating ceremony wasn’t anything like tonight…

We had the elders present and that was it. 

He convinced me we didn’t need a big and flashy ceremony. That he was happy for it to even just be the two of us…

That we didn’t need the whole world to know, that we were happy…

And I believed him… for seven years. 

I shook my head as Teeran grabbed my hands. 

“Everything will be okay. You’ll be okay. You got this, go get your mate,” she said softly, smiling at me as she searched my face. 

“I know everything will be okay,” I sighed, smiling sadly at her as my mind ran wild, “I’m just nervous, this is basically my first ‘real’ mating ceremony. I’ve never been to one this big. This lively. We have so many other packs joining us as well as all of our pack members. The king is coming and so are the higher elders… there’s just so many eyes on us tonight. People waiting, watching… our every move is calculated. I’m nervous, and maybe, just maybe a little bit scared. I honestly can’t wait to go down there and promise John the rest of my life. I love him, I think I’ve been in love with him since the day I knew my bond with Garrett wasn’t truly what my heart needed, I just knew. The way I feel towards him is real, raw. I can’t wait until he sinks his teeth into my neck marking me as his. But… what if I don’t look good enough?”

I looked over at Brooke before my eyes focused back on Teeran. Noticing how her face looked slightly angrier than before. 

“Don’t talk like that! You’re more beautiful than you’ll ever know, Bella. You are a one of a kind beauty. Inside and out. I wish I could be more like you. You’re the best leader, I truly couldn’t have asked for a better alpha. You lead with grace and courage. Guiding us wherever we need you, helping us when we fall, giving us encouragement. Enough to want to wake up everyday and work and provide for ourselves and our family. I look up to you Bella, and I could always feel the love between you and John. As soon as I met you I knew it, your auras combined with each other, balanced. You two fit together like puzzle pieces… it was always meant to be, and always remember that. Don’t be scared, don’t be nervous. Be yourself. Hold your head high and own your title, your pack. Show them who you really are,” she whispered the last part, putting her forehead against mine as she squeezed my hands in hers, her presence enough to calm me down. 

I nodded my head once while closing my eyes, ready to see him, my mate. 

“Let’s go,” I said, trying to sound strong…

Brooke and Teeran looked at each other before nodding their heads, following behind me as I walked out of my room into the kitchen. 

“Mommy! Wow!” Megan said as her head looked up at the sound of our footsteps, “you are pretty! I like that dress, I’ve never seen it before, mommy!”

I giggled as I wrapped her in a tight hug, kissing the top of her head repeatedly. 

“Yes! Mommy is all dressed up for her mating ceremony. John and I… we’re together, forever now. He’s the love of my life, darling,” I said softly, watching her eyes twinkle. 

“So he’s my dad now right? I can call him dad?” She said eagerly, bouncing up and down as she stared up at me with wide eyes. 

I looked back at her with my own eyes widened, because I am always so caught off guard by these questions from her. 

I never thought she’d actually want to call him dad… but I guess I was wrong. 

“Baby, you can call him whatever you want. Just make sure he’s okay with it before you start calling him dad, okay?” I said quietly, brushing my hand over her hair before looking back at Brooke, “you’ll take her from here… I’ll see you guys in the crowd. Don’t worry.”

She nodded her head before taking Megan’s hand, “let’s go, sweetheart. Mommy has a big day so you’ll be spending the night with me! We’ll still be staying in the pack house though! Think of it like a sleepover!” She said enthusiastically, making Megan roll her eyes with her attitude. 

I put my hand over my mouth, trying to stop myself from laughing. 

Brooke glared at me before her and Megan walked out of the door, leaving me with Teeran. 

“Whenever you’re ready, Alpha Bella. I’ll lead you down… since you don’t have anyone else to do it. I’ve been to quite a few mating ceremonies, and I know how important this part is so I am honoured to be able to do this for you. Everything I’ve said tonight was the truth. Don’t doubt yourself. You deserve your happily ever after,” she said with a smile, her hands folded together behind her back. 

“Well… let’s get down there and do this. My mate has been waiting… and the sun is down, the moon is at its highest point. It’s the best time to do this,” I whispered, the reality of everything hitting me. 

This is it. 

The day I became mated to John.