Tyler.
“Is it just me or have there been more parties in Rogue City since Arya came along?”
I looked at Nate, rolling my eyes as he shared a laugh with his wife, though a smile played at my lips. Wrapping a hand around Arya’s waist, I drew her body closer to mine. “I’ll have you know that I enjoy throwing parties, Arya or not.”
“Uh huh,” Nate nodded unconvincingly. “But you can’t deny that this is the what, fourth party you’ve thrown in a month?"
Natalie chuckled, the sound drawing Arya’s attention. She turned to peck me on the cheek, before moving towards her new friend. Though I would’ve liked to hold her a little longer, I let her go, drawing close to Nate instead. The little argument we’d had that day in my office seemed to hang in the air, but not so much that we couldn’t look each other in the eyes.
I wanted to tell him about Arya’s newfound revelation but Nate was such a stickler for rules that I knew he would be the first to oppose me and I couldn’t have that. If my Beta and I couldn’t show a united front, then everyone would know there was a crack in the wall, that something had gone wrong.
“Listen, Tyler,” he started, pausing long enough to exchange his empty wine glass with a full one as a waiter passed by. “About the other day—”
“It’s all cool, man,” I cut in, shaking my head. “You and I are more than friends. We’re brothers.” Guilt ate at me at the words. If we really were brothers, then why couldn’t I tell him of the storm that was brewing? ‘Because you would lose Arya,’ a little voice answered in my head.
Nata smiled and nodded, patting me on the shoulder. “Always and forever,” he said. “All things aside, I’m really happy for you, man. You’ve finally found the one.”
My gaze rested on Arya, her side profile showing from this angle. Her lips were curved upward in a wide smile and it was obvious whatever it was she and Natalie were discussing made her very happy. And seeing her happy made me happy.
“I have,” I agreed, a knot forming in my throat at the thought of losing her. “I love her, Nate. I can’t explain it.”
“You’ve started the mating process. Of course, you do.”
I shook my head. “Even before we mated. There was something about her that I couldn’t understand and it has made me putty in her hands.”
Nate chuckled. “It’s the same thing with Natalie. Once you mark her, everything you feel right now will triple. I assure you.”
My eyes found Nate’s wife, Natalie. More precisely the mark on her neck. The mark of her mate. Every woman in the room with a mark was mated. I looked at a laughing Arya. I would not mark her on the inside of her neck where one would have to bend to see it. No. I would place my mark on the curve of her neck to her shoulders, so it would be visible to all. Then everyone would know that she was mine.
I hadn’t seen the need to prolong things. The marking ceremony would take place tonight after the celebratory party was over. I was jittery just thinking about it. Nate, thank the moon goddess for his foresight, managed to take my mind off things with news of a neighboring wolf city and their financial woes and how we could invest in their failing economy, thereby cementing our place in their pack if we ever needed to take over.
As the night wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling of elation. The decision to mark Arya quickly felt like the right one, a declaration of our commitment to each other. Not only that. It meant we would never have to worry about anyone tearing us apart, even if they did find out about her real identity. We danced, we laughed, and for a brief moment, the weight of the seer’s prophecy seemed lifted.
I kissed her deeply, pouring into the kiss everything I couldn’t say with words. I was well aware of the risk I was taking by going through with this and the realization that I would do it knowing the consequences it might bring for me and my pack washed over me like a bucket of cold water. I loved Arya with a passion that scared me.
This was me keeping my promise to her. I had assured her that nothing would come between us. If people found out… I didn’t want to think about it.
Soon enough, the party ended and it was time for the marking ceremony. I clasped Arya’s hand in mine as we stood, facing one another. The smile on her face reminded me of a beautiful sunset over a horizon, calm and colorful. I returned her smile, barely listening as the elders officiated the ceremony.
Arya and I had changed into the appropriate marking attire, she, a white transparent dress with a crown of flowers on her hand and me, white shorts with cowry beads around my neck.
The ceremony was taking place out in the woods, under the full moon, casting its silvery glow upon us. I couldn’t help but wonder if the moon goddess was angry or not. At this point, I didn’t care. If she would keep me from the woman I loved, then she could go to hell.
The pack gathered around us, their eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and respect. Our pack would finally have a Luna, one who was strong enough to alter each and every one of our lives, even though they didn’t know it yet.
The elder leading the ceremony, the leader, a venerable figure with a long white beard and piercing eyes, began to recite ancient blessings. His words, spoken in a language that resonated with the very essence of our wolf heritage, carried the weight of centuries. “In the light of the moon, under the watchful gaze of our ancestors, we gather here tonight to witness a union that transcends time. Tyler, Alpha of the Rogues, and Arya, his Fated.”
He continued, closing his eyes. “May your hearts beat as one, echoing the primal rhythm of the wild. In love's embrace, may you find strength, in unity, may you find purpose.”
“I’m not exactly sure that is what we all want.” All eyes turned to the voice that came from somewhere at the back. Lauren, brandishing a device in her hand, walked forward as a path cleared for her, eyes gleaming with triumph.
My heart thrummed in my chest. It couldn’t be. She kept her gaze on me as she walked, nearing us.
“What’s going on, Lauren? What is this?” Natalie asked, her voice sharp.
Lauren sighed dramatically, waving her phone in the air. “Oh, nothing much. Just a little something I think you all should watch before this ceremony happens.”
I tensed. Next to me, Arya inhaled shakily. “Lauren, you’re wearing my patience thin. Get out.”
She didn’t move, only met my gaze head-on. “What’s the problem, Tyler dear? Don’t want everyone to know that you’re trying to marry a daughter of the moon goddess even though you know you shouldn’t?”
Everyone gasped.
Fuck.