313- ANNA

313- ANNA
POV Anna:

When he touched my belly, I burst into tears. "Shut up, idiot. You came after me. Despite the danger, you came after me, and you bled for me. You did everything for me. I asked Finn if I could stay because I made a decision for our child, and I feared that when you looked at me, you would see my mother."

"Our child, a witch-wolf?" Lifting my blouse, he kissed my belly. "He will live, and that’s what I care about. You will live, and that’s what I care about. You could give birth to a kitten, and I’d be happy."

"Really?" I couldn’t help but smile. "You wouldn’t have any doubts?"

"Anna, you’re killing me here. Are you coming home with me, or am I going to have to chase you for the rest of my life until you give me another chance?"

I looked at him, and I felt my belly flip happily. "You are my heart and my soul. Evalina was right when she first saw us. We belong to each other, Jax. We’ll fight and we’ll annoy each other, but we’ll love even more fiercely. Black Diamond is my home, and you are my alpha and my mate."

He lifted me and spun me in the air, and I sighed in his arms. Finally, we were at peace, and everything was as it should be.

...

I did the best I could at Indigo Peak while I was there, but few wolves were happy to see me, so I spent most of my time in my room, going through Maeve’s books in an attempt to help Finn get organized. I ignored all the massive journals the deranged woman had collected. I was no longer the ternary, and they had nothing to do with me.

Lunessa, Irene, and the other witches helped identify the small faction of witches who had been working against Maeve. Most of them were imprisoned. Some had been in the field when Lunessa stole their magic. And others were dead. There were enough left that, within a few months, the land would be healed enough to begin to grow again, just in time for spring.

At least, that was the hope.

Leaving Finn was hard. I didn’t know where he was mentally, but I knew Indigo Peak needed his help, and he would provide it.

And when Amelia came back with us, tears in her eyes, I tried not to get involved. Finn was making a mistake, but he would realize it. In time.

At least I hoped so. Male wolves could be idiots.

Lunessa officially asked for a home in our pack. London looked absolutely devastated when he separated from us, and when I asked Lunessa about it, she just waved her hands and asked if she could build a house near Irene.

Diamond Black welcomed us with open arms and with a celebration that lasted three days and nights. At every opportunity I had, I was in Jax’s arms.

Sharp Teeth officially reopened. Every morning, when I walked in, I stopped for a moment to honor Parker and imagine what he would say if he could see me now.

The old bastard would probably take credit for it, and he should. He gave me roots when I wanted to sink.

We waited until the snow melted to finally have the mating ceremony. On the first full moon after the spring equinox, when there was still a chill in the air but greenery was beginning to sprout, I stepped into a circle of a ritual very different from before. All the alphas were there, except Finn, who still couldn’t leave his pack, but he sent Kenzi, who only rolled her eyes when she saw me and said I could have at least put on some lipstick.

I hugged her and thanked her for being my friend, which made her practically run the other way.

My belly was round, and I was beginning to waddle. The white gauze dress flowed around me as I walked down the path created by the moonlight. Jax was in the center of the circle with Irene, Lunessa, and Jenson. Jenson and Irene were officiating, but I wanted Lunessa there with me. Her magic hadn’t yet returned, and there were days when she struggled to get out of bed, but she was my kin, my friend, and she was there with a smile of pure joy on her face.

Joy for me.

Jax’s love pulsed within me through the mating bond, and my wolf howled inside as he reached out and took my hands.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

He was worried about having the mating ritual so soon after I had almost been sacrificed in a circle very much like this one. He had offered to make our ring a triangle or a square, or even to hold the ceremony in private.

The nightmares still came, unpredictably, and every time they did, Jax was there to hold me until I could sleep again. I held my breath walking toward him, fearing panic would rise, but these were my friends. My loved ones. The family I had never imagined I would have. They would never hurt me.

“I’m in awe,” I told him with all my heart.

Jax leaned in to kiss me, and Jenson cleared his throat. I laughed as Jax glared at him, but he only shook his head.

“Diamond Black,” Jenson roared. “Today, by the grace and beauty of the full moon, your alpha has chosen. Love. Loyalty. Strength. Partnership. Commitment. Tonight, we honor this mating bond and bind ourselves to it.”

Around us, the first circle of people howled, but they were soon joined by all the wolves in the forest. This was for the pack as much as it was for us, and inside me, the bonds of the pack trembled. Slowly, I exhaled to steady myself.

“My mate,” Jax roared. “My equal in every way. She leads you as I lead you. From now until our last breath. You protect her as I protect you. You are loyal to her as I am loyal to you. She is yours as I am yours.”

His gaze lowered to mine.

“And I am hers, with every breath, with every beat of my heart. Magic of the earth, hear my love and accept my bond.”

The earth trembled, and his hand squeezed mine.

“My mate,” I repeated aloud. “My equal in every way. I lead as he leads. From now until our last breath. I protect him as I protect you. I am loyal to him as I am loyal to you. I am yours as he is yours. And I am his, with every breath, with every beat of my heart. Magic of the earth, hear my love and accept my bond.”

Howls of jubilation filled the sky, and Irene stretched out her arms.

“Goddess, bless this union, acknowledge the fated mates, lovers and protectors, and shine upon us!”

The sky filled with light, almost as if the moon itself were pouring down rain upon us, and bonfires were lit practically up to the heavens. Overcome with joy, I laughed happily as Jax lifted me, carried me, and kissed me before bending to kiss my belly.

We howled, and under the blessing of the earth, we were united as one.