Chapter 18

Axel POV

Chloe and I are running very late. She sings along with the radio without a care in the world as I drive us to the Shadow Creek Pack territory. I cannot wait for her to meet my parents. Both of my parents are equally eager to meet her. I know they will love her as much as I do.

Funny how just a few days ago, I had all but given up on love, and now here I am driving her to meet my parents. Chloe is everything. I am interested in the fact she said her wolf spoke to her. I hope that means she is becoming more accepting of that side of her life. She should open up to it. I will not push her, but I want to help her find her wolf.

I reach over and touch her leg. The yellow dress I picked out for her is perfect on her. "You look beautiful," I say to her. Chloe reaches down and puts her hand on mine.

"I love this dress. I love yellow, and maybe I will marry you in yellow," Chloe says.

"At least you are talking about marrying me," I say.

She shoots me a look and then a smile. "I know we are destined to be together. I have no doubts about that, Axel. I am afraid. This is happening so fast. Please give me time," Chloe says.

I pull her hand up to my lips and kiss it gently. "Take all the time you need, but first, I need you to say yes," I say to her.

"I have some conditions," Chloe says.

I slide down in the driver's seat as my heart sinks. I am not sure if I should pull over to hear what she has to say or if I should just take it. Now, I am terrified of what she might say to me.

"Okay, name it," I say.

Chloe takes a deep breath. She is as nervous about this as much as I am scared. I think the two of us want a special love so bad, and we are both worried about being hurt.

"I will marry you, but I do not want to move to the pack territory yet. I need time to meet everyone and learn about wolf traditions," Chloe says.

"That is reasonable and not required until I become Alpha. Then we have to relocate there, but I will not demand we leave there now. We will take it slow," I say.

"I want to know about the club. Why do you go there? What is your kink?" Chloe asks me. It kind of takes me back a minute that she is so curious.

"How about I take you there tonight after dinner with my parents, and I show you the wild side of the club," I say to her. Chloe's eyes widen as I give in to her condition.

"One more thing, I do not want a big ceremony. I want something small and intimate," Chloe says.

"Now, that one will be hard, but if we get married before I am Alpha, then we might be able to get away with just my parents and a few friends. If we wait until I become Alpha, then it will be a pack affair," I say.

"Okay, then we should plan to marry soon," Chloe says.

Did she say marry me soon? I cannot believe she is giving in to me. "Like real soon? Like will you marry me so in a few weeks?" I ask her.

Chloe burst into laughter. "Yes, Axel," Chloe says.

"Okay," I say. I have a ring with me. I planned to ask her again tonight in front of my parents. I plan to do that still. At least now, I know she will not reject me.

I hold her hand as we pull into the cabin that my parents call home. There are wolves and guards outside the cabin waiting for us. Chloe is a little uneasy but looks to me to calm her. I smile, and that seems to put her at ease. "Everything will be fine," I say.

My mother and father both come out to meet us. My mother is a small wolf with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She smiles a smile that could light up any room and is always inviting and welcoming to outsiders. "Chloe," my mother says, taking Chloe's hand and then wrapping her in a hug.

I reach into the glove box and grab the ring out so I can propose like a gentleman. This ring is unique. It is the same ring my father gave my mother when he proposed, and someday, our son will propose to his future luna.

Several wolves begin to gather in the yard around the cabin. "Chloe, do not be alarmed," My father commands.

"Yes, Alpha," Chloe answers him. She turns to me, and I am standing behind her waiting for my father to give me the go ahead. She is unsure what is going on, and that makes it so much more special.

"Silence," my father commands the pack. Chloe looks as if we are about to sacrifice her to the wolf gods.

I go to my knee and open the ring box. Chloe begins to cry. "Chloe, will you be my wife, my luna, and the future of this pack?" I ask her.

Chloe looks at the wolves waiting and watching. She seems calm as she looks down at me, holding the rind, waiting and hoping she has not changed her mind, and decided this is not something she wants after all.

"Yes, Axel, I will marry you," Chloe says.

The wolves cheer as I slip the ring onto her finger. Chloe walker will be my bride and the luna of the Shadow Creek Pack. I dare not tell her that she will probably not get away with a small wedding now. The pack will want to be involved in every step of it.

I stand and take her in my arms. "I love you," I say to her. This is the happiest moment of my life so far.