Chapter 96
Chapter 96
“This calls for a celebration!” Seraphina announced, her eyes glistening with pride as she looked at her mate.
“Wait! Hold up! Everybody freeze,” I said, holding my hands and stepping between Grimm and Declan. “What just happened?”
“Declan swore an oath to protect you, like he explained,” Grimm said.
I closed my eyes to prevent an eye roll, “I got that part, but what does that mean? And what was the part about leaving the mortal coil?”
“It’s not a big deal, Cam, that’s just the terms the formal oath uses,” Grimm said, too casually for my liking.
“It means you’re stuck with me for the rest of your or my life,” Declan said, patting my shoulder. “And, if I fail in my duty and you’re killed, Grimm can chop off my head,” he said.
“He’s not serious!” I said, narrowing my eyes at Grimm.
“Well, it doesn’t have to be a beheading, technically.” Grimm said.
“And if you are maimed or seriously injured on my watch, Grimm can inflict a like-for-like injury on me for my failure, if he wants.” Declan said with a smirk.
“Why are you so okay with that? I’m sort of accident prone if you haven’t noticed,” I countered.
“Yeah, but I trust myself to keep you out of too much trouble, and the main cause of your accidents is gone now. I think I’ll be okay,” Declan said.
“Besides, love, it’s only if I want to maim him. I’m not under any obligation,” Grimm said with a laugh in his voice as he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling my back to his chest and resting his chin on my shoulder.
“Alphas,” I sighed with an eyeroll and a shake of the head.
“Now that that’s been cleared up, how about that celebration?” Seraphina chimed in, “Champagne back at our place?” she asked the group.
“Sera, it’s not even 5 o’clock,” Grimm said.
“And champagne is gross,” Ryder added.
“Fine, then how about you all and Amy come to our house for a nice dinner tonight?” Seraphina countered.
We all agreed, I think mostly because we were all happy to see Seraphina back to her old self and seeming excited about something. Debbie’s death had been tough on her but she was finally coming out on the other side of the guilt and grief.
“Thank you for doing that,” I said to Grimm later that night, after we left Seraphina and Declan’s cottage and the celebratory dinner and champagne. “For giving Declan a special role here, instead of just being a pack member.”
“He would never be just a pack member. He’s family.” Grimm said, pulling me into his side as we walked back to our suite. “Plus, I’ve decided I need all the help I can get to keep you out of trouble.”
I playfully smacked his chest.
“Are you nervous for the ceremony?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Not really. I feel like the fake ceremony was a good practice run. Nothing that could go wrong will end in a battle for my life, so, y’know, it’s all good.”
“That’s….. good, I guess?” he offered, making me laugh.
“You’re probably right about the extra protection thing,” I admitted.
“Amy mentioned that the night before the ceremony, the couple traditionally spends it apart, like humans do before a wedding. Is that true?” I asked.
“No, that is not true, thank the goddess. I can’t sleep without you. If we had to spend the night apart, I’d be an exhausted mess during the ceremony.”
“Oh good!” I laughed, “I was thinking the same thing.”
“What was it that you were saying about a vacation after the ceremony?” I asked, hoping to get more information out of him.
“After the ceremony, I’m taking you away so I can have you all to my self for at least a week. No hunters, no threats on your life, no pack business or inconveniently timed mink links. Just you and me.” He kissed my temple.
“Like a honeymoon,” I said. “Or, a luna ceremony-moon. A luna-moon…. No, wait. That would basically be a moon-moon…” I was rambling.
“Yes. I am taking you away on a surprise moon-moon,” Grimm said, mischief in his eye.
“No. We are not calling it a moon-moon. That’s ridiculous.”
“Too bad. I like it. The name’s stuck now. I’m taking you on a moon-moon.”
I rolled my eyes again.