Chapter 106

Chapter 106
In the clearing, rows of chairs were set up, lining a pathway designated with white flower petals to a magnificent arch. The frame was covered with strands of ivy, a symbol of fidelity and friendship, woven with fragrant jasmine, for love, white peonies, for happy life together, and studded with deep purple heliotrope, for eternal devotion.

Under the arch stood Grimm looking unfairly handsome in his black dress pants and white linen shirt, the sleeves of which were rolled up to the elbows and the top few buttons at his collar left undone. Ryder was standing to Grimm’s left, also in dress pants and shirt.

On Grimm’s other side stood a narrow table, carved from a log, that held the ceremonial knife in its box and a navy blue and gold braided silken cord. The items required for the ceremony.

Candel-lit lanterns and torches surrounded the area, casting a warm glow over the entire site.

My eyes swam with tears at the sight before me.

“Don’t you dare cry and ruin the makeup I did. And close your mouth,” Amy said in my ear.

I snapped my jaw shut, not realizing it had fallen open, and blinked rapidly to hold back the tears threatening to fall.

“How?” I said, sounding breathless.

Amy smiled, passing me a lush bouquet of flowers that matched those adorning the arch, with the addition of sweet camellia.

“Did you really think we were going to let you have your ceremony on the patio?” she asked, “What do you think we’ve been doing all day while you’ve been relaxing?”

“Amy… I don’t know what to say…” my eyes finally left the scene in front of me and met hers.

“You don’t need to say anything, Cam,” she said with a soft smile. “Now. I’m going to walk down the aisle first and you start when I’ve reached the end, okay?”

I nodded. Amy gave my hand a squeeze then made her way up to the alter to take her place on the right side, next to where I would be standing. As she reached the end of the aisle, all the pack members in attendance stood and turned towards where I was standing.

I steadied myself with a calming breath before putting my shoulders back and taking my first steps down the aisle. I was nervous at first with everyone watching me, but as soon as my eyes found Grimm’s, it was as if everyone else faded away. A calm came over me and I felt like I was gliding, rather than walking, up to meet him under the beautiful floral arch.

“Hi,” I said softly when I reached my mate.

“You’re stunning,” he answered, his voice rough with emotion. A smile and blush adorned my face.

Amy’s hand reached out and took the bouquet from my hands, allowing Grimm to take them in his hands. My eyes were still locked on him and only him.

Grimm lifted my hands up and placed a kiss on my knuckles.

“Ready?” he asked, his voice so low only I could hear it.

“Since the day I met you,” I replied, just as softly.

With a smile, Grimm released one of my hands, keeping the other clasped in his, and turned to face the pack before us.

“Brothers and sisters, family and friends, after much patience, the day has finally come. I stand before you to claim my goddess fated mate as my love and my luna.” He flashed me a quick smile as cheers broke out. Grimm lifted his hand and the pack quickly quieted. “You have all met Cam and welcomed her into our pack with open arms. I cannot say how proud I have been to see how quickly you have all accepted her as your luna-to-be. Cam has, and I know will continue to, make me a better alpha and she will make up a better pack with her position as luna.” Grimm looked to me and gave my hand a squeeze before turning back to the pack, “Do you, Black Ash Pack, accept Camellia Baker-Pax as your luna?”

“We do,” the gathered pack spoke together with conviction. My heart swelled with their acceptance as I looked over the smiling faces sitting before us.

Ryder and Amy stepped up and stood before us with their backs to the pack. Typically, this part of the ceremony was where the pack beta swore his allegiance to the alpha and luna, but we decided to update it a little and include Amy, since she was basically my beta.

“Do you, Ryder Walters and Amy Walters, vow to support and protect Camellia Baker-Pax as your luna?”

“We do,” they said in chorus.

That was the first portion of the ceremony completed, the informal part. Next was the real deal.

Grimm and I turned towards each other, my right hand still in his left. He picked up the ceremonial knife from the small table and turned my hand over in his, so my palm was facing upwards, then removed his hand from under mine.

Grimm dragged the knife across his palm in a swift motion, before repeating the action on mine and clasping our hands together. A hum of magic tickled my palm. Ryder stepped forward and wrapped the silken cord around our joined hands, symbolizing the bond that ties us together.

“Camellia Baker-Pax, you are the light in my life, the love in my heart. I find a way to love you more every moment we are together. After my parents died, grief overshadowed the memories I had of the joy that comes from having a family and support. I am proud to declare you as my luna. I will love you forever, even after the goddess of the moon calls me home.” Grimm said, his eyes growing dewy with unshed tears.

I was biting the inside of my cheek to keep myself from sobbing at his words and the love I felt flowing through our bond.

I slowly took a breath and cleared my throat so I could speak without emotions clogging my words.

“Griffin Grimm Pax. The moment I met you, the course of my life and the world I knew forever changed. While we’ve had unexpected challenges to overcome, my life has been infinitely better with you by my side. I too let grief make me forget what it felt like to have someone in your corner, to have someone who supports and loves you no matter what. You’ve brought that back into my life ten-fold. It is not that I cannot imagine my life without you, but I have no life without you. You are my life, my love, my heart, my mate.”

Grimm shook his head and looked over my shoulder, clearing his throat as he tried not to cry. Chuckles murmured in the crowd as some caught on to what he was doing.

Having collected himself, Grimm’s eyes returned to mine and a smile grew across his lips. With a sharp tug, Grimm pulled me to him by our joined hands and crashed his mouth to mine in a claiming kiss. Applause sounded around us.