Chapter 22
Mercedes stood in front of the mirror inspecting her appearance. She twisted and turned, trying to get a good look from each angle and ran her palm on the fabric of her dress. Her dress was a contrast sequin one shoulder with a mesh overlay hem. She nodded her head in appreciation, loving how she looked. She could not recognize the woman in the reflection of the mirror. She looked so bold and mature. Above all, she looked and felt like a princess. A smile spread across her face. She twirled around and giggled when her dress flared up.
Crystal came inside running her ever-growing pregnant belly. She caught Mercedes twirling and smiled.
" Do you love it?" Crystal asked, startling Mercedes, who stopped and turned to her. Seeing as it was her best friend, a wider smile came upon her face and she bounced on her feet in excitement and ran over to Crystal and grabbed her hands.
" I love it! I love it! I love it! I loooove it!" she exclaimed. But her expression turned when her thought crossed her mind. " But... do you think Felix will love it!" she asked with puppy eyes, making Crystal giggle. She loved how far Mercedes had come. She was now comfortable expressing herself and finding hold back. She was bolder and brought out a side of her that was being suppressed by her past. It made things easier between them.
Crystal smirked and leaned closer to Mercedes. " Do you want me to tell you a secret?" To which Mercedes nodded her head eagerly. We might have gone shopping but the one who really chose the dress was the Alpha. So why wouldn't he like it?" Realization struck her as she remembered Crystal suggesting the dress confidently. It's because Felix already chose it for her. She smiled in appreciation and twirled once more in front of the mirror.
Felix was with Jake and both of them were already dressed in their best suits. Everything was perfectly done and ready, but for some reason he was nervous. He wondered if Mercedes would like it or not. All those thoughts were nagging him and making him restless. Jake noticed that he was antsy and smirked. Ever since his friend found his mate, he has been acting differently than he usually did. It was refreshing and abiding to see him like that.
" I bet she will be in awe when she sees the decorations. No need to worry Felix," Jake said, trying to ease his worries. " Really Jake. Do you think so?"
Jake placed his hand on Felix's shoulder and said," I am sure of it." Felix smiled, looking more relieved and relaxed after Jake reassured him. He trusted him because of his experience with a mate. He knows what pleases a woman, so he took his word for it. Besides, deep down he knew that Mercedes was a simple girl who didn't need much to make her happy. She would be happy with anything he would do for her. Now it seems he was all worried about nothing. Both he and Jake went ahead outside to oversee how the preparations for the ceremony were coming along. Everything was in order and most of the pack members were already gathered around enjoying the starters and beverages that we were being served. A waiter passed by Felix and Jake and offered them a flute with champagne. Felix took it and downed it in one go. He took another one after that to ease his nerves.
Jake chuckled, amused and sent the waiter on his way. Not long after, a song started playing and caught everyone's attention. Felix stood shaking in anticipation. He awaited the big moment where he would officially show her to everyone as her own. The smile on her face reassured him that he was doing the right thing it was meant to be.
The people parted and made way for her to walk through. All the ladies mated or inmates envied her for being the chosen one for their Alpha. They saw the change she brought about in him. He was more alive than he ever was before.
Felix handed over his glass of champagne to Jake and walked toward Mercedes. He met her in the middle, and they smiled at each other. Mercedes tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked at her feet. She was nervous in the audience, many of whom said she was going to be Luna.
Felix placed his finger under her chin and made her look at him. " Come on, don't be shy now. I promise you, you look very beautiful. Like no other."
" Thank you. You don't look bad yourself," she replied.
Felix gave her his hand to hold and led her through the crowd to the stage. He never let go of her hand. He intertwined their hands and held on tight, but not too tight, so he didn't hurt.
" Attention everyone! Today is a special day for me and everyone else as well. I have been waiting for this moment since I turned 18. I have been mateless for a long time, and I am sure you must have been wondering if there was something wrong with me. For some time, I considered myself unlucky or being punished for some sin I might have committed, but I was so wrong. The Moon Goddess had a special person in place. I now believe in the saying that all good things take time. Now I have my mate and my other half here with me today in front of you."
He paused his speech and turned his head to look at Mercedes, who was smiling all the time, and then turned back to the pack.
" Allow me to officially present it to you. My mate and your Luna from this day, Mercedes Underwood."
Everyone roared with howls and clapped their hands. They accepted her as their Alpha's mate. Felix pulled Mercedes closer to himself and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
" See that. Now you are finally mine completely," he whispered said to her, but maintained eye contact with the pack. The ceremony continued with the bonding ritual. Crystal and Jake joined and assisted them with the ritual. A golden goblin chalice was presented and a wooden knife with foreign calligraphy on it.
Mercedes opened her palm and Felix proceeded to make a swift cut on it. She winced as it was painful. Felix felt bad. He remained calm and reminded himself that Mercedes was a strong person. She fisted her hand and squeezed the blood into the chalice. Felix handed her the knife for her to do the same thing. After that, they both connected their palms. The bonding was complete and now Mercedes was connected to Felix and the rest of the pack. She heard so many voices in her head. It was overwhelming at first, but she naturally tuned them out. She swayed because of dizziness from the blood loss. Felix wrapped his arm around her waist and steadied her.
Their palms began to heal because of their fast healing. Now that the important part was over, one by one the pack members came forward to congratulate them and give them gifts. After that, the music was blasted. Everyone danced and celebrated the joyous occasion. They had fun and ate good food. The white claw pack was finally complete.
Crystal took Mercedes away from Felix and promised to bring her back. The man stayed behind and drank alcohol. Both Mercedes and Crystal took a stroll talking about the evening events. Crystal stopped her and took out a bracelet. She handed it over to Mercedes.
" What is this, Crystal?" she asked, looking at it. It was a blue thread with a butterfly. " This is something I always wanted to give to someone who would change my life for the better," she confessed.
Mercedes giggled and dangled it high to get a better look at it. " Isn't that someone Jake though?"
" Yes, Jake is special and the love of my life, but you... you are my sister. I feel this connection with you that I've never felt before. It's special and unique. It's like you are the one whom I have been waiting for my whole life. Someone who relates to and shares my struggles. I see you as the younger sister I never had. So please accept this gift from me."
It touched Mercedes's heart. Tears brimmed in her eyes and she threw her arms around Crystal and hugged her but was careful not to hurt the baby. A few tears slipped out as she remembered what she went through to get where she is now. The things she went through and all the pain and heartache were not in vain. She lost a family but gained another. It all worked out in her favor at last. Wiping her tears, she broke away from Crystal and handed her the bracelet.
" Here. I want you to put it on me. I promise I won't ever take off... sister." Crystal smiled through tears and put the bracelet on Mercedes's wrist. They hugged again before going back to the celebration. Felix grabbed them as soon as he saw her.
" Hey. I've been waiting for you to come back for so long. Where did you go?" he shot out in worry.
She smiled and raised her arm to show him her bracelet. " What's that?"
"It is another bond that was forged today," she answered proudly. Seeing as he was confused, she proceeded to explain it to him.
" I am happy for you, Mercedes," he said, and kissed her on the forehead. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel the warmth and the tingles caused by her mate. Both of them went to the dance floor and had their first dance. Mercedes had two left feet, causing her to struggle a bit, but Felix solved the problem by guiding her body movements until she finally got the hang of it. They had so much fun and mingled with their people. This was the beginning of their story. Whether it would be a good story or a tragic one, nobody knew.