My parents and I reach the edge of the woods where Enya and I will finally mark each other. I've never been one to say I get butterflies in my stomach, but there is some serious fluttering going on right now.
Our entire pack is present, other than boarder patrols. The amount of faces here is nerve-wracking. Yet a part of me feels love and pride knowing they are all here for me and Enya.
As time ticks closer to her arrival, another feeling settles over me. A peaceful calmness flows through my veins. Suddenly all my fears and anxiety of our future disappear.
I know in my heart that the Goddess has chosen me to love and protect Enya; she needs me as much as I need her. Our Goddess wouldn't have chosen me if I couldn't bear the trials.
And then I see her.
Enya has her arm looped with her dad's and I've never been left more breathless. She looks beyond stunning. I rake my eyes down her entire body and feel my heart skip a beat.
Her curly locks are pinned up and there are little flowers decorating the style. She isn't wearing any shoes either, we both wanted to feel as close to nature as possible.
Her eyes are striking to say the least. The green actually complements the deep blue in her irises.
Oh my Goddess. There are hardly words.
The deep forest green of her dress makes her look ethereal. The flowing gown brings out a glow in her that I've never seen before.
And she is looking right at me. My perfect mate.
'How did I get so lucky?'
My blood is rushing through me so fast I feel light headed. I have never felt so grateful in my life. Enya is my mate, and now the whole world will know it.
When she reaches me, Alaric passes her hand to me and her fingers are so warm. A coldness that had plagued me all day is blasted away with her light touch.
Her smile is gentle, like she is at peace in this moment. I can't help but mirror it to her. All I can see is her and the love shining in her eyes.
"Once again, welcome Blood Moon Pack. Today we are here to celebrate the mate bond that has been blessed by our Moon Goddess to Erik and Enya.", my dad addresses the pack, but I barely register his words.
I can't take my eyes off of the gorgeous creature I've been blessed with.
He continues, "We have all been patiently waiting for the day when our future Alpha would find this mate, and last night the Goddess chose to reveal her to us."
Enya's smile gets a little bigger as the blush on her cheeks deepens. We knew that dad would have to tell the pack that we only discovered we were mates when Enya shifted. But that doesn't keep the beautiful pink stain from painting her face.
I manage to tear away my gaze from the ocean that I'm drowning in and look to my dad.
He addresses me now, "Erik, please take your right hand and hold it to Enya's neck."
I follow his instructions. The love in Enya's orbs increases when I touch her. The sparks that always come are even more intense somehow.
"Enya, please do the same for Erik."
Her smooth hand finds my neck and more tingles erupt, gaining strength the longer we hold each other. My entire body is filled with the feeling of her.
Just her.
"Erik, please make your vow to Enya before our Moon Goddess and your pack."
My heart flies into my throat for a second before I can speak.
"I, Erik Lyall Kingston, accept you, Enya Ruth Anders, as my Goddess given mate.", my voice carries across the lawn as the entire pack witnesses my declaration.
Enya's eyes fill with tears of love and joy as I continue, "From this day forth, I promise to love, honor and protect you."
"I will stand by your side in all your battles. I will be your faithful partner in all the days of my life."
"I will lie with no other, I will love no other. I bind myself to you, mated for life."
As I finish my vow a single tear falls from her eye.
My dad then says, "Enya, please make your vow to Erik before our Moon Goddess and your pack."
My heart is pounding so hard. I want to hear her voice say the words to me. Nothing will ever compare to this moment.
"I, Enya Ruth Anders, accept you, Erik Lyall Kingston, as my Goddess given mate.", her voice is gentle but strong. It still reaches the ears of every pack member here.
I feel as if I am flying when she continues, "From this day forth, I promise to love, honor and protect you."
"I will stand by your side in all your battles. I will be your faithful partner in all the days of my life."
"I will lie with no other, I will love no other. I bind myself to you, mated for life."
My smile goes so wide as she finishes that I think it might split my face.
"As you have both declared your vows to each other, you are now bound together for life. Please seal this bond with your marks, so that the world may see your claim to each other.", my dad's final words bring a joy to me that I only ever dreamed possible.
I take a step closer to Enya, and she does the same. Our hands remain on each other's neck as we both reach to our marking spots.
As her lips graze my neck the most intense pleasure shoots down my spine. She kisses the sensitive spot before extending her canines. I inhale sharply as desire floods my body.
I breathe in her scent and tell her, "I will love you forever Enya."
"I will love you for all eternity Erik.", she whispers.
I extend my canines and bring them to her neck. At the same second we bite down together. As her canines pierce my flesh the pleasure in my spine becomes nearly crippling.
My left hand had been on her hip as we declared ourselves, but without realizing it my arm encases her to me. She increases her bite ever so slightly and I nearly explode.
Tasting her flesh as my mark spreads over her neck brings even more unrestrained sparks. I splay my hand across her back and her left hand goes to my shoulder holding me close.
Her arousal is so intense I'm tempted to scoop her up and take her to our bed.
Thankfully, now that we are marked, no one else can sense her arousal. She doesn't need to be worried about anyone else ever scenting it and feeling embarrassed.
We both pull our canines back and lick the wounds closed. The entire pack thunders with howls, whistles and applause.
Every werewolves mark is unique in design, but they are always black. Like a tattoo. When I see my mark on Enya, I am beyond surprised to see the twists and coils are gold.
The love Enya feels for me comes through our bond so strongly I am compelled to kiss her.
I lift Enya from under her arms as she wraps them around my neck. She is the one to crash her lips to mine, she is unbothered by the crowd and hungrily kisses me.
Holding her with one arm my other hand holds her neck to keep her mouth on mine as I deepen the kiss.
I open my mind to hear her thoughts for the first time.
'Oh my Goddess, I love him so much! Thank you Goddess for this man!'
Breaking away, I smile against her lips and place her back on her feet. Keeping my forehead against hers I look deep in the ocean again.
'I'm the luckiest fucking wolf in the world!'
Her smile is absolutely dazzling as she mind-links me, 'I heard that baby. I feel the same way.'
I kiss her sweetly and she links me again, 'My mark on you is gold! Shouldn't it be black?'
I respond to her, 'My mark is also gold. I think it has something to do with you being a Hyrbid my love.'
Her smile falters a little and I reassure her, 'It just makes us even more blessed by the Goddess.'
That seems to have eased her worries. Her smile becomes bright again and I feel her relax through the bond.
Now all we have to do is get through the next two hours and she is all mine. Finally...