Chapter 24
Aspen
The clearing looked like a fairy tale had blown through it and gotten drunk on moonshine.
Strings of Edison bulbs arched over the makeshift aisles, their warm gold tangled through the branches of pine and mesquite.
Folding chairs fanned out in a lazy half-moon facing the altar, which was really just a raised platform swaddled in white linen and covered with wildflowers.
Someone—probably Maddie—had set up a hand-lettered sign at the entrance: “Welcome to the Mating Ceremony of Bronc silk tie shimmering slightly. He held a battered black folder in his hands. When he raised his eyes, the whole crowd fell silent.
“Family, friends, honored guests,” he began, and his beautiful voice carried all the way to the back row, calm as water over stone. “We gather tonight to celebrate the union of Liam Bronc Baucaum and Juliet Marie Bettencourt—a love forged in battle, tested by fate, and sealed by the moon itself.”
His eyes found Juliet, then Bronc. “Some of you came from afar. Some of you walked down the road. But everyone of you is here because you believe in something worth fighting for. In this pack, we don’t choose the easy road.
We choose each other. Even when it’s hard.
Especially when it’s hard. We don’t believe in backing down or backing away. ”
Juliet blinked hard, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Bronc just squeezed her hand tighter.
Papa went on. “The Great Creator formed us, and the Goddess of the moon made us what we are, and she created a specific person fated to be our other half, our mate. It’s the one thing that’s truly sacred, even when the rest of the world forgets what sacred means.
A few of us are fortunate enough to find that person.
Bronc is one of those lucky ones, for if ever there was a wolf who was fated to belong to someone, Juliet was made for this man. ”
He looked around the crowd, making eye contact with every king, every outcast, every wolf in the audience.
“We all come from somewhere. We all carry scars. But the only thing that matters is what we build together. Bronc and Juliet, you’ve already proven your love; already claimed each other. Tonight, you just make it official before the world.”
He motioned for them to face each other, keeping their hands joined. The moon was just cresting the trees, silver light catching the edge of the altar, and for a second it seemed like all time had stopped.
“Juliet, will you take Bronc to be your mate? To share your strength, your laughter, your hope, and your sorrow? Will you be a support to him and this pack as his love, his helper, his Luna, for all the days you walk this earth?”
Juliet’s voice was clear, strong. “I will, with all my heart.”
“Bronc, will you take Juliet as your mate? To be her shield, her safe place, her protector, her partner, for every sunrise and every storm? Will you support her as she stands by you as you lead this pack into the future?”
Bronc didn’t hesitate. “I will, as long as I have breath.”
“Then by the bond of pack, by the witness of the Goddess of the moon and stars, and by the blood we have shed for each other, I pronounce you true mates for now and all eternity.” Papa closed the folder, a smile crinkling his eyes. “You may now kiss your mate.”
The clearing exploded with howls, applause, even a few tears from the tough old wolves in the back. Bronc dipped Juliet in a kiss so dramatic it made even the vampires cheer. Oscar tugged at my sleeve, dabbing at his tiny eyes with a napkin.
“I’m so happy for them,” I whispered, feeling a stupid rush of joy.
Savannah leaned over, voice soft. “He did a beautiful job.”
I smiled, a feeling of pride filling my heart. “He did, didn’t he?”
She looked at me, her green eyes softer than I’d ever seen. “Feels good, doesn’t it? The first time Menace looked at me like I was more than just a pawn. The first time I realized the world could be bigger than the life I’d been handed. It seemed almost too big.”
I swallowed, nodding. “It’s just… overwhelming.”
She smiled. “Let yourself be overwhelmed, darling. It’s how you know you’re alive.”
The crowd started to stand, chairs scraping dirt and voices rising. Maddie grabbed my hand. “Don’t forget to grab some brisket before these wolves devour it.”
I was pulled to the food table, with Oscar riding on my shoulder.
For once, I wasn’t just surviving. I was in the middle of the story.
I was someone’s mate, someone’s miracle.
Even if I just came into my magic. I felt it in my bones; I knew it was there, rising up.
I felt more powerful every day, and I knew I was ready to make some magic of my own.