8. Mine
Eight
Mine
MARIE
I take in my reflection in the large vanity mirror facing me, and give the make-up artist a smile.
“It’s amazing. Thank you.”
She smiles brightly, gives me a quick hug and gathers her things, wishing me good luck on her way out. Gran stands at the door, waiting for me.
“You’re ready, honey?”
Her smile is soft but also sad. She knows I don’t believe Maverick loves me. After he dragged me to his mansion last night, we called her to announce our literally impending nuptials. Gran was so happy. She laughed and cried over the phone, and arrived here first thing in the morning to go through all the preparations with me. That’s when she saw my expression. And she has been asking if I wanted to leave every occasion she got.
* * *
My wedding dress needed to be fitted by the end of the day, and my hair and makeup done. Since His Lordship , Maverick Ursinus, had decided to marry me with a twenty-four-hour notice.
Gran only left my side when an exclusive personal shopper showed up with dozens of lacy sets and nightgowns for me to choose from.
And now, here we are. I stand from the luxurious deep-red velvet chair that’s facing the assorted vanity. The furniture in the master room is beautiful, just like everywhere else in this house. High ceilings, marble floors, chandeliers, lush carpets, high-end electronics and kitchen equipment, and incredible views of the DelMonte Bay all around.
I push my shoulders back and smooth the acres of silky material of my spectacular gown. I’ve never seen anything like it. Ivory silk and lace that embrace my curves, beautifully showcasing my baby bump, and make me look like a fucking queen. My hair has been dyed back to the golden ombré I love. My nails are done to perfection, and my make-up could almost fool me into thinking my heartbreak has been mended. But not Gran, apparently.
“You don’t have to go through with this, Marie. I know how alphas are. I know how Maverick is. But if you don’t want this… if you don’t love him…”
And that’s the issue, right? I can’t say I don’t want this. That I don’t want Maverick. That he’s forcing me to marry him. This is a dream come true for me. ‘ Except for the part where your future husband doesn’t love you back ,’ a treacherous voice whispers in my head.
* * *
I walk down the spiral staircase, the skirt of my dress pinched between my fingers. Gran is coming behind me, carrying the back of it. It was too short a notice to invite any of our friends and extended family. And there wasn’t really much discussion between Mav and me after he grabbed my hand, pulled me inside his truck, drove me here, and left me alone in the master bedroom after we called Gran last night. And anyway, I haven’t contacted my friends since I left for Alaska. I can’t imagine dropping the bombs of my pregnancy and wedding on them at the same time. So it’s just me, Maverick, his dad, Gran, and the officiant. I keep my eyes on the stairs and the hem of my dress until I reach the marble floor. I don’t want to trip and fall, but I’m especially trying to avoid Mav’s gaze for as long as I can.
When I look up, my eyes first fall on Mr. Ursinus Sr. He’s tall and big, just like his son. With white hair and laugh lines at the corners of his dark blue eyes. His wife is visiting his other son on the East Coast. Mav’s brother just had a baby. And it’s a relief that this joke of a wedding isn’t witnessed by more of our loved ones. I know Maverick only wants to marry me because I’m going to give birth to his cub. It’s hard enough as it is. No need adding to the pain.
* * *
The officiant is our local mayor, Mr. Williamson. He’s an older black gentleman with warm eyes and a gentle smile. I exchange a friendly look with him, still avoiding Mav’s gaze. Then Gran takes my hand and puts it in his. And when our skins touch, there is no escaping. My face instinctively turns up, my eyes meeting the deep indigo that’s become my favorite color in the entire world. And I feel my eyes fill with unshed tears, my breaths coming out faster. Because Maverick Ursinus is the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. And all traces of hostility are gone from his face. He looks fucking ecstatic…
* * *
MAVERICK
I know I’m grinning like a fool, but my girl is here. Finally. Home. After fucking months. And she looks so goddamn beautiful. Her gorgeous face, her amazing body encased in this incredible dress. And the way the silky material wraps around her slightly rounded belly… I’m fucking done for. My heart is so fucking full of love for my omega. My brain, bubbling with thoughts of everything I want to do for her, with her, and with our cub, the family we will build. And my body? Fuck, I don’t think I’ve been able to think straight since I got my hands on Marie again yesterday. That’s why I had to leave as soon as we talked to Edna after I brought Marie home. I went and locked myself in my office, making phone calls and getting everything in motion for today. The special marriage license, enrolling my mother and sister-in-law so they could coordinate everything Marie would need, with Edna’s help.
My family has been watching me go through it ever since I returned from Tahoe. After I told them how I felt about Marie,there was no doubt about my intentions towards her.
And now here we are. Ready to get fucking married!
I’ve been eating her up from the moment she appeared at the top of the stairs, looking like a fucking vision floating on an ivory cloud. Imagining what it will feel like to drag my lips along her bare shoulders and elegant neckline. Kiss and lick my mark on her rich brown skin. I wanted to rush to the second floor and plaster her luscious body to mine. Inhale her amazing scent. Lean in and kiss her delicious lips. Over and over. Get drunk on the taste of her. But all that can wait. Because more than anything, I want to show my girl that she’s it for me. That we’re the real deal. I’m not fucking going anywhere. From here on out, it’s me, her, our cub, and the rest of the family we’ll build together. Forever. Because the way Marie looked at me yesterday, the pain and uncertainty I read in her deep brown gaze… I never want to see that again. And it’s my job to make sure my mate knows her place in my life. In my heart and soul.
* * *
I take Marie’s delicate hand in mine and bring it to my lips, pressing a kiss on her knuckles.
“Hi, baby.”
Her smile is uncertain, but it’s there. Good.
“Hi, Maverick.”
The officiant clears his throat and we both turn to him. I exchange a quick look with my dad, and he winks at me in support. Edna is standing by Marie’s side, wiping the corners of her eyes. Her worried gaze has been replaced with one of hope and emotion.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Maverick Jonathan Ursinus and Marie Helen Flores.”
I steal a glance at Marie, and my heart feels like it’s about to explode with love. My bear is so fucking happy. So relieved to be reunited with our mate. I can feel an electric hum in the surrounding air. Like things are falling into place. Everything finally aligning as it should be.
“Do you, Marie, take Maverick as your life-mate, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?”
I can hear my heartbeat pound in my ears while Mr. Williamson, one of my father’s old army buddies, recites the solemn words. Marie’s lovely face is turned to him. Her eyes, intense. Her expression grave. She looks like she’s listening with her entire soul. And when she finally speaks, the giant boulder resting on my chest crumbles to dust. The two simple words that escape her lips are a balm to my heart.
“I do.”
* * *
MARIE
I turn my gaze to Maverick and breathe out my words of consent. My vow to honor our bond, cherish my mate, and be devoted to the lifetime we’ll spend together. And the smile with which he greeted me, his expression when our eyes first met today… The way he looked right now when Mr. Williamson recited my vows… My fears and doubts titter on their foundation. They melt under the heated indigo of my alpha’s eyes.
Mr. Williamson repeats the same words for Maverick to make his vows. But my mate doesn’t simply voice his assent. He fucking rocks my world… His hypnotic gaze never leaving mine, Mav takes a step to close the distance between us. He leans over and rests his forehead on mine, laying a hand on my rounded belly.
“Hey.” His voice is a low, soft rumble that course through my veins and spreads warmth in my heart.
“Hey,” I respond in an unsteady voice.
“I’m sorry I was such a dick yesterday.”
I let out a small, breathy laugh, feeling my eyes prickle with the sting of tears.
Everything is quiet around us. Like the others are holding their breath, and giving us this moment.
“I’m sorry I was a dick for all the time we worked together.”
“Mav, you were not-”
He interrupts me. “I was. A stupid, grumpy-ass dick, up his own ass, who couldn’t open his eyes to see his omega wanted him too.”
I let out a watery giggle and watch Mav’s beautiful mouth hook up on side. Is this really fucking happening?!
I take in a deep inhale and my lungs fill with Mav’s wild scent. It’s home. It’s exciting. It’s comfort and adventure, all wrapped up in one.
“I apologize for making you doubt for a single second that you’re not the most important thing in my life.”
I freeze in place, feeling my eyes widen. The most important thing in his life? What the fuck?!
“I love you, Marie Helen Flores.”
I gasp but he just keeps talking, breaking through the walls I’ve built around my heart, melting away my defenses, enveloping me in both his body and affection’s warmth.
“I fucking love you,” Maverick insists ardently. His delicious lips are s close to mine, all I want to do is grab his face and drawn into his kisses. But my man is not done…
“I fell for you the second I saw you. My entire being recognized you. I should have claimed you right then and there. But I was dumb and probably scared.”
I finally find back my voice. My heart so full of love it’s melting under the assault. “Oh Maverick.”
He gently wipes away the tears that have started falling freely down my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. Then rests his hand back on my stomach.
“you are mine. And I’m yours, Omega. Entirely. Endlessly. I love you so fucking much.” He tenderly presses his lips to mine. “Both of you.”
I let out another strangled laugh.
“And the family we’ll build together.”
I melt into Maverick’s arms, sobbing like the hormonal mess my pregnancy and his wonderful words have turned me into.
“Well,” Mr. Williamson says, “looks like my job here is done.”
We all laugh, and I snuggle deep into my alpha’s chest. Finally, allowing myself to lean on him, settle into our love. Trust in us.