CHAPTER TWENTY
EMBER
We set up the Ceremony, and I tasked Miles to get Lia ready.
Ellie-May is sorting Jake out, and they arrive as planned.
Jake was throwing ‘what the hell’ looks at his mum, but when Lia appeared at the end of our makeshift aisle, and he saw her, they both froze, a half-smile took over his lips, and he held out a hand to her.
It was as if their souls connected before our eyes.
I expected Ren to want to do the blessing as pack Alpha, but he told me it was my idea and my job, so, infusing the blessing with my Alpha Command, I blessed their bond and mating.
We decided on buffet food and simple drinks.
I start to notice Jake getting twitchy and a blush creeping up Lia’s cheeks, so I walk over, handing them the key to their cabin.
“We left some surprises for you both. The fridge and cupboards are stocked. Jace and I took the liberty of unpacking your books, some of which we would like to borrow. There will also be no work done over the next week, so you have the pack lands to yourselves.” I don’t wait to see how embarrassed I make them; Jake scoops up Lia and heads off to the start of their forever.
We are still to hear a peep from Dad and Lily, and I don’t blame them. We know Dad has read the texts and updates we have sent, but none have needed replies, and knowing I’m still floating from room to room with my own mates, I understand their want for privacy.
My sex life seems to have slowed but I’m unsure if it’s that they are over the novelty of it or that the knowledge of us not having to rush has finally set in I shouldn’t complain, a good dicking three plus times a week and its never just the once with each guy that night so I really have nothing to complain about, and thankfully I’m not walking bow-legged.
Uncle Nic is still fielding mating requests, but they are fewer and farther between.
Ren is eighteen at the end of next month, so it will no longer be Nic's job. Our place is getting there, but we have hit a few snags like waste disposal, Bas and Timber have been going slow, so they don’t miss anything major, and I’ve agreed, in a way, that each weekend we go out as a pack and do what we can to help, whether it be painting or building furniture.
I’m currently sitting in my studio sorting out Dec's birthday gift. He has loads of photos in his bedroom of him, Bas, and Brayden growing up; some include the other guys, but most are of them. He commented the other day when Miles was taking a selfie with me that he wanted some with me included, so while he was at the office one day, I snuck in and took photos of the ones he had. Now I’m sketching the original, but including myself in some way, I plan to replace his photos with my sketches and cover them all in tissue paper.
Alma and Creed took some photos at Dad and Lily’s mating, so I’ve got Creed printing them up for me. I’m also doing some others, like a sketch of my graduation with us, Dad, Uncle Nic, Uncle Luc, Grumps and Grandma.
I don’t have a photo from my graduation as I just got the certificate in the post, and I’ve done both high schools, so I included Dan and Elise and also my college one.
I’ve also done a clearer copy of my book cover for him on canvas, instead of him and me in silhouette, you can see our details.
I’ve had a few messages from Vicki asking what is considered a normal present for a mate's birthday. When I told her he collects unusual weapons, she was so excited, even her texts were gibberish.
That night, none of the guys asked for me to be in their bed, so I decided to shower and then read in my bed before I went to sleep, but as I stepped out of the shower, I was pulled into the shadows and into River’s bedroom,
“Time to make you fully mine, Firefly.”