Chapter 18 #3
Love. Pure, unfiltered, overwhelming love.
The music started—a soft, instrumental melody—and my parents began walking me down the aisle.
I was vaguely aware of people turning to look at me, of smiles and tears and whispered words. But all I could focus on was Ryder, standing there waiting for me, his eyes never leaving mine.
When we reached the front, I turned to my parents. My mom was crying, and my dad’s jaw was tight with emotion.
I hugged them both, kissing their cheeks, and then they took their seats in the front row.
I turned back to Ryder, and he immediately took my hands in his, his grip warm and steady.
Greg stood between us, his expression solemn but proud.
“Welcome, everyone,” he began, his voice carrying across the lawn. “We are gathered here today to witness the mating of Alpha Ryder Black and Emily Reed, and to welcome Emily as Luna of the Pinewood Pack.”
He paused, looking between us. “The mating bond is sacred—a connection that transcends the physical, binding two souls together for eternity. It is a gift, a responsibility, and a promise.”
I felt Ryder’s thumbs brush across my knuckles, and I squeezed his hands tighter.
“As Alpha and Luna,” Greg continued, “Ryder and Emily will lead this pack together. They will protect, guide, and nurture those under their care. Their bond will be the foundation upon which this pack stands.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ceremonial blade—old, ornate, and clearly significant.
“This blade has been used in mating ceremonies for generations,” Greg explained. “It represents the joining of two lives, two souls, two destinies.”
He held out his hand to Ryder first. Ryder placed his palm up, and Greg made a quick, clean cut across it. Blood welled up immediately, but Ryder didn’t flinch.
Then Greg turned to me. I held out my hand, my heart pounding, and felt the sharp sting as the blade cut across my palm.
“Join your hands,” Greg instructed.
Ryder and I pressed our bleeding palms together, our fingers intertwining. The moment our blood mixed, I felt it—a surge of energy, of connection, of something ancient and powerful clicking into place.
The mate bond, which had been a constant hum in the background, suddenly blazed to life. It was like a golden thread connecting us, binding us together in a way that went beyond words.
“By the power vested in me as former Alpha of this pack,” Greg said, his voice ringing with authority, “I bind you together as mates. From this day forward, you are one—in body, in spirit, in purpose.”
He placed his hands over ours, and I felt a warmth spread through me, starting at our joined hands and radiating outward.
“Emily Reed,” Greg said, looking at me. “Do you accept Ryder Black as your mate, your partner, your Alpha? Do you vow to stand by his side, to support him, to love him for all the days of your life?”
“I do,” I said, my voice steady despite the tears streaming down my face.
“Ryder Black,” Greg continued, turning to his son. “Do you accept Emily Reed as your mate, your partner, your Luna? Do you vow to stand by her side, to protect her, to love her for all the days of your life?”
“I do,” Ryder said, his voice rough with emotion.
Greg smiled. “Then by the power of the mate bond and the authority of this pack, I declare you mated.”
He released our hands, and Ryder immediately pulled me closer.
“And now,” Greg said, turning to address the crowd, “it is my honor to present to you Emily Black, Luna of the Edgewood Pack.”
The crowd erupted into cheers, the sound deafening and joyful.
But I barely heard it. Because in that moment, something else was happening.
I felt it—the pack bond. It wasn’t as strong as it would be if I were a wolf shifter, but it was there, in the back of my mind. A web of connections, of emotions, of presences. I could feel them—every member of the pack, their joy, their acceptance, their welcome.
It was overwhelming and beautiful and terrifying all at once.
Ryder and I turned to face the crowd, our hands still joined, and I saw the faces of the people who were now my pack. My family.
Nina was crying. Tina was beaming. My parents were holding each other, both of them emotional.
And then Ryder was turning me back to face him, his hands coming up to cup my face.
“I love you,” he said, his voice low and fierce. “I love you so much, Emily.”
“I love you too,” I whispered.
And then he kissed me.
It was passionate and claiming and tender all at once—a kiss that sealed our bond, that promised forever, that told me without words that I was his and he was mine.
When we finally pulled apart, both of us breathless, he rested his forehead against mine.
“My Luna,” he murmured.
“My Alpha,” I whispered back.
And as we stood there, surrounded by our pack, our families, our friends, I thought about how far I’d come.
Five years ago, I’d been a broken girl who’d tried to end her life because she thought she’d lost everything.
Now, I was standing here whole, loved, and exactly where I was meant to be.
And this was just the beginning.