by Shelby Lynn
He had barely gotten to know the young lady who was being mated today. Mandy had come into their lives just a short time ago, but she had captured all the men's hearts. Along with baby Jasmine, who adopted all the men as her very own uncles. He was just over an hour away from home and was getting more excited by the second, for some unknown reason. It must have been the call of home as he drew closer and closer. There was nothing like the mountains, which surrounded his woodland home.
Ashford, Washington, was one of the most beautiful places in the world. It was a wilderness wonderland surrounded by beautiful mountains and gorgeous streams to explore. Wolfe was looking forward to a long run across his Pack lands.
****
Forty-five minutes later, he was pulling into the Pack house. He couldn't believe the progress they had made on the Dream Weaver Sanctuary. It was very close to completion. All the buildings matched the huge log cabin that was the Alpha’s home. It once again made him realize just how long he had been gone from the Pack. All he wanted was a quick shower before the Mating Ceremony. He didn't want to show up as he was right now. He had foregone a night’s rest to make it back in time. So he knew his clothes were wrinkled, and he could smell the dust and grime coating him. After parking, he went around to the back door and let himself inside so he could sneak up the back stairs to his room.
****
After a hot shower, he was filling much more like himself. He stood before the mirror taking in his looks. Wolfe wasn't a vain man by any means, but he got enough attention that he knew his muscular body was pleasing to the eyes. He had always kept his brown hair military short for convenience in his line of work. His hazel eyes a gift from his mother, and the only thing he truly had left to remember her by. His parents were killed when he was still living with his old Pack. His mother had died within minutes of his father's death. Also one of the reasons the selfish Alphas had done away with the Mating Ceremony, which linked the mates to the point of death without the other.
Wolfe wanted to make sure the young couple was aware of this important part of the Mating Ceremony. Wolfe had no doubts in his mind, if he was lucky enough to find his mate, he would be honored to go through the ceremony. For without his mate, Wolfe knew he wouldn't want to live on without him.
He knew all his Pack would be here for the Ceremony, along with an honored guest.
Wolfe thought back to his last conversation with Haven. It seemed Mandy’s best friend was none other than his favorite author. He had spent many hours reading his books, and often fantasizing about the person who wrote these thrilling creations. Wolfe could honestly say he was more than a little curious about meeting Theodore Ramsey.
He followed the sounds of his Pack into the meeting room. The moment he walked through the door, an intoxicating smell drifted his way, and his body tightened in response. He breathed in the smell of fresh rain falling on Cedar Grove. All he could think was, my mate is here, as he took in the people around the room and knew he was about to meet his True Mate for the very first time. When his gaze fell upon the man standing next to Mandy, he couldn’t catch his breath for a moment.
Before him stood the most gorgeous man he had ever seen. Wolfe took in his black curly hair, cut short, wanting nothing more than to run his fingers through the thick tresses. Not stopping there, he took in the bright blue of his eyes that had widened in reaction as they noticed him at the door. His body stiffened in reaction as well, causing his lean muscular body to show off his splendid physique. Wolfe’s cock hardened even more in reaction to his body language. He couldn’t seem to move from the spot he was in though. Then he heard his Alpha call his name.
“Wolfe, it’s about damn time you made it!” Haven said as he walked over to welcome his Pack member home, not realizing what had just occurred between the two men in the room.
“I am glad to be home, Alpha, now more than ever!” Wolfe said as he stared at his mate with open hunger. His mating urges kicked in with a vengeance as he took in his mate’s scent.
Haven took in the look, and quickly guessed the cause.
“Well, well, it looks like we have another reason to celebrate today. Would you like me to formally introduce you to our newest Pack member and your mate, if I’m not wrong?” Haven asked him. This certainly was a day for celebrating.
“I would love to meet him. Honestly, I think my whole body froze the moment I picked up his scent. I thought my feet were glued to the floor when I looked upon his handsome face,” he told his Alpha, hoping he didn’t sound like a fool. Wolfe trusted this man with his life. It shouldn’t have surprised him how he talked around his Alpha.
“Oh—I know the feeling all too well. Garrett makes feel very much the same way,” Haven said as he laid a hand on his shoulder, sending his Alpha power through his Pack mate. Haven had no problem helping his friend.
Wolfe felt like he had just been given a light shock. It stung just enough to get his muscles going once again. He followed his Alpha across the room toward his future.
****
Teddy was talking to his friend when it literally felt like the room was closing in. He took a deep breath, and immediately took in the scent of honey mixed with brown sugar. One of his favorite combinations, but this was different, and instead of soothing him it made him rock-hard in an instant. When he looked over at the doorway, his breath caught in his throat. Holy shit—he felt like he needed to put a hand over his heart to steady his runaway heart.
Before him stood the most ruggedly handsome man he had ever seen. He was none other than his true mate in the flesh. Teddy’s muscles flexed in reaction to his mate, and his cock was rock-hard just from the sight and smell of his mate. This man was every “Hero” he tried to create in his books. His body, so strong and finely sculptured, easily showed in his dress clothes. He was a wet dream from his big, strong body all the way to his military haircut. His hazel eyes drew in Teddy’s gaze though, as he made his way across the room with Alpha Haven.
Not once did they lose eye contact as he came right up next to his own six foot three frame.
“Teddy, I have someone who would really like to make your acquaintance. He is a little tongue-tied right now for good reason. This is Wolfe Masterson,” Haven said as he moved out of the way. Haven gave his friend the opportunity to meet his mate for the first time.
“It is an honor to finally meet you, my mate,” Wolfe told the man before him. He didn’t miss the intake of breath, which came from young Mandy who was standing beside him. His handsome mate took up his attention.
“The honor is all mine—Wolfe. I am really glad you made it back for my best friend’s Mating Ceremony. Otherwise, who knows when we might have met?” Teddy told him seriously, and wondering where his boldness had come from. He usually was a little more reserved around people.
“I am glad to be home, as well,” Wolfe said, only just remembering he was leaving again right after the Ceremony. He couldn’t keep the sadness off his face at the thought of leaving his mate behind. Wolfe knew he was letting his emotions rule him.
“What is it, Wolfe? You looked so sad there for a moment,” he asked in concern. Teddy might have just met his mate, but he didn’t want sadness to touch him.
“It’s nothing bad. I was just remembering the mission I am going on right after the Mating Ceremony. It just frustrated me for a minute. I can’t wait to get to know you.”
He didn’t even have to think about his answer as he said, “Where you go, Wolfe—so do I!”
“You would go on the road with me?” Wolfe asked in shock. He never once thought his mate might want to go with him.
“We might have just met, Wolfe, but I know what my heart is telling me. I can work anywhere, so it won’t be a problem. Haven has already explained to me just how important your job is.” Teddy wondered were his boldness was coming from, but he didn’t care. Being with his mate was all that mattered in the end.
“Thank you—Teddy, I can’t even begin to tell you how much this means to me. We
will talk more very soon. I think the Alpha is ready to get the Mating Ceremony started. I do have one question though. Does Mandy know the Mating Ceremony is a life and death commitment?” He wanted her to have all the facts.
“Yes—she wouldn’t have it any other way. Neither would I, for that matter,” Teddy said with so much conviction. He wouldn’t want to live without his mate.
He nodded his head in agreement to the situation at hand. They both turned to look at Alpha Haven as he called Mandy and Simon forward. Wolfe reached out and clasped Teddy’s hand within his own, as he touched his mate for the very first time.
Chapter Three
Mandy watched her friend’s reaction to the man at the door.
For the last two months, she had debated with herself on many occasions on just how much to tell Teddy. Her vision that day in the restaurant had laid heavy on her mind every day since. If the first part of her vision didn’t come true then the other things might not come to pass as well. The vision centered on her friend’s reaction to this handsome man before them. She couldn’t forget the warning.
From the first moment Teddy noticed Wolfe, the air almost seemed to crackle in reaction between them. All their actions were pointing toward one thing—Wolfe was indeed her best friend’s mate. Which was confirmed when the Alpha brought him over to stand directly in front of Teddy. Their actions were filled with barely concealed desire. She was so happy for her best friend. Yet sad at the same time for what was to come. After Simon came into her life, she was gloriously happy, and Mandy wanted this for her friend.
Mandy took her mate’s hand, and stepped back a few feet to give them a little more privacy as Haven introduced the two men. It was hard to think of her employers as “Alphas” in her still human way of thinking. The wolf inside her was a very different story. She was more than willing to show her neck in submission to the Alphas. Her mate told her of the ways of the Pack soon after her transformation. Their Pack was a family, and they treated each other as such.
As she thought back over the last two months and the changes her mate had helped in making to this place. When the Alphas had told her about the Sanctuary they were planning on building, she was amazed. The idea of a safe haven for others pulled at something deep inside of her, knowing her own safe haven had been found in her best friend standing before her. Without Teddy’s help, she honestly didn’t know where she would be today. Mandy was determined to do everything in her power to help.
Her mate was a miracle worker and so damn creative with the gifts the Spirits had given him. Over the last two months, the Alphas and her mate had worked diligently to make the Dream Weaver Sanctuary a reality. It was just days from completion. After their quick honeymoon, he would be back to start on the houses for the mated pairs. This was just the beginning of something so much bigger than any of them knew. The first of the vision was coming true just as she had foreseen. Now only time would tell on the rest.
The sound of the Alpha’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. He was asking her and Simon to come forward to begin the Ceremony. She turned to her mate. “Are you ready to make me yours?” Mandy whispered. At times she still couldn’t believe this incredible man was supposed to be hers.
“More than I can ever say—my love.” Simon placed a gentle kiss on her lips. He was the luckiest man in the world.
They walked forward toward their future, and the beginning of something bigger than either could ever imagine.
****
Their first touch sent shivers through both of their bodies. Teddy felt his mate’s hand tighten in his own. They watched as the couple walked forward to join their lives together in every meaning of the word. The Alphas stood side by side in love and support for their Pack mates. Only when the couple stood facing each other and gazing into each other’s eyes did Haven step forward with the ancient text within his hands, and began to speak.
“First, I want to thank everyone for coming to be a part of this very special day for our Pack. We are all here to witness the joining of our own Mandy and her beloved mate, Simon, in the Ancient Mating Ceremony. This is not something to be taken lightly by any who wished to be joined. To join in this way is sacred to the people involved, and the Spirits who bless this mating.”
Throughout the room, every head nodded in agreement.
Therefore, it began…
Haven took the ceremonial rope his mate handed to him.
“Simon and Mandy, please hold your clasped hands in front of you in acceptance of this ceremonial rope, which will bind you together for all time. For with this sacrifice comes both the happiness of your lives together for as long as the other lives. Upon the death of a mate without the blessings of children, then so shall you perish with your mate. Only those who are with child or in care of such children will be spared until the time when this child no longer needs you. You will then join your mate as you have longed for. It is the way of the Mating Ceremony. So think carefully before agreeing to this as you tie your lives together, truly until death do you part.”
“Without my mate beside me, it would be no life at all. I accept any responsibility of children, and I will love and care for them until a time as I can reunite with my mate,” Simon told Alpha Haven. He never once looked away from his mate’s beautiful silver eyes.
“I, too, would care for our children if I am blessed to have any babies. Only then would I leave this world and join my mate if he were to leave this world before me,” Mandy told them all with the love in her heart for this handsome man before her.
“Then it shall be as they’ve asked of the Spirits.” Haven wound the ropes around their joined hands. Knowing the next part of the Ceremony was more personal to the two wolves involved, Haven had explained earlier to the couple just how the bond was made. Each one would give their mate a mating mark.
Haven watched the couple slowly lower themselves to their knees for the next part of the Ceremony. He looked out over the crowd, at his Pack and friends, he was blessed to know them all. It was the feeling of Garrett’s hand taking his own, which prompted him to say, “My Pack and friends, if you would please honor this couple by lowering our eyes as they complete this final step in the Ceremony.”
Only seconds later, every eye was lowered. Haven turned to the couple, and said, “Now my friends, it up to you to complete this bond.”
“Thank you,” they both said in unison, as they watched the Alpha’s eyes lower as well to give them privacy.
“Are you ready, my love,” Simon asked as he moved closer.
“Yes.”
They snuggled close, each seeking the perfect spot. At the same moment, they each marked the other with the blood oath. In the next moment, they were engulfed in the brightest light. Each one could feel their souls join, and pull tight in harmony of the situation. It was the most incredible feeling and no words could give justice to the feeling in that moment. When they raised their heads and looked down at the mating marks, there was a tattoo where they had just marked their mate.
“Wow—it is beautiful, Simon.” Mandy looked on in awe. This man was truly hers. She could hear his thoughts clearly as he said.
‘You are beyond beautiful, and this makes you truly mine,’ he said with a growl working its way into his voice. Their Alpha’s voice pulled him away from the sexual thoughts concerning his mate.
“Now I am glad we did close our eyes, wow, that was some bright light. I can honestly say I didn’t know what to expect from this part of the Ceremony.” Haven helped Mandy to her feet, while her mate got up on his own, carefully watching not to hurt his mate while they were tied together.
“Thank you—Alpha, for everything you have done for us,” Mandy told him.
“Yes, and I thank you as well, Alpha,” Simon added.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you both to the Pack as a mated couple. I know I speak for Garrett and myself in saying you both are family. We look forward to you both making us honorary uncles one of these days. I know Jasmine can’t wai
t for someone to play with.” They could all hear her giggles in the background from Lucas’s arms.
Mandy knew she was blushing more than she ever thought possible. She loved these guys like brothers, but talking about sex so openly was still very new to her. The tightening of her mate’s hand in support helped the most.
‘I’ll always be with you, my love. You have nothing to worry about. I would never do anything to hurt you, and we’ll go as slow as you need,’ Simon whispered within her mind. The words touched her heart with his love and understanding.
Alpha Haven gently unwrapped the cord from around their bound hands after the Ceremony was over. They watched as the couple embraced and walked away hand in hand toward their future.
****
Wolfe watched the emotions run across his handsome mate’s face. Teddy deeply cared for this woman, he could tell. He didn’t know exactly what their relationship was, but he knew the both of them shared deep feelings for one another. For some reason his wolf wasn’t threatened by this, even though he had no idea the true nature of their relationship. “So tell me how you met Mandy,” Wolfe asked his mate. He wanted to know everything about the man before him. Just being in his presence was soothing to his soul.
“I grew up with her father. We were the best of friends. He died shortly after he found out he was going to have a child. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until much later that I was able to have Mandy in my life. She actually just found out about our kind and became one herself. Mandy is a revered Seer, and silver wolf.”