“I need the two of you to speak your final oaths together,” the king said, getting the attention of both of them.
The sun had completely set and now they all stood by the glow of the candles. This was it; after they spoke the words they would be bound for life. Laura’s gifts would be shared and transformed with her mate’s, except for her legacy, which would be hers alone.
With a wide smile and no doubts, she stood tall and locked eyes with Dedric before they both spoke the sacred words. “As ordained by the gods, I bind my power, body and soul and choose no other for the remainder of my days.”
At the end of the last word Laura felt her left arm tingling and becoming warm. She watched with excitement as her mating tattoo began to appear on her arm from wrist to shoulder. Bold, deep colors flowed through images of their pack, hers and Dedric’s wolves, as well as eight tiny rose buds. Eight?
Before she had the chance to take in the implication of eight children, her legacy tattoo flashed bright blue, bathing the entire area in a magnificent glow. Laura tried to move but her body wasn’t her own. Instead, her feet left the ground and she hovered a couple feet above the lawn. Warmth flooded her body as she looked out at her people. She wished she could share her love and happiness with them all. Her legacy pulsed with promise and that exact emotion flooded through the gardens.
She heard a few gasps of shock but she could sense no fear coming from the group. Then she saw her—Ceva was walking with a woman that was vaguely familiar. Laura floated down to the earth and was engulfed in Dedric’s arms. He kissed her fiercely, but not hurried, and made her moan wantonly.
“We are mated now, my love. Nothing will separate us again.” Dedric almost cheered as he swung her around in circles.
“I love you, Dedric, but eight children? Come on.” Laura teased as she displayed her mating tattoo.
The absolute joy on Dedric’s face would never be wiped from her memory. “Yes, eight over the next couple hundred years. I am truly blessed. The gods made you for me.”
“And only you, my mate,” Laura confirmed before taking Dedric’s lips in an equally needy kiss. Leaving no question about what exactly she was thinking.
“Don’t maul your mate, Laura,” Ceva called out before laughing from directly behind her. “This is what happens when you do.” She used an exaggerated wave to indicate her large belly.
Laura watched as Ceva and the stranger approached while Laura remained secure in her mate’s arms. The stranger was at Ceva’s side as the pack allowed the two to pass. The woman seemed familiar, but Laura just couldn’t place her. Ceva and the woman seemed to be friends as they walked arm in arm until both were standing in front of Laura and Dedric.
Ceva took Laura into her arms. “I’m so happy for the two of you.”
“Thank you, for everything,” Laura whispered as her voice broke. “Your gift saved me.”
“You saved yourself, sweet child. I merely released what was yours all along. Your legacy.” The white witch turned to the unknown woman and said, “Laura, I would like you to meet your grandmother, Aria.”
“My grandmother?” Laura asked. “But you’re supposed to be…”
“Dead,” Aria smiled. “Yes, I am. On this plane of existence anyway.”
Dedric held Laura a bit tighter, but after everything she’d seen the last couple of days she could go on a little faith here. That’s when it struck her. “You look just like my mother had, or she looked like you.”
“Yes she does, Laura. Your mother wishes she could have been here today, but your parents are here in spirit along with the rest of our family,” Aria explained before pulling Laura into her arms.
“How? Why couldn’t they come with you?” Laura asked, wishing with all her heart to see her family again, even if it was only for a moment.
Aria looked at her with sympathy. “They haven’t been gone long enough to travel between planes. Some never will. But I do know how proud they are of you. They love you dearly and are happy with your choice of mate. Your sister said, and I quote, ‘Grade A.’”
Laura couldn’t help but laugh as tears streamed done her cheeks. It sounded exactly like something her sister would say. “Thank you.” She looked around at her pack. “I have my new and extended family with me. I have been blessed.”
“Yes, you have,” Aria agreed. “Unfortunately, my time here is limited and I have yet to unlock your legacy.”
“My legacy? I thought it had already been opened.”
“I am the final key, as you will be for the next generation,” Aria explained and lifted her hand toward Laura’s legacy tattoo.
She stood still and felt enchanted as Aria’s hand began to glow. Then Laura felt her grandmother’s finger tracing the filigree in what felt like reverence. “You will be stronger than I was, my granddaughter. Use this gift to save as many as you can, but remember, all cannot be saved, both child and adult alike.” Laura felt a chill rush through her body and watched as a gold medallion faded from Aria’s neck and a small warmth grew on hers. “It is done and I must go.”
“Wait, could you please…please tell the family that I love them.” Laura could feel her heart trying to beat its way out of her body, she missed them so much.
“They already know, sweetheart.” Her grandmother smiled and slowly vanished from sight. Laura felt the loss immediately even if they hadn’t met until today.
“Your family is always around you,” Ceva reassured.
Laura looked at her quiet pack, at her mate and his parents standing behind him and declared, “Thank you, and now I have my new family to love as well. I’m indeed blessed by the gods.”
She sank back into Dedric’s arms as a cheer rose up throughout their pack. She was finally home.
Chapter Nine
Dedric led his mate away from the gardens. He’d waited patiently while their pack celebrated with their new omega, but this was their time now. Laura was his mate and he was hers, no longer separate but the alpha pair. He couldn’t remember ever being this happy.
They entered their temporary home and locked out the rest of the world. This was the beginning of their lives together leading the pack and fulfilling Laura’s legacy. Dedric couldn’t help but smile as he looked at the eight little flower buds in his mating tattoo. It may seem like many children, but considering shifters lived long and productive lives, begetting their offspring was spread out over time.
“What’s that grin for, mate?” Laura asked with a soft giggle. Gods, he loved her.
Dedric stopped and pulled her into his arms and claimed her soft lips in a heated kiss. His tongue delved deep and explored at will. He didn’t have to hold back any longer.
When they finally parted to breathe he rasped, “I was thinking of our future together.”
“I’m glad it made you smile, but I’m more interested in what’s going to happen in the next few hours.” Laura ran her hands down the front of his shirt until she reached the top button and undid it.
Dedric growled his approval as he felt his canines lengthen in excitement. Shifters were naturally physical beings, and once mated that desire was directed at one person, their mate. Laura continued to unbutton his shirt until it slid from his shoulders. Her hands explored his chest and he couldn’t help but groan when she raked her nails over his hard nipples.
He took possession of her hands and continued to lead her toward their bedroom. If Laura kept it up, Dedric wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop himself from taking her right there in the hallway. That was not what he wanted for their first time together.
“Come, my love. I need us to be naked, now.”
Laura smiled and took off ahead of him down the hallway, her beautiful laughter like music. By the time he ran through the door to their bedroom his naughty mate was already stripping out of her gown, or at least was trying to. She struggled to reach the zipper on the back of her dress, an adorable little frown on her face. She finally gave up and released her claws.
“Wait, le
t me help you. I’m sure you’ll regret ruining that beautiful gown tomorrow,” Dedric cautioned before reaching out to help her slip out of her dress.
With a quick pull, the dress opened and slid to the floor. He helped her step out and then gathered up the fabric and laid it over a nearby chair.
Laura stood in her lacy bits of fabric, the only barrier left on her. He ran his hand down the silky skin of her back and began kissing her shoulder. He reached her neck and scraped his fangs along the spot he would leave his mating bite. Her slender neck arched in invitation, driving Dedric’s need even higher.
“I love you so much, mate,” he rumbled softly, his voice rough with his wolf.
Laura wrapped her arms around his shoulders and replied, “My life is now complete with you and the possibility of our children in it. I love you and will continue to love you into the afterlife.”
Dedric’s heart raced as her hands slid down his body. They delved into the ridges of his chest and abdomen, only stopping to undo his pants. Her small hands roamed further by pushing the pants over his hips and easily removing them.
He stood perfectly still, allowing his inexperienced mate the opportunity to become comfortable with his body. His balls pulled up tight when she wrapped her delicate hand around his hard cock while her other hand continued to torture his nipple.
Pheromones began filling the air around them, their wolves pushing them to mate. Dedric couldn’t stay still any longer and bent to pick up Laura and place her in the center of their king-sized bed.
“You are stunning, mate. Your beauty shines inside and out. Thank you for choosing me.” Dedric meant every word. Laura was the most breathtaking woman he’d ever seen and it was only surpassed by her kindness. Truly, he still wondered how he’d gotten so fortunate when no other omega had wanted him.
Laura must have noticed the slight change in his mood. “Love, we are both equally fortunate to have each other. I’d attended so many Omega Celebrations and felt such despair at not finding a mate. Then I saw you that day in the woods at Black Ridge and knew I’d found my true mate. When you came over for supper it only confirmed my belief: you were my other half and I was yours.”
“We are one soul now. You are inside me and I am inside you. Our life forces have bound together for eternity. You are the single most important person to me, and I promise to love and care for you and our children.”
“Speaking of children…shouldn’t we get started on that?” Laura asked with a devilish smile. “Make love to me, my mate.”
Dedric’s cock twitched at those words and he quickly slid his mate’s underwear off her body so that they were both now naked. He straddled her, sliding his cock between her wet folds. Desperate for a taste of his mate, he began licking and sucking his way down her body, paying special attention to her breasts on his way to her core.
Laura moaned her appreciation as her back arched with every nibble and suck. She was soft and sweet; he couldn’t imagine ever getting enough of his mate. The god Fenrir had made her for him and no one would ever convince Dedric otherwise.
“Dedric, my mate, I need…”
“I know what you need, love.” He kissed along her hip and down to her trimmed blonde curls where he let his tongue explore, licking and pushing deep inside his mate as she begged him for more. Which he happily gave.
He could feel Laura’s body tense and knew she was close. He used the tip of his tongue to find her clitoris and then began sucking on it mercilessly. Laura’s back arched up off the bed as she screamed her release to the ceiling. He could feel her body shudder as she came apart and it was enough to almost make him come himself. She was magnificent in her passion.
“Dedric, make love to me,” Laura ordered, making Dedric smile at his pushy mate.
“I am making love to you.” He smiled as he rose up over her body, and her legs wrapped around his hips when his cock nudged at the entrance of her vagina. “Ready, love?”
Laura’s deep brown eyes looked up at him with complete trust. “I want to share my body with you as much as my soul. I love you.”
Dedric was humbled before her. She offered him everything and had asked for nothing in return. He would give her the world if it were possible, but until then he’d settle for her happiness. He would do everything in his power to guarantee his mate stayed happy.
“You are my world. I swear my life is yours and shall always be. I love you.” Dedric hitched his hips slightly, lined himself up with the warm, wet heat of her core, and then pushed forward.
He tried to move as slowly as possible, not wanting to hurt his mate. The tight, wet heat seemed to pull him in even further until he felt that slight barrier stretch around the head of his cock. With one final flex of his hips, he pushed through and buried himself deep inside his beloved mate.
Her moan was swallowed as he dove in for a kiss full of tongue and teeth. Both were lost in their shared passion. Their bodies writhed in a beautiful dance as old as time. Dedric’s world narrowed to Laura alone and how much pleasure he could give his mate.
Warm, wet heat engulfed his hard cock, driving him closer to the edge. Laura’s moans of pleasure assured him he was giving her as much pleasure as he was receiving. His body pulsed with need as he began licking his chosen spot on Laura’s neck. He could feel his mate licking his chest for the same purpose. Laura could bite either Dedric’s neck or chest; the bond would be the same.
“Baby, come for me,” Dedric urged as he drove in deep.
Her body obeyed his command and squeezed his cock, making it almost impossible to thrust forward. It was enough to send him flying as he came inside his mate. Euphoria rained down on him the moment his canines sank deep into his mate’s flesh. When he released her, Laura struck and bit into his pectoral muscle.
The air around them swirled with a riot of colors. Dedric looked down into his beloved mate’s eyes and knew his life was no longer his own; it sat in the palm of his mate’s small hand and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Chapter Ten
Laura jolted awake as Dedric jumped out of their bed, and she missed his warmth almost immediately. The pounding on the front door continued, causing her to sit up in the middle of the bed and start looking for clothing.
“Lay back down and rest, mate. I’ll take care of this,” Dedric said before kissing her and walking out of their bedroom.
Laura got out of bed, went to her wardrobe and began dressing. No one would dare knock on the alpha pair’s door on their mating night without it being a life or death concern. By the time she slipped her sandals on Dedric was back and grabbing clothes as well.
“Ceva’s in labor. She needs you, my love,” he said as he dressed.
“Has the doctor been called?” Laura asked. They would need the doctor. She didn’t know how to deliver a baby.
“Yes, she’s there already but the baby’s in distress,” Dedric explained before holding out his hand for her to take.
“How will I know what to do?” Laura asked. “I’ve never done this before. What if I can’t figure out how to help?” She knew this wasn’t a good time to have a panic attack and cursed her insecurities.
Dedric pulled her into his arms. “I believe in you. Your legacy will guide you and I’ll be right by your side.”
Laura sucked in a deep breath, gathered her courage and followed her mate out the front door. They ran across the large courtyard and noticed several people walking around. The pack was restless. She could feel their stress and fear running through them. Everyone seemed worried about Ceva and her baby’s welfare.
Samson ran ahead of them and opened the front door to the house Ceva and Lothar had been staying in. Laura could hear Ceva cry out in pain the moment they walked through the door. She followed the sound to the master bedroom where she found Ceva lying in the middle of the bed, knees up, and the pack doctor, Mary, at the foot of the bed.
She released Dedric’s hand and went to Ceva, placing herself beside Ceva’s round belly. “What d
o I do, Ceva? How does my legacy work?”
Ceva’s head rested against the chest of her mate, Lothar. Her hair was soaked in sweat and her face was red from the battle to deliver her baby. Lothar’s face was white and his eyes were wide. Laura hoped he didn’t pass out.
“Your legacy will reveal itself to you. Instinct will take over and you’ll know what…to do.” Ceva braced for another contraction and groaned deeply.
“The baby’s heart rate is dropping,” Mary informed them as she held her stethoscope to Ceva’s belly. “Omega Laura, we need her to deliver now.”
Laura looked up and finally noticed the other people in the room. As promised, Dedric stood near, and the king stood in the back corner with Gabi and Lily. She could feel the calm the other omegas were sending out and was thankful for their help. But she still didn’t know what to do.
“Come on, grandmother, show me what to do.” Ceva prayed she was heard.
Suddenly she had an uncontrollable urge to touch Ceva’s belly, so she went with it. Laura laid her hands on her friend’s belly and began talking to the baby.
“Hey there, little one, you’re scaring your mommy and daddy.” Laura felt a sudden confusion that wasn’t her own; she was picking up on the baby’s emotions. She was scared and tired from the contractions she’d been through. Wait, ‘she’…it’s a girl. The baby was a little girl.
“The baby’s a girl,” she blurted out in her excitement. The room erupted in a small cheer at the news.
“Can you help her through the delivery?” Mary asked.
Laura felt her new power rush through her body in answer. “Yes.”
Information began flooding her mind as she went down to her knees, keeping her hands where they were and bringing her face close to Ceva’s belly. The first thing she needed to do was relieve some of the pressure and pain for both of them. Laura pushed calm into Ceva’s body, which effectively loosened the stressed muscles in her birth canal and released some of the pressure on the baby.
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