Wolf Bound (The White Wolf Prophecy Book 1)

by Kayleigh King

  Right now, I’m standing in the middle of the empty living room of my childhood home, and in a few short weeks, it will be my home again.

  Ryker didn’t skip a beat when we got back. He jumped right into making plans with the contractors, and he even handed me his credit card and made the mistake of saying, “Buy whatever you want.” After he sees his billing statement, I’m sure he’ll never say that again.

  Oops.

  This is also the first time I’ve been alone since we got back. Ryker is with Sawyer, apologizing for how he behaved after his best friend helped me. It took some convincing, but Ryker finally agreed with me and gave his friend a call. From what I’ve heard, Ryker is lucky his friend is willing to even sit down with him right now. If I had been talked to the way I hear Sawyer was, I would be a little hesitant to agree to it. I feel guilty I came between them, but I’m optimistic they will recover from all of this.

  Ryker promised he would be back soon since we both agreed tonight was when we wanted to complete the mating ceremony. The full moon is tonight, and we don’t want to have to wait another month. I’m excited but also a little nervous as well since I still don’t have complete control over my wolf. Ryker convinced me to shift a couple nights ago so we could show Addison and Margot. But it took me over an hour to be able to shift back.

  Margot was absolutely ecstatic when she saw I had a pure white coat. She, of course, believes it means I’m the wolf from the prophecy, but I’m still not convinced it’s the case. The more we talked about the prophecy, the more we realized we don’t really understand it. It says, “so will the rest of us,” but we aren’t clear on what that means.

  I’m walking across the room to measure the fireplace mantel when I hear a car pull up and footsteps make their way to the front door. I know by the sound of the steps it isn’t Ryker. I meet the person at the door and swing it open before they have time to knock.

  “Esme!” I’m shocked to see the high priestess standing there. “What are you doing here?”

  “I found it!” she cheers as she pushes past me and hurries into the house. “It took some digging and a pretty powerful locator spell, but I finally found it!”

  “Found what?” I question, following behind her as quickly as I can. She moves around the house and finds her way into the kitchen. It dawns on me she’s been here before when my parents lived here.

  She pulls a small, old book from her bag and carefully places it on the counter. The binding is torn and beat up, and the writing embossed on the leather cover is almost worn off at this point. “It’s a book written by one of the oldest known wolf shifters. It’s a brief history of how your species came to be. It’s actually a very interesting read, but that’s not what’s important.” She flips through the pages looking for something specific. “The important part is where they discuss the White Wolf. This book—the prophecy originated from this very book.”

  “What does it say?” I look between the book and Esme’s obsidian eyes.

  “Over the past three hundred years, this whole book has been reduced to a single sentence: ‘When the white wolf walks this Earth once more and finds her mate, so will the rest of us.’ Generation after generation forgot what it really meant, and we were left to speculate and guess as to what the actual meaning was. And we did get some of it right, but it’s so much more than we thought,” she rambles with excitement.

  “Esme, stop!” I put my hands on her shoulders, hoping she’ll pause long enough to take a breath. “Just tell me what it says.”

  “It’s in a different language, but I was finally able to figure it out. Basically, it recalls a time when mates weren’t strictly based on fate like they are now. Instead mate bonds were created when two people, regardless of what species they were, truly fell in love. The writer talks about a demon and a wolf shifter falling in love and mating with each other.” She pauses and looks at me, her face softening. “Pru, they were able to have children together.”

  “What happened then? Because that’s not possible anymore.” I shake my head. The whole point of Nicolai’s breeding program was because all of this isn’t possible.

  “A curse happened,” Esme explains, a look of awe and wonder on her face.

  “A curse?”

  “Yes. One of the first and most powerful witches to ever exist created a curse when her son fell in love with a wolf shifter, a white wolf shifter. She was all about keeping the bloodline pure, and when she heard they were going to mate with each other, she—for lack of a better saying—freaked out. She didn’t want her grandchildren to be crossbreeds and found a way to make it impossible.”

  “By creating a curse that would only allow mating between the same species?”

  “Exactly.” Esme nods.

  “Okay…” I ponder what she’s saying. “I’m still confused about what this means for me or the whole white wolf thing?”

  “You weren’t randomly selected to be the white wolf, Pruitt, this goes back generations. The curse requires that for the white wolf to exist again, the bloodline of the original white wolf had to be recreated, and by your grandparents meeting up, and subsequently, your parents, and then them creating you, recreated the bloodline.”

  “So what you’re saying is, I can blame all of them for this?” I bite my lip to keep from laughing at the expression on Esme’s face. “Okay, I’m sorry. I won’t make a joke again.”

  “If all of this is true…” She begins, but then her words trail off.

  “Esme, if this is all true, then why hasn’t there been any interspecies mating yet? The prophecy says ‘when the white wolf finds her mate.’” I make little air quotes with my fingers when I recite the line from the prophecy. “I found my mate, and still, nothing has happened. Noah and Addison are very much in love, and they don’t see a mating aura around each other, and if anyone should, it’s them. They’ve waited so long to be together, and now you’re telling me there’s a chance they’ll really be able to?”

  “I believe when the prophecy says she ‘finds’ her mate, it means when she is mated to her mate.” Esme rereads a part of the book before nodding. “Yes, that’s what makes the most sense to me based on what I’ve read.”

  “We’ll find out after tonight it’s all true.” And suddenly my nerves about tonight grow and my stomach drops. “No pressure.”

  Even though I know the mating ceremony isn’t a wedding, I still want to look my best. I take my time curling my hair and applying my makeup. Tonight is something Ryker and I will look back on for the rest of our lives, and I want to think about how beautiful I felt when I walked outside to meet him.

  We had agreed to meet on the back patio of the Weylyns’ house a few minutes from now, and together we will walk to the spot he’s chosen for us to complete the ceremony. I haven’t seen him since he left to see Sawyer, but when I called him to check in, he said they were good. I’m already stressed about my conversation with Esme and the mating ceremony, and I don’t have any room left to worry about Ryker and Sawyer’s friendship, so that was a weight lifted when I heard they were okay.

  I decided I would wait to tell everyone about my conversation with Esme. I don’t want to get everyone’s hopes up if the prophecy ends up being the fairytale it sounds like it is. After learning about demons and vampires, an old prophecy and curse shouldn’t sound as far-fetched as it does to me, I know. For the people who are like Addison and Noah, in love but no chance of a future, I hope the prophecy is true. After all, Addison has been through, she deserves to be with the man she loves, even if it can only be for a short while.

  “You look beautiful,” Addison says, appearing in the doorway of the room I’m getting ready in. “I know your mom and dad would give anything to be here with you tonight.”

  “They are, though.” I smile and look out the window to the lake and forest that surrounds us. “They’re a part of everything and everyone here. I’ve never felt more connected to them than I do now.”

  I still wish my memories of them
could have been recovered, and I could remember what it was like before Nicolai had them killed. But with the stories and memories everyone has shared with me over this past month, in some ways, I feel like I do remember them, and for now, that’s enough for me.

  “I’m sorry it took me so long to bring you back here. I can’t help but think I waited too long, and you missed out on time with Ryker.” Addison walks into the room and helps zip up the navy blue dress I had picked for tonight.

  “I don’t know… I feel like we came back at the right time.” I smile at her reflection in the mirror. I know she doesn’t feel well, but she gathered the energy to be here tonight. “Addie, I never said it before, but thank you for giving up the life you could have had and protecting me instead. I know making that choice couldn’t have been easy.”

  Addison stops fussing with my hair and meets my eyes in the mirror. “It was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. Pruitt, you are my greatest accomplishment, and it means everything to me I was able to watch you grow into the amazing woman you are today. If I could do it again, I would make the same choices. Every one I made led me to being able to raise you. And I will cherish every second I have left with you.”

  “Addie…” I sniffle before turning around and wrapping her thinning frame into my arms.

  “Don’t mess up your makeup,” Addie whispers into my hair when she hugs me back.

  “Too late.”

  After we embrace, Addison helps me fix my makeup and gives me one last scan before grinning in approval. I slip on a pair of nude heels, and we make out way downstairs.

  I’m surprised when we get down there that no one is around. Everyone had said they wanted to see us off, but the kitchen and living room are silent.

  “Where is everyone?” I ask Addison over my shoulder as I walk toward the back door. All the blinds on the big windows are closed, which is weird since they’re typically wide open, allowing everyone to enjoy the view. The hanging blinds on the back door are even closed tight.

  I swing open the door and look outside. When I see what’s on the other side of the door, I freeze, and my heart skips a beat.

  Ryker, who is wearing a simple black suit, is on one knee in front of me. Shocked and confused, I look behind me for Addison, but she’s no longer there.

  “What is going on?” I ask Ryker as I take a step onto the patio. “What are you doing?”

  “I realized a few things when you left me,” he starts. “First, I realized you are the strongest person I’ve ever known. You walked away from everyone you love to protect them, fully knowing you would have to endure unbearable pain at the hands of the man who killed your parents. I also don’t think I would have been able to be as strong as you were to survive hellfire. Secondly, I refuse to live in a world without you ever again. I already did it for fourteen years, and the three days you were gone this past week were some of the worst days of my life. Please, never sacrifice yourself again, because I won’t survive it.”

  Ryker takes a deep breath. “And lastly, I realized I had forgotten you were raised as a human most of your life, and there were human traditions you were missing out on. I was selfish and assumed my traditions would be enough, but when I saw the designs of the wedding dresses you had made, I knew I was wrong.” Ryker digs in his suit jacket and pulls out a small jewelry box.

  “Ryker!” I gasp in shock when he flips the lid of the box, and I see a large princess cut diamond staring back at me.

  “You’ve been so willing to be part of the world I was raised in, but now I want to be part of yours. Will you do me the honor of being my mate and my wife?”

  46

  Ryker

  I’ve never been more nervous than I am right now. I’m on one knee proposing to my mate.

  I had put this plan into motion the second we touched down in Montana a week ago. I had called Addison and first asked for her permission, and she quickly burst into tears and said yes. My mom was immediately on board and was thrilled to be planning a wedding for the first time. My dad took a little bit more convincing but he eventually came around. Remington was pretty much on the same page as my mom. Since shifters never have weddings, she was excited to be part of one. My brothers don’t understand why I want to do this since marriage is basically a piece of paper legally binding us, whereas the mating ceremony binds our souls together. I tried to explain to them it wasn’t for me, it was for Pru, but I’m not sure it sunk in.

  “Ryker, are you serious?” she whispers as she takes another small step forward.

  “I’ve never been more serious. I want us bound together in every way possible, and a legal human marriage is one of those ways.” Addison had warned me Pru would feel like I felt forced into doing this. But it couldn’t be farther from the truth. “And I know for a fact you’ve always dreamt about your wedding, and I would hate to take that dream away from you. I want to be part of it.”

  “I want you to be part of it, too.” She smiles as she drops to her knees in front of me.

  “Good because I want to walk through this life as your mate and your husband.” I lift the ring up a little higher as I repeat my question. “Will you marry me, Pruitt Bailey?”

  “Yes, Ryker, I will marry you!” she cries before she launches herself at me and wraps her arms around my neck. She laughs happily into my shoulder, and that sound alone is all I need to know it’s all worth it.

  “Do you want the ring?” I chuckle back.

  “Yes! Yes, please.” She pulls away and holds out her dainty left hand. I pull the ring from its box and carefully slip it onto her slender finger. The center stone I had picked out for her is the same cut as the one Genevieve used to wear, according to Addison—just a lot bigger. Yes, I may have overdone it, but I want only the best for my girl.

  “It’s beautiful!” She holds her hands away from her so she can look at the ring from all angles. “I’m actually so excited to plan a wedding.”

  “About that…” I lift her to her feet as I stand. “How do you feel about getting married right now?”

  “Right now?” Her green eyes widen.

  “Just through those trees over there, the pack and my family are waiting for us.” Mom and Remington have been working hard at setting up the outdoor ceremony all day today. It’s been hard to keep it all a secret, but I think we pulled it off.

  “But I don’t have anything to wear.” She looks down at the blue dress she has on now.

  “Addison figured you’d say that, she made you a little something.”

  A half-hour later, I stand at the end of the aisle and watch my beautiful mate walk toward me in the lace dress she had designed herself. Addison had been working on it in secret all week, and she did a remarkable job putting together Pru’s dream dress. I’ve never seen her look more beautiful as she moves down the aisle with the setting sun behind her. A long veil flows down her back, and I’m happy she doesn’t wear a veil that covers her face. I want to see every emotion cross her features when she takes in the ceremony we created for her.

  The aisle is made of white flower petals, and lanterns line the walkway. The guests sit in white chairs on either side, and Remi worked hard hanging string lights in the branches of the tree I stand under. Long strands of flowers and paper lanterns also hang from the trees. For being so last minute, I’m amazed at what my family was able to accomplish, and the way Pru’s eyes shine when she takes it all in, I know she likes it too.

  Addison, who had walked her down the aisle, passes Pru off to me. I lean down and hug the woman who had been responsible for keeping Pru safe and alive all these years. I’ll never be able to thank her enough for that. I take Pru’s hand, and we stand in front of Esme, who had agreed to marry us.

  “It took us a long time to get to this point, but we can all agree we could not be happier for these two amazing people,” Esme addresses the pack and us. She gives a speech about how fate had brought us back together after all this time, but I’m not really listening to what she’s saying. Instead,
I get lost in Pruitt’s eyes.

  I knew this gorgeous girl would be my mate, but there is an excitement in knowing she will also be my wife.

  “Ryker, do you take Pruitt to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death us do part?” Esme asks.

  “I do,” I answer without any hesitation.

  “And Pruitt, do you take Ryker—”

  “Yes, I do!” Pruitt interrupts, nodding enthusiastically, and everyone starts laughing.

  Esme chuckles before smiling at both of us. “By the power vested in me by a website I found online, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!” she cheers.

  I place both hands on Pru’s waist before bringing my mouth down to hers.

  The second our lips touch, the crowd behind us erupts into cheers and applause. Pru’s arms snake around my neck and hold me close. She smiles against my mouth when we hear Ransom start howling, and everyone is laughing and joining in. Pru and I look up in time to watch almost everyone tilt their heads up to the sky in howls of joy.

  I sweep Pruitt off her feet and carry her bridal-style down the aisle. The whole time I make my way down the flower petal-laced ground, I keep my eyes on my wife.

  “One ceremony down,” I whisper into her ear, and the heated look she gives me in response almost has me breaking into a sprint to the place I’ve set up for us, “one to go.”

  47

  Pruitt

  Ryker has set up a beautiful space with pillows and blankets on the dock behind our house. I don’t know when he had time to set all of this up today, but he did an amazing job, and I couldn’t have picked a better place for us to complete the mating ceremony. The full moon casts down on us, and the soft sounds of the water on the lake moving under us is peaceful. After the amazing wedding he had planned for us, I didn’t think I could be any more in awe of him. But I was wrong.