As Marin carried the last plate to the kitchen, Eric pushed his chair back. “I know it’s cold outside, but would you like to do this out back? Their Japanese Maple still has red leaves on it. Might make a pretty backdrop if anyone wants to take pictures.”
“I brought our camera,” Chloe said.
“We have one, too,” said Cole.
“I can take some with my phone and send them to you,” Hunter offered, pulling his iPhone out of his pocket.
As they stepped outside and walked down the back stairs, Autumn shivered. It was too cool outside for short sleeves and goose bumps erupted on her arms, but she wasn’t about to have pictures of her ceremony taken with her wearing a coat. She’d just suffer through and hope her teeth didn’t start chattering. It had to be in the fifties outside, maybe colder. Winter was definitely on the way, if it wasn’t already here.
Gabriel linked their hands together as they stood before Eric, their family and friends gathered nearby. Autumn heard the click of a camera going off and smiled up at Gabriel. She could hardly believe this was really happening. Yes, they’d planned for it, but it felt like a dream come true.
“Gabriel, even though you’re alpha of your pack, do you promise to put Autumn, and your children, before all others? Do you promise to love her and honor her for the rest of your days?” Eric asked.
“I so promise,” Gabriel said, his eyes full of love.
Eric turned to her. “Autumn, do your promise to be the best mate you can be? Do you promise to help Gabriel lead the pack, to be there for those who need help? Do you swear to love him and honor him for all your days?”
“I so promise,” Autumn said softly.
“Are there any objections to this mating?” Eric asked. He waited a moment to see if anyone would respond, and then he handed them the rings. “Once you place the rings on one another’s fingers, you will be officially mated.”
Autumn, with a shaky hand, accepted the ring and slid it onto Gabriel’s finger. His hand was steady as he placed her ring on her finger. He lifted her hand and kissed it where the band rested before lacing their fingers together.
“Congratulations,” Eric said. “You’re officially mates.”
Gabriel leaned down and kissed Autumn. What started as a slow caress of his lips against hers, turned to something stronger, fiercer, setting a blaze in her that only Gabriel could put out. She’d never wanted to get to a bedroom so fast in her life, but knew they still had a few hours with the family before that could happen. As they broke apart, everyone cheered and hugged them.
“I love you,” Gabriel said, as he drew her into his arms once more.
“I love you, too. Are you really okay about the baby?”
He smiled at her warmly. “I couldn’t be happier. I’ll have my brothers come clean out Radha’s stuff and we’ll go shopping next week. A new start for a new family.”
Autumn hugged him tight and realized how truly blessed she was. She’d not only gained the love and support of an incredible man, but had gained a family as well. Not just the one they were starting, but Gabriel’s brothers and cousins and their mates. Autumn’s heart was full of love and she couldn’t wait to see what would happen next in her new life. Whatever it was, she would face it head on, with her sexy, wonderful, sinfully gorgeous mate by her side.
About the Author
Jessica lives in a world where warlocks, shapeshifters and fairies exist, and everyone deserves a happy ending -- from tragic vampires finally finding love after centuries of being alone, to super hunky womanizing werewolves finding their destined mate –- it’s all in a day’s work.
Unable to find a werewolf of her very own, she decided to marry someone who thinks he’s one -– minus howling at the full moon, fleas, and a rousing game of chase-the-mailman. Okay, so he sometimes howls at the full moon.
When she isn't writing, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, reading (mostly romance), or going to the beach. She’s especially fond of bookstores and Starbucks!
AGThanksgiving_JCSmith Page 10