Not more than thirty minutes later, I hear the guests arriving. Given the all-clear, we make our way out to start greeting everyone, and try to lead everyone to their seats. Most want to talk and visit, but I want to get this show on the roll.
The music is all set to go with Gabe, the packs electrician in charge of it.
Ben is at the alter with everything he needs at the ready.
I take position at the front. Trace and Asher stand to my left, and finally the last few people take their seats.
Suddenly I’m nervous with everyone’s eyes on me, their Alpha, the ruthless man who has taken territory after territory while never showing affection for anyone, and now I’m taking a bride.
There are a lot more werewolves here than I anticipated. They are all curious about the girl who is tying the knot with the Alpha after barely only one week of knowing one another. I have to admit that it does sound crazy, but it doesn’t feel crazy. It feels exactly right.
As if on cue, the music begins. “Turning Page,” by Sleeping At Last, plays in the speakers as Alex, in a knee-length teal dress and combat boots, walks down the aisle. Her hair is mostly up, but a few curly pieces hang free. She looks stunning, which makes me that much more excited to see my bride. Alexia now stands a few feet from the opposite side of the arbor, and she winks at me.
The tempo of the song starts to rise, and that’s when she comes into view. Everyone stands, but my eyes are for her alone.
My breath hitches as she and Jerek, arm in arm, step through the doorway.
The dress on her is more beautiful and sexier than I could have ever imagined. I want to take her upstairs and peel it off her this very instant. The only thing holding me in place, is the need to claim her further. After today she will be even more than just my mate. Ari will be my wife.
She smiles knowingly at me as my eyes rake over her calf-length combat boots and her sexy legs that are only partially hidden by the dress.
Ari isn’t one to wear much makeup, but Alex and Mindy must have talked her into more for the day. Other than just her typical mascara, she has added a touch of eyeliner with light browns and gold eye shadow to bring out her beautiful hazel eyes. Her smile is breathtaking as she walks towards me with a bouquet of flowers in her hand.
Her hair has been curled, but loosely pulled into a messy, beautiful braid that wraps around her slender neck, and rests down the side of her chest. A white ribbon has been braided into her hair, and it is stunning and unique, just like her.
I can tell that she is nervous with the amount of people surrounding her, but she keeps her eyes on me as she walks down the aisle like the badass that she is.
The love in her eyes melts my insides, and when Jerek hands her off to me, I release a breath that I must have been holding since I let her go yesterday. Now I have her back, and I’m never letting go.
Ari
Walking down the aisle towards the man I never thought I would find is surreal. I never even dared to imagine a day like this. I stopped reading fairy tales when I was seven. Now I’m living one, and the man waiting for me is ruggedly handsome with a new haircut, and a suit that I can’t wait to remove.
I’m shocked by the amount of people here, but with the heated look Darien is giving me, I focus on him. I walk towards him with purpose, practically dragging Jerek. He chuckles beside me, but picks up his pace so not to get hurt by me. Darien’s bright whites show, all for me.
Once we reach the end, Jerek releases me to Darien whose hand reaches out for me. When my hand touches his, everything in the world is right again. He gives me what I want and pulls me in close. His scent fills me, drowning me in his essence.
Ben’s voice pulls me out of the emerald sea that was holding me captive. He continues speaking, but I don’t hear most of it until he asks Darien if he will take me as his wife, to cherish and love, until death parts us.
“Hell yes. Every single day of the rest of our lives,” He growls, making me shiver. The crowd laughs at his intensity, not seeing the dangerous look in his eyes that I saw at the mention of death. Ben then asks me the same question.
“I do, and death doesn’t know who he is dealing with when crossing us,” my mate raises a brow, but smiles at my declaration, easing some of his tension. Ben gets a bit thrown off by our unconventional responses, but quickly snaps out of it.
“Okay, do we have the rings?” he looks over to Trace, who brings forward my ring that I had to hand over last night. Darien places it on my finger with a possessive grin, and I don’t even mind, cause I’m about to do the same damn thing.
Jerek steps forward, and both of Darien’s brows rise this time. I wanted to surprise him, so Jerek gave me an advance so that I could get Darien a ring.
He hands the ring to me before I slide it onto my mate’s third finger. Darien inspects the gunmetal band with awe. A wolf outline with one blue diamond eye and one emerald eye stares back at him, showing him that we are one. Equal in every way that counts.
“You may now kiss your bride,” Ben announces, and I barely have enough time to look up from Darien’s hand before his lips claim mine in front of everyone. I’m hoisted up into his arms as he deepens the kiss.
Everyone cheers, and in this instant, my heart is full. We did it. We are officially tied together in every way possible.
After the ceremony, everything goes by in a blur. Mindy takes our pictures, we eat, make our rounds greeting everyone, and Darien introduces me to pack members from all over our territory. Everyone is very welcoming, and together we laugh, dance, and party the night away.
It all feels like a distant dream when I’m in Darien’s arms in our bed. He makes love to me wildly, kissing and marking me all over, claiming me, body and soul. I can’t help but join his enthusiasm as he makes me fall apart multiple times before he gives me what I really want; his own release pumping into me.
“I love you, wife,” he whispers as we cuddle, and the feeling that follows his words is unexplainable.
“Right back at you, husband.” Hands down, this has been the best day of my life. Knowing that I’ll have this wonderful man at my side, I know that there will be even better days than this to come. The excitement of topping this perfect day is the last thought on my mind before sleep takes me.
Chapter 18
We’ve been married a week. I have been waiting for someone to pull the rug out from under me, and I knew someone was about to when my ears pick up Darien talking on the phone. On the other line, I hear a familiar voice, and I know just who it belongs to. My father.
By the time I am dressed and down the stairs, he is clicking the call off. My husband lets me snuggle into him, but I can feel the anger building. He doesn’t have to tell me anything. I already know.
The war is about to start.
That is exactly the reason I spent the first couple days of marriage training the pack, right along with the wolves from out of town. In those two days, I worked them until they could barely stand, teaching them everything I know. Darien says I left quite an impression on them. Let’s just hope they had enough time to get the others trained.
Darien spends the next hour calling each leader of different parts of our territory.
Everyone able to fight has been ordered to get here, now. A few others will come too; mostly female fighters if called for back-up, but some just follow to be somewhere safe. Since we are so close to the border of those we are going to war with, it’s not exactly safe, but Darien is happy to have more pack together than apart in times like these.
While he takes care of the phone calls, I send out a mass text to everyone.
“TRAINING SESSION. NOW.”
They respond by promptly showing up. We don’t waste time getting started. I split the group in half, trying to make each side as even in skill as possible. They all shift and I spray one group with white paint on their back and front before releasing them on each other. There is a different energy today compared to previous trainings. They are all serious and
ready to put their life on the line for our pack and territory, just as I wish to do the same.
From the sidelines I bark orders, yelling tips, and correcting errors. Jerek does the same. I tell him to get in on the action with them, but I’m caught off guard when he refuses. I raise a brow at him, waiting for an explanation.
“I’m not going with them,” is all he gives me. Suddenly, I feel Darien’s eyes on us. Watching us now instead of the pack. Listening from afar.
“Why the hell not?” I ask. Is he planning to go rogue after all? Did I push too much with Alexia? They had seemed to be getting along fine. He looks at me as if I have lost my mind, which confuses me even further.
“I’m not leaving you,” he says like it’s obvious, “I’m your second, so if you’re not going, neither am I.”
“But they need you. You have to go,” I argue before Darien’s voice reaches me.
“I agree with Jerek. He would be a valuable asset, but I’d rather he stayed with you,” he says from his place on the porch. Many emotions run through me in that moment, but I just tear my eyes away, and focus on the wolves in need of my attention.
Hours pass before the fighting ends. A few of them stop to chat and thank me for the training before they leave, but one comment in particular has my every nerve going crazy.
“I sure wish you would be there to cover our butts,” Gabe had said, and the honesty in those words stun me. He isn’t someone who likes to be outdone by a woman, so the fact that he is admitting something like this, shows me that I really have earned his respect.
I know that Darien heard so I turn and find him with his back turned and shaking his head as he disappears inside. You can run, but you can’t hide.
Gripping Gabe’s upper arm, I meet his gaze. I’m not giving up just yet, but with my own stare, I try to instill as much confidence in him as possible. He smiles and nods with determination. With that, I take off after my husband.
“It’s not happening, Ari,” Darien’s voice booms the second I enter our home. Bastard isn’t even in the room. I follow his scent. He is in the kitchen pulling out food to cook for dinner. The sight of it actually makes my stomach rumble, but I’m here for business.
“Why do you insist on keeping me out? They want me out there.”
“They may want you, but they don’t need you there, Ari. You gave them everything they need. You made them ready, and they are. We would have never been this prepared without you. I completely agree that you could be a great asset, just like Jerek would be, but I am not willing to sacrifice you.”
“I won’t die!” I scream not knowing if the words could possibly be true, but I know that I wouldn’t let death come easy. He knows he needs me and that the pack wants me to be there, so why does he still fight me?
“Unless I had absolute proof, I can’t risk it. I told you someday, Ari. That’s all I can give you. I love you too much to lose you.” His words are sweet, but firm. He is not going to be budged. It’s not fair. It’s cruel keeping me out when I have spent my whole life training to fight. My pack members could die. Darien could die. Emotions erupt in me, and I have lost all my hard-earned control. I won’t run this time though. I can’t keep running away if I’m going to prove to him that I’m not weak.
“I need to go. I can protect you. You don’t want to risk me, but what about you? You can’t die! I won’t allow it!” I know I sound like a child but I can't stop the words or the sudden burst of tears that flow freely down my cheeks. So much for not looking weak.
Through my blurred vision I can see the look of absolute fear and shock on Darien’s face. I haven’t cried in front of anyone since I was a little kid. I especially never wanted him to see me cry. I’m a complete train wreck right now.
His body molds to mine, and he pulls me into his arms, taking us to the couch where he holds me like a little kid. I’ve soaked his shirt in my tears but he doesn’t care. He rocks us back and forth as I continue to cry and scream into his chest, sounding nothing like the warrior I wanted to come off as. Tomorrow night he will be leaving me, and I’ll be wondering what’s going on and praying the whole time that I don’t feel the loss of a loved one through the pack bond.
“Shh, baby. I got you. Everything is going to be fine. I promise,” he coos, but I’m inconsolable right now.
Darien
I was firm. I was prepared to do whatever it took to keep her out of this fight. The army we will be facing is the greatest battle we will ever go up against. Keeping her, my wife, my mate, safe is my top priority.
When the tears started streaming down her cheeks, I wanted to give her everything she demanded just to wipe the distraught look off her face. My strong, beautiful woman was falling apart at the seams, and it was my fault. Never have I seen her cry, and I never expected the storm it would cause in me. All I can do is hold her, take her hits and screams, and carry her to bed when sleep finally claims her.
After cleaning up the food I pulled out, but was unable to make, I join her in bed and hold her. Streaks remain on her cheeks from the tears, and her eyes are swollen. Guilt eats away at me but I can’t give in. I need to stay strong and do right by her. Her stomach growls in her sleep, and I want to wake her to eat, but I am afraid of what will happen if I do. She needs sleep as much as she needs food.
My wolves are on their way here. Some from nearby cities like Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, Seattle area, and Missoula have already arrived. Most are staying with other pack members that they are friends with or related to. Some were supposed to stay with me, and I set up a couple in the barn but sent the other ones to other pack members that had the space. Ari wouldn’t want anyone to see her in her state. Everyone else should be here in the morning, and in the afternoon, we will leave.
I don’t get much sleep as I think about Ari, and the fact that I’ll be leaving her behind. Though I want Jerek to come, I’ll feel better leaving him at Ari’s side. His skills match hers the closest with all the training he has done. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could take Asher now, but I know that he has no intention of being anyone’s second other than hers.
It’s early when I hear pack members arriving. Ari stirs as well. I kiss her cheek, and she looks bleary eyed up at me. Her eyes are still red and slightly swollen, but she looks better. She looks embarrassed, but I let her see the love in my eyes. She smiles weakly, but I will take what I get.
“Everyone is showing up. I need to go meet them. You should take a relaxing shower, and come down when you are ready.” She nods at my request and heads for the bathroom as I make my way downstairs.
Her stomach growling is what actually woke me this morning, so first things first is cooking up some breakfast. I make all the bacon, sausage, and eggs in the house, cut up some fruit, and made some toast for whoever might be hungry.
The sound of the shower cuts off once I’m finished. Leaving the food for her to find, it’s time to go outside to greet my men and women of war. Of course, the women, aside from Mindy, my healer, will mostly be our back up, but a few have been approved for war. Someday I will keep my promise to my mate, but not this time or anytime soon.
An hour later, Ari and the pack have eaten, and not a crumb is left. The house looks like a car lot with all the vehicles parked outside.
Ari is pleasant, but I can tell that she has crawled back into herself. My strong, confident Ari is shaken and unsure. There will be hell to pay when I get back.
Everyone has been gathered. We have a plan. In total there are about 600 wolves heading to war with me. There are 45 extra wolves, 39 of them are women, and 6 are the kids who travelled with them to stay with my mate and the remaining few that live here. Five of them are women from town, and all but one of them has a child. Ari has never hosted so many people before by herself, but I instruct Jerek and Alex to give her a hand. They don’t refuse, but the worry on their face is obvious. Looking around, I find many of my wolves sneaking glances at my woman sitting on the porch swing, lost in her thoughts.
Her lost look is affecting my wolves’ confidence. They look to her more than me. She truly has an effect on them just as she has one on me. From across the lawn she feels my gaze on her and looks up at me. I look around at everyone outside with me, trying to show her what I see, and she follows my gaze. Her eyes shoot up, bringing life back to them before she stands.
I expect her to smile reassuringly at them when they all look to her, but she surprises me by speaking out instead.
“I want to be there with you all,” she begins and I start walking towards her with purpose. She can’t do this in front of everyone. “And I will be there. Who trained you?” she asks with a growl, stopping me in my tracks.
“You did!” the majority shouts with a fire only Ari can ignite.
“Damn right I did! Use what you learned. Do whatever it takes to survive and protect your pack mates. Protect your Alpha, and make me proud!” She roars, and every single person in the crowd roars their excitement. Upset and enraged at me, she is still a fierce woman. She is a modern age God of war.
She goes inside, and I can see her crumble from the distance. I follow her and find her in the bedroom hunched over the toilet. I rush to her side, and she quickly flushes the toilet.
“Sorry, I ate too much and got a little worked up,” she says weakly, and a little flushed. I help her up to the counter. She grabs a glass to fill with water and rinses out her mouth. I run my fingers through her hair and down her back.
“That was quite a speech,” I smile at her. In the mirror, I see her slight smile before her eyebrows knit together. She turns back to me with a fire in her eyes.
“Please reconsider Darien. I’m ready. We can fight together,” she pleads, but I’m not listening anymore. She isn’t going to quit. I didn’t want to have to do this, but I think it’s the only way to save her.
Chosen Page 21