Chapter 243

As I’m moving into Caleb’s room after today, I feel a sense of bittersweet nostalgia standing in my own room in the palace. Caleb has told me that the room will remain unchanged, and that I can continue to use it however I wish, but what I want most is to move forward in my life with him.

I’m standing in the room in my white gown, my hair done up in elaborate braids. My bouquet of spring flowers sits on the table. Right now, I’m just waiting to be called, to be told its time to walk down the aisle and start my life together with Caleb.

Though, there is more going on in the moment than just waiting. A few minutes ago, the mail was delivered, and among the usual correspondence of well-wishers was a letter for Bethany, from Cameron.

I watch and wait as Bethany reads through the letter. It’s not particularly lengthy, so it doesn’t take long for her to reach the end.

When she does, she closes her eyes a moment. I wait for her to tell me what it says, if she wants to. Our friendship has only solidified further since our return from the rebel lands, though, so I imagine I won’t have to wait long.

I don’t.

“It’s an apology,” she says.

One that is overdue. Though there was much else to focus on at the time, after the terrifying events at the rebel stronghold had passed, I realized that Cameron, like a coward, made no efforts to approach Bethany and try to set things right before we left.

Bethany has a neutral expression now, looking at the letter again.

“Is it a good one?” I ask her.

“Not particularly,” she replies. “Though I suppose he will remain a friend in letters.”

That answers the question about whether she remained interested in Cameron. When they were together at Gladys’s estate, the sparks seemed like they were flying. For a while, I thought perhaps Bethany had found her own someone, especially with their shared connection in the past.

But Cameron chose his side, and he did not choose Bethany.

She deserves better. She deserves someone who would put his life on the line just to protect hers, like Caleb did for me.

Though…

I don’t want to presume, but I’ve noticed the way Bethany and Tristan have danced around each other since our return. She frequently visits Tristan to ask after his health, and in the moments I have witnessed the encounter, I noticed how Tristan’s eyes linger on Bethany when she is not looking back.

Perhaps, with hope and with luck, that relationship might spark into something greater. I would be deeply pleased for them both.

For now, however…

Bethany folds up the letter and tucks it away. The dress she wears is more elaborate than the ones she is used to. Her servant dresses would not suit her in this case, as I intend for her to stand behind me at the wedding as my maid of honor.

A knock sounds on the door.

Bethany’s pensive expression disappears behind a smile. I smile too.

“It’s time,” she tells me. “You ready?”

“Yes.”

At the entrance to the Hall, Bethany enters first, while I wait just out of sight. When the music shifts, I turn the corner and step into the room.

All of the guests, standing, face me, lining either side of the long aisle I must now walk down, my beloved waiting for me on the other end.

In the crowd, I see a slew of familiar faces, people of all classes, from all different packs.

But, the moment I set my gaze to the man waiting for me, everyone else fades away. My eyes locked with Caleb, he is all I can see.

I am no longer in the Hall, but in a sea of clouds, walking toward my beloved, and the future we are making for each other.

Not that long ago, I never would have imagined I’d be here. Or that I’d even want to be.

At first, I saw Caleb as nothing more than a brute, a vicious, ruthless tyrant who valued power above all else.

While Caleb continues to be independent and stubborn, he has also become more compassionate. He is proud and strong, and loves me deeply. I cannot imagine a more perfect mate.

A mate that is to now be my husband.

As I walk closer to Caleb, his face comes more into focus, I see the obvious love shining in his eyes. He makes no effort to hide it, letting the whole world see – as if they didn’t already know.

The sacrifice he was willing to make for me has since become the stuff of legends. Schoolchildren reenact the scene on playgrounds, and some are calling the romance between Caleb and me, the greatest love story this pack has ever known.

That cannot be true, knowing how much Caleb’s brother was willing to sacrifice for his mate, but it is kind nonetheless and makes me proud to be a part of Caleb’s life, and of this pack as its new Luna.

When I finally reach Caleb’s side, he takes my face in my hands and kisses me. A few onlookers laugh lightly. It’s not time for the kissing yet, but it’s like Caleb can’t resist.

Which is a relief, because I wanted to kiss him too.

Our smiles break the kiss.

“Harper,” he whispers against my lips. “My love. My mate. My Luna.”

“Caleb,” I reply in similar fashion. “My beloved.”

His smile grows.

By some miracle, we manage to make it through the ceremony, and then the reception party, without overly pawing at each other.

However, the moment we are alone in our shared bedroom, with the door closed and locked behind us, we tear at each other’s clothes and nearly trip in our haste to get to the bed.

Caleb tastes every square inch of my body, driving me to the very edge of pleasure. He teases me, keeping me there, until he slams his dick inside of me, pushing me over that same edge again and again, pulling climax after climax from my body until I have nothing left to give.

Only then does he find his own finish, coming deep within me, making no effort to pull out.

He collapses soon after, and we become an entanglement of sweaty limbs. Still, our mouths meet for sweet kisses.

“I could get pregnant,” I remind him, in case he’s forgotten.

“Could?” he asks, a hint of mischief in his eyes as he looks at me. “Do you think I was not thorough enough?”

I turn my head to give him a curious look, as a smile spreads on my lips. “Caleb. Are you attempting to get me pregnant?”

“Are you against the idea?” he asks. “Because I’m rather fond of it.”

I think of our future, a life where we are always together, with a litter of pups running underfoot. Hope and joy fill me, and I find myself touching my stomach with longing.

“I like the idea too,” I tell him.

Smiling wide, he kisses me. “I will give you a family, Harper, and anything else you want.”

“I want that,” I tell him. “I want you.”

He grins, “You already have me, Harper. I’m yours, now and forever.”

Another kiss, this one filled with more passion. He’s leading up to another round. I should be exhausted, but I find I’m desperate to go again as well. I’m so happy, I feel like I might float away. Already, I start to stretch my legs open once more.

He rolls into the space I’ve made just for him.

I already wear his mating bite mark. We couldn’t wait for the ceremony to fully belong to each other. He gently grazes his teeth over the mark on my neck as he lays claim to my body once more.

“And you, Harper, are mine.”

The End