Stolen by the Alpha Book 4
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Midika Crane
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The Mating Ceremony
Tomorrow?
He wants to have our mating ceremony tomorrow?
Is he absolutely insane?
Out of all the twisted things that Kaden has done, this one might take the cake.
Oh my Goddess!
THE CAKE! We don’t even have a cake!
This is going to be nearly impossible to pull off, and yet…
I’ve overcome the impossible before. More than once.
So why should my mating ceremony day be any different?
MARA
Following Kaden’s surprise announcement that he wants to be mated tomorrow, the Vengeance Pack flies into a frenzy, with everyone, including myself, trying to get prepared at the last second.
Now it’s the morning of my big day, and I don’t feel the slightest bit prepared as I watch two dozen different people rushing around the castle decorating, cooking, measuring, and doing Goddess knows what else.
Claude almost had a heart attack when I told him, and he nearly shifted.
But despite our differences, he’s really come through in the final hour—literally, the final hour. I didn’t think he had it in him.
For my part, I’m just trying to stay out of it and let whatever happens happen.
Kace came back with Kaden and started spouting all this mumbo jumbo about “balancing myself” and “finding my inner light,” which… I have no idea what the hell he’s talking about. I’m just glad he’s home.
And he brought a fucking mate with him. Holy hell. I haven’t even had time to process that with everything else going on.
Claude suddenly pokes his head into my room, and his eyes bulge out of his head when he sees me.
“Mara, why aren’t you in your wedding dress yet? You’re walking down the aisle to the pit of eternally burning fire in one hour. Get your lazy Luna ass dressed!”
I’m shocked to see Claude wearing something that isn’t crusty or stained. He’s got on a tasteful suit with coattails and a cummerbund that actually looks flattering on him. Is it possible that Claude isn’t completely hopeless?
As he storms out, I pick up the beautiful black lace dress that’s lying on my bed.
This is it… I’m finally getting mated. I can’t believe this day is finally here.
I carefully slip on the dress and examine myself in the mirror, gasping at my appearance.
I don’t just look like a young girl from the Purity Pack; I look like the Luna I was meant to be.
Despite all the craziness and chaos, I’m actually happy.
My mate is home.
All my friends and family are here.
And I’m about to get mated to the man I love.
Even if something doesn’t go as planned, nothing can put a damper on this day.
Lexia knocks on the door and walks in, whistling when she sees me.
“Damn, girl, has Kaden seen you yet?”
“Of course not. Everyone knows it’s bad luck for a mate to see their mate under anything but the light of the full moon on the day of the ceremony,” I say.
“Wow, I didn’t realize you were so superstitious,” she says, teasing me. “Did you remember to throw some moon dust over your shoulder too?”
“Very funny,” I reply, rolling my eyes. “I’m just trying to respect pack customs.”
“Speaking of pack customs,” Lexia says, eyeing me warily. “Have you told him yet? About the council?”
Fuck.
Okay, nothing could put a damper on this day except that.
“I…I just haven’t had the chance yet,” I say, knowing full well it’s just an excuse. I still don’t know how Kaden will react—he might be furious—and I didn’t want that to get in the way of his homecoming or our mating ceremony.
“It’s a dangerous game to keep something that big a secret,” Lexia says, giving me a serious look. “He’s going to find out one way or another.”
“I know, I know,” I say, sighing. “I just want to wait until after the ceremony, when everything has calmed down.”
“Mmm hmm,” Lexia hums, pursing her lips. “Just don’t wait too long. Deliver the news on your terms, in your own way.”
We basically fired the alpha and changed the entire infrastructure of the pack while Kaden was away…
I don’t think my presentation or delivery fucking matters.
He’s gonna be pissed.
Even though I know it’s bad, I’m keeping this under wraps for a while longer.
“Thanks, Lexia, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Are you heading over to the pit right now? I’ll escort you if you want,” Lexia offers.
“That’s okay. Claude has me scheduled up until the very second I’m standing at the altar,” I say hurriedly.
As Lexia leaves, I feel conflicted about all the secrets I’m keeping…
Because I have another one...
I have one last thing I have to do before I can walk down the aisle.
I have to face him.
***
“Are you sure about this?” Brutus asks as we reach the dungeons. “I’m pretty fucking down with risk-taking, but this goes against my better judgment, and that’s saying something.”
“Really, Brutus? I specifically asked you to help me with this just so that I wouldn’t get a lecture,” I say, annoyed.
“Fine, fine. Just be careful. He’ll say anything to get you riled up. I know his type.”
“Just distract the guards for me. I’ll only be five minutes, I promise. Besides, Kace’s mate put all kinds of light spells on his cell—he’s completely contained.”
I know this is crazy, but I have to see Rylan. I have to confront him about everything that he’s done, and I have to do it alone.
I walk to the end of the hall, where Rylan’s cell emits a dim glow from Helena’s spells.
He’s sitting in the corner, huddled over, looking completely mad. The walls are covered in scratch marks. He’s drawn the same symbol over and over again—the hourglass.
When I stop in front of the bars, he turns his head and shoots me a disconcerting smile.
“The blushing bride…have you come to ask me to officiate the ceremony?” he asks mockingly.
“I’ve come to tell you that you lost,” I say coldly. “Despite your best efforts to tear us apart, the packs have united, and we’re stronger than ever.”
“The Goddess works in mysterious ways,” Rylan replies while laughing, unhinged. “I don’t know why she chose you, but this is all according to her plan. Who am I to question the will of the Goddess?”
“Will you fucking stop with all this Moon Goddess bullshit? You’re just using people’s belief in the Goddess to manipulate them, and you’re trying to justify your evil actions by saying it’s her will.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Rylan says, his tone changing abruptly. “The Goddess speaks to me. She has for quite some time. And here, in the walls of the Vengeance Pack, I oddly feel closer to her than ever before. I can feel her presence, Mara, and soon, you will too.”
His words sound like the ravings of a madman, but his voice is unwavering. He really does believe what he’s saying, and it’s extremely unsettling.
I back away and start walking down the hallway, my heels clicking as I pick up speed.
I want to get as far away from Rylan as possible.
“The time of the Goddess is upon us, Mara. THE TIME IS NOW,” he screams, cackling.
***
I’m not sure if my visit with Rylan brought me the closure I was seeking, but it certainly made me uncomfortable.
Regardless, I said I wasn’t going to let anyone ruin my mating ceremony day and that especially includes Rylan.
Pushing it out of my mind, I take a deep breath. In just a few moments, I’ll be walking down the aisle to meet my mate and cement our union in front of both the Vengeance Pack and the Purity Pack.
It’s kind of a big deal.
Suddenly, I hear my cue, and Claude hisses at me from outside the tent. “All right, Miss Mara, haul that ass to the altar!”
As I step out onto the stony walkway leading up to the altar, I’m overwhelmed by the sight in front of me.
Under the light of the full moon and the night sky, the eternally burning fire pit actually looks enchanting and beautiful.
Kaden stares at me, beaming with pride. A perfectly fitted suit, slick hair, and his rough stubble make him more dapper than I’ve ever seen him.
Kace stands at his side, looking equally handsome, and happier than I can ever remember.
Have I ever even seen Kace smile? His new mate is clearly responsible for that.
Milly wipes away a tear as I join her near the altar. She looks radiant and full of life. Milly’s past experiences might’ve broken someone else, but she’s a survivor, and I’m so happy to see her overcome her traumas.
I take my place across from Kaden, and the spouting fire beside me warms my body and makes me feel excited.
Everyone I love is here to celebrate this special day—my parents, who I’m working on rebuilding my relationship with, Lexia and Brutus, close friends and, now, close counsel, and even Evan and Leia…
Kaden takes my hand as we stand in front of the pit, and he whispers to me softly. “Are you ready?”
I nod, smiling. I wasn’t sure before, but now I have no doubt. Maybe we really did need that time apart to come back together again?
“Let us begin,” the ceremony official says as we turn to face him. “Let everyone here bear witness to this union on these sacred grounds.”
As the fire dances before me, the flames catch my eye, and I feel a strange stirring from within. They’re mesmerizing, almost hypnotic.
I have the sudden urge to dance along with them as my body absorbs the heat, and I’m lulled into a spellbound state.
“Mara…”
“You’re finally here.”
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
I hear a silky, almost melodic voice in my head. It’s so pleasant and soothing I don’t want it to stop talking.
“Who are you?” I ask the voice.
“I’m the eternally burning flame.”
“I’m the darkness that existed before time itself.”
“I’m both the creator and the destroyer of packs.”
“I’m the Moon Goddess.”
Something about this voice feels wrong. It sounds sweet, but it feels unspeakably evil. This can’t possibly be the Moon Goddess.
But I feel strangely compelled to give her whatever she wants.
“Mara, do you accept your role as Luna of the Pack?” the ceremony official asks.
“Mara, do you accept your role as my conduit?”
“Yes,” I respond, dazed. I don’t even know who I’m responding to.
“And do you take Kaden as your alpha and your mate, now and forever, bound by this union?”
“Do you invite me inside, forming a union of our souls?”
“Yes,” I respond again.
The fire pit suddenly explodes, and I feel a darkness flood my body as my senses dull.
Oh My Goddess, what have I done?
But the voice answers my question: “There’s no Goddess here.”
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