A Ridge Mountain Pack 3: The Ultimate Sacrifice
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Lora De La Cruz
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1,0M
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53
1: Times Are Changing
MELANIE
I found myself gazing into the mirror. My hair was just right, my dress was impeccable, and my makeup was on point. To anyone looking, I was the picture of a successful, content young woman.
But beneath the surface, I was a bundle of nerves and loneliness.
Today marked the mating ceremony of Max and Ginger, and in a fortnight, Max would ascend to the role of alpha, with Ginger as his luna. The winds of change were blowing through the Ridge Mountain Pack.
The past three months had been a whirlwind of activity.
With Max discovering his mate, our father had accelerated his plans for Max to assume leadership of the pack. By the time summer rolled around, Max would be our alpha and our father would be enjoying his retirement.
Well, not exactly retirementâhe was off to Italy for a few years to ensure the Venice Pack was thriving, ready for Jaydon to take over someday.
While I had a clear path laid out for my future, I couldnât shake off a sense of being adrift. In a month, I would be a fully qualified doctor, ready to take on the role of pack doctor.
The decision was still up in the air whether I would serve the Ridge Mountain Pack or take my skills elsewhere.
Brock was still in Ireland, helping his family. We had only managed to talk twice in the past three months.
Between his busy schedule and the time difference, it was tough. My own free time was scarce, especially with the preparations for Max and Gingerâs mating ceremony.
A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I called out for them to enter.
âMelanie, we need to help Ginger get ready, sweetheart,â my mother said, peeking in through the door.
âOh, you look absolutely stunning.â She beamed at me as she walked over and tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
âMy beautiful daughter, I canât wait for you to find your mate. But for now, we canât keep these alpha men waiting.â She turned and headed for the door, and I trailed behind her.
Ginger was sequestered in a room down the hall, while Max had been banished for the past two days. He was holed up in the bunkhouse with the single warriors, barred from the main pack house unless there was an emergency.
He had grumbled about it initially, but for Ginger, he would do anything. He was eager to claim her and had marked her just two days after they discovered they were mates.
They had been waiting for this day for so long that I was genuinely surprised Max had managed to hold off for that long. The thought brought a chuckle to my lips.
As we neared Gingerâs room, we knocked lightly and she invited us in. Ginger was seated at the dressing table, her mother fussing over her hair.
Gingerâs stepfather was absent, much to her reliefâher mother hadnât brought him along.
The alpha from the Phoenix Pack would be walking Ginger down the aisle. He had known her since she was a baby, her father having been his beta.
He was brimming with pride at the thought of Ginger being mated to Max. It was as if she was his own daughter, and now that she was about to become a luna, he couldnât be happier.
âAll right, Ginger, letâs get you into your dress,â my mother said.
âAfter that, someone will come to do your makeup.â She held up a hand to forestall any protests from Ginger.
âI know, you donât want a lot of makeup and Iâve told the artist that. You just want your natural beauty to be enhanced. You really donât need makeup, Ginger, but this is a special day. Not everyone gets to find their fated mate, and youâre about to officially become part of our family.â
My mother clapped her hands together in excitement as she moved toward the closet to fetch Gingerâs dress.
An hour later, Ginger was ready. I was to stand as her witness, or Matron of Honor as the humans called it.
I had been so touched when she asked me that I had burst into tears. I couldnât be happier for my brother and his mate.
Ginger was a wonderful, kind-hearted woman and she was going to make an excellent luna.
There was a soft knock at the door and my mother cracked it open to see who it was. She didnât trust Max not to try and sneak a peek.
It was Alpha Bronson at the door. âItâs time. Is Ginger ready?â Gingerâs alpha from the Phoenix Pack stood there in a black suit with a deep burgundy tie, matching the bridesmaidsâ dresses.
âI am so ready, Alpha,â Ginger practically shouted.
We all chuckled at her enthusiasm.
âWell then, ladies, we need to make our way out there and clear the way. Melanie and Clara, are you both ready?â my mother asked.
Clara was Gingerâs other bridesmaid, a long-time friend from her pack. We both nodded and followed Mom out the door.
Gingerâs mom trailed behind us after telling Ginger how beautiful she looked and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
We made our way to the temple, the same one where our parents had tied the knot almost twenty-five years ago. The two mothers took their seats at the front.
Clara and I stood at the back of the temple, waiting for our cue. When the high priest signaled, music filled the air and we began our walk down the aisle, escorted by Maxâs two witnesses.
Max had asked Beck and Derek from the Half Moon Pack to stand with him. Beck was my escort, Derek was Claraâs.
As we walked down the aisle, Beck leaned in and whispered, âYou look beautiful. Brock will be a lucky guy if he ever comes home.â
I wasnât sure how to respond. It was a sweet comment, but it stung that he would bring up Brockâs absence.
I knew there was no love lost between the two, but I had hoped Beck had moved past that now that he had found his mate. I simply thanked him and said nothing more.
Today was about Max and Ginger, and I wasnât going to let anything dampen my spirits.
We reached the front of the temple and took our places. And then, there was Ginger.
She looked breathtaking, and Alpha Brandon looked dashing as he stood tall and proud. He escorted her down the aisle as if she was his own daughter.
I knew Ginger was saddened that her own father couldnât be here for this moment, but she had known the alpha her entire life and he was the next best thing.
I heard Max draw in a sharp breath. I glanced over at him to see him staring at his beautiful mate, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
I couldnât help but smile. This was going to be one of the most beautiful days of his life, and I was overjoyed for him.
MAX
I was left breathless as I gazed at Ginger, my soulmate. She was breathtakingly beautiful, leaving me at a loss for words. As she gracefully moved toward me, the love I harbored for her surged within my chest.
I had been waiting for what felt like an eternity to confirm if she was indeed my mate, even though my inner wolf had known it all along.
Alpha Brandon halted a few steps away, then turned to Ginger, offering her a gentle smile as he let go of her arm. He then looked at me, his voice barely above a whisper, instructing me to protect her before he took his seat.
Now, Ginger and I stood hand in hand in front of our loved ones. The ceremony was a blur, the words spoken were the usual ones used in such mating rituals. The only difference was that I was an alpha, soon to be the leader of this pack, and she would be my luna.
As soon as the high priest concluded his prayer to the Moon Goddess, asking for our future to be blessed, we practically sprinted down the aisle and out of the temple. We had barely crossed the threshold when I swept her up into my arms, her laughter light and sweet as she planted a kiss on my cheek.
âI love you, Max,â Ginger murmured, her green eyes sparkling.
âI love you too, and now youâre mine forever.â
I gently set Ginger down once we reached the black Suburban waiting for us. I opened the door for her, helping her into the SUV before climbing in beside her. The journey back to the pack house wasnât far, but we were, after all, dressed in our wedding clothes.
The celebration my mother had organized was extravagant, as was her style. This time, however, she had hung thousands of twinkling fairy lights above us, an impressive feat considering the size of our backyard. The live band was a surprise, as was the wooden dance floor that had been set up.
A special table had been arranged for us, and we made our way to it.
Dinner was served, and cocktails were enjoyed. We danced the night away, clinging to each other as if we never wanted to let go. And I truly didnât want to let her go.
The Moon Goddess had blessed me with everything I could have ever wanted in a mate.
As the night progressed, I found myself searching for my sister. I hadnât seen much of her after the ceremony. She had joined us for dinner, shared a dance with me, and then with our father.
But after that, she seemed to have disappeared. I couldnât help but wonder where she had gone, but knowing her, she was probably in her room, engrossed in a book.
I took Ginger for one last twirl on the dance floor, whispering in her ear, âMy love, I think itâs time we leave this party and start our own.â
Gingerâs giggles filled the air.
âItâs time to complete our mating bond, my love. I canât wait to have you all to myself. Forever mine.â
We stopped dancing and shared a passionate kiss, earning cheers and whistles from those around us. We then bid everyone goodnight, and I swept her up into my arms, rushing her to our bedroom.
The anticipation of being with my mate had my inner wolf on edge. I had to remind him that his time would come soon enough and to be patient. My wolf, Bo, grumbled in response, closing his eyes and allowing me to maintain control.
