ChapterThirty-Two
Cindy
I’d never wanted a big ceremony. I’d agreed to it because it was part of the show. I loved the dress, and seeing Logan’s face when I came up on the stage, but none of that stuff was important.
For so long, I’d dreamed about what it would be like to really be with my mate. I wouldn’t trade my kids for anything. But I wanted a wolf who loved and cherished me. One that I didn’t have to apologize for, or hold my breath and worry about what he’d do next.
I know, I didn’t exactly set the bar high. So when Logan walked into my life, I had a whole new set of fears.
Mostly, that this wolf wouldn’t think I was worth fighting for. But he was the one who showed me my worth.
It was time to start a whole new story, and I couldn’t think of a better place to do it than on Green Mountain.
The pack had gathered, still in their best clothes that they’d worn to the original ceremony. The kids didn’t exactly comprehend what had happened, and that was for the best. Someday, when they were old enough to really understand pack politics, they’d know whose footsteps they wanted to follow.
Logan would set the right example for them. My kids deserved a wolf like this.
“Why are we here?” Mari asked. She’d come around big time since the middle of the night attack that had almost destroyed our pack. “Wouldn’t it be easier to do this at your house?”
We’d gathered at an empty lot on the other side of the park. “It’s a surprise.”
“A good surprise, I hope. I’m not sure how much more our pack can take after Pedro’s latest stunt.”
The only reason I wasn’t looking over my shoulder constantly was because I knew I finally didn’t have anything to worry about. Logan was my mate, and he’d stand by my side, no matter what happened. Pedro had lost two challenges to him, and even though he’d been more than willing to make a fool out of himself, the wolf had pride. I hoped he found the place he belonged. I even hoped it could be with the Green Mountain pack, so he could see his kids regularly.
And more than that, I hoped someday he found the she-wolf meant for him.
“It is.”
The party had spilled into the road. The kids had run over to the park, and a few of the Green Mountain wolves were talking to Logan, and my heart swelled. They’d accepted him after the fight, but to see how these wolves acted differently around him...Logan made everyone he came in contact with better. Including me.
Wendy spun me away from Mari, biting her lip as she looked over my shoulder. “I think Gabe’s getting the wrong idea.”
“The wrong idea about what?”
“He keeps getting really close to me, like he wants to kiss me, but then he totally changes the subject.” Her eyes scanned the crowd, like she thought he was going to materialize. “You know what these ceremonies do to unmated shifters. Makes everyone a little crazy.”
“Would that be so bad?” Gabe was super hot, and she was right—I’d caught him staring at her more than once.
“Yes! It would. He’s my best friend. If he kisses me, things will get messy and weird. He’s the only shifter guy who’s stuck by my side after all these years. I don’t want to lose him.”
“Maybe you won’t.” Love was definitely in the air, and it was about time Wendy got to experience it, too.
“I won’t because it’s not gonna—hey.” She changed her tune when Gabe approached. Maybe she wouldn’t need her own episode of The Mating Game after all.
Because from what I could tell, Gabe was a keeper.
The crowd parted for The Mating Game production van. Bibi climbed out. I was so sad her amazing outfit got ruined during the fight, but she’d changed into a red satin dress that had been cut to flatter her figure, and a matching hat. The corsage that Hugo had given her made it through the skirmish without a petal wilted.
Maybe the jeans and T-shirt I’d put on when we came back was the wrong move. Logan had done the same. Charlotte was on my hip, and the boys were playing with some of their friends.
But Bibi looked at me like I was still in my gorgeous gown. My fairy dragmother accepted me just the way I was.
“Are you ready to promise yourself to this handsome wolf?” she asked.
“I’ve never been more ready.”
“Let’s do it.”
The pack gathered in a circle around us, and Wendy and Gabe rounded up the boys, and brought them to stand with us.
Bibi stood in the middle of the field. “Is everyone ready?” she asked.
I shook my head and climbed onto a stump, earning a few gasps. I was nowhere as tall as Bibi, but I could see over the crowd. More importantly, they could see me. This might be the first time they really did.
“Thanks for coming back to Green Mountain. I know it’s home for a lot of us, but the fact that you stuck with us, that you want to witness our ceremony means everything to Logan and me. At first, I was really pissed off that Pedro picked today of all days to pull a stunt like this. But of course he did, because that’s who he is. A lot’s happened in the pack in the last few weeks. I feared that it would tear us apart. This pack has struggled for so long, we’ve looked at each other like enemies. Instead, the attack brought us closer together. Let this celebration be the beginning of a new chapter for all of us.
“You might be wondering why we brought you to an empty lot. We’re building a house here, and I can’t think of any better way to start building the foundation than having our mating celebration here and having everyone we love here to witness it.”
Silence followed my speech, but then one wolf started clapping. Then another. Soon they all were.
Logan pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. “You’re amazing.”
I pulled away from him, because if I didn’t, I’d forget about everything and everyone and kiss him stupid. “Let’s do this.”
He smiled at me. “I had a whole speech prepared, but it doesn’t work anymore. And I don’t need a script to tell me how I feel about you. I adore you, Cindy. You made me realize who I really am. I’ll fight for you every day.”
“You don’t have to fight for me.” I leaned in and kissed him. “All I want is to have you by my side. Every day for the rest of my life.”