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“Enzo,” the older gentleman speaks again. “Do you have a gift to present to your bride?”

Even under the moonlight, I can tell Enzo’s tanned skin pales. He looks at Chayton, and they have one of those private conversations. I slip into his mind, using the back door so he won’t know I’m there.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”Chayton growls.

“Look, this was last minute and don’t act like I’m happy about this. I forgot.”

“Enzo, this is a big part of the ceremony. If you don’t take this seriously, neither will the pack. You are the Beta—”

“I’m sorry,” I say out loud.

Chayton and Enzo turned to look at me.

“Enzo gave me the gift earlier, and I was supposed to bring it. I was so nervous about doing everything right, I forgot it.”

“I can go grab it,” Marley suggests. She knew there was no gift, but to sell our lie, she was willing to help.

Chayton shakes his head but smiles at me. “No, that’s alright. We all understand your nervousness. Not long ago our Luna was in your spot, and she was just as nervous.”

The pack laughs at my friend’s expense.

“Maybe later you can show us the gift he made you,” Chayton says this to Enzo.

Enzo nods his head.

“Well, if there is no gift to exchange, we can move on to the mating mark.”

This is the part I wasn’t interested in. I’ve given this man enough of my energy. He didn’t need anymore. However, here we are.

“Vampire, you can take the first bite,” the old man says. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell this old fart my name one more time, but it’s not important.

Enzo unbuttons his black cotton shirt. He pulls the fabric off his shoulder, exposing my markings on his chest. The crowd around us mumbles. I can’t make out exactly what they’re saying. I just know that they’re talking.

“Vampire—"

“Michaela,” Chayton and Enzo say to the old man at the same time.

I stifle my laugh.

“Yes, Michaela. By the power invested in me as the elder of the Dark Woods pack, and by the permission of the Alpha, you may now claim your mate.”

Stepping forward, I stare into Enzo’s eyes. Trying to make sure he’s okay with this. The tension in his jaw tells me he isn’t. However, he dips his chin, letting me know to go ahead.

Placing my hands on his sides, I lean forward and sink my fangs into his chest. The crowd around us gasp. I don’t take any blood. Don’t think they’d like that at all. Plus, that’s a bit too intimate to do in front of these wolves. So, I quickly pull away from him, but not before running my tongue over the puncture marks. Not because he needs help healing, but because the taste of his blood is like a sweet treat now that we are mates. I lean back, running my tongue over my lips.

His eyes glow down at me for a second before clearing and turning back normal.

“Now,” the old guy says. “Beta Enzo, by the power invested in me as the elder of the Dark Woods pack, and by permission of the Alpha, you may now claim your mate.”

Once again grumbles go around the crowd. Enzo steps forward, pushing down the shoulder of my dress even further. He pulls my body into his. There is no hesitation in him. He sinks his teeth into my shoulder. I whimper at the bite. Unlike me, he takes a large pull of my blood. I can feel my energy seeping into him and leaving me. After one more big pull, he releases me.

I sway on my feet. The crowd gasps. Marley was there immediately to hold me up. Enzo’s eyes narrow.

“Are you okay, Michaela?” Chayton asks.

“Yes,” I slur. “I’ll be fine.”

I can feel Enzo in my head pressing against my wall. He’s trying to get to my secrets again. Even though my energy is low,the wall in my head will always remain strong. I easily shove him out of my mind.