Page 103 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha

One traitorous tear slipped free, but Night leaned forward to kiss it away. “You are stunning,” he whispered just before he pulled back.

That was the encouragement I needed. “Night,” I began, “so much has happened in my life that I never expected, but almost all of it has ended up being a blessing in one way or another.” I squeezed his hand.

“The last thing I expected in the midst of all of the chaos and laughter and tears and joy was to fall so hard for you. From this moment, I will treasure you forever, and I intend to spend every second of the rest of my life by your side.”

He let out a long breath and squeezed my hand back.

“When I first met you, I was a mess. I had schedules and promises to keep, and a goal in mind that I was prepared to die for. But the moment I saw you, everything shifted. I had thought that love was a luxury that I couldn’t indulge in, but you chased me in my dreams, baby,” he said. “How could I not fall for you?”

I bit my lip again, my heart swelling with love for my mate.

“I know our relationship started with me stealing you away into the night, but it’s because you stole my heart that we’ve made it to this moment.”

That brought laughter in addition to the sniffles, from me as well as the crowd.

“It’s yours to keep for as long as you want it,” he said, a whispered promise between the two of us.

“And mine is yours.”

“With these words,” Elder Patrice declared, “you two are bound in the eyes of the witnesses, the Elders, and the pack mothers. With a kiss, the ceremony is sealed.”

This time, using our tied hands as leverage, I was the one who pulled Night in close. We kissed to the sound of resounding clapping and cheering, and as we parted we pressed our foreheads together. Inside, my wolf gave a keening, joyous howl, and I could feel an echoing one from Night’s.

Another celebration began, but this, too, was limited to our guests. We had thought about inviting both packs to the celebration, but Night made the wise point that alcohol plus animosity did not equal a good time. So, we kept things intimate and private.

Because we were officially bound, the scarf that Violet had used to tie us together was removed. I now wore it tied around my waist like a belt. The soft, snow-white went well with the lilac of my dress.

To start off the party, Night and I began to dance with our guests.

I’d learned a few of the traditional dances, but there were still a few that were a mystery to me.

Night and I stayed close to each other though we occasionally danced with other partners.

We couldn’t stop looking at each other or touching each other as we passed by.

We danced for hours and hours, until the sky grew dark.

I hadn’t eaten anything since that morning’s tea and scones, so before long, hunger sent me to the buffet.

I took Night’s hand and we walked together to load up our plates.

Sausages and steak and pork loin, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes—all of it cooked to perfection.

Flavors melded together on my tongue in a way that made me hum with pleasure.

Beside me, Night leaned over to nuzzle my ear.

Tavi stayed a bit longer than she had after the Alpha ceremony, but she left early again.

This time, she was able to use our telepathic bond to let me know that she was headed out.

That was an eerie, new experience, being able to hear someone else in my thoughts.

But just like finding out I had a wolf, I was sure I’d get used to the sensation soon.

I scanned the party until I met her gaze. I nodded, and she slipped away. I caught Night’s eye, and I saw that he understood even though I hadn’t explained what’d happened. I guessed this was what having a soulmate was like.

Shortly after Tavi left, Evan approached our table. He bowed slightly. “Congratulations, love birds,” he said. “I have to admit, Night, I hardly recognized you standing next to such a beauty.”

We laughed. “You’re telling me.” Night looked at me. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling like this is all part of some wonderful dream.”

My heart sang as I reached to touch his cheek. “I think I’m the lucky one here,” I said.

Night’s eyes started to glow that wonderful jewel-green, and I felt desire begin to stir inside me. I knew Night felt it, too; I saw it in the slight shift of his eye color from jewel- to pine-green. Evan cleared his throat, interrupting the connection.

“I’m sorry to do this to you two, but I have a report.” He leaned forward and spoke in a hushed voice. The smile he wore for us had already disappeared. “Two more of the Kings have slipped away.”

My eyes widened. “Two more?” When did the first group leave? I looked from Night to Evan and back. I saw a slight twitch in Night’s cheek, and I knew he’d kept that information from me.

“Who was it?” Night asked, his voice rougher as he grew serious.

“Samson and Harlon.”

“Oh.” I crossed my legs under the table and set my chin in my hand. “They approached me a few days ago. They made a few threats.”

“What?” Night’s attention snapped back to me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I knew it was all talk.”

“Bryn, they might have been serious—”

“I know, I know what you’re going to say, Night, but I think it’s apparent that we’ve both kept a few secrets from each other.”

His mouth shut after I said that.

Evan stepped back. The slightly amused smile was back on his face. “I think I’ll take that as my sign to leave…if you have no further orders for me, Night.”

“No, nothing further,” he replied without looking. “You’ve got the rest of the night off.”

When Evan walked away, Night leaned closer to me. “I wish you’d told me about them, Bryn. Maybe I could’ve done something.”

“I wish you’d told me about the people leaving,” I retorted. “Maybe I could have done something.”

We stared hard at each other for a few seconds until I let my annoyance roll off of me. I felt it drip from my shoulders, down my arms, and to the ground below. When it was gone, I held Night’s face in my hands.

“I think the reason we’re so worked up about this is because we’re all wound up in other ways,” I told him.

He caught my drift. I watched his own frustration begin to melt out of his expression, replaced with understanding and a focused hunger.

“Let’s not fight about this now, Night,” I went on. “We have the rest of our lives to talk and fight and confess our secrets to each other, but tonight?” I leaned forward until our lips were almost touching. “I just want to focus on you and me.”

“I want to go back to the cabin.” His voice was little more than a growling whisper. “Now.”

“Then let’s go.”