Page 20

FIFTEEN

GRIFF

T hree months after the convergence, Mistwhisper Falls buzzed with preparations for what the supernatural community was calling the supernatural wedding of the century, founder bloodlines coming together.

The town square had been transformed into something that looked like a fairy tale come to life, with enchanted lights strung between the maple trees and flower arrangements that glowed softly with their own inner radiance.

Griff stood in front of the mirror in his bedroom, adjusting his tie for the fourth time while his bear paced restlessly with anticipation that had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with the knowledge that tonight he would finally, officially, make Mara his mate in every sense of the word.

"You look fine, Daddy," Tilly said from her perch on his bed, where she was carefully arranging the flower crown that would complete her role as both ring bearer and flower girl. "Miss Mara is going to think you're the most handsome bear shifter in the whole world."

"Miss Mara is going to be Mrs. Voss-Cooper after tonight," Griff corrected, though his voice carried the kind of wonder that came from still not quite believing that this day had finally arrived. "Are you ready to have her be your mama officially?"

"She's already my mama," Tilly said with the matter-of-fact certainty of childhood. "The wedding is just so everyone else knows it too. And so the magic knows it, and so the bad things can never try to break our family apart again."

Through the window, Griff could see the guests beginning to gather in the town square.

The entire supernatural community had turned out for the occasion, along with representatives from every founder bloodline community across the continental network.

Aerin and Leo sat in the front row, their own mating bond evident in the way they unconsciously leaned toward each other.

Lyra and Cade occupied positions that would allow them to serve as magical witnesses while still maintaining security for the celebration.

But it was the presence of the guardian spirits that truly made the evening feel magical.

Marcus, Dr. Whitmore, and dozens of other translucent figures had manifested for the occasion, their forms more solid and joyful than anyone had ever seen them.

They'd become permanent protectors of the founder network, their sacrifice during the convergence having transformed them into benevolent forces that could offer guidance and support to living communities.

"It's time," Nico announced from the doorway, his ancient fae elegance enhanced by formal robes that seemed to capture starlight in their folds.

As the town's most respected supernatural authority, he would be performing both the legal ceremony and the magical bonding ritual that would unite Griff and Mara on every level of existence.

The processional began with Tilly walking down the aisle between the assembled guests, her flower crown glowing with soft magic as she scattered petals that sparkled like tiny stars.

Her joy was infectious, spreading through the crowd in waves of contentment that made everyone present smile with shared happiness.

Then Mara appeared at the far end of the square, and Griff's breath caught in his throat.

She wore a dress that seemed to be woven from moonlight and summer dreams, its flowing fabric complementing her curves while somehow managing to look both elegant and earthy.

Her honey-blonde hair was arranged in loose curls that framed her face, and her green eyes sparkled with tears of joy as she walked toward him with steady steps that proclaimed her readiness to claim her place as his mate and Tilly's mother.

"Dearly beloved," Nico began, his voice carrying the authority of someone who had witnessed centuries of love stories but still found each one remarkable, "we gather tonight to celebrate the union of two hearts, two magical signatures, and two lives that have chosen to become one family."

The legal vows came first, traditional promises enhanced by the magical resonance that hummed between Griff and Mara as they spoke words of commitment and love. But it was the mating ceremony that truly transformed the evening into something transcendent.

"The bond between true mates goes beyond legal recognition," Nico continued, his hands glowing with fae magic as he began the ancient ritual. "It reaches into the essence of who you are, creating connections that span lifetimes and dimensions."

Griff and Mara joined hands, their magical signatures immediately blazing to life with harmony that made the air around them shimmer like heat waves.

But this time, instead of the desperate intensity that had marked their earlier magical workings, their power flowed together with the peaceful certainty of two streams joining to become a river.

"Do you, Griff Cooper, choose Mara Voss as your mate, your partner, your equal in all things magical and mundane?"

"I do," Griff said, his voice carrying the absolute conviction of someone who had found exactly where he belonged. "I choose her today, tomorrow, and for every day after that."

"Do you, Mara Voss, choose Griff Cooper as your mate, your anchor, your companion through whatever challenges life may bring?"

"I do," Mara replied, her voice steady despite the tears that sparkled on her cheeks. "I choose him, and I choose the family we're building together, and I choose the love that makes us stronger than we could ever be apart."

When their lips met for the traditional kiss, the magical bond that formed was visible to everyone present.

Light erupted around them, not blinding but warm and welcoming, creating patterns in the air that spoke of protection, growth, and infinite possibility.

Tilly cheered from her position beside them, her own magic adding sparkles to the display that made the entire celebration feel like a blessing from the universe itself.

The reception that followed was everything a supernatural community gathering should be: abundant food that had been magically enhanced for both flavor and nutrition, music that incorporated minor enchantments to lift spirits and encourage dancing, and conversation that ranged from mundane gossip to complex magical theory.

Ruth, now serving as the town's specialist in supernatural corruption, gave a toast that brought tears to every eye.

Aerin and Leo announced their own engagement, their research partnership having blossomed into something deeper and more permanent.

But as the evening wound down and the guests began to disperse, Griff found himself increasingly aware of the fact that he and Mara had yet to complete the most intimate aspect of their mating bond.

The magical connection was established, the legal paperwork was filed, but the physical claiming that would seal their relationship on every level was still waiting.

"Ready to go home, Mrs. Cooper-Voss?" he asked, his voice rough with anticipation as the last of the wedding guests said their goodbyes.

"More than ready," Mara replied, her green eyes dark with promise as she looked up at him. "Tilly's spending the night with Aerin and Leo, which means we have the house entirely to ourselves."

The walk home was a study in barely contained desire. They managed to maintain appropriate public behavior until they reached their front door, but the moment they crossed the threshold, years of careful restraint finally gave way to the need that had been building between them all evening.

"Finally," Griff breathed against her throat, his hands already working at the delicate fastenings of her wedding dress. "Finally mine, completely and forever."

"I've been yours since the first day I came back to this town," Mara said, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pulled him down for a kiss that tasted like champagne and promises kept. "But tonight, everyone else knows it too."

Her dress whispered to the floor in a pool of moonlight-colored fabric, revealing skin that glowed with the aftermath of magical bonding and the anticipation of physical completion.

Griff's formal clothes followed with less grace but equal urgency, until they stood skin to skin in their living room with nothing between them but desire and the absolute certainty that this was exactly how their story was meant to unfold.

"Upstairs," Mara said, though her voice lacked any real conviction as Griff's hands mapped the curves he'd been dreaming about since their first interrupted encounter months ago.

"Upstairs," he agreed, but instead of stepping away, he lifted her into his arms with the care of someone handling something infinitely precious. "Our bedroom, our bed, our wedding night."

The trip to their bedroom was punctuated by stolen kisses and soft laughter, the kind of playful intimacy that only came when there was no more need to guard their hearts, no more battle to prepare for.

Just them. Just tonight. Just a promise made flesh, sealed not with ink but with soul-deep certainty.

Griff kicked the door shut behind him, Mara cradled in his arms like she was both a gift and a prize he'd fought centuries to earn.

The room smelled faintly of lavender and woodsmoke, the windows open to a silver-streaked night and the breeze carrying the hum of enchantment that lingered from their mating ritual.

He laid her on their bed as if laying a sacred offering on an altar.

“Mara,” he murmured, brushing a thumb across her cheek, her lips, the curve of her collarbone. “You don’t know what you do to me.”

Her green eyes glittered in the moonlight. “Then show me.”

And he did.

He started slow. Reverent. Worshipful.