Rex

Fifteen months later…

Today marks our one year anniversary of being mated and things can’t be any better. We only dated about three months before everything drove us to marking each other officially. I tried to hang out as long as I could, but that was as far as my wolf would let me.

Of course, she had been hesitant to make it official for the first month, but I had my ways of making her be certain. After she saw that I was not going anywhere and that it was very much permanent, she was fine.

The ceremony was a sight to behold, with the full moon casting a soft, ethereal glow. However, I decided to take a slightly unconventional approach. We had a human ceremony, where we exchanged vows and rings, symbolizing our commitment to each other. Then we had a shifter ceremony, where we embraced our true forms and connected on a deeper level.

I take a moment to look out at our backyard, grounding myself in the present. Slowly, her hand moves up my bicep, its touch sending shivers down my spine. “It’s time to go for the full moon run, Rex.”

“Sure, Holly, but maybe we can just let Charlie lead instead.”

She looks up at me with a curious gaze. “But I want to run. My wolf is ready.”

Before I can do anything, she slips out from beside me and goes down the porch steps, out into our yard. She throws her clothes after she strips them off, which causes my brows to raise.

“Oh? Are we about to have some celebrations for our anniversary?” I start stripping out of my clothes as a deep rumble in my chest echoes through the air. “I’m so ready.”

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Instead, she shifts into her wolf, which honestly doesn’t stop me from my racing thoughts, but then she tells me it’s time to go.

The pack is waiting, love.

I don’t care about the pack right now. It’s our anniversary and I want to celebrate in other ways.

She lets out a throaty chuckle. If you run with me, then I promise later it will be wonderful for you. We can even sleep in tomorrow.

Fine.

I allow the shift to take over and join her as my wolf. Tonight, we’ll run. After our anniversary is over, I’ll need to hold a meeting because some of the wolves are becoming too distressed without mates. Some are still hesitant to see the matchmaker, but I think she is great at what she does.

Without her, I wouldn’t have Holly.

Let’s go, alpha.

Holly and I dart into the woods, running for the nearby paths that we will lead the wolves down at dusk. Though things have greatly improved, I know there are still challenges ahead, but I shove those thoughts down again.

Maybe once we get more fated mates, then everything will calm down.

Stop worrying about it for tonight and tomorrow. After our anniversary, you can go back to being the concerned alpha.

You’re right, love. I will start worrying about it later, after you have given me my goodies.

Her eyes roll as we run through the woods and jump over some limbs. You and your goodies. I swear you are the most demanding man I’ve ever met.

I abruptly stop, my jaw hanging open. Who else has been demanding goodies? I don’t think so.

She comes to my side, brushing her fur alongside mine. No one. Let’s just get this run done so you can get goodies off your mind.

I agree and we start running again, but secretly I’m hoping this run is over quickly. There is nothing more I want than to be home with her.