Selene
I stand in awe before the intricate floor length mirror Hekate conjured into Kyran’s bedroom. Well, our bedroom now, I suppose, I wonder as I stare at my impeccable reflection. Hekate and Asteria took their time with me, drying and styling my hair traditionally rather than using magic and I savored the intimate time spent with them. Our conversations trailed from inconsequential things to heavier, more emotional topics and the three of us had some moments clearing each other’s tears away. It was really nice to spend time with them like that, after everything that has transpired recently. A weight has lifted from me knowing that I have these two strong women beside me in life who I can count on for anything.
Tears well in my eyes and I look toward the ceiling in an attempt not to ruin Ria’s handiwork with my makeup. The thought of finding a soulmate was just a small dream I’d let go of a long, long time ago after undertaking the responsibilities required of me when I grew into my adulthood. The role I upheld superseded my own personal desires as I focused on protecting and defending my kind from the volatile nature of the vampires. Aware of the threat Caedes currently poses on me and my kind, I am confident in my abilities with Kyran by my side that we will not succumb to him, regardless of his reasons for wanting me dead.
As the thought crosses my mind, I pull on my bond with Kyran and ask, Hey, Ky, have you spoken with the other Alphas about the Guardian blood magic and the changes they’ll be undertaking? as I focus on my reflection once more, staring into my bright blue eyes.
Yes, I have, and they all have a mix of eagerness and disbelief about it, as do most of the people here tonight, his response is immediate, his warm, husky voice trailing through my mind making me smile.
Are you ready? How do you feel? I ask, running my hands over the bodice of my dress.
I can feel his trepid laugh as he murmurs, Just about as ready as I can be. Is it weird that I’m kind of nervous? Even though you’ve already accepted me and were bonded, my heart feels jittery again like I’m waiting to hear your decision once more.
Closing my eyes, I focus on our bond and peek through his vision to find him also standing before a mirror in what looks to be a woman’s bedroom. His sister steps up beside him and rests her head on his shoulder as she smiles at his reflection. Kyran runs a hand over his freshly cut hair and blows out a breath as he drags his hand down his neatly trimmed jaw. I watch with a lazy smile as he straightens the cuffs of his black suit and raises his hands to adjust the tie at his throat. His movements display his nerves and I can’t help but commenting on his sinfully good looks.
You are very handsome, I whisper in his mind and giggle at the way his reflection shows his confusion.
He leans close to the mirror as he quickly asks, You can see me? How?
I push my magic through our bond just enough to let a flicker of my icy eye color flash within his warm amber and I laugh as they round widely at the sight before narrowing with a smirk. The moment I feel him push back, I lock down my end of the bond with another giggle.
Nuh-uh, you have to wait. I want to watch your reaction, I tease and feel the growl he sends my way in return. See you soon, I send him a kiss and return my attention back to our room.
Hekate steps up beside me with a watery smile and I grin at her, knowing she most likely watched everything transpire between us. She grazes her fingers over the flowing white chiffon panels that drape from the caps of my shoulders to the floor behind me as her eyes take in my reflection adoringly. Asteria kept the same theme of my earlier clothes and drew them out into a more elegant formal gown fit for a queen. My dress has a sweetheart neckline and is fitted to my hips with sparkling diamonds embedded intricately in patterns across the satin fabric. Thin gossamer straps cap my shoulders and trail behind me in billowing sheets, falling to the hem of my flowing skirts just above my ankle.
The front of the skirt is pleated on one hip and drapes dramatically to reveal the high slit that allows for room to move freely. Asteria explained how the dress has a simple zipper in the back for easy removal with shifting and I appreciate her attention to detail. I run my hands over my hair, pulling a couple curls free from the half-back style Ria did and brush my fingers over the necklace that Stjarna gifted me. Satisfied with how I look, I smile at myself as I turn to take the shoes Ria holds out for me and I slide on the strappy white satin heels.
Hekate offers me her beautiful bouquet and I accept it with a grin. “I’m ready now. Let me know when I can be there,” I say softly, inhaling the sweet scents of jasmine and gardenia.
She nods her head silently and gives me a wide smile before vanishing. Ria turns away from the mirror and smooths her black lacy dress as she steps in front of me to give me a tight hug. “You look magnificent, Sel, you’re going to take his breath away,” she whispers before disappearing with a wink.
I laugh and nod my head in agreement as I admire my reflection once more, waiting for the message for my time to arrive.
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KYRAN
I shake my head with a chuckle as I feel Selene slip away in my mind. My chest is tight with unexpected nerves but I mostly feel anxious to see her again, to take her into my arms and never let her go. I’m honored that she agreed to this ceremony, not many wolves choose to hold one anymore as the tradition fades with the elders’ passings. I am proud to have her as my soulmate and dammit, I want to show her off to anyone that looks our way.
Kyrre eyeballs me in the mirror and lifts her head to narrow her eyes at me before crossing her arms. “I want one,” she pouts before a smile pulls at her glossy pink mouth. “I’m so jealous right now, but I really am happy for you, Kyran. You deserve this, the happiness and the love. Mom would be in tears right about now,” she says softly as she swipes at her made-up eyes and turns quickly toward the mirror.
“Thank you,” I smile genuinely at her and let out a sigh. “Goddess bless the man who gets fated to be bonded to you,” I mock and she whips around to shove at my shoulder. “I’m kidding, you know I love you,” I laugh and step back to look myself over once more.
I feel slightly uncomfortable wearing clothes like this, I’ve never worn anything formal and have never had the reason to until now. I want to look my best for Selene, though, now that we are an extension of one another, I do not want to hinder her in any way. It is completely impossible for her to ever not look good so I know I’ve got to step up my efforts as best I can. I appreciate the suit Asteria gave me, knowing damn well I wouldn’t have come close to this on my own and Kyrre even complimented me out loud for it as well. Wearing all black, I find the look to be formidable and I stand straighter because of it.
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“Are you ready?” Kyrre murmurs as she smiles warmly at me, slinging her arm through mine.
Smiling at myself, I nod as I let out a breath and turn to make my way to the Great Hall to watch the love of my life declare our bond before all of our people.
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My knee shakes minutely as I clasp my hands in front of me, waiting in the filled Hall and listening to the buzzing murmurs of the crowd before me. My sister did an amazing job with redecorating the area, stringing warm lights over the rafters and trailing jasmine flowers throughout the flowing streams of white and black draped fabric adorning the walls. She placed a sprig of the little white stars in the breast pocket of my suit and I inhale the sweet scent, the smell of it calming my nerves a bit.
Hekate manifests beside me on the dais and the crowd goes silent at her arrival before erupting in a clamor of hissed whispers and gasps. Turning to meet her gaze, I find the humor in her sharp eyes and breathe a laugh as she cracks a smile on her usually stoic face. She leans closer to me to whisper in my ear.
“I’m going to say a few words, if that’s okay with you? I figure they might take this more seriously hearing it directly from me,” she pulls back and meets my gaze with raised eyebrows and I nod in agreement.
“By all means,” I sweep my arm out and take a step back for her to address the crowd.
It only takes seconds for the mass of people filling the Hall and spilling out into the surrounding fields to hush as Hekate clears her throat. Her voice carries across the air as if it’s amplified as she announces, “Tonight, you are all gathered here to witness a beautiful ceremony to celebrate the bonding of a special pair of souls. Many of you may know by now that whispers of Alpha Kyran’s mate being the legendary white wolf are true, and I am here to confirm it to those of you that still hold suspicions. Your Queen lives, and it is because of Alpha Kyran that she is able to walk among you once more. Selene holds great remorse for the suffering you all have felt by the hands of the vampires and will stand strong by you in the face of adversity,” she pauses to let the noises of surprise fade.
“It saddens me that so much time has passed from when she last lived among her people and it is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the loss you all have felt. I ask that you not hold blame against Selene for the misfortune that has befallen your race, if anything, it is my responsibility that she has been gone for so long. Believe me when I say that if it had been up to her, she would have never left her people to fight alone.
“Tonight, celebrate not only her return, but also the blessed gift of bonding with her soulmate. May the moon goddess bless many of you tonight and all the nights to come the gift of your own bonds,” Hekate tilts her head and smiles up at the night sky through the wide open doors as the full moon peeks over the treetops.
Many people clap and cheer as she steps back, the energy in the room heightening around me and I swallow thickly from her words. I reach up to loosen the tie at my throat and accidentally tear it free, swearing under my breath as I hold the fabric in my hand. Hekate chuckles and I flick my gaze to her as she leans toward me, undoing the buttons at the top of my dress shirt and patting my shoulders lightly.
“This suits you better anyhow,” she mumbles with a smirk and I huff a laugh in response.
She takes the torn tie from me and it combusts in her hand, the ashes disintegrating into dust that blows away on a gentle breeze. Hekate turns to wink at me before vanishing from the dais as effortlessly as she arrived and appears in the front of the crowd beside Asteria, Kyrre, and Treyvar. Beside my brother stands Felagi, giving me a toothy grin as he holds up a mug of frothy beer and I laugh as my eyes continue roaming the crowd. I find Castian and Luric standing beside Felagi with his sister grasping her new mate’s arm and smiling widely up at me. I nod and grin back at her until I notice the men keeping a distance from the others, my smile sliding away as my eyes meet Daine’s.
He and Marx have matching sneers as they talk with each other, clearly being part of the few who don’t believe Selene’s existence to be real. It’ll be so damned satisfying to see the looks on their faces when she arrives, though I’m sure I won’t be able to tear my eyes off of her to see it. Looking away dismissively, I let my gaze wander the rest of the crowd, finding the majority of them to be in high spirits and congratulating me as our eyes meet. I smile genuinely at the gestures and my heartbeat relaxes until I a hush sweeps throughout the Great Hall.
With a warm tug in my chest, my gaze flies across the room and lands on Selene standing in the large open doorway, the full moonlight illuminating her ethereally as her elegant white dress floats around her in the wind like clouds caressing a star. Her beauty is unrivaled and I forget to breathe as I take in the sight of her. She looks every bit like the white wolf Queen depicted in our lore and everyone in this room goes stalk still as they look upon her. I have to resist the urge tensing my legs to leap off this dais and run to her and I swallow thickly past the dry lump that’s taken residence in my throat. My heart thunders in my chest when her brilliant gaze lands on mine and her full lips curl up in a warm smile. I grin like an idiot back at her and I can hear her soft chuckle drift across the Hall before she scrunches her nose at me.
Absently rubbing a hand across my aching chest, I force myself to take a tight breath before black splotches start forming in my vision. A soft melody floats through the air from some violins and a cello, the music is gentle and pretty, reminding me of how Selene feels when she is in my arms. As she takes her first step toward me, I think about everything she’s been through, what we have prevailed together, and I’m in awe of her spirit and resilience. She’s taught me that it’s okay to have flaws and to learn to love myself because of them, that I deserve love because of how I’ve chosen to handle my hardships and to not let them define me. It is she who gives me my strength and holds my heart in return. I don’t brush away the tear that streams down my face as I watch her walk to me.
How this stunning, magnificent woman is fated to entwine her soul with mine is unbelievable and I silently thank the moon goddess for this divine gift. Glancing up at the full moon, I swear it pulses with white light haloing outward and I grin at the sign as I drop my gaze back to Selene once more, finding an equally wide grin on her face as well. She’s almost halfway across the Hall and I shiver as her soft voice glides through my mind.
That was really beautiful and touching, Ky, she smirks as my eyebrows pinch upward.
Knowing she heard my thoughts has me losing my control over my body and I bound off the dais, the parted crowd giving out whoops and whistles as I rush through them to take my laughing mate into my arms. I lift her off her feet in my embrace and twirl us around before sliding an arm beneath her knees to carry her to the dais. Leaping onto the platform, I gaze adoringly down at her and murmur, “Hey, sweetheart. You are absolutely stunning.”
I don’t hesitate to lean in and kiss her except my mouth is met with the soft petals of her bouquet and chuckles wave throughout the spectators as Selene blocks me with a giggle.
“Not yet,” she whispers with a scrunched smile and I growl lightly in response with a smirk.
Setting her gently on her feet, I can finally take a full breath and I close my eyes at her intoxicating scent mingled with mine, my chest relaxing in her presence. I wait for her to take the lead, keeping my eyes on hers as she takes a breath with a slight nod and turns toward the hushed crowd. Many sets of eyes are rounded as they watch her, some people are already crying and more than a few have expectant expressions as they wait to hear her speak. I slide my hand into hers and rub my thumb over her soft knuckles before raising it to my mouth for a kiss.