Cameron reached his right hand up to brush a piece of hair back off her forehead and tuck it behind her ear, the sparks tingling both his fingertips and her face as he did. He cupped her face and let his eyes roam over her expression.

Talia stood there, soaking in the tingling as his hand dusted down her face to stop on her cheek. She had never felt happier, never expected the mate bond to feel like this. Her entire life felt meaningless before this very moment, like she was living in a fog, and now the fog had lifted. Everything seemed brighter, even as the sun was setting. She felt her eyes fill with tears.

"Talia..." Even her name sounded different, rolling off his tongue.

"Cameron," she breathed out.

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this moment. No idea how long I've been hoping you were my mate." Cameron finally admitted it. He didn't have to hide it anymore, and it felt freeing to admit. He heard Talia suck in a sharp breath.

"You... You've wanted this, too?" She whispered.

"Yes. For a few years now. When I turned 18, I actually prayed I wouldn't find my mate any time soon. I had no interest in looking for her because I wanted you, so I decided to wait until you turned 18. That way, if it was you, I wasn't wasting my time looking for someone who wasn't out there. It's also why I never showed any interest in anyone else," he explained. Talia let her tears fall. He cupped her face with his other hand and used his thumbs to wipe away her tears.

Talia reached her hand up between his arms to slide it behind his head, into the hair at the top of his neck. Her eyes danced around his face, taking in his adoring expression. She believed every word he said. She thought back to every time she caught him looking at her, or how he always seemed to be nearby when she was with Carly. How he'd always sit near them at dinner or would offer to take them into town.

They were aware that everyone was watching them, the music had even stopped, but they didn't care. Talia leaned her head back a little and stood up on the balls of her feet just as Cameron bent his head towards her. Softly, their lips met for the first time, and it was like nothing else mattered as warm tingles erupted across their skin. They pulled back and rested their foreheads together, just enjoying this moment. Talia could feel Cameron lowly rumbling under the hand she had placed on his chest.

They pulled away and smiled at each other just as Carly, Tyler, and Ian came up beside them, goofy grins plastered on their faces.

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"Now you know why Osiris was acting weird early, Cam. He knew, subconsciously, that this was going to happen," Tyler said. Cameron chuckled before responding.

"Yea, and I thought that was irritating. Now he's howling in my head because he wants me to give him control. Not the time or place for that."

"I'm trying not to think about the implications of what that means," Carly shuttered as she spoke. "I do think you need to let Mom and Dad know, they just got here so they missed this whole show you just put on. Talia's parents have been watching from across the field, so they're plenty aware already, but I'm sure Sara and Ryan are dying to talk to you, Tal."

"Alright," Cameron said, grabbing Talia's hand, "we'll make our rounds. I'm sure they aren't the only ones wanting to congratulate their future Alpha and Luna." Talia had thought about what it would mean, being mated to the future Alpha, but now that it had actually happened, she was internally freaking out.

They walked over to Cameron's parents and Cam yelled, "Surprise!" as he held up their conjoined hands. The look on their shocked faces was priceless. Penelope squealed as she grabbed Talia and hugged her. Daniel took a second to register what was happening before a slow smile spread across his face.

"Son...you found your Luna. And she couldn't be more perfect for the job. I'm happy for you." He said, grabbing his son and hugging him. Penelope finally released Talia and ripped Cameron from his fathers arms.

"My baby boy finally found his mate! I've been waiting for this day." She turned to her mate, "Honey, give it to them!" Cameron and Talia wore matching expressions of confusion.

"Give us what, mom?" He asked. They watched as Daniel reached into his pocket and pulled out his set of keys. He grabbed two gold keys on a separate ring and worked it off the main key ring.

Handing it over to Cameron he said, "We've been waiting until you found your mate to give you this. Consider it a mating gift. These are the keys to the cabin by the lake, the one we always went to for weekend getaways when you were a pup. When we stopped going, your mother and I decided we'd keep it for you to have when you found your mate. We had it upgraded right before you turned 18, so everything is more modern and up-to-date now. Congrats, you two."

"Wow. I don't know what to say, Alpha... Thank you doesn't seem like enough." Talia spoke up first, noticing Cameron was at a loss for words for the second time tonight.

"Oh please, Talia. We're family now. You call us by our names. No more of this Alpha and Luna business." Penelope insisted.

"Thank you, Penelope. Thank you, Daniel. I remember going to that cabin with Carly when we were young, but it's been quite a while since I've been. I remember it was beautiful, and I loved going."

"Mom, Dad... Are you sure?" Cameron asked, finally finding his voice. "This is a huge gift."

"Cam, you need a place to enjoy your mate and grow your family. This cabin is the perfect place for that." Penelope explained. "Now, go. Stop and speak with Talia's parents, and then go check out the cabin. Come back to the party whenever, we'll see you later!" And with that, they were gone, mingling with the rest of the pack.

"Well," Cameron started, "let's go see your parents, and then check out our new home, mate." Cameron wrapped his arm around Talia's waist and they headed in the direction of Talia's parents.