Panicked

Alpha Zayne did not even have the right words, because if it were him in the situation, there was nothing anyone could say that would make this better.

He recalled saying to him, 'Hang in there, buddy. This was a tricky situation.’

Like seriously? But what could he say that could bring comfort in this situation? He had even mentioned to Mekhi to not mess it up when he sees her because "remember that, she was not intentionally staying away from you," were his exact words.

Sadly, that was the best Alpha Zayne could have said. He knew Mekhi was hurting. He was taking it very hard.

Zayne had thought of him today and connected to him, checking in via the mind link. But, he was reprimanded by Elder Marcus. He needed to focus on the task. It was the same as having no cell phones…

Nonetheless, Mekhi gave short and clipped responses, but Zayne was pleased that Mekhi was up and about.

Keeping an eye on progress because while all this was going on, teams were still out there recruiting while others ran surveillance on Mrs. White and others aimed to complete the bugging of the military officials involved.

Then there were a few, with Jovi monitoring Nathan's interactions and conversations. Keeping tabs on his every move.

So a lot was still happening behind the scenes, plus the field was being transformed from the bonfire setting to the set-up for the ceremony.

And the truth of the matter was that Zayne wanted to confirm that what he had arranged to arrive had indeed arrived.

And throughout the day, Mekhi had jumped at the distraction to oversee things. He needed this, to stay busy and active.

Nevertheless, after Zayne's nightmarish day, he had gotten ready in his soft baby blue outfit, a short-sleeved shirt, and long cotton material pants, and he was also barefooted. And what he desperately wanted had arrived.

And now he stood there staring at his mate, who looked like a deer in the headlights, and his heart picked up the pace as he panicked. He sensed her nerves and was aching to reach out and touch her.

But when she saw him and took that step toward him, he breathed, only realizing then that he'd held his breath. Then his racing heart calmed, and his soul soothed. Zayne quickly followed suit, and soon they were standing chest to head.

'Exquisitely divine, our mate is so beautiful inside and out.' Aragorn drawled, his voice husky. 'Indeed, we are lucky bastards, aren't we?'

'Yes, we are.' Aragorn concurred.

"You ok?" Zayne immediately asked, and Aubrianne just wanted to melt into his chest right now. She settled for his hands.

"Yes, I am now." She smiled up at him, took his hand, and was ready to pull him down the aisle.

Even though Aubrianne wished her dad, Jada, or even Daniel were there to support her, at this moment, looking into her mate's eyes, she was never more sure that this was where she truly belonged.

And she knew this was just the Luna ceremony, but suddenly she wanted to marry this man. He would be her family. They would build their own family home together.

She wanted, forever, with Zayne, till death do them part.

They stared longingly into each other's eyes and slowly moved in for a kiss. Zayne bent while Aubrianne tiptoed.

"You are stunning, baby," Zayne murmured between kisses. "And you are… beautiful," Aubrianne breathed.

Since Zayne met his mate, he has gone through a series of episodes full of emotional instability. It started with increased energy when he suddenly felt like he could truly take down this entity once and for all. He can take on the world if he has to.

Also, bursts of excitement at everything his mate does, euphoria, the sweetest bliss, then sleeplessness and loss of appetite in her absence. His body vibrated, he had a racing heart, and his breathing accelerated at the sight of her.

There was no doubt in Zayne's mind that he was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with Aubrianne. He loved her.

Soon they pulled away at the little awes and ahs, then Mekhi shouted, "Get a roooom." That's when Zayne immediately pulled away because an alarm went off.

It blared loudly in his ear. Mekhi was drunk. It was the way he slurred his words. And Zayne's heart clenched in his chest. He knew his friend was suffering, but drinking to that extent?

It was not Mekhi; this was worse than Zayne thought. Goddess, and as far as he knew, Aubrianne still had not gotten on to Jada, which meant an entire day passed and she still did not know.

Which meant Jada was still with 'HIM.' And that could not be easy for Mekhi to cope with.

Zayne took Aubrianne's hand, and they began their slow and steady walk down the aisle.

While Zayne spoke to Mekhi via mind-link, he said, 'Hey bud… I am not going to ask if you are ok because I already know you are not, but hang in there buddy, try and relax tonight and enjoy the festivities… and no more drinks.'

Zayne tried to guide him a little, which Mekhi scoffed at.

Mekhi had survived the day, but after all the work was over, arrangements were completed for tonight, and Mekhi got updated on Nathan and everything else, things got a bit too quiet for him.

Even though he tried to feed off his anger, the pain sometimes seeped in and locked his neck, choking the life out of him.

So he had gotten into the potent liquor and wine and overindulged a bit, but he would try to be on his finest behavior for his best friend. Tonight was huge for Zayne, and even in Mekhi's sour and foul mood, he was genuinely happy for his Alpha.

He was simply sad for himself.

Nonetheless, at the top of the altar, up on the podium, was another elder named Kevin Mortimer. He would be the one to read out the vows for Aubrianne.

As their Alpha already said his vows when he ascended from his father, he would not say any tonight. He was merely here to join his Luna after she took her oath.

Almost reaching to the front, closer to the podium on the right, Aubrianne's eyes skidded across Zachary, then to Mekhi, who looked terrible, and her heart squeezed at the sight.

Also, Rafael, Sylvia, Jovi, David, and a bunch of other members whose names she could not remember.

Then her eyes slid to her left, and Aubrianne almost faltered in her steps while her heart soared with joy.

In the front row at the beginning were her father, then Daniel, Daniela, and Tobias. Aubrianne wanted to run to her father, but she held her ground. Even though he was there, she did not know where he stood.

But she was elated. His eyes sparkled as she gripped Zayne's hand. Aubrianne smiled at her father, and he beamed at her, his eyes twinkling, and he nodded at Zayne. Then her eyes slid towards Daniel, and he looked as if he were in pain, forcing a smile onto his face that made him look weird.

But she was happy he was here for her and so excited to see Tobias and Daniela.

Timothy and Christen were no-shows. In all honesty, she did not expect them to show; maybe she held hope for Christen, but Timothy was back to his cold ways, and Aubrianne was simply over it.

When he was ready to grow up, she would be open to a relationship. Meanwhile, she would keep her distance, even though a part of her wanted to get to the bottom of his behavior.

Maybe she would.

The only person missing to complete this night was Jada. She was still missing in action and unreachable.

Meanwhile, Zayne was excited for his mate. He sensed her sadness toward the end of their day. However, he'd heard from Mekhi that her father had reached out, giving instructions that he was on his way.

He was happy that she would have her father here with her. They both lost their mothers, but at least they both had their father's support on a night like this.

Now at the altar, Elder Mortimer stepped forward, dressed in a long royal purple robe with two white shimmering lines running down the front and a wolf's head on the back.

He stood in front of Aubrianne; their sides were facing the crowd, and Zayne stepped to the side to give them space.

Elder Mortimer then turned to look out at the crowd, and his voice carried throughout the field. "Tonight we're gathered to have our Luna ceremony… To celebrate her and the vows taken here tonight...at this podium," Elder Mortimer pointed to the ground.

"In this community." His hands flared up, gesturing toward the expanse…