73

"Don't even think about it. I can sense that you're feeling guilty about her death. But it's not your fault in any way."

Ariella looked up sharply at his words, confusion on her face.

"I can sense your emotions," he explained while tapping the mark on her neck with his finger. Tingles of pleasure spiraled down from his touch, reminding her of their incomplete bond.

"You can? For how long..."

"All this time. That's why it was so hard to stay away from you. I knew how much you wanted this to work out between us. You blocked most of your emotions—mostly the pain and frustration, I guess. But other times... other times I would look into your gold-flecked brown eyes and see how loving you were towards me. And now..." Malachi let his lips trail down her cheek, his voice breathy between them. "Now I don't have to hold back anything." Then he kissed her, so deeply and passionately that all the air escaped her lungs and had no chance of returning.

She didn't care. His words and now his touch had calmed the storm inside her, taming the rebellious grey clouds that gloomed her horizon. She clung to him and kissed him back with so much heat and passion that her shivers ceased and the very temperature of the room heated up. Sharp tendrils of desire wrapped from her heart all the way throughout her body, reaching from her to him and encasing them in a hungry cocoon. His fingers splayed on her back, digging lightly through the dress until she felt their imprints on her skin.

Wrapping her hands around his neck, she pulled him even closer and lost her fingers in the silky strands of his hair. His lips were hot and heavy, yet gentle and soft. His tongue teased and tasted her, curious in how much it could communicate of his love without the need for words.

When he picked her up and starting backing towards the wall, she finally felt the need for a breath of air. "You know, as much as I want to do this..." she began, panting hard and blinking her eyes. She could only guess they were as dark and lusty as Malachi's.

"We should wait for tomorrow," he finished her sentence, promptly placing her back on her feet. She swayed a fraction of a second but his arms steadied her as they remained around her waist.

She nodded, biting her lip. "We've waited this long already."

"And the pack deserves to see us commit ourselves formally to each other during the ceremony. It will unite and bring us together so much more," he added, slowly tearing himself away from her. Then he gave her a cheeky smirk that instantly sent a new spark of desire ripping through her body. "But after the ceremony, there'll be no denying each other anything." His eyes darkened as they looked at her relentlessly, seeing into her heart and stripping down every wall of resistance. "Understood?"

Ariella had to swallow the sudden dryness in her throat before she could answer, wetting her lips with her tongue. "Yes, Alpha." Raising an eyebrow as she walked past him, she trailed two fingers down his bicep and was delighted at the way his skin shivered and rippled from her touch.

She quickly grabbed some clean and comfortable clothes, then stepped into the bathroom. WIth a pounding heart that slowly calmed down its from furiously galloping rhythm, she leaned against the door and listened quietly for a moment as Malachi rummaged around and found his own clothes.

She heard him leave the room and walk down to the guest bathroom. A soft silence enveloped her, and she felt light for the first time in a long time. There was no heavy darkness suffused in each room of this house. No insidious tension that brushed against her skin or whispered fear into her ears. Ariella no longer had to worry about Seneca or her obscure schemes, and it was such a freedom that she was only just starting to feel. This pack would finally be hers to lead as Luna. She could serve and help the people as she was always meant to do.

As she unzipped the back of her dress, she realised the material was perfectly clean and wrinkle-free, as if it had just come from a wash and iron instead of being dragged through mud and wrestled by demons. She fingered the light and soft fabric, marveling at its almost magical properties. This dress, in which the King had adorned her, was perfect and she couldn't wait to slip it on again for her acceptance ceremony tomorrow.

She smiled at how wondrous it was, how she would come to Malachi as his chosen mate in the dress given by their King after her sacrifice. She was destined for this, and not even death could hold her back from following the path written for her.

She hung the dress up carefully before removing her underwear, her eyes arrested by the image of her body reflected in the mirror. All trace of a smile slipped from her face. Every calm and peaceful thought she'd had fled as she saw herself since coming back to life.

A part of her expected her skin to glow ethereally; every tiny nick, scar, and flaw erased. Since being with the God of the universe and feeling his gentle yet powerful touch on her skin, she'd foolishly pictured herself as perfect and unblemished.

Not marred with an ugly reminder of her torturous death.

For on her chest, right over her heart, was a jagged red scar that clawed at her skin, surrounded by dark mauve bruises that bloomed like the deadly madenolia. The memory of the knife sinking in her chest and stealing her heartbeat slammed forcefully into her mind, the darkness and hatred in her killer's eyes dancing before her vision.

As her breath escaped her, Ariella felt new tears of anger and bitterness run down her face. Her legs gave out, and she slid to her knees in a grave of despair.

"Are you ready?"

I hum, shrugging a shoulder non-committedly. "Not yet. I just want to feel more relaxed before we go back." I brush my fingers over the last remaining heath that grows on the hillside behind my parents' house, the feathery petals so soft under my touch. Gabby walks with me, patiently letting me inhale the fresh scents of the country air, feeling the early morning sunlight tingle on my skin and infuse me with warmth.

After having stayed with my parents last night, I'm eager to get back to my mate and begin our ceremony. I feel so distant and empty without him by my side, but my mom and dad needed the comfort of my presence after losing me. It shook them more than they admitted, and I could sense the hollow look in their eyes and the heaviness of their spirits even though our bond had been forged again. Lexi especially couldn't seem to hug me tightly enough after losing her second child, then experiencing the shock, joy, and relief of finding me alive again. I couldn't bear to let them go back to their quiet house. Malachi and I will have forever together, so I knew being with them for one last night was important.

Malachi was reluctant to let me go, but eventually reminded himself he had work to do in his log cabin, and that he wanted it to be all ready to take me home to after our ceremony. I pray he got some sleep and didn't work on it all night just to distract himself from my absence.

As it was, I lay in my old bed and replayed in my mind every look, every word, every touch I'd shared with my mate since when we first met. All those weeks ago when we'd glimpsed each other through the trees and across the border; when I'd seen him on the cliff overlooking our territory; when I'd caught his scent drifting outside my window on dark moon-hidden nights.

Every memory I now view in a new light, every dark look he gave me and silent contemplative expressions he'd have when I tried looking into his heart. Every dismissive gesture; every time he turned his back on me. Every tender gesture as he tucked my hair behind my ears; every soft smile that brightened his eyes when he thought I hadn't noticed him staring at me. They all whisper something new to my soul, and though so many days were lonely and painful, I cherish each one for where it led us today. Our journey truly is precious and I wouldn't change it even if the King gave me another choice.

Every painful moment has turned us into the compassionate and loving Alpha and Luna that his pack needs.

My heart beats nervously just thinking of the very real responsibilities I will now face the moment I step back across the border.

"You miss her, don't you?" I suddenly ask, catching a quietly distant look in Gabby's sapphire eyes.

"Are you changing the subject?" she whips her head towards me.

"Are you?"

She sighs, "I suppose. We spent so much time together, and I kind of thought we'd have forever. Luci was a devil, but we had our similarities despite the obvious differences."

I nod, both of us reminiscing about our friend.

Gabby continues with a frown and melancholy voice, "She deserved finally being dragged to hell, and I knew nothing could change her fate. She made her decision a long time ago, and even if she ever regretted it, it was too late."

"So she never really cared for me? I really thought she was a friend."

Gabby shakes her head regretfully. "They're good at acting. Lies were her second language. I guess some days she was nicer than others, but she'd sworn her allegiance to Lucius and the deceit he loved to dance with. Demons will never change their ways, no matter how much I wish they might."

I wrap my arm around Gabby, and we share one last prayer for Luci before wiping our eyes and smiling at the azure blue sky and the blazing star of light that is quickly racing away from the horizon.

I take a breath before broaching a new subject, one I've been itching to ask but never had the time. "Now Gabby, I want you to be honest with me."

"When am I ever not?" she raises her eyebrows in surprise.

"True," I shrug, wondering at my figure of speech. I guess I'm so used to people hiding things from me, I expected the same subterfuge from my truest friend. "You wouldn't tell a lie even if your life depended on it."

Gabby laughs, a pure sound that sings to my soul. "That's because no life ever depends on a lie. The King always provides a way when we are truthful, even in the hardest situations," she tells me frankly.

"I'm glad to hear it. So tell me, what's with you and Beta Hamilton?"

Her mouth drops open in surprise and I hurry on to explain before she denies anything. "I've wondered for a while now why you keep acting strange whenever you're near him, and even he seemed a bit odd after you healed him. I know he can't see you, yet you still avoid him as if he... as if he might sense your presence. And that scares you." I give her a serious look, letting her know I'm not going to settle for a brush off. She may not lie, but she's good at honestly evading the truth when she wants to.

"I..." she begins, her eyes dropping, her feet shuffling as she takes a nervous breath. "I'm not sure. I feel something when I'm close to him. Something I didn't think angels could feel."

"Mate bond?" I hesitantly guess.

Her eyes slice to mine, her peach coloured lips opening in a gasp. "That's not the word I was going to use...."

"Then what?" I prod.

"Spirits like us don't...we don't have the privilege of loving another like you do," she crosses her arms against the cold breeze, rubbing her hands up and down in a perplexed way. I lay my hand on her forearm, stilling her agitated motion. She bites her lip before continuing. "Mate bonds and marriage were a special gift that our King gave to you, the greatest of His creations. You can mate and multiply, and love each other in ways I can only imagine. We are just the King's messengers and warriors. Spiritual beings without real bodies or souls. I can't begin to dream for anything more," she swallows hard, her eyes flaring for a moment before she shutters the emotion away and gives me a contented smile. "Hamilton is nice, but he doesn't mean anything to me. I'm all good. But you, however are going to be late—"

"I'm not going anywhere until we make a deal."

She raises an eyebrow in curiosity. "A deal?"

"Talk to the King. Ask him why you feel the way you do. It can't be coincidence. Hamilton feels something too, though he can't see you. Maybe he can sense you when most others can't. He told me himself that he believes in angels. That counts for something. And he's unmated," I nudge her elbow.

"I told you, we're not built to love like that," she protests.

"Sure, and I'm not built to magically survive a knife to the heart. The King brought me back to life. And He can give you a miracle too," I shrug, revelling in the horrified look Gabby gives me. "You'll thank me later," I wink at her, suddenly loving the prospect of her being mated with my Alpha's Beta. We'd practically be sisters if she moved to our pack as Beta female.

"You are crazy," Gabby glares at me, but I can see the hint of a smile on her face.

"I've been called worse things," I flick my hair over my shoulder and smirk. "So, you talk to the King, or I'll keep pestering you until we're old and grey," I say, grinning because I know she will never become old or grey.

She rolls her eyes but shakes my hand on the deal. "Right. Well..." Taking a shuddering breath and smoothing down her dress, her fingers tarry on the soft fabric. She takes another breath then flashes me a confident smile. "We really need to get you ready, or else Malachi is going to storm over here and demand we hand over his runaway bride," she grabs my arm and tugs me to my old house.

I shake my head and laugh at her dramatic postulation. "Very funny. He's probably just pacing in the forest, just as nervous as I am about this upcoming ceremony," I grumble and let myself be dragged to the house before we all pile in the car and drive together to DoubleEdge Pack. My heart surges as we cross the border, and I feel like leaping out and running the rest of the way.

This is my home. This is where I poured out my heart and all my love to save my Alpha mate. No matter how scared I am for my future, I know I will have the strength to face whatever comes.

"Finally, you're here!" Harlow waves her arms, flagging us down outside the Alpha's mansion. "I thought you'd never show up, and I'd get my shot at the Alpha afterall," she winks at me saucily, and I playfully punch her in the arm.

"Don't even joke about it," I growl."

"Okay, okay," she concedes with a petulant look, and we both laugh. "Come on, let's get your hair and makeup done before the boys come back from the forest. Harleen and the older shewolves nearly have the town hall all set up again, and Meris and Cally are dying to show you the flower arrangements they've put together. The children, organised by Sammy, have prepared something special that's supposed to be a surprise, but they were practicing out by the training field so everybody knows what's going on. Those pups are so cute, I swear you're going to have a fit watching them later on," she babbles as she drags me upstairs to my room where she's laid out all the essentials.

My parents and Gabby follow behind before Harlow dismisses the former Beta. "You can go taste-test the food, and make sure my brother gets himself cleaned up before the ceremony," she hustles him towards the door.

"What are you going to do to my baby girl?" Charles crosses his arms and refuses to budge from the room, not wanting to let me out of his sight for even a moment. I don't blame him. It seems all the men in my life have been extra attentive and watchful since my death.

"Charles, darling, we'll be fine. Just hurry along and tell the others we'll be down in no time at all," Lexi grabs him by the collar and pulls him in for a passionate kiss before pushing him out the door.

Harlow and I laugh at the dazed look on his face, and the blush that steals up Lexi's when she notices us staring. "Go on, it's okay to say you're jealous of my love story," she smiles like a teenage girl as she adjusts her dress that Charles' strong hands rumpled.

"Not jealous. Hopeful. It's not often you find love like what's between you two," Harlow replies, giving me a wink as she gets to work on my hair.

I don't want anything too fancy, almost hating the fact I'm back here getting ready for a special occasion when memories of the last time are too fresh. Just yesterday I was here, and everything turned out to be the worst and best night of my life.

When she's done, I slip on my dress and admire my reflection in the full-length mirror. My eyes rake over the delicate lace that wraps around the soft material, enhancing the fitted waist and flared skirt. Minute beading glitters on the bodice and neckline, and the capped sleeves fit snugly over my shoulders.

I feel like royalty.

Yet my heart thuds in my chest. I try to forget what lies hidden beneath the beautiful material of the dress, what ugliness is covered by attire too beautiful for me.

Tonight, Malachi might look at me with love shining in his eyes, enraptured by my beauty, but what will he say when he sees the awful scar that refuses to fade from my skin? His blue eyes will cloud with disgust, though I know he would never say anything about it. He will be polite and comment on my slim form, my soft lips, and my gentle touch. But inside, he will wish his mate wasn't tarnished by such a horrible mark on her skin. He will avert his eyes every time we come together, every time I slip off my shirt, every time he holds me in his arms as we whisper our love to each other.

A tear slides down my cheek.

Mom wraps her arm around my waist and rests her head on my shoulder as we look at each other in the mirror. "Do I need to ask what this is for?" She wipes the tear off my face.

Shaking my head, I turn into her embrace. "Just a lot of stress. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me," I try and reassure her, doing my best not to cry. I have no good reason to be feeling like this. I know Malachi loves me, and always will, no matter how I look on the outside. Our mate bond will go beyond the physical, and he will be there for me emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We will always care for each other even if sickness or disease wracks our bodies and destroys our youth. "I'm fine," I repeat, meaning it this time. "Let's go find my mate and start the ceremony."

Stepping into my low heels, I lead the way downstairs and into the foyer. I fold my hands together as I sit on the settee and wait for Malachi. Harlow and Lexi chat about mundane things, and I try and stay tuned in but my mind keeps wandering off. I catch snatches of conversation about Samson and the other children who lost one or both parents, what will happen with the continual risk of rogues or demons, how the elders will now respond to the fact Luna Seneca was a demon and how that affected Malachi... But I try and fill my thoughts with positive things. I've dwelt too much on the darkness in our lives, and it's time to embrace the light.

"We're so sorry we got held up! Hamilton nearly chopped his arm off with the axe. I told him he shouldn't be—"

I stand as my mate and his Beta enter the front door suddenly, my gaze colliding with Malachi's as he apologises in a rush of words. He comes to an abrupt stop when he sees me, all thought seemingly fleeing from his mind. "Wow..." He exhales, his chest falling before he sucks in air quickly and steps towards. "Is it possible you're even more beautiful than when we said goodbye last night?"

I'm gently pulled into his arms, and he guides my head to lean against his chest. Breathing in his scent of chestnuts, I feel myself relax and the nervousness escape my body. His hands seem to pull me closer, holding me in such a way that I know this is the place I was always meant to be. The quiet sound of his breath stirs against my ears, and his heart beats increasingly fast, matching mine as it slows before we sync in a compromise of nerves and fluttering emotions.

I look up into his shining eyes, caught again by the sparkle and vibrant colour of the irises I love so much. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, I've heard them say."

"No more absence. You are staying by my side from here on, and no one is going to change that," he growls possessively, the sound a startling rumble in his chest as he tugs me closer again.

I laugh, for a moment forgetting the insecurities that never seem to stop dogging my steps. If he really knew what lay under my dress, would he call me beautiful?

"Are you ready, Ariella? My Luna?" he asks, the feel of his warm breath sending shivers over my skin.

"I didn't dress up like this for nothing," I reply with a saucy smile, eliciting a snicker from Harlow. She knows how reluctant I really am when it comes to dressing up for occasions.

Malachi smiles and places a kiss on my forehead before leading me out of the house and across the town square to the hall, my hand tucked securely in his arm. He is dressed in a black suit with a white button up shirt underneath, his hair neatly combed and styled, his skin smelling fresh like the coconut soap I like so much.

Hamilton is dressed much the same, yet his appearance is eclipsed by the handsome visage of my mate. No one can compare to the young Alpha in my eyes, not even the vague impressions of the King that linger in my mind. I was made to desire one man only, and this love I feel for him is almost too strong to bear. It seems to grow the more I learn about Malachi, the more time I spend by his side.

Many wolves have already gathered, and the mood in the air is festive and excited — so unlike the solemnity and grief of yesterday. However I can sense, like an undercurrent of an outgoing tide, that there is still sadness beneath the smiles and happy expressions. I know from my own pain and loss that this feeling never really goes away. We just become better at coping with it.

Everyone is dressed nicely, the perfume of flowers and scented herbs infusing the air with sweetness. We make our way through the crowd, excitement growing in my chest.

I see Alphas Kaiden and Chesca, their newest bundle of joy wrapped and held tightly in Chesca's arms. The female Alpha looks thinner, but otherwise she seems recovered from her ordeal. She smiles at me warmly and I feel tears prick my eyes.

Next is Devanshi, handing me a beautiful bouquet of flowers that I know she gathered herself. I saw her walking with a restless determination around the hills this morning on the drive over here. She gives me an encouraging smile as I accept her gift. Her mother Harleen embraces us both, her sons and other young daughter nodding respectfully as we pass.

Other pack members, including Gamma Hendrik and his warrior buddies, give us nods, smiles, thumbs up, and bowed heads of respect.

A number of faces are missing, and I know that Malachi, as Alpha, feels the loss more keenly than I can. His fingers weave through mine in a stronger grip than before. Through our partial bond, I feel his agitation so I look up at him with a supportive smile.

I even miss Knight's face. Despite his betrayal, I can't forget his kindness to me over the last few weeks. I'd always envisioned his friendship and goofy remarks brightening my day, especially on happy occasions such as this.

But currently he is locked in the deepest dungeon on DoubleEdge territory. We don't know how much we can trust him, despite his change of heart. After speaking with him for an hour yesterday, we are no closer to determining his true state of mind. He was subdued and quiet, his face pinched and his body stooped in a contrite posture. It led me to wonder how much he was possessed by Seneca and her demon brethren. Had they been controlling his will and desires all these years? Was he finally free of their influence, or would he take the next chance to hurt us for his own gain?

I shudder at the possibilities, wishing to believe the best of him but knowing that kind of naivety could prove dangerous. He will soon be transferred to ForgedHearts pack, where his previous girlfriend Miranda will have a say in his final punishment. Will they banish him? Exile him? Turn him rogue, which will definitely result in an insanity that drives him to hurt others...

I shake off these disturbing thoughts as we stand up on the stage at the front of the hall. The entire pack is gathered and standing, with a few elderly seated at the front. I see the room decorated with sheer drapes of material festooned from the ceiling and strings of lights beneath them, illuminating them like fireflies dancing in mist. Floral arrangements mark each corner and down the aisle, and small touches of gold and silver finish the scene. My heart fills with appreciation of what these lovely people have done for me and Malachi. It seems we have truly been accepted as leaders of this pack.