Chapter 35: The Ritual in the Shadow Forest

(POV: Nicollas)

Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes and still no sign of Lina! Why is she taking so long?

Anxiety tightens its grip on me as I clench my hands until my knuckles turn white. Damn it! I've never felt like this before.

"Stay calm, Nicollas. They'll be coming down the entrance soon," Albert reassures me from the other side of the altar.

"How are you so calm?" I ask, finding it hard to believe that I, the supreme alpha, am here practically having a heart attack from anticipation. While a beta is completely composed.

"I trust my instincts, and I know that as soon as Sophie enters through that entrance. We'll be the happiest couple in the world," he replies, smiling with an air of confidence.

We're in the middle of the no-longer-so-dark Shadow Forest. We've set up an altar and arranged everything for the public mating ritual.

My daydreaming is interrupted by the sound of the limousine parking. My heart doesn't ease its rapid beats within my chest. How does Lina look in the bridal gown I picked for her?

Anxious, I watch the car door open, and Lina and Sophie step out. Everything around me seems to stop; seeing Lina in the dress I chose for her is breathtaking. The gown molds perfectly to her curves, leaving me entranced.

I do have excellent taste! She looks stunning! Now I'm even more eager.

(POV: Lina)

Inside the limousine, I see Sophie, who's also wearing a white dress.

Mine has delicate spaghetti straps and intricate lace detailing. While Sophie's is a strapless gown that, from what I can glimpse. Flows out from the waist to the floor like something out of a fairytale. She looks absolutely beautiful!

"Do you know what's going on?" we ask simultaneously, then burst into laughter.

"No," we answer in unison once more.

Lukky gets into the limousine and sits across from us. I glance at him, and he gives me a knowing smile.

"Spill the beans, Lukky. Where are we headed?" I inquire impatiently.

"Patience. I've already said that both of you will find out when we get there!" he replies, winking at both me and Sophie.

I roll my eyes; I'm not a fan of being kept in the dark. But having Sophie here with me makes me feel only a tiny bit less anxious.

The limousine travels for a few minutes before stopping in the middle of the not-so-shadowy-anymore forest (there's a cleared path, which is why the limousine can enter). It parks in front of an arch adorned with white and red flowers and leaves. Sophie and I exit the limousine, and my eyes well up with tears.

Nicollas stands there in a black suit that perfectly accentuates his muscles. He's on an altar made of wood, a red carpet leading from where we are to where he's standing. The carpet is strewn with white and yellow petals along its length. All the members of Nicollas's territory are present, standing and gazing at me and Sophie.

Unbidden, tears form in my eyes, and I struggle to keep them at bay.

"Ready?" Lukky stands between Sophie and me, offering an arm to each of us.

"Yes!" we reply in unison.

Linked with Lukky, we proceed down the red carpet. Nicollas is on one side of the altar, and Albert is on the other. They await us, both wearing smiles.

As we approach, Lukky hands Sophie over to Albert, and they share a smile. When he's about to hand me over to Nicollas, he locks eyes with him.

"You better take good care of my sister," Lukky says sternly.

"I will," Nicollas replies without looking away.

Lukky gives me a forehead kiss before transferring me to Nicollas. Nicollas, too, kisses my forehead.

"You look exquisite, my little wolf," he compliments me, and I sense my cheeks redden.

"You're looking quite handsome yourself," I reply, biting my lip to contain my embarrassment. But by the way, Nicollas is looking at my lips, tracking every movement, I might have accidentally turned it into something a bit more provocative.

Nicollas clears his throat, redirecting his attention to the guests.

"We're gathered here to solidify the bond of mates. These two by my side," Nicollas gestures to Albert and Sophie, "are Albert Lins and his mate, henceforth Sophie Lins. I, Nicollas Hunter, supreme alpha of the North and East packs, bless this union."

With that, Albert and Sophie share a kiss, and the crowd applauds. What a beautiful couple they make; I'm so happy for my friend.

"I am Nicollas Hunter, and this woman by my side must henceforth be Lina Hunter. I, the supreme alpha of the North and East packs, bless this union."

Nicollas turns his attention to me and kisses me. It's a gentle, calm kiss, accompanied by the sound of applause. My heart pounds so hard it feels like it's about to leap out of my chest.

I don't have much time to think; before I know it, I'm shifting, looking down at the tattered remains of my dress. A pang of regret hits me. It was such a lovely dress.

After about three seconds of mourning my lost dress, I catch a scent that makes my core ache. I look at Nicollas, and there he stands in his wolf form: big, strong, agile, handsome...

I don't even get to finish my thought before Nicollas starts running deeper into the forest, and instinctively, I follow.

"I want her," Luna says.

"And I want him," Ryan, Nicollas's wolf, responds, making me smile inside.

We run for hours. Many hours! The sun has set for a while, and the moon is high in the sky, surrounded by stars. Nicollas stops in front of a lagoon I've never seen before. I approach him, and he licks my muzzle. I return the gesture.

"I, Ryan, will now claim you, my Luna," Nicollas's wolf speaks, and at that moment, I freeze.

What? But we've already completed our bonding.

"Yes! You and Nicollas have, but now Ryan and Luna will complete theirs," Ryan explains, clearing up my confusion.

Wow! I didn't know that. How embarrassing! I live within a pack and didn't know this!

"Remember, no one liked you, and your training at the academy focused only on combat and wolf instincts related to hunting," Luna says. lessening my embarrassment.

Relieved mentally, I return to reality as I feel Ryan's nose sniffing me. He smells my ear, and my back, and circles behind me. My whole body shivers.

"Allow me to take over to complete my bond with my mate," Luna requests, and Ryan licks my core.

How embarrassing! I try to tuck my tail between my legs, but Ryan growls disapprovingly, and I obediently retract my action.

"Fine," I say, and Luna takes over.

At that moment, it's as if she's lulling me to sleep, but I'm

not sleeping; I'm aware of everything happening around me.

Luna lifts her tail higher, giving Ryan full access. He gets the message and mounts me (Luna). I decided to give them some privacy. After experiencing some of the pleasure my wolf. Luna feels from having Ryan, Nicollas's wolf, inside her, they separate a few hours later. Together, under the full moon's glow, Luna and Ryan let out a resounding howl. And for the first time, I join them, howling at the full moon in my wolf form.

We hear many other howls in response to our declaration.

After that, Nicollas and I lie down together and fall asleep in the forest. It was magical; I'm left feeling euphoric.