Page 57 of Fated Alpha Protector

The two women exchange glances before they begin walking down the aisle. With every step they take closer, everything and everyone around me begins to fade.

When Mia is just a few feet away, nothing else exists except for her and me. All I see is her as she places her hand in mine and steps onto the platform of the altar.

“Hi,” she says with a smile that sets my heart alight.

It skips a beat and I lose my breath as I gaze into her eyes. Holding her hand, she joins me as we await my father joining us on the stage.

When he arrives, Mia blushes before we turn to him.

“Dearly beloved…” he begins as he repeats the words that will seal the deal and make her mine in this lifetime. At least, as far as marriages go. With her hand in mine, I give hers a gentle squeeze, feeling the way she relaxes beside me.

The official wedding ceremony continues as father goes on. “... So that the sanctity of marriage binds these two souls as they become mates.”

When he says the word ‘mate’, my mind travels to the near future where I am able to mark Mia. Claim her as my mate – a ritual that I’ve been planning for later tonight.

‘Theo..?’ comes her mind link as I feel her tugging my hand. I snap out of my daze, realizing that it’s time for me to put the ring on her finger.

Liam takes a step forward – as my best man – to hand over the ring. I take it from the box, stare into Mia’s eyes as I slide it onto her finger.

The blush that creeps over her cheeks fills me with pride. I know I am the reason for her shyness, and it does wonders to my soul. Like my life’s greatest achievement stands in front of me.

And that truly is the case, considering that I had spent most of my life dreaming about the fated mate bond. A rare occurrence, which is my gift to behold. Our gift.

When the ring is at the base of her ring-finger, Mia gasps as she beholds its beauty. I think she’s admiring the stone, but her voice in my head tells me otherwise.

‘I am yours now,’ she whispers shyly as she looks up at me with the brightest blush on her cheeks. Her natural color magnifies over the makeup painted on her face.

I have the sudden, strong urge to pull her toward me. That’s exactly what I do, crushing my lips to hers as the hall unravels in cheers and applause for their Alpha and Luna.

When I break the kiss we regain our breaths, I take her hand and we turn to the crowd.

‘We should get out of here,’ I suggest, speaking to Mia telepathically as we regard the Nightwalker wolves. Waving at them and giving them our best smiles.

From my periphery, I notice the look of displeasure on Mia’s face. ‘We can’t leave right now, Alpha…’

‘Why not, Luna?’

Again, she blushes a bright shade of pink when I call her by her title for the first time.

‘Because…’ she begins just as Anastasia climbs onto the platform and pulls her into a hug. ‘... Ana planned the whole ceremony. The least we can do is stick round for the feast.’

Mentally, I groan. Even though I put on a smile of gratitude for my sister’s sake when she hugs me. I soon lose my bride’s attention when my parents grab her and haul her into the evening’s festivities.

“What’s up with you?” Liam asks when he sees me staring after Mia as she’s led out of the hall.

Grouching and blowing a breath through my lips, I shrug. “Nothing.” I turn to pat him on the shoulder. “Let’s go join them for dinner.”

“You don’t seem hungry though,” Liam makes the observation with a frown.

“Oh, trust me…” I chuckle as I hop off the stage. “... I am starving.”

“Woah, Alpha!” Liam teases as he lifts his hands up in surrender. “I don’t want to know.”

I roll my eyes at the Beta just as the Delta joins us halfway down the aisle. “Oh, please!” I brush off as I blow a breath out. “You’re just butthurt ‘cause I’m beating you to it.”

“No, I’m not,” Liam protests, though he stares forlornly at Amelia when we leave the hall.

Most of Nightwalker are gathered around the buffet table, filling their plates with heaps of the meal Anastasia and Mother prepared. Mia is shown to a designated seat, and waves me over.

---