Page 40 of Bonded Beyond Regret

I nod and allow him to thread our fingers together and lead me to the stage that has been set up in the clearing behind the packhouse. When I look around, I find Marlene not far away and wringing her hands together. I almost gasp when Mike reaches over and covers her hands with one of his own.

My gaze snaps up to Samuel to find a secret smirk on his face. Clearly he saw the same thing I did.

The moment Samuel and I step up on the stage, the murmurs of the crowd stop and quiet descends upon us. It takes some real effort, but I’m able to stop myself from fidgeting.

As I look out over the pack, no one looks upset that I’m on stage next to our Alpha. They’re curious, yes, but no one is looking at me with distrust or hate. The realization makes me breathe a little easier.

“Waning Moon Pack,” Samuel’s voice easily carries over the area, “we have a lot to celebrate tonight.” Howls fill the air, and I find myself smiling. My gaze finds Stacy and Darwin who have Aisley standing between them and holding their hands. The way my girl’s eyes are sparkling with joy has gratefulness filling me.“Before we get to inducting our newest member, Marlene, I have a special announcement to make.”

The howls die away and only the sound of the forest behind us can be heard. I close my eyes and tuck this feeling away in my soul. Peace. Acceptance. Love.

I’ve found everything I’ve been looking for.

“As you know, Nyx and Aisley came to Waning Moon a little over a month ago. Even though we have both experienced the death of our mate, I felt immediately drawn to this amazing, beautiful, smart, kind, and brave she-wolf at my side. It wasn’t just me either, my wolf immediately sat up and took notice. Not only did Nyx give me hope, but Aisley felt like mine after one sweet smile.” He smiles at our daughter and then looks at me with affection and love. “We’ve taken it slow, for each other and ourselves. We’ve confronted our pasts and made peace with them. And,” he pauses, and it feels like every person in the pack holds their breath, “last night we cemented the creation of our bond by marking each other.”

The cheers and howls that fill the air are almost deafening. It’s so loud and so full of pure, unadulterated bliss that I take a small step back. I’m stunned for a moment before I find myself smiling so big that I don’t know if I’ll ever stop.

“We will plan her official Luna ceremony, but we all know that is just a formality. Nyx is the Waning Moon’s Luna,” he roars.

When Samuel turns me to face him, I gasp in surprise. But that surprise has nothing on what I feel when Samuel smirks and then dips me back over his arm and kisses me while the pack celebrates our mating.

“I told you,” Samuel mumbles against my lips, “they already love you.”

When he rights me again, I’m a little dizzy, but it’s a feeling I welcome. It means I’m alive. It means this is all real.

Samuel keeps me close as he inducts Marlene into the pack. While that’s happening, I keep an eye on Mike who looks anxious at not having her at his side.

I send a little prayer up to the Moon Goddess that those two end up together. The pup Marlene is growing deserves to know the love of a good male and that is exactly what Mike is. Not only that, but after the tragedy Marlene had to endure, she deserves love.

After the ceremony, Aisley runs right up to us and wraps her little arms around our legs. Samuel scoops her up and puts her on his hip. Even though she’s eight, he’s a big guy and more than capable of carrying her around like that. My heart melts when my girl kisses Samuel’s cheek and then rests her head on his shoulder.

Stacy and Darwin are the first people to come to us and offer congratulations. I get hugs from both of them which makes me feel like I’m not quite so far from my own parents.

When Stacy hugs me she whispers, “Thank you for coming here. I don’t know if it was the Moon Goddess guiding your path or just luck, but you are the best thing to happen to my son and this pack.”

I barely stop myself from crying because I’m incredibly touched by her words and her acceptance. She’s opened her heart and arms to not just me, but Aisley as well.

It feels like the entire pack comes by to hug and congratulate us on our mating. Everyone accepts me as their Luna with open arms and hearts. I’m speechless by the time the pups are led intothe packhouse, and we get ready to run under the light of our Mother.

Samuel looks at me with a wicked grin on his face and his blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight. “Ready, my warrior Luna?”

“I’ll follow you anywhere, my Alpha,” I vow.

We strip and transform into our wolves. The moon wraps around us and holds us in her arms as we nuzzle each other. I feel his wolf’s love for me, and I can only hope that he can feel the same from mine.

“I can,”his growl affirms through the mind link.

Samuel is the first to lift his head and howl at the moon. Thanking Mother Moon and offering her our song. When I do the same, my howl blends with his and becomes a harmony that is soon joined by the rest of the pack.

Just before we step into the forest, my mate right in front of me, a gentle wind wraps around me and ruffles my fur. I close my eyes and swear I can feel Andrew’s fingers running through my fur and blessing me and the future I’ve accepted into my heart and soul.

Then we’re off. We run, play, and frolic for hours.

The regrets that have held me back, the ones which held me hostage to the pain and loss, are absorbed by the healing light of the moon.

I won’t ever forget, but it’s time to look toward the future with hope and love in my heart. I’ve found my place, my hope, with the Waning Moon Pack and I will fight to ensure that everyone who seeks sanctuary and peace can find it in our pack.

EPILOGUE

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