Page 63 of The Alpha's Reclaimed Mate

Lucas chuckled behind his lips. “I love it when you call me by my title. There’s something sexy and mysterious about the way you say it.”

He really was making it difficult not to blush. “Behave yourself, Alpha,” I purred.

“I don’t take commands from anyone but my Alpha Female,” he said, sliding his hands around my backside and daring to squeeze my butt as he peered up at me.

Every day, my walls crumbled a little more. The bond between us was growing stronger, enough to chip away at my reservations and convince me he was who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. My brain knew it, and my heart knew it too, but my wounded soul was yet to relent. I tilted my head and ran my fingers through his hair, smiling. “Then I suppose you better get used to taking commands.”

“Oooh!” The girls tittered to one another.

Lucas laughed, but I could tell he’d grown tired of having an audience. Clutching me close, he stood up and lifted me over his shoulder. “I think it’s time for me to retire. And I’m taking this one with me.”

I laughed, trying to hold myself upright. “Goodnight, girls!”

“Goodnight!” they replied, quickly returning to gossiping amongst themselves as Lucas and I left the common room.

He put me back on my feet outside, holding my hand as we walked.

The warmth of Lucas’ bed with him beside me was a comfort I’d grown to look forward to every night. It was part of our routine now. He’d get washed up while I changed into a light t-shirt and shorts for sleeping, then I’d get washed up, then I’d crawl into the bed he had already warmed up with his body heat, his arms waiting to wrap me up. He’d pull me close and kiss my cheek, then, through the course of our affections, we’d find ourselves naked again.

I sat up against the headboard, my head resting in the crook of Lucas’ neck as his arm bent around my waist, fingers trailing across my hip. A soft sigh left my lips as all the thoughts in my head materialized before I realized it. “You treat me so well, Lucas. Sometimes I think I don’t deserve you.”

He tilted his head to press his lips into my hair. “You deserve the world, Aria. The fact that you constantly doubt that just proves it.”

“Modesty is a good trait for an Alpha Female, isn’t it?” I chuckled.

“Yes. There’s no good in an arrogant leader.”

I mulled over his words for a few seconds. “Do you think I’ll make a good leader?”

“You spent four years training to be a leader. But the most important traits of a leader can’t be taught; they’re inherent. And you... You’ll be the most kind, fair, and just leader I’ve ever known.”

His unwavering confidence in me melted my heart. I closed my eyes, smiling into the happiness that burned through me. “I love you, Lucas.”

It didn’t click what I’d said until I realized his breath had stalled, and his fingers fell still. The mate bond I’d been cultivating for Lucas shone brighter and hotter than ever before. A fire of love and adoration rushed through me as the mate bond opened up, connecting our hearts completely. “Aria,” he said reverently, beckoning my lips to his. “I love you too. I love you more than anything in the world.”

Even through the kiss, I wanted to cry with joy. Lucas made me feel whole. I belonged here, truly. And I was so grateful that he had seen that before I ever did. I was grateful for him, and I loved him more than anything in the world, too. “I want to be your mate,” I told him. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Lucas held me tighter, our hearts beating as one. “You will,” he promised.

Chapter 30: Aria

On the first day of September, the Silent Shadows Pack held a ceremony in the park in the center of the village. Bright yellow and white, and blue banners were strung between the trees, gorgeous and luminous flowers adorning the aisle as I walked toward my future mate in the sunshine yellow dress of my dreams. Lucas Black stood dressed in a dark grey suit with a boutonniere of blue and yellow flowers, his black hair styled back with that handsome silver lock streaking above his left ear. He smiled the instant he saw me. I’d been smiling since I woke that morning. But only once I stood by his side did I feel the happiest I’d ever been.

“Aria Gunn, do you accept Lucas Black, your chosen mate, to be your rightful mate in the eyes of the Silent Shadows Pack?” asked the Shaman officiating our mating ceremony.

“I do,” I said softly.

“And Lucas Black, do you accept Aria Gunn, your chosen mate, to be your rightful mate in the eyes of the Silent Shadows Pack?”

There was a jolt of nervous electricity in my veins as I remembered the rejection I had faced before. But to doubt Lucas, at this point, I knew was foolish. I had no reason to fear what would happen next. “I do,” he said proudly, clasping my hands.

The Shaman smiled at us both. “Then the mating bond is sealed. I am happy to present the Alpha Male and Alpha Female of the Silent Shadows Pack, Lucas, and Aria Black. Congratulations.”

The pack roared in celebration, teeming with joy and delight for the union of their Alpha with the girl he loved. At long last, the Silent Shadows Pack would have two leaders equally invested in each other as they were the health and success of their pack.

“So when can we expect to see little baby Blacks running around?” Esther asked during the reception later.

Lucas turned his eyes to me, and I could only laugh. “Let me enjoy some time with my mate first before we start adding babies into the mix!”

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