Page 65 of Understanding Fate

“Ah, City, a white robe, how becoming. Sure we aren’t getting married?” he replies, and I turn the camera back toward me with a growl.

He puts both hands up in a sign of surrender, but the grin on his face doesn’t budge.

I’m surprised I can see him. He’s in a dark, industrial-looking room, and he's in full tactical gear.

“Are you sure you’re good to do this now?” I ask, wondering if he's on location for a mission.

“Wasn’t really given a save the date for this shindig. I’m forty minutes to shift change, so as long as you don’t stretch it out, I should be fine,” he says, checking a small laptop connected at his right.

“Shift change? You’re at work?” she asks before thinking better of it. “Oh, ‘work’. You must be annoyingly stalking someone who didn’t ask for your help.”

“Interesting how you get to complain about that solely because I ‘annoyingly stalked someone who didn’t ask for it.’ he replies, and I try to keep the smile off my face as she clenches her jaw.

He isn’t wrong.

“Okay, then I will put you over here,” I say, walking the phone to the mantle over the fireplace so he can see and hear the ceremony and I can have my hands free.

Turning my back to the camera, I square my shoulders, locking eyes with her.

Ready?

I silently ask, and I wait for the dip of her chin.

Showtime.

“Kneel,” I say, announcing the word and pointing in front of me. She obeys without a word, and my dick hardens at the way she follows my orders without resistance and looks up at me from beneath her lashes.

Fuck me.

“You come before us, one of the chosen. Destined by The Fates to walk this Earth as both woman and beast. Today, you have the choice to embrace that future or deny your birthright. This choice cannot be changed, and once spoken, is final. What is your choice?” I say the words, enunciating each to avoid stumbling over them.

She pauses, remembering the response she needs to say before lifting her chin and speaking.

“I choose to follow the path The Fates have set before me.”

My wolf surges with pride at her response, and I have to force him back before continuing.

“As is your birthright, we bear witness to your Awakening. Rise.”

I walk behind her as she stands, gently pulling the robe off her left shoulder. One hand slides securely around her waist, and the other pulls her chin to the side, exposing her throat and shoulder more.

Mine.

My wolf growls as I whisper quietly in her ear.

“I love you, Firefly.”

Placing my lips to her neck, I feel her tense as I lightly kiss the fluttering heartbeat there before gliding down to her shoulder. Then, without pause, I bite down.

Heat fills my mouth as my teeth shift, and the copper taste of her blood envelops me. Instinct takes over, and I follow its command, my bite deepening as I feel the burn of the venom release. A faint whimper hits my ears, but I’m too far gone to acknowledge it.

Just as quickly as it came, the burn subsides, and I release my bite, gasping for air as I hold Bri’s weight against me.

Shit. Is she ok?

Leaning into my wolf hearing, I find the muffled patter of her heartbeat, and relief fills me.

My Firefly.

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