Page 75 of Alpha's Hated Mate

“I had this whole speech planned, but . . . “ I suck in a deep breath and try to drop to one knee in this ridiculous skin-tight dress. Chad swoops in, steadying my elbow as I wobble, then backs away once I’ve managed the awkward descent without flashing the whole school.

“Saffron, what are—” Aydan says.

“Don’t, please. Let me get through this before I lose my nerve.” I pause for another deep breath before continuing. “Aydan, when I first saw you walk through those academy doors, I thought you were the most gorgeous, entitled Alpha jerk I’d ever seen.”

Laughter erupts across the hall. Aydan’s lips quirk up at one corner as he crosses his arms over his chest.

“And I was right about half of that.” I smile as more laughter fills the room. “You were an entitled Alpha. But you were also brave enough to question everything you’d been taught. Strong enough to stand up to your family and their legacy. And kind enough to see me—really see me—when most people just saw my red hair.”

“Excuse me, folks.” I turn toward the back of the stage as my fingers fish for the velvet pouch that I secretly tucked into my bra earlier and pull it out. A golden band etched with the phases of the moon—Chad and Yarra helped me pick it out—falls out of the pouch into my hand.

“I always thought that Scarlets don’t get happy endings.” Tears threaten to fall from my eyes, but I push through. “But somehow, against all odds, I found mine with you.”

I lift the ring toward him, and it gleams in the light. Aydan’s eyes widen as realization dawns on his face. Scattered whoops and whistles erupt from the crowd. I spot Yarra grinning wildly at the front, her phone raised to capture this moment.

“Aydan Vaultmore, I love you.” I stare into his sparkling eyes. “I am yours, my Alpha. Truly. Completely. Will you accept me as your mate and allow me to be your Luna forever?”

Aydan just stares at me, like a deer in headlights. For one heart-stopping moment, I start to worry that he might reject me. Then his lips curve into that devastatingly beautiful smile that still makes my knees weak.

“Get up, you crazy wolf,” he finally says, reaching for my hand.

“Is that a yes?” I ask, staying firmly on one knee.

“Saffron Kamaria,” he says, loud enough for everyone to hear, “you’re the most infuriating, beautiful, stubborn woman I’ve ever met.”

I almost drop the ring as he pulls me to my feet.

“Yes,” he says, taking the ring from my hand. “I am yours, my Luna, forever.”

The crowd erupts into cheers so loud that the stage vibrates beneath my feet. Aydan places the ring on his finger, then cups my face in his hands.

“That was supposed to be my job,” he whispers against my lips.

“Too slow,” I whisper back, before he kisses me deeply.

And it is the mother of all kisses. I feel like I’m flying. Wrapped in his warm embrace, everything just falls away around us. There is no one but the two of us in thisworld.

He’s mine and I’m his. Truly.

When we break apart, the music starts up and students flood the dance floor again. Yarra practically tackles me with a hug. “Oh, my God! You did it! Congratulations!”

I laugh. “We did it! Thanks to both of you.”

Chad shakes hands with Aydan, patting in him on the back.

She turns me loose long enough to hug Aydan, who nearly stumbles over from the force of her hug.

Yarra starts to drag me off the stage with Chad and Aydan following behind.

“We’ve gotsomuch planning to do,“ she starts rattling off. “You have to get a dress, and we have to decide where in Claymore you two are going to be married.” She gasped. “We need to invite the Alpha King as soon as possible. He’s a busy man and his calendar fills up quick.”

“I . . . guess?” is all I can say. I look over her shoulder at the guys, who are both laughing at Yarra’s excitement.

Chad finally pulls Yarra off of me. “Let’s not overwhelm her. They literally just got engaged.”

Professor Robertson and Dean Fowler come up and congratulate us. “It’s about time we had another wedding toattend,” Professor Robertson says with a wink. “May you have many,manyhappy years together.”

I tug Aydan’s hand, nodding toward the French doors leading to the balcony. “Come on,” I whisper. “I need some air.”

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