Page 97 of One Wild Omega

“Point taken,” Fitz said. “As long as I get to make you mine in the eyes of the law, then I’m good with whatever name you take.”

“I’m already yours in the eyes of our gods. You’re my alpha, forever and always.”

Fitz kissed the ring on Tanner’s hand. “So, next week? We can go down to the government offices and get it done.”

“I don’t get a full ceremony with flowers and dinner?”

“You’re the one who didn’t want to have a ceremony at all? Now we’ve got to put on the whole shebang?”

Tanner smiled. “If you feel the need to do this, we’re going to do it right.”

“Fine… then we do it right.”

Tanner gazed up at Fitz, a starry look in his eyes. “I love you.”

Fitz kissed his omega. “I love you, too.”

Epilogue

Four months later…

Tanner stood shoulder to… well, ribcage… with his overly tall alpha before a very ornately dressed priest. Not one to usually follow the normal pomp and circumstance, Tanner had gone against the grain and decided he did want a full ceremony to mark his mating to Fitzgerald Walker, instead of a basic service before a justice of the peace.

The Rite of Mating was a serious thing, and he was serious about this man at his side. Tanner gazed down at his bare chest, the ornamental markings covered his torso and the swell of his very pregnant belly. They’d tried to push for a ceremony sooner, but the twins he carried made it hard to hideanything.

He looked to Fitz, also bare from the waist up and covered in markings with the white paint. When instructed, he turned to Fitz and faced his mate. He dipped his finger into the bowl of white paint offered him, as did Fitz, before they drew the marks on one another’s bodies they’d been taught to do beforehand.

Tanner trailed his finger over Fitz’s muscled abs, leaving his own mark for once. Under the paint, there were a few marks Fitz had left the night before. Not to mention the big bulging one before him.

Fitz drew his mark on Tanner’s skin there, on the mark of their children growing within him. When he was done, he lifted his stare and met Tanner’s.

“I love you,” he whispered as the priest intoned the old gods and prayed for their future happiness.

“I love you, too,” he whispered back before getting the priest’s evil eye.

When the ceremony came to its conclusion Fitz led him to the small room where they’d lie together and become one. The priest followed, blessing the room and asking the gods to allow them to bear fruit.

“A little late for that,” Fitz whispered lowly.

Tanner giggled, getting a second evil eye.

After all the room’s candles were lit and they’d pulled off their light, linen pants, the priest left so they could complete the ceremony.

“That priest had it out for me,” Tanner muttered. “He probably thinks I’m a loose omega forcing you into a mating because I’m pregnant.”

“Joke’s on him. I’m forcing you into a mating because I want you to bemyloose omega.”

Tanner swatted at his chest. “You think I’m loose?”

“I do,” Fitz said, wiggling his eyebrows. “But just for me.” Fitz lowered his head and stole a kiss.

“Cute. By the way, you’renotforcing me to do anything.”

“I know you didn’t want this… you’re only doing it for me.”

Tanner eyed Fitz. “I’m doing this because it would make my alpha happy, yes. But I don’t know… I think I liked the whole ritual of it. Experiencing this has been interesting. And muse-inspiring.”

“I’m so glad our mating has opened up something for your art.”

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