Page 94 of Mating Mia
Ash immediately starts crying with big, dramatic wails, but Kane swoops in, plucks the ring box from his hands, as my mom takes Ash in her arms.
Kane opens the ring box and hands me three bands.
The officiant has me repeating my vows as I slide the rings onto each of my alphas’ fingers. Kane, Jace, and Finn all hold the ring at the same time as they slide my ring onto my finger.
“Oh wow,” I whisper, admiring how the ring glints in the sunlight.
Officiant Thomas says, “You may now kiss the bride,” and before I can brace myself, Kane’s mouth is on mine, possessive and rough and exactly right. He tastes like salt and sunlight and everything I’ve ever wanted. Then Finn kisses me, gentler but no less intense, his hands framing my face like he’s terrifiedI’ll vanish. Jace is last, and he dips me backward in a dramatic swoop that makes everyone laugh, even my mom through her tears.
We sign the paperwork, and the officiant pronounces us “a pack, in the eyes of the law and of the moon.” The sun is warm on my face, and the ring is heavy on my finger, and I have never in my life felt this loved.
“Congratulations, sweetheart,” my mom says as she hugs me while holding Ash. My dad also hugs me before we walk towards the waiting helicopter roaring at the end of the meadow.
As we lift off, I look down at the ground, at my parents hugging each other, at the officiant shaking his head, at the wild green trees and the river that’s been my home for almost a year now.
Kane pulls me onto his lap as the helicopter banks toward the horizon, his arms tight around my waist, his mouth at my ear.
“I love you,” he says, just for me. I close my eyes, resting my hand on my stomach, and excited for alone time with my alphas on our honeymoon.
twenty-six
. . .
Mia
“Oh my god, that’s stunning,” I say, gazing at the small private island beneath the helicopter. The ocean and the white sand look exquisite, and I can’t wait to run barefoot over it.
This is real. This is ours, at least for the next three days. I grab Kane and Jace’s hands, squeezing tightly with my excitement.
“Aw, she’s so cute,” Jace teases from across the cabin, his eyes bright with excitement. “You’d think she’s never seen an island before.”
“I haven’t,” I admit, pressing my face closer to the glass. “Not like this.”
The helicopter touches down on a small landing pad, and my stomach flips with both nerves and anticipation. Kane helps me unbuckle, his hands lingering possessively on my waist. Finn is already at the door, scanning the perimeter with that predatory alertness that never entirely leaves him, even now, on our honeymoon.
When the door slides open, the heat hits me first—warm and wet, like stepping into a sauna. The pilot helps me down, and as soon as my feet touch the concrete pad, the wind catches mydress, billowing the light fabric around me like a cloud. I grab at it, laughing, as it threatens to expose everything to the poor pilot.
“You look like a fucking angel,” Finn says, the compliment making my cheeks flush. He’s behind me suddenly, his hands on my hips, steadying me as I try to control the wild dance of my wedding dress in the tropical breeze.
Palm trees are swaying lazily in the wind, their fronds rustling. The sand is so white it almost hurts to look at, pristine and untouched except for a single stone pathway leading to what has to be the most beautiful house I’ve ever seen.
It’s mostly glass, modern and sleek, perched on a slight rise that gives it a perfect view of the ocean beyond. The sunlight catches on every surface, turning the whole structure into a glittering jewel.
“Is that...ours?” I ask, still not quite believing any of this is real.
Kane nods, his hand sliding to the small of my back. “For the next three days, it’s all ours. No one else for miles.” The hard edge in his voice makes my skin prickle with anticipation, and I clench my thighs.
We follow the cobblestone path toward the house, my heels clicking against the smooth stones. On either side, exotic flowers bloom in riots of pink, orange, and deep purple, their scents heavy and intoxicating in the humid air. Butterflies dance between the blossoms, and somewhere in the distance, I can hear the call of tropical birds.
“This is ridiculous,” I say, shaking my head in disbelief. “How much did this cost?”
“Don’t worry about that,” Kane says, his tone making it clear the subject is closed. “You’re worth every penny.”
As we reach the front door, Kane turns to me with a gleam in his eye that I recognize all too well. Before I can react, he sweepsme into his arms, cradling me against his chest like I weigh nothing.
“Kane!” I squeak, my arms automatically wrapping around his neck. “What are you doing?”
“Carrying my bride over the threshold,” he says, his voice low and rough against my ear. “It’s human tradition. Like you wanted.”
