Paige simply said, “You don’t have to. We did go to some of the places you talked about. Your dancing field is stunning. Like wow.” My eyes filled with tears, “Yeah, it’s really beautiful.” I’d choreographed my dances for Xander there.
Addison said, “Do you think you’ll come to our mating ceremonies?” I snorted, “I’ll be there. This is a mental issue…but … I’ll be there.” They all smiled. Addison whispered, “Jase and I will probably be first. We were thinking about having it after Allison Daniels' birthday party.”
I asked, “When is her party?” I knew it was soon since her birthday was. Addison’s guilt came through when she said, “Thursday.” I told her, “So, your mating ceremony is next weekend.” It wasn’t a question. Addison’s eyes filled with tears as she said, “Only if it’s ok with you.” I really didn’t want to go to Red Run next weekend, month, or year.
Maybe Haley could help me dissect that new feeling. I’d been trying to get back there for years. Now, I didn’t even want to look at it. I told my friend, “You do what you feel is right. It’s not about me. Your mating ceremony is about you and Jase. I know you don’t have a dress, but I’m sure Xander can tell us about a store around here. We’ll go shopping.”
I knew she’d wanted to wear her mom’s mating ceremony dress. One day when she was a pup, Addison had been playing in her mom's mating dress. Edward found out about it. He promptly threw the dress in the fire. He was such a jerk.
Addison’s eyes filled with tears, “Yeah? You think we can find a dress?” I snorted, “Of course we can. If we can’t… we know a lot of partial Fairies who can conjure one for us.” Addison hugged me saying, “I love you, Mel. So much.”
I hummed, “Monday is apparently going to be eventful… so we can go Tuesday.” Paige yelled, “Hell yes! Wedding dress shopping with my girls! Because it’s a wedding, you weirdos.” We all laughed. Mating Ceremony dress sounded normal to us since that’s what we called it.
Paige added, “Oh and someone better back me up with Dalton on the lingo. We call them kids or babies. What is with the pup thing?” I laughed, “You know that already. It’s what we call them.” Paige raised an eyebrow retorting, “Nope, I am not calling my kids ‘pups,’ or yours. It’s not happening. I’ll start a new trend.”
I teased, “Are you already talking pups, Paige?” Paige snorted, “I had to know what I was getting myself into. He could’ve wanted a litter!” I snorted, “Dalton wanted four kids back in the day.” Paige nodded, “He still does. I happily accept that. I thought he was going to say eight or something unattainable.”
I told her, “A litter of wolves... the actual animal wolf… is usually four to six… so he does in fact want a litter.” Paige rolled her eyes asking, “Is ANYONE surprised she knows that?” Avery laughed, “No, that’s what she does. She knows things like that.”
I sighed, “Lots of people know that.” Sierra disagreed, “No, they don’t.” Paige laughed, “Whatever. My definition of a litter is eight, and it was NOT happening.” I reasoned, “Well, then it all worked out. What about you two?” I asked Paige and Avery, “Are you having Mating Ceremonies back to back?”
Avery blushed, “Ads is going first.” Paige said, “Uhh I’m planning a wedding people. I need at least four months, and that’s rushing it.” I laughed knowing Dalton would climb the walls. Paige smirked at us adding, “I’m aiming for six.”
Avery bit her lip before saying, “Mine will be sooner. More like a week or two after Ads.” I nodded, “More shopping.” Avery smiled, “You’re one of a kind Mel. Really.” I rolled my eyes, but it was actually true. Just not right now… I was being normal.
Avery asked, “What about you guys? When’s your mating ceremony?” My eyes filled with tears as I explained, “He can’t mark me until I shift.” I broke down in tears. Avery gasped, “What? He can’t mark you?” Paige frowned saying, “So? They can still get married.”
Avery sighed, “They have to be marked to have a Luna and Mating Ceremony.” Paige shouted, “What utter bullshit!” I actually laughed, “It’s tradition. Especially since he’s an Alpha.” Paige rolled her eyes insisting, “It’s bullshit. If you want to get married a mark on your neck shouldn’t matter. You’re his Luna. Ceremony or not.”
I told her sincerely, “I love you, Paige. I don’t even know when… we haven’t talked about any of that.” Avery surmised, “It’s about your family, isn’t it?” I sighed, “I don’t… I just don’t know how all that works out. I didn’t think I’d have a mating ceremony.”
I corrected myself, “I mean… I did before I left, but then I thought Xander didn’t want me. I had dreams as a pup... of my dad walking me down the aisle, and my mom helping me get ready. Jason will be in the mating ceremony as a groomsman I’d bet.”
“He’s been friends with Xander forever. I just… I gave up that dream. It was left in the punishing hole with every other dream I had. I don’t know how to adjust to all of it being an option again. I thought on the slight chance Xander accepted me we’d have a small ceremony that only his family attended.
“I don’t know how to not be hurt by family right now. Their lives continued on. My whole world stopped. Nothing was the same. They talked to someone who never came home…which they didn’t find weird…probably because of a compulsions but still…Everything except my presence stayed the same for them.”
Addison took my hand gently saying, “That’s true but it’s not. They missed you, Mel. So much.” I believed her. I sighed, “Anyway, you know what? I’ll ask Elise about dress shops. She’d have a better idea than Xander.”
Paige laughed, “So, are you saying there are no dress shops in Red Run?” I frowned, “Well there are, but this is the bigger territory. The Conners own several malls here. Most of the girls go to Blue Moon or here for dresses for dances, Mating Ceremony’s and stuff.”
Avery smirked, “Our mates don’t own a mall? I think that has to change.” I laughed, “They’d build you a mall if you wanted one. They own businesses and restaurants. So… is Jason the Lead Male Warrior? That was always his dream.” Addison smiled answering, “He is.”
I nodded, “That makes more sense. They didn’t send their Beta to infiltrate the Hunters. They sent their Male Lead Warrior. I should’ve known that… even though it’s still a REALLY bad idea on their part… so…”
Avery sighed, “Mel, how could you know that?” I answered, “I’m supposed to be smart. No pack would send their Beta in to do that.” Addison said, “To be fair, you said those exact words.” But I’d watched Tristan die. So, in my mind Jason was the only option for their Beta. I rubbed my head saying, “Jason was listed as the Beta in Edward’s stuff too.”
Addison rolled her eyes, “My dad is such an ass. I can’t believe they did that to your wolf. And umm just so you know your Xander got a vision. I’m not quite clear on how…” I interrupted, “His pushing power. What did he see?” Paige frowned.
Avery answered, “He saw your first time cooking and shouted about what he saw.” I scoffed, “Is Edward dead then?” Paige sighed, “Sadly, no. It took a horde of people to hold your Xander back. Tristan told Dalton that Cassie had to get in your Xander’s face to calm him down.” I shrugged, “He hasn’t said anything about it.”
Addison said, “So, subject change required. Red One is out.” I nodded, “Yes. I’d imagine your mates know that too at this point.” Addison sighed, “Jase is going to flip.” I winking teasingly saying, “That sounds like his mate’s problem.” Addison snorted and splashed me with water.
A soft knock came, and the door opened. I grinned, “Hi, Abigail… I totally sent Gage to get you and…” She interrupted, “I know. He told me.” She sat on the edge of the hot tub, and we all gave her hugs.
Abigail admitted, “It feels crazy to say that I was in a good pack for a hot second before coming here. My brother is doing what he should in his role and so are his friends.” I told her, “I’m really glad about that.”
She nudged me, “That’s all your hard work. Then you sent my mate to me. My brother said to feel free to send someone his way.” I laughed, “I’ll think about it… we should have a big get together… with everyone.” They all agreed, “Yes.”
