Page 63 of A True Mate Bond

“I didn’t mean to disrespect him. I can just see how much of a toll it’s taking on you.”

He looked up and his face softened. “I know you didn’t mean to disrespect anyone, especially you.”

She smiled and took his empty plate from him, carrying it back to the kitchen. She wanted to make things easier on him but had no idea how. He’d already gone through so much. She hated to see him burdened with yet another weight on his shoulders.

“Niev?” He sounded worried and she quickly turned around to face him. “Have you seen another wolf pass through here?”

The question came unexpectedly. “No, why?”

“I scented something on my run but didn’t recognize it as one of our wolves.”

“We live close to Selene’s tree. Maybe one of the Skadu Wolves wanted to go there before the ceremony?”

He nodded. “I was thinking the same, but my wolf didn’t like that idea.”

“Because he doesn’t trust them?”

“I hope he will as soon as they become part of the pack. He has been very protective over you.”

“You could say that after you nearly ripped Tristan’s throat out,” she giggled. “Will you be wearing shorts today?”

He nodded and she walked toward the bedroom where she quickly got dressed. She decided on a dress for comfort. Even though her bump wasn’t huge, it was still growing and wearing jeans had become far too uncomfortable.

On her way back to the living room, she stopped at the nursery again. She loved that room. It was her favorite in the whole house. Blake walked up from behind and wrapped his arms around her growing bump. “It’s beautiful. Emlyn and Aruna will love it.”

A warm feeling spread through her as he mentioned their names. Niev turned toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist, trying to hide her misty eyes. “We should get ready for the ceremony.”

He smiled down at her and gently lifted her chin forcing her to look at him. “If you don’t like the names, we can choose different ones.”

“No, I love them. These are happy tears.” She hated being this emotional, but Aruna and Emlyn didn’t give her much of a choice.

He chuckled and wiped the wet streaks away. “Thank you for carrying my children.”

“Thank you for being so understanding. I don’t think I would be able to stay so sane without you. Some days my emotions are all over and then you come and anchor them into place.”

“You have the same effect on me.” He leaned down and lovingly pressed a kiss on her forehead. “Let me grab my nice pair of shorts and then we can leave.”

She nodded and walked outside, soaking up the sun while she waited for him. It was a beautiful day, as if Selene agreed to the ceremony and blessed it with good weather. A few moments later, Blake weaved their fingers together and led her to the hidden pathway that would take them to Selene’s tree.

They were one of the first to arrive. Only Seth, Tanner, Mayra, and some Skadu members were present so far, and Tanner seemed to be giving some sort of advice. Seth’s gaze fell on them both and he began to walk toward them. His face was unmoved and hid all his emotions. Niev spread her arms and hugged him before quickly letting him go. “We didn’t mean to interrupt. I think we forgot it’s so much quicker to get here.”

Seth’s eyes lit up for a second before turning cold again. “We’re just going through the last preparations, so everyone knows what is going to happen.”

“Will Tanner–” She paused and turned red. “I mean, Alpha Tanner say the same vows he said with me?”

“Yes. It’s always the same but we’ve never had it on such a big...” He seemed to struggle with his words. “...scale before, and we had to come up with how we want all of them to accept Father’s request.”

A shiver ran down her spine as Niev recalled the morning she’d joined the pack. “When I agreed to be part of the pack, it felt as if I had finally found a home. Not just physically, but also in my soul.” She teared up a little as she thought about the warm feeling that spread through her body that morning and has since been a part of her heart.

Seth’s lips twitched into a smile before he composed himself again and hid his emotions. “I’m sure for you it was much more intense than for anyone else.”

“At first I thought it was scary,” she admitted as she looked up at him, not sure if she should share with him what she’d felt before becoming part of his pack. They’d become so close, closer than she’d ever thought possible. “I was afraid of you. Not because you were so terrifying, but because I would be dependent on your mercy. I knew you didn’t like me, and that I didn’t obey you. I was afraid you would reject me against your father’s wishes.”

She felt Blake step closer and leaned against him for comfort.

Seth took in a deep breath before answering. “When Father shared the news with us, I was angry. You’d disobeyed me. You made me look weak. You had enough power over Blake that he was able to fight one of my commands. My wolf hated you. He’s used to his pack following my orders even without my alpha command. I thought my father was blinded by the happiness he felt for Blake. Father commanded me to accept you and so I did only to be proven wrong by you.” He looked down at her. His face was still emotionless, yet his eyes were soft. “You proved us all wrong. You were chosen by Selene to be part of our life. We were just too blind to see it.”

Before she could say something, Tanner motioned for Seth to come back. He walked away without another word, leaving Niev to fight her tears. Blake gently kissed her head and caressed her bump with his thumbs.

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