Page 95 of Drive me Wild (South Island Shifters)

“As Alpha and Luna, you are bonded together for life. Your powers are one. Your life is one. Do you vow to honour this love that you share?” Zane asks.

“We do.”

“Wait, I have one more thing to say,” I announce, looking Declan straight in the eyes. “You are my world, my Alpha. You’ve shattered the walls around my heart and made me whole again. You’ve reignited the flames of love within my soul. There’s no other man or wolf I want to give my whole heart to. It’s yours, Declan Stone, now and forever.”

“Tonight, I have the great pleasure to name you as Alpha and Luna of the Stone Shifter Clan. You are to be obeyed in all things. The Luna has requested a change. When the Alpha is not around, she has asked that I, as the Beta am to be obeyed in all matters. Our Luna is gracious enough to keep things the status quo, and I am grateful for her,” Zane says.

Declan looks at me and leans down to kiss me. “I love you, my Luna.”

“I love you, my Alpha.”

“Oh, for Pete’s sake, you have all night to kiss. Can we get on with the party?” Margaret chimes in. We turn towards her, and she is sitting with Declan’s mother, who has been her usual self for a while, but both Declan and Zane are convinced they don’t have long with her.

We decide to leave our hands tied as we finish the ritual in front of the clan, then end up getting drinks with everyone.

“This doesn’t get you out of a proper wedding, Declan,” I say to him as we clink our champagne glasses together.

“I know.” He chuckles.

We dance for a while before we are given gifts from various clan members for good luck. It is effectively like a wedding, but he has promised me we will do a proper wedding for my human friends and family. I think he’s secretly afraid of my sister yelling at him if he doesn’t marry me.

After using the restroom, I’m just coming out of my and Declan’s room, where I bump into Laura. She looks at me and smiles. “I’m so glad my son has picked a strong Luna for himself. You are strong, sweet, feisty and adorable.” She grabs my hand and holds up her marked hand. She places it over mine. “This is the last of my Luna power, and I’m gifting it to you.” Another rush of energy sparks between us. “You are the true Luna of this clan, and I know my son will have a long and happy life with you. Soon, it’ll be my time to be with my Matthew once again.”

I gulp back tears. “Laura, I don’t know what to say.”

She smiles and leans in, kissing my forehead. “Say nothing. I have another daughter, and I couldn’t be happier. Now, let’s go have a drink together.”

Declan stops us at the bottom of the stairs. “Everything okay?”

“Just fine,” I reply.

“Is there something I should know?” he asks.

“I was just telling your Luna how happy I am that you found her,” Laura says. Declan smiles as tears glisten his eyes, and I have a feeling the heartache isn’t over just yet. The one thing I know is that we will get through it together.

I found him when I wasn’t looking for anyone, and he barged into my life with such force that I simply couldn’t say no. He’s going to drive me wild and crazy, and I’ll most definitely do the same to him, but we will love every minute of it.

Declan gave me the strength to learn to love and let myself be loved. I had to love myself before I could let anyone return it, and despite this, he never stopped trying to love me, no matter how much I wanted to push him away. This man is my whole world. I love him with all my heart: manandwolf.

Epilogue

DECLAN

Six months later…

One year of dating the best woman in the entire world, and today I make her my fiancée. I can’t wait. I wanted to pop the question over breakfast this morning. I’m that excited, but I have today all planned out.

Winter is currently getting ready in the bathroom of our hotel room. She has absolutely no idea about today.

The last six months have been both wonderful and sad. My mother passed away not long after our bonding ritual. My mother, I believe, knew she was going soon and transferred what was left of her Luna power to Winter. My mum adored Winter. The night Mum died, Ravin found out she is pregnant again, so it was a bittersweet moment, but she got to tell our mother before she passed away. Mum passed in her sleep peacefully.

Winter has been both my strength and love. She has been there through each nightmare, holding me, soothing me each time. The potion Edward’s mage mixed up worked to a point, but I have to have another dose in a few weeks to get its full effect.

We have spent the last few weeks travelling America, seeing New York, Nashville, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and we are now staying in San Diego before we head to Los Angeles for the final few days before we head home.

I click the ring box open. I’ve spent months building it and finally perfected it two days ago. I only hope she likes it. I’ve also spent the best part of six months hiding my plan from Winter. The last two weeks have been the hardest, though, and she’s almost seen it twice.

“What is that?” Winter asks as she exits the hotel bathroom.

---