Beaufort Creek Shifters (10 book series)
The Alpha’s Pregnant Bride Chapter 19

Troy

Rituals whites weren't my usual style. I recalled the same sentiment expressed to me by Isaiah when he had stood in front of the crowd wearing nicer clothes than usual. Now, his mate stood on his right with Elias on his left and Wendell right next to him. My three friends were joined by Myrna and Claire, the only two survivors to have turned up from the original Bravecrest pack. Our numbers had dwindled.

But our spirits had hardly perished.

The sky opened up above with fluffy clouds dancing across the sun that cast cool shadows over the land around us. Skye sat in the center of it all, it seemed, with her eyes glowing affectionately and her grin so bright that it could have been its very own solar system. She wore a strapless white dress that stopped just below her knees and a gold sash around her waist. She looked perfect.

Perfectly at ease. Perfectly mine.

This day had been a long time coming. Many sleepless nights had led to this moment. We had fought. We had f****d. We had fumbled. We had invested faith. Our journey thus far was only the beginning-and I knew what waited for us in the coming days would be specks of soil preparing to become a mountain.

It all started with one tiny speck, didn't it? That was how my love for Skye had started. However small it had begun was no indication of its size now-which had grown to such a magnificent size that I wasn't sure it could be measured. Her bare shoulder showed me the extent of it in the form of my bite.I held her hands loosely in mine. Elias waved for an older man to approach. He was a short, pudgy fellow with gray hair and dark, leathery skin. He wore the same ritual whites as Skye and me, and smiled with a kindness that spoke of wisdom and peace. As he prepared the bowls of oil on the altar next to us, I pulled Skye closer to me.

"That's Dominic Henderson," I whispered. "I know neither of us have grandparents right now, so I had Elias do some research."

She looked invested in my explanation. "Yeah?"

"He lost his entire family during the last raid-kids and grandkids. We thought he would like to do the ritual for us."

"I'm glad you asked him, Troy."

I grinned. "I didn't tell you before because...well..."

Dominic appeared to my left. He granted Skye a glowing grin and bowed his head. "It's lovely to finally meet you, Miss Skye. I've heard so many wonderful things."

"I'm sure it's not all been great."

"The request was last-minute," Dominic explained. "I assure you that Troy wasn't being sneaky about it."

Skye beamed. "He's never given me a reason to suspect such a thing."

He held out his hand, and she took it, a glowing admiration passing between them that lasted for perhaps a second before it dispersed.

"I have something special for you both," he said in a low voice. He reached into his pocket and procured a velvet box. "This isn't traditional. But..." He popped the box open to reveal a simple yet gorgeous rose-gold necklace holding a sun pendant. "My late wife wore this at our mating ritual. I figure it belongs here. In your family."

Skye's lips trembled as tears billowed in her eyes. She accepted the box and then hugged Dominic tightly, almost knocking the older gentleman over. His bubbly, hearty chuckle shook them both as he hugged her back. When he stepped away to get back to the oils, Skye held up the necklace and turned, requesting quietly for me to place it around her neck.

My fingers shook as I held the clasp. I wrapped the chain around her neck, leaning close to her ear so nobody else could hear me speak. Not even Isaiah's extra-sensitive ears. "Skye, I haven't told you lately how much I appreciate you." "You show me with your actions."

"I think it's important to tell you why I haven't proposed."

Her shoulders stiffened. My mate should know better than to think I couldn't read her energy all week. It wasn't necessary for mates to propose, but I had seen the custom spring up around Blake's farm, and I knew my mate was feeling left out.

As soon as I clasped the necklace, I rested my hands on her shoulders. "I'm actually glad Dominic gave you this necklace. I have nothing of my family's-save for the photo album. That was one thing I was able to salvage. But jewelry?" I sniffled. "None of it. And I wasn't sure about purchasing something new, so..."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm not saying anything." I turned her around and met her gaze while caressing her cheek. "I'm asking if you would like to be my mate for the rest of our lives."

She hiccupped. That meant more tears were on the way.

"I know this isn't traditional," I rushed to explain, "and most of this hasn't been traditional. In fact, f**k tradition. I hate tradition. I'm a pioneer of new customs. Let us ask each other freely without having to give each other grand gifts." I touched the sun pendant lightly. "Let whatever we choose to represent our affection be just that."

She rested her hand over mine. "Do you mean that?"

"Can't you hear my heart, dear Skye? Can't you hear the way it beats for you?"

She closed her eyes as she did every time I asked her such a question, and the smile that erupted on her lips made the tears in her eyes trickle out. Joy emanated from every inch of her. It seemed to radiate in every direction, enlivening the crowd with a sense of awe. Her brother, Emmett, had taken a few steps closer, his eyes dewy and shimmering with love for his sister.

Everyone was feeling what she was feeling-what we were feeling together. Though I hadn't yet spotted Blake, I knew he was in the crowd somewhere, watching with tear-filled eyes. The Beaufort Creek alpha was a sensitive man. Much like me. We got along because of that fact.

When Skye opened her eyes, she sparkled with a brilliant mirth that made me think of holiday lights on a brisk winter night. A gentle warmth accompanied the feeling. Both would have seemingly opposed each other, yet they complimented more than anything, reminding me that hot hearts and soft snow could simultaneously exist.

Like us. Like we were at this moment. Cold and hot. But not in a way that spoke of opposition. It was my favorite part of our connection, the fluid flow of it all, the winding river that carried me on her swift current.

"I can hear it," she whispered. "And I love the idea. I love the necklace." Her gaze switched to Dominic, who shone brighter with Skye's attention. "Thank you both."

I blinked away tears. While I wasn't opposed to crying, I didn't want to miss a minute of this because my vision blurred. Skye was a beauty in this white dress. The necklace looked perfect around her neck. Right next to her bite mark.

Something else was missing from this ritual. As Dominic proceeded with the oil and the symbols of the earth, he spoke freely about love and commitment. People nodded in agreement in the crowd. Some folks laughed when Dominic cracked a joke. I heard it all- and yet it felt like a dream.

Applause broke out behind Dominic. Skye stood up on her toes, ready to kiss me. I welcomed her into my arms, pressing my mouth to hers as I had already done hundreds of times. This time, the softness of her lips swept me into another dimension, transporting every single one of my fears to a place I could barely reach.

Anxiety floated somewhere in the background, much less invasive than it had been hours ago. The thing that felt like it was missing was still there too. Yet it had diminished its intensity to a faint glow. It made standing with Skye feel different, like she was the answer to every question I'd ever had.

Books could barely describe to me the way a mating ritual would make me feel. I had researched the subject a few times, curious to the extent most shifters tended to be about such myths. Elders spoke of an unbreakable bond that could only be felt. It couldn't be created or forced. It simply existed. And that bond would draw those people together somehow.

The tautness in my chest eased when Skye was close. That was enough to prove the existence of our bond. Nothing else could explain it. Feeling my way through this relationship had challenged my usual thinking methods. And though it should have worried or bothered me, it actually made me feel grateful.

Skye broke the kiss but didn't drift away. She clung to my shoulders as our packs surrounded us, tossing seeds in the air as a celebratory show of support. Elias and Isaiah practically rushed me and hoisted me up while Wendell and Blake lifted Skye. The two of us were carried toward the cabin situated on the line separating the pack lands-the place of true neutrality.

Excitement ripped through me as I cheered with my pack. Joy like this was spiritual. It was a magnificent breath taken after breaking the surface of the water. It was the comforting breeze on a hot day with warm sand between my toes. It was everything I could have wanted and more than that.

It was rebirth.

My feet touched solid ground, reminding me of where I would always land after any big change. I took Skye's hand and hugged her to my side as we faced our packs as a couple, shaking hands and giving hugs, kissing cheeks, and crying openly. Tears nourished the earth at our feet, a sign that the seeds once thrown would grow along with us.

Elias caught my shoulder. "You look good when you're happy."

"Ah, I hope one day to say the same about you."

He threw his head back and laughed. "No woman can handle me."

"Perhaps your argumentative nature will win the right heart."

I winked at my cousin before turning to Isaiah. He held Jada's hand while reaching for me, crushing me to his chest in a strong hug along with his mate. When he released me, I kissed them both.

"We're excited for the pup," Isaiah said. "You'll make a great dad."

Pain stabbed my left side-where Elias had been standing. He drifted back through the crowd and walked toward the cabin, disappearing inside before I could say anything to him.

My heart hurt. I knew the news of my to-be-pup had wounded a small part of him. Happiness resided there along with a complicated mixture of other feelings. Our pack had lost so much. I wanted to replace everything we had lost, people included, but I knew that was too big a thing to ask of the universe.

Jada and Skye would have our pack's children. That was as good a start as any. I hoped that Elias would come around when he felt ready to face the crowd again. And if he didn't, then that was his choice. I wouldn't force him to do anything.

Skye touched my shoulder and leaned toward my ear. "He'll be back. I promise."

"I know. I just-"

She kissed my cheek sloppily. "Stop worrying. It's bad for the pup."

"Yes, dear Skye."

Without hesitation, I turned to the swelling crowd. Dominic hugged us, followed by Neil and Gwendolyn. The other mates came up to shake our hands as well. Myrna and Claire elbowed their way to us, the two women crying while praising the beauty of the ritual. Skye and Myrna held each other for a good while, trading laughter and spirited platonic affection as any two best friends would. Finally, Blake appeared between two bird shifters with his mate, Veronica. The two of them greeted us with hugs and then lingered close as the crowd shifted around us.

Music started up behind the cabin. A few celebratory cheers erupted as the crowd teemed in that direction where food would soon be served. The party would eventually be in full swing.

"My friend, I'm happy for you," Blake said. "You two make a fine couple." Veronica nodded. "And congrats on the pup. That's such beautiful news." Skye rubbed her tummy. "I'm just hoping I can make pregnancy look good."

I kissed her temple. "You make everything look good."

"Even when I'm grumpy?"

"Especially when you're grumpy."

The four of us laughed. Someone called for Blake, and he nodded while taking Veronica's hand. The two of them were swallowed by the remaining attendees, blending in with everything else as they had previously. Skye and I were left standing near the cabin with our hands clasped and our hearts thumping rapidly.

"Wow," she sighed, humor tinting her tone. "That was a rush."

"I feel like we just got off a roller coaster."

She nodded while tugging me farther away from the crowd. "It would be nice to take a break. My head is swimming."

"You sure you didn't swipe some champagne before the ritual?"

She swatted my arm playfully. "You know better than to tease me about that. I'm not drinking a drop during this pregnancy." She blushed. "Well, not more than I already have."

"Dr. Windsor said everything is normal."

"I hate that word."

I laughed. "Well, it's a good word for this situation. We've both experienced so much that's not normal. I think normal would be good for us."

"You mean like late-night cookies and cuddles on the couch?"

"And picnics on the beach."

She bit her lower lip. "Vacations to Florida?"

I cringed. "Why would you want to go to Florida?"

"Because the theme parks down there are phenomenal."

I chortled while wrapping my arms around her. "Alright, dear Skye. Whatever makes you happy makes me happy."

"You make me happy."

"Then I guess I just won the lottery."

The music behind the cabin turned to dreampop, inspiring us to sway with each other. Everything felt like it was falling into place. Skye and I had pledged ourselves to each other. Our remaining task was the bite-which would come later on in the evening once the festivities had wrapped up.

"I can't stop thinking about something," Skye admitted in a low voice. "And I think you're feeling it too."

"What's that, dear?"

She tilted her head back and rested her chin on my chest. "You still feel like something is missing, don't you?"

I sighed.

She could read me so well. "Unfortunately, yes."

"The woods?"

"Yes, the woods."

She frowned curiously. "We keep finding Myrna sleepwalking out there. Do you think it's just trauma like Dr. Windsor said? I feel like it's something else."

My heart jumped when the cabin door swung open. Elias hopped down the steps, rounded the corner, and stared at the Bravecrest pack land, eyes red-rimmed and puffy from crying. His chest heaved.

Wendell came running up seconds later. "Alpha, there's something you need to see."

I hugged Skye to my side. "What is it?"

"There's three cars that just turned onto the road leading to your house."

"What?"

The four of us sprinted over the line of neutrality. Blake and Veronica were hot on our heels along with a few others who appeared as worried as I felt. Three cars had entered our property. Had they taken a wrong turn? Or was there something to this paranoid feeling that was going to make me regret running in this direction on my mating ritual day?

Skye grabbed my hand. "The feeling is getting stronger. Can you feel it?"

My heart burst with energy while my nose twitched. I could smell so many things-so much more than what was present in the surrounding area. Within another few minutes, we would be right at my door where, presumably, the cars would end up. Was I smelling whoever was in those vehicles?

They smell familiar.

Elias gasped and started running faster. "That smells like Archie."

I nearly doubled over.

Archie, my nephew. I hauled a*s toward my home. No, it couldn't possibly be them...

But what if it was?

Just like Wendell had reported, three vans were idling up the driveway to my home. We must have looked like a strange mob sprinting toward them like this. Yet none of us could help it. That lost feeling was disappearing with every step, turning to ash in the back of my mind as the vans stopped one after the other.

Dust kicked up around the vehicles. The engines shut off. The doors opened. I skidded to a stop near the first van where a ten-year-old kid shifted halfway through the air and tackled Elias to the ground.

It was Archie. And with him were three vans full of surviving Bravecrest pack members.