A Mate's Revenge(35)

“You okay?” Cael whispered.

“What Trager said,” he snapped.

Whatever Cael was going to say next was cut short when Isabesh stepped into the aisle. She was like an apparition. An angel. A fucking dream come true. He had to pinch himself just to make sure.

She met his gaze for a moment before her eyelashes fluttered closed. Like that, his teasing came back to bite him in the ass, because he went instantly hard for her.

Shit. Did this happen to everyone during their mating?

When she reached him, she took his hand and he brought it to his mouth, placing a tender kiss on the back.

Asa stood before the three couples and said some words. Important probably, but fuck-all if Cael heard them. He addressed the other elders one by one, each nodding their agreement. Then finally, finally…

Asa took the brand from the warming kettle.

Cael gulped at the bright orange/white end. This was going to hurt so good.

“With this mark, you commit your life to the serving of your mate,” Asa’s strong voice rang out. “For as long as you both shall live and even into death.”

“The vows,” Isabesh whispered. “They have changed?”

“I told you, Ravendale is run differently. Our elders wanted better and so did I.”

“Furthermore, ladies, by placing the mark, you deem your mate worthy of your devotion. For as long as you both shall live and even into death.”

He passed the marker to Kerrigan, who looked like she was going to vomit.

“Let nothing come between you, and may your bond outlive the sun.”

She nodded, as he urged her on. Tears streamed down her face as she held it close to Trager’s chest.

“Baby, do it. Make it good.” Trager looked eager.

Cael understood. That mark would complete him. Waiting his turn sucked ass.

“I can’t hurt you,” Kerrigan whispered.

“The pain is trivial, Kerri. I need this.”

She nodded, working up her courage.

“Remember the night I marked you?” he whispered. “It hurt, but it felt right. Remember?”

She nodded.

“Do it, Kerri. Mark me.”

“Okay,” she breathed. “Okay.”

Then she jammed the marker into the skin covering his collarbone. He let out a roar before grinding his teeth together to cut off the sound. Breathing hard, he kept his eyes on her until Asa took the emblem back and placed it in the kettle.

“Congratulations.” He shook Trager’s trembling hand and then moved over to Braeh.

He recited the necessary vows and then handed the marker over.

She turned ghost white as she took it. “Vesh?” Her voice was small, like a lost child’s.

“Make me yours.” His voice barely registered, but the need there was overwhelming.

Braeh swallowed, straightening her shoulders. Isabesh’s hand tightened around Cael’s to the point where his fingers went numb.

“I love you,” Braeh breathed, and then put the hot iron to Vesh’s shoulder.

He jerked his head, a strangled sound coming from his throat. Then it was over and Asa was congratulating him. The naked adoration in Vesh’s eyes as he looked at his mate, made Cael feel like a voyeur.

Finally, it was his turn. His wolf pushed at him in excitement. He was finally going to carry the mark of the woman he’d loved for so many years.

Asa handed the marker to Isabesh. Recited the vows.

She gazed up at him, worried, but knowing this would cement their union  .

“Don’t make me wait, baby,” he smirked.

She pressed her lips together, gathering her courage, and then…

The mark burned like a kiss from the fucking sun. His animal spasmed with joy, changing, becoming something new and different and altogether amazing. If he thought he lived for her before, she was his entire fucking universe now. Her life, her breath, her beating heart, it was all his now. One and the same.

There was no better feeling in the world. The pain, he hardly even noticed. The pain of the years apart had been worse than this. He’d endure this any day—everyday—just to have her.

Worth it. So fucking worth it.

The marker moved and he came back down to earth. Asa shook his hand, and the crowd cheered, but all he saw was her.

His heart. His soul. His strength. He’d never quit fighting for her, for them. And he knew, neither would she.





Epilogue


Vesh felt like he was finally waking up from a nightmare. It had lasted a lifetime, but it was worth it because of what he’d awakened too…

His love.

His family.

His happiness.

Happiness. And it was only the beginning. He would give his mate young, and they’d raise them in the way of the Ravendales. They’d smile and laugh and never wonder about their worth because they’d know. Know that they’re everything to him. And when it got hard, when he started to wonder if he had what it took to love them…