The Alpha’s Companion - Chapter 100

One Year Later….

“Ready?” Lacey’s mother asked, smiling proudly as she looked into Lacey’s eyes. After the war Between the Packs, Lacey had offered to let her mother stay with her, but now that Camari was truly free to do as she pleased, she had decided to become a member of The Shadow Pack, Arkin’s pack. Lacey was glad that her mother and Arkin had found one another again… after all these years. And it was strange. Thorn and Camari had been worried about the other dying if one left, but standing before her now, Camari was no worse for wear. Lacey guessed that it was because the Mating Bond between them had already faded years ago. There had been too much water under the bridge between them before he had passed.

But Lacey pushed the thought aside, determined not to let anyone ruin this day. Lacey nodded. “Yes. I’m ready.”

One corner of Camari’s lips curled into a smile. “Well, then. You shouldn’t keep your Mate waiting.”

Lacey headed through the living room, dressed in a full-length white dress with a lace overlay, her hair longer than before, falling over her shoulders and down her back into waves.

It was the day of their Mating Ceremony, a day Lacey had been waiting for.

When they walked into the hallway, Arkin was waiting for her, smiling. “Ready?’

Lacey nodded. “Yes. Of course.” Over the last year, Lacey and Julien’s love had grown even stronger than before, if that was at all possible.

Her mother took her other arm. “Well, then. Let’s go.”

Lacey had asked both her mother and Arkin to escort her down the aisle. And this was it. An exquisite bond between Mates, stronger than that of a husband and wife, but at that moment, Lacey knew she couldn’t love Julien more than she already did. But this bond between Mates was strong, unforgiving, and forever.

As they descended the stairs, the foyer was empty. Lacey smiled, knowing that everyone was probably already in the Grand Banquet Hall, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Arkin pulled her to a stop outside the doors of the Grand Hall, his eyes sincere. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Lacey nodded, smiling. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

“Well, then. Let’s not keep your Mate waiting.” Then Arkin turned to the two shifters that were manning the doors and nodded. Suddenly, the doors opened at the same time.

The Grand Hall was gorgeous, having been decorated with freesia and wisteria hanging from the ceiling, filling the air with a clean, soft fragrance. But standing on the edges of the center aisle were her guard, the Alpha Queen’s Guard… her young warriors. They all looked at her and smiled. Then they snapped to attention and stood at the edge, looking into the center of the aisle.

Her eyes filled with tears at the sincerity and honor of the gesture. But when she looked at the other end of the aisle, when saw nothing, no one, but Julien.

He was wearing a white tuxedo and ascot, a sharp contrast to his beautiful, russet skin and long, black hair pulled back neatly into a low ponytail. But when he saw her, his face lit up with pure elation.

When Lacey walked down the aisle, escorted by Arkin and her mother, everyone turned to look, gasping when they saw her. But she saw only Julien as she walked slowly down the aisle toward Julien… her destiny.

When they reached the other end, Arkin gave Lacey a soft kiss on the cheek, and so did her mother. Then Arkin placed her hand in Julien’s, and then turned to take their seat.

Lacey and Julien stood before the minister, and before him, a long, white cloth lay on a small table along with a dagger.

The minister looked out over the congregation. “You are all here to bear witness to the Mating of this couple. From this day forth, they will become Soul Mates. If one should leave, then the other will surely die. But now, we are here to celebrate life. Two souls now joined, becoming one.” Then he nodded toward Julien.

Julien lifted the dagger and cut the palm of his hand, letting a few drops fall into a silver chalice. Then he turned to look into her eyes. “Lacey, you are now bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, and soul of my soul, from now throughout eternity… forever.”

Then Julien handed the dagger to Lacey, laced with his blood. She took the dagger and cut the palm of her hand, letting a few drops spill into the silver chalice, just as Julien had. Then she looked into his eyes. “Julien, you are now bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, soul of my soul, from now throughout eternity… forever.”

Then they placed their hands together and the minister wrapped the white cloth around their joined hands binding them together. “Julien, from this day forth, you will provide for Lacey a home within your soul for the two of you to abide together.”

“May it be as you say,” Julien replied.

Then the minister turned to Lacey. “Lacey, you will cleave only to your Mate, your soul abiding with his, in the home he has made for your soul and his, within his heart.”

“May it be as you say,” Lacey said, looking into Julien’s eyes.

“Now, drink of the holy cup and be as one.” Then the minister held up the cup of wine laced with their blood, first to Julien, and then to Lacey.

Then the minister held their bound hands together. “I now proclaim that you are both Soul Mates, each to the other.” Then he smiled and looked into Julien’s eyes. “You may now kiss your Mate.”

A broad smile spread across Julien’s lips, his face filled with unabashed joy, exactly what Lacey felt. Then his lips descended upon hers, leaning her back into a dip as everyone cheered. When he pulled back a moment later, he said, “You’ve just made me the happiest man on the face of the earth.”

Lacey smiled, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. “I’d bet I know something that will make you happier.”

Julien grinned, shaking his head. “Not a chance.”

“I’m pregnant.” Lacey smiled, waiting for it to sink in.

“You what?” Julien asked, frozen to his spot.

“We’re going to have a baby.” But Lacey’s smile quickly faded, afraid of his reaction.

But Julien turned and faced everyone in the hall. “Did you hear that?”

“No! What?” someone yelled from the back of the hall.

Julien looked over at Lacey, raising his eyebrows and she nodded. “I’m going to be a father!”

As everyone cheered, Julien scooped her into his arms again, lifting her from her feet… and Lacey had never felt happier in her life. Julien was her husband, her Soul Mate, and will soon be the father of her child. What more could she want?

It had been a long hard road to get there, and her journey had been filled with both sorrow and joy. But that was life… and Lacey was glad that she would share hers with Julien. At that moment, she knew that he was truly her Mate, and would remain so…. forever.