She turned the small house into a home just with her presence, making him feel—for the first time—that he really, truly washome.
Thankfully, they hadn’t seen or heard from Otto all week, and he took that as a sign the male might have moved on.
Not that they were slowing down security measures at all.Everyone in the park was still on alert, just to be safe.
By the time Friday night rolled around, the pride was buzzing with excitement.For the first time since he created the pride, there would be an alpha female.The first part of the ceremony would happen tonight—when they would join as mates in front of the pride and then someone would set a rabbit free to be hunted.
Normally, the male would leave his female next to a bonfire with the pride and go hunt the rabbit, proving himself a worthy mate by catching and killing the rabbit, then cooking and feeding it to his mate.But since Caesar and Sera were alphas, the tradition was for them to hunt as a pair, proving to each other and the pride that they could work well as a team to accomplish a single goal.Together, they’d dress and cook the rabbit, then feed each other.
The next night was the joining ceremony, when she’d officially become the alpha female and a part of the pride.
Tonight, after the first ceremony, they’d spend the night in the paddock, under the stars on an inflatable mattress, the bonfire keeping them warm in the cool fall night.
Not that he’d have trouble keeping her warm, of course.
They stopped in the maintenance shed and waited to be called to join the pride by the bonfire.
Sera shifted from foot to foot.
“You look adorable,” he said.
He was wearing black trousers and nothing else, not even shoes.
She wasn’t wearing the traditional form-fitting black dress the other females had worn; she’d chosen a pair of black pants and a fitted tank, leaving her hair loose around her shoulders.
“Thanks,” she said.“You’re looking pretty delicious yourself.”
He purred and pulled her close.His fingers dug into her hips and she purred back at him, her eyes flashing amber.
“Don’t get me riled up, we’ve got a mating ceremony to perform.”
He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I’ll get youplentyriled up after we’re alone tonight, don’t you worry.”
She looped her arms around his neck with a sigh.“You’re the only one who gets my cat purring, Caesar.”
Preening like a peacock, his lion let out an appreciative growl.
He was going to kiss her when there was a knock on the shed door.“We’re ready for you,” Jupiter called.
“Thanks, kid.”
He pushed open the shed door and took Sera’s hand, leading her out into the paddock.Closing the door, he walked with her toward the blazing bonfire where the pride was gathered.Normally, he would lead the ceremony, but Jupiter was standing in his place as second-in-command.
As they reached the bonfire, Caesar brought Sera’s hand to his lips and kissed it.Then he said with a loud voice, “Jupiter, I present to you my soulmate, Serenade Caldwell.”
Jupiter smiled.“Welcome, Serenade.As second-in-command of the pride, it is my honor and duty to witness the alpha hunt tonight.One prey, two alphas, proving their ability to work together and watch over the pride.”He glanced around, smiling when he laid eyes on Celeste, belly round with child.“Our pride isn’t large, but we hold fast to our traditions, and it’s my pleasure to say how grateful we are to finally have an alpha female.Sera, do you come tonight of your own free will, to accept Caesar as your mate?”
“I do,” she said.
The pride growled in approval.
“Caesar, do you come tonight of your own free will and accept Sera as your mate?”
“I do.”
Jenni stepped forward with a cage, a small rabbit inside.
“The pride will be here when you’ve caught your prey.Good hunt and good luck!”
