I instantly flushed as a million dirty images flooded my mind. The desire to press my hips into him and feel his hardness pressed against my skin was overwhelming.
He gave a throaty chuckle. “Shade…baby…that isnothelping.” He let out a pained groan. “This would probably be a lot easier if I stopped touching you,” he grumbled, pressing his forehead between my shoulder blades as he tried to take deep, calming breaths.
“Maybe we should…uh…step away from each other for a moment to…um…c-collect ourselves,” I suggested, fanning my face like that would help me cool down.
“Uh-uh, no way,” Caelan countered, dragging me back. I stifled a moan as I felt his erection dig into my backside.
“You’re not leaving my side until I’ve properly marked you. And then probably not for a few days after that,” he said in a low husky voice. “I have plans for you.”
My cheeks were probably beet red as a bolt of desire rushed through me. “Well…um…adjust yourself the best you can, so we can get a move on then. Neither of us is going to be able to make it for long before we explode.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he growled in my ear, kissing my neck and making my knees weak.
Goddess. We’d better hurry.
***
The music suddenly quieted, and Alpha Leal’s voice boomed over the crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Alpha Caelan Kendrick and Shade Mallory!”
Caelan and I entered the pavilion, our hands raised as the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. I laughed, a bright smile on my face as we were greeted by our guests. I didn’t feel anxious at how many wolves were present. I was simply happy.
We walked straight to the center of the dance floor where Luna Maty and Alpha Leal waited for us. The crowd circled around as we stood in front of Caelan’s parents, both of them smiling warmly at us.
“Alpha Caelan Kendrick of the Harvest Moon Pack, do you commit yourself to your mate, Shade Mallory, on this night under the light of the full moon within the gaze of the Goddess and these witnesses?” Alpha Leal asked proudly.
“Absolutely,” Caelan replied without hesitation, a goofy grin on his lips as he squeezed my hand.
Alpha Leal turned toward me. “Shade Mallory of the Harvest Moon Pack, do you commit yourself to your mate, Caelan Kendrick, on this night under the full moon within the gaze of the Goddess and these witnesses?” “I do,” I replied softly.
“Harvest Moon and honored guests, under tonight’s full moon, these fated mates will commit to each other, marking their skinand combining their souls for eternity,” Luna Maty announced to the crowd.
The room erupted in more cheers and applause before Alpha Leal silenced the crowd once more.
“Let us eat, drink, and celebrate in their honor!” he roared, leading the room in a celebratory howl.
With that, the music blared back to life, playing an upbeat song about finding your missing piece. The lyrics reminded me of how I felt about my relationship with Caelan.
He swung me in for a quick kiss before we were quickly swarmed by our friends and packmates, all of them offering us their congratulations, even though we hadn’t actually done anything yet.
Caelan grinned at me from over Dillon’s shoulder, a heavy, heated look in his eyes that promised we’d be fixing that very soon.
***
For the next hour, we spoke with various guests as Caelan introduced me to the members of allied packs who’d come specifically for our marking. They all expressed relief that both Caelan and I were all right. It was a bit overwhelming, but no one brought up what had happened the night before.
Eventually, we made our way over to the buffet where Caelan filled up a plate for both of us. He led me to one of the tables, passing me a fork as we sat.
“I got a little bit of everything. We can just share,” he remarked, grinning at the look on my face.
“I was going to say there’s no way I can eat this much food without needing a nap later,” I laughed, shaking my head.
“I promise you won’t be sleeping when I carry you to bed,” he replied with a lopsided grin.
Taffy, Dillon, Oliver, Briggita, Alma, and Zia joined us. Caelan straddled the bench and pulled me flush against him so that Taffy could take the spot next to me.
“I’m going to grab a drink from the bar. Do you guys want something?” Taffy asked as she set down her heavily laden plate.
