Once the decorations were arranged to Luna Maty’s satisfaction, we headed into town for a final fitting on my gown.
Taffy and Luna Maty both got a bit misty-eyed as I stepped out of the dressing room in my strapless dress.
“It’s perfect,” Luna Maty sniffed, wiping away a happy tear.
“Caelan is going to be speechless when he sees you,” Taffy added, reaching down to fluff out the skirts.
The light-blue tulle clung tightly to my waist and hips before flaring out into a full skirt with a little train. I’d asked for a blush-pink underlay and a touch of white lace along the bottom as a little surprise for Caelan.
It fit like a glove, and I admired it from all sides as I turned in the mirror.I can’t wait to see his face tomorrow night. His two favorite colors combined. Too bad I won’t be wearing it for long.
Preparing to be Marked
SHADE
By the time we were finally done with everything, I was more than happy to retire to my room. I hesitated for a moment as I glanced at Caelan’s door.
I know I teased him about not being able to sleep without me, but I’m not sure I’m going to be able to rest either without him next to me.I pushed open the door, leaning heavily against it as I closed behind me.Don’t think about it. Try to get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for us, and I don’t want to be too exhausted to enjoy every minute of it.
I tried to relax as I climbed in bed, but my body refused to find a comfortable position. I tossed and turned, gripping the pillow that smelled like Caelan tightly and burying my face in it, but nothing worked. I gave a frustrated groan, settling on my back with a huff.This is going to be a long night.
I froze as I heard the creak of my bedroom door opening before the scent of coffee and vanilla flooded my senses. The bed dipped as he climbed in beside me.
“Caelan! What are you doing here?” I whispered.
“I can’t sleep without you,” he admitted with a pout.
“I can’t either, but we have to respect tradition,” I insisted. “We can’t sleep in the same bed tonight.”
“Fine,” he grumbled, grabbing a pillow and shuffling for the couch. “But I’m not going back to my room. I need to be near you, or I’ll never get any rest. I’ll take the couch, and I promise to keep my hands to myself. I’ll even set an alarm so I can sneak back to my room before anyone else wakes up. Will that do?”
I giggled at the frustration in his tone. “These are your pack’s traditions.”
“I know. I know,” he mumbled as he flopped down on the cushions. “Go to sleep, baby.”
***
When I woke the next morning, Caelan was gone. He’d placed his pillow back on the bed beside me with a single flower laying on top of it. I smiled as I picked it up.
Today’s the day.
There was a gentle knock on the door before Zelda entered.
“I thought I heard you moving around in here,” she remarked as she carried the tray over to the coffee table. “I brought you a hearty breakfast since you ladies won’t be having a large lunch.”
“Thank you, Zelda. I appreciate it,” I replied as I got up.
“Of course, Luna,” she offered with a smile, stepping around me to make the bed.
“I’m not the luna yet,” I corrected her.
“But you will be. You’re mated to the alpha, and after tonight you’ll carry his mark.” She fluffed the covers. “I’ve known from the moment I laid eyes on you that you were something special.”
“I remember. You said I didn’t smell like an omega,” I said as I took a bite of bacon. “I’m curious. What do I smell like then? Do I smell like a zeta?”
“No,” she replied, shaking her head.
“Then what do I smell like?”
