Alistaire got out of bed and went into the bathroom to take care of his needs. When he got back out, he saw Crevan sitting on the ottoman, worrying his bottom lip.
Okay, what’s he worried about now?Alistaire shook his head, looking at his lover, who always seemed to have something on his mind.
“What did you do wrong this time?”
“What do you mean this time?” Crevan looked up, meeting his gaze. “Name one time I’ve gotten in trouble since we’ve been together?”
“Fighting off those guys who were beating the shit of Corbin.” Alistaire quirked a brow and looked at Crevan.
“That was different,” Crevan said offhandedly. “I was looking out for a family member.”
“All right then, what’s got you so worried?”
“I…” he started to say, then stretched a hand out. “I was going to wait until tonight to give this to you, but I got too excited.”
Crevan opened his hand. Sitting on his palm was a black and gold velvet jewelry box. Alistaire walked closer to his lover and picked up the gift looking at Crevan. Alistaire opened the jewelry box without saying a word. His eyes widened at seeing the two sterling silver wedding bands with eighteen karat gold connected knots going around the entire center.
“Where’d you find these?” His voice cracked, and he cleared his throat as he looked up at his lover.
“Montgomery Antiques,” Crevan answered. “I know we’re mated, and that should be fine. But I wanted to get something that would signify our bond even more. We don’t have to wear them right now if you don’t want to, I just…”
“They belonged to my parents,” Alistaire said, cutting him off. “I’ve been searching for them.” He looked back down at the bands sitting on the cushions. “I’m not sure how they ended up in Vale Valley, but I’m so glad you bought them.”
Alistaire picked up the rings and threw the box on the bed. Not only had Alistaire been looking for his parents’ wedding rings to keep for safekeeping, but he also wanted to give them to his mate. He might have been young, but he remembered the bond his parents shared, and over the years, with more research, he came to understand the meaning of the partnership. He wanted the same thing with his mate. Alistaire reached for Crevan’s hand and was about to put the ring on his finger but stopped saying a prayer,—asking the gods and goddesses to bless their union.
He looked at Crevan. “Once I put this on your finger, you can’t take it off.”
“I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life,” Crevan whispered.
Alistaire slipped the ring on Crevan’s ring finger—solidifying their bond and mating. He then brought his lover’s hand to his lips, kissing the ring on his finger. Alistaire handed the other ring to Crevan, who took it.
“The same goes for you, Alistaire. Once I slip this ring on your finger, you can’t ever take it off.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
Crevan smiled and slipped the ring on his finger, and a content feeling washed over Alistaire. and He knew it was meant to be. Not only had the deities accepted their union, so had his heart. Leaning down, he pressed their lips together—sealing their bond.
* * *
“Oh, my gods!”Ava squealed when. “Thank you,” she kept saying over and over as she hugged the gift Alistaire and Crevan had bought her.
They were sitting in the family room with Crevan sitting on Alastaire’s lap—watching as Ava and everyone else opened their presents. They had bought Ava the discography and merchandise—a whole new comforter and posters—of her favorite K-pop group. Alistaire had been around for a very long time and traveled worldwide but had no idea what the hell K-pop was until his mate mentioned it.
“You’re welcome.” Crevan hugged her.
“I can’t believe you got me all of this. How did you know I liked this group?”
Crevan smiled. “I might have listened in on your conversation with Cindy when you talked about your bias. I promise I won’t do that again in the future.”
“Thanks.” Ava smiled and stepped back to collect more presents with her name from under the tree.
Alistaire continued to watch as everyone opened the gifts he’d gotten them and realized he hadn’t given Crevan his present. Along with the ring, his mate had bought him a new bathrobe, slippers, and a couple of silk pajamas sets Alistaire couldn’t wait to try on. Getting up from his comfortable spot Alistaire walked over to the tree, got the box with Crevan’s name on it, then walked over to his mate and sat beside him.
“Hey, baby.” Alistaire leaned in and kissed Crevan on his cheeks.
“Hey yourself.”
“I realized that during all this I hadn’t given your gift to you.”
