The next day passed in a whirlwind. From the moment she woke up Paige hit the ground running. There were things to do that could only be done the day of. In the human world most of a weddings planning is done by the bride but for werewolves, it was done by the male and his family. Of course her brothers mate, Madeline, had been talking with her mother for the last few months. It was seen as a gift from the males family to the females family to handle most of the planning and set-up. That way the female only had to worry about the move into the new pack.

Paige arranged flowers and directed caterers. She helped the photographer set up and answered thousands of questions. Her mother was too much of a mess to do it, after watching her breakdown over the cake Paige took her mothers binder and started directing the mayhem. Her mother was obsessively organized when it came to the important things, something Paige had inherited.

All too soon it was time for her to get ready. She donned a simple sage green gown that matched her sisters and accented her auburn hair; as part of the males family she would be expected to stand with him to welcome his mate. Her make-up was lightly done and hair pulled back into an elegant half updo with elegant curls cascading down her back. Sophie used almost and entire can of hair spray to make them stay. Even with all of it she was sure that her hair would be back to her frizzy locks in no time.

Before she knew it she was standing in the Goddess's clearing with her brother waiting for Madeline to arrive. Every pack had a Goddess's clearing where the sacred rites where performed, it was mostly used for bindings and funerals. Nathan was there with his officers. He would officiate the Binding ritual with the other packs Luna. If Nathan was mated to his own Luna, then she would have been the one to officiate with him but as he was unmated the other packs Luna stepped in.

The ceremony was simple, they marked each other and exchanged vows of love and fidelity, of strength and support, and of meaning and purpose. Nathan concluded the ceremony. "We came here today to affirm your love for one another and to formally acknowledge that which the Goddess has already made known to you; that your lives are meant to be shared as one. That you are stronger together than you are apart, and that, for all your days yet to come, you wish to share together all life's joys and challenges, committed to one another forevermore." He paused to let the words sink in. "Now, it is my privilege as your Alpha, to pronounce you Micah, and you Madeline, bound mates, as the Goddess wills, now and for many moons to come."

"For many moons to come." The crowd repeated back as Micah and Madeline took their first kiss as a bound couple. The crowd moved into the reception tent with dinner, drinks, and dancing. With liquid courage, Paige found herself relaxing and having a fun for the first time since she came home. And for the first time in a long time if she was being honest. She danced with Dorothea and Sophie. She danced with Micah. She danced alone. At one point, James had pulled her into a folk dance that featured circles and changing partners. She was having so much fun that she didn't realize her next partner was Nathan until it was too late. She tried to step away but he pulled her close, "Don't make a scene, just dance with me," he pleaded.

She looked up at him, her confliction shining in her eyes before nodding. He pulled her around the dance floor and she found herself laughing. When the song ended she was still partnered with him. Again she began to pull away but he begged her for just one more dance. With the wine suppressing all her reasons she should be saying 'no' she nodded again.

He held her close and they swayed to the music. She belatedly realized it they were dancing to Frank Sinatra's It Had to Be You. A small voice in her head was screaming at her, telling her how much of a bad idea this was. She pushed that voice to the back of her mind and let herself enjoy being in his arms again. They were steady and sure. Dancing there with him she felt like nothing could hurt her, like she could face any hardship, conquer any battle. It was comforting and peaceful. It felt like home.

"I've missed you Paige," he started.

"Shhh," she whispered. "Don't ruin this moment with words. Just let this moment be what it is before we have to go back." She was desperate to have this moment. As much as she wanted to silence that voice in her head, she knew that this moment would end. The song would end, they'd have to step away, she'd have to go back to London, he'd have to stay here. They would have to end. But she could have this moment. She felt him smile against her head. When had they gotten close enough for that? So close he was practically kissing her temple. She closed her eyes and continued to sway. Begging this moment to last forever. Trying to soak up every feeling of joy and contentment, enough to last her the rest of her life.

The song ended, and she pulled back. "Goodbye Nathan." She whispered before walking away. She heard him say her name begging her to wait, but she picked up her pace and left the tent. She was barely keeping her tears at bay and she did not want him to see her cry. She stepped out into the cool air and took some big breaths, trying to swallow her tears. She stood outside valiantly trying to keep herself together. She was working herself up to go back inside when she heard her name in the soft, caring voice of her sister. At the sound of concern in her name, the tears broke through. Her body started shaking with her sobs.

"Oh Paige." Her sister quickly walked to her and enveloped her in a hug. She didn't know how long she stood there in her sisters arms. As she began to calm down her sister said, "You love him." It was a statement, not a question. At her words Paige cried harder. "If you love him so much, why are you pushing him away?" It was a few more moments before Paige gathered herself enough to answer her sister.

"Because he's him and I'm me. He's a wolf and an alpha and I'm just a human." She gave she sister a resigned smile through tears, "Our worlds don't mix. He's going to stay here and find his mate, and he will love her and she will be his Luna and he will forget all about me."

"I saw the way he was looking at you last night, at the welcome ceremony. And the way he danced with you just now. I think anyone with half a brain could see that he loves you too."

"I know," she took a shaky breath, and swallowed, stealing herself against her next words. "I know he does. And that's why it hurts so much. That's why I have to push him away. We can't go down this road again. I can't go down that road again. It destroyed me last time. I barely pulled myself back together, I won't be able to do it a second time."

"Okay," Sophie said softly. "What can I do?"

"Uh," Paige tried to make her mind focus on something other then her pain. "Just make sure Nathan doesn't see me. I don't want him to see me like this."

"I've been watching him since we've been out here. It looks like he's talking to Micah and Madeline."

"Good. That's good." She took some deep breaths to steady herself.

"Anything else? A tissue? Water? Micah told me his glitter bomb idea. Say the word and I'll pull up the site on my phone right now."

Paige chucked. "Thank you Soph. I think some water will be enough." She paused, "And maybe some ibuprofen or something. I've got that post-cry headache."

"Okay, I'll be right back."

Paige looked up to the full moon. All important rituals were done during or around the full moon. Werewolves believed in the Moon Goddess. Paige was raised to believe in her as well but after she didn't receive her wolf, she gave up on those beliefs. Nowadays she didn't believe much of anything, but looking at the moon still gave her some measure of comfort. Breathing deeply she allowed her emotions to settle. Crying like that is like turning the computer off and on again to reset it. She had felt some of the feelings she had been avoiding since she first got here and now they didn't feel so heavy. She could do this. She could. Sophie was taking a while longer then she should have, Paige turned to go look for her and ran right into another wolf.

"Well, if it isn't the little human bitch trying to ensnare our Alpha." It was Holly, the girl who was working the front desk at the pack house. She was very drunk.

"Excuse you?" Paige asked.

"You heard me bitch. I've seen you with him. You think you can waltz in here and take him from us, from me! Well I got news for you human." She sneered like it was a disgusting word. "He's mine. So you better back off unless you want to see these claws." She held up her hands like a boxer but stumbled forward, sloshing the glass of wine that was still in her hand. Paige had no choice to catch her.

"Okay, alright," She tried to set her back on her feet. "I think you've had enough to drink." She said trying to take the wine glass from her hand.

"NO!" She jerked away, "I saw you out there in the dance floor. You were sexing it up, making him want you. News flash sister he's taken. He's my mate!" she declared with a look of smug satisfaction. Paige gave her a calculating look.

"Right," she elongated the 'i'', drawing out the word. "And just how old are you?"

"What's that matter? He's my mate. We're mates! It's been fated by the Goddess! And we're gonna have our own binding ceremony one day, and I'm going to be Luna and have his babies and you'll be NOTHING!" She spat.

"Okay well, I'm gonna go back inside now." Paige replied. She started walking away. "You might want to take it easy on the wine there. Maybe eat some crackers or something."

Paige turned her back and took a few steps. She heard glass breaking and turned back around "NO!!" Holly screamed, lunging at her. "I CAN'T LET YOU TAKE HIM! HE'S MINE!!"