Sasha's pulse quickened and her stomach fluttered with a blend of excitement and jitters as she gazed at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her ice-blue eyes, accentuated by the bold winged shape of her black eyeliner, sparkled with happiness for her mating ceremony.

I finally get to put my mark on him.

A possessive growl escaped her lycan, a deep rumble filling her mind to express agreement.

A wide grin spread across her lips, which were coated in a light shine of lip gloss. The woman staring back at her in the mirror looked stunning, her afro perfectly styled and adorned with a crown of white petunias curtesy of Jia.

"Mommy and daddy," she whispered, her voice trembling with longing, "I wish you were here to witness your little girl's mating ceremony." She took one last look at herself in the mirror before walking out of the bathroom. "You would have loved Kwan, dad," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "And mom, you would have showered him with the same affection you give to dad and me." She brushed away a solitary tear that had slipped down her cheek.

She took a seat on the bed, admiring the intricate details of the dress that Gina and Mrs. Campbell had chosen for her. Running her fingers over the delicate lace of the white dress, she struggled to keep her emotions in check, her lower lip trembling.

In their pack, it was a tradition for the mother of the female involved in the ceremony to personally choose the white attire worn by her daughter. In Sasha's case, she would have been responsible for selecting her own dress. Despite this, Gina and Mrs. Campbell insisted on selecting her dress and they did not disappoint.

Sasha couldn't help but be amazed by the dress, which featured a solid sleeveless bodysuit. And a beautifully crafted lace skirt that cascaded from the waist, complete with a daring high slit.

"Alpha Jung won't be able to take his eyes or hands off you when he sees you in this," Mrs. Campbell had said to her with a wide grin.

"He'll be leaving more than love bites," Gina had added.

The memory caused Sasha's face to flush with embarrassment. She was grateful for the two older women. Without even realizing it, they had done something that had broken the last piece of guilt she'd felt toward her pack for not protecting all her people against Ivy.

As promised, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Campbell, along with the pack members' help, had delt with all the preparations of her mating ceremony. For the last two days, they had forbidden her and Kwan from offering any help whatsoever. So, she had spent her time splitting Neza's duties between Kwan and Aladdin. The thought of filling the gamma position with anyone other than Neza was unbearable to her.

Kwan had the responsibility of managing the pack's financial matters and resolving any problems that the pack members encountered, while Aladdin's role was to oversee patrol details and train recruits.

At the break of dawn, she would drag Kwan out of bed to go for a run before sparring with him. The corners of her lips curled upwards, recalling the image of him pouting and grumbling about her lack of love for him. She had showered his face with kisses the first night, which had led to him being in a better mood the day after.

Glancing over at his side of the bed, she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, missing his presence. She had grown accustomed to his presence, lying there silently observing her as she prepared for her daily tasks. However, due to traditions, Mr. Lee and Mr. Campbell had dragged him away the previous night. Mates weren't allowed to be around each other the night before their ceremony.

A light tapping in her mind caused her to lower her wall and her lycan purred as the sound of her mate's breathing filled her mind.

"Miss me?" he asked in a teasing tone.

She tilted her head to the side as a mischievous smirk grew on her lips.

"I can feel your emotions, buttercup. So don't even bother to try denying it," he added.

She laughed, her twinkling laughter filling the quiet room. After taking a moment to compose herself, she spoke up, "that's not fair."

"You haven't been playing fair since the day we met, and I miss you too, buttercup," Kwan said. "I've been trying to sneak out to see you, but Mr. Campbell and Mr. Lee are always on high alert," he mumbled, frustrated.

Sasha couldn't help but giggle, imagining the frown on his lips as he gave the two males a withering stare. "No one is allowed to break the rules, cutie. Not even the alphas," she told him in a stern voice. Her heart swelled with warmth, knowing he was willing to defy the rules to see her.

"Hmm. Well, I'll see you in thirty minutes, buttercup. I love you."

"I can't wait," she said, her voice filled with anticipation, and a soft smile graced her lips as she added, "I love you too."

She arched a curious brow as Jia's familiar scent of berries and the pine needles entered her room. "Come on in, Jia," she called before Jia could knock on her door.

Jia entered the room and bowed her head in greeting. "Wanted to check on you before your ceremony started. Have you received all the necessary items?" she asked as her eyes scanned the room.

"Hmm, yes I did," Sasha answered as she took in Jia's dress. A red one shoulder wrapped spilt thigh sequin.

"Good... Are you excited, nervous, or both? I know how much you've longed to meet and become one with your soulmate."

Sasha let out a soft chuckle. "Honestly, I'm feeling both emotions right now, but I'm more excited than nervous."

As Jia smiled, her eyes, the color of honey, glimmered with understanding. "I know the feeling quite well. But the moment you catch sight of your mate eagerly awaiting you at the podium, all distractions will fade away, leaving only a sense of exhilaration as your focus becomes solely on him."

Sasha nodded as she stared off into the distance, picturing Kwan waiting for her in his white attire. "I hope so," she whispered, looking over at Jia before looking at her fingers. "My nervousness has more to do with showing everyone my romantic side." A grimace crossed her face as she imagined kissing Kwan in front of everyone.

Jia took Sasha's hand and pulled her in for a hug. "I know so, Sasha. You'll do great. Plus, from the look of your dress, you'll be too focused on stopping Alpha Jung from throwing you over his shoulder and taking you back to this room."

Sasha giggled as she pulled away from Jia's comforting embrace. "He wouldn't."

Jia arched a brow with a knowing smirk. "You and I both know that the man we once thought was a shy softie is a possessive beast when it involves you."

Sasha felt her face warmed, but she couldn't stop the wide grin on her face. "And I'm in love with both sides of him."

Jia's face twisted into a mock expression of repulsion, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I think I've done my job. I'm going to take my leave. Any more of that puppy love look on your face and I'm going to need therapy," she teased.

Sasha laughed before sticking out her tongue. "Not so fun being on the receiving end, is it?"

Jia shook her head with a smile. "It looks normal on me. Five years of not seeing that shit-eating grin on your face makes me feel like I'm looking at a different person."

Sasha tilted her head to the side. "Was I that bad?"

"No, but I'm happy to see that my best friend is genuinely happy again."

"Oh."

"Yeah, well, I'll see you out there, Alpha."

"Okay, bestie... By the way, you look absolutely stunning."

Jia blushed, her cheeks turning a rosy shade. "Thank you, bestie," she replied as she bowed before leaving the room.

Sasha pulled the black t-shirt she had stolen from Kwan's side of the closet over her head. Sitting on the bed in only her nude color thong, she took another minute to admire her dress before getting dressed.

Looking down, a smile tugged at her lips as she noticed how the dress gracefully swept the floor. She made her way to her full-length mirror and grinned at the woman staring back at her. Momma would be proud.

"I look good," she said. Glancing down at her leg, she realized that the slit in the dress reached higher than she had initially thought. The slit stopped just below her waistline. Her heartbeat quickened, imagining the lustful gaze of Kwan and the possessive growls that would escape him at the sight of her in the dress.

"Maybe we won't even start the ceremony," she whispered, her eyes shining with excitement.

***

As the sunset, the sky transformed into a stunning canvas of orange and blue hues. Pack members, dressed in a vibrant array of colors, eagerly chatted amongst themselves on chairs adorned with white covers and golden ribbons. The path that Sasha would walk to meet her mate was illuminated by flickering torches. Soft, warm fairy string lights illuminated the nearby trees and the stair's railing, creating a magical ambiance.

The gentle breeze carried the refreshing scent of pine and grass, enhancing the beauty of the scenery. The atmosphere buzzed with liveliness, as if even nature itself joined in the celebration.

Butterflies danced in her stomach as she observed the scene from the sanctuary of the tree covers. Kwan's intoxicating scent enveloped her, heightening her senses and comforting her like a warm blanket. Her toes curled into the grass as her body tingled, feeling his eyes in her direction.

As a sign of respect for nature and their Goddess, it was customary for the mating couple to walk barefoot. Something Sasha appreciated very much at that moment. There's no way I could walk properly in heels with his intense stare, making my knees buckle.

She had made sure to stay out of view, wanting to be only a few feet away from him when their eyes finally met. As much as she wanted to look in his direction, she refused. She knew she would lose the last of her patience from not being around him for hours. One glance would have her stepping out of the shadows before time.

Resting her palm against the rough bark of the tree she was hiding behind, she closed her eyes, focusing on calming her racing heart and her excited lycan. Her ears twitched as the sound of Mr. Lee's voice filled the area.

"Greetings everyone!" Mr. Lee said as everyone quieted and turned their focus on him. "Today we celebrate our Alphas' finding and marking each other, and Alpha Jung official joining the pack. We will dance, drink and run as a pack to herald the reign of another powerful pair!"

Cheers erupted from the pack members, accompanied by howls that filled the air with an electric energy.

Sasha's chest swelled with pride and her lycan joyful howl filled her mind, echoing that of her family.

"Now let's stand and show our respect to our Alpha," he said in a booming voice.

Sasha watched as everyone stand with their heads inclined and a low growl of approval escaped her throat. She took a deep breath before teleporting to the start of the torched path. A soft gasp fell from her lips as her eyes connected with Kwan's. His beautiful gray eyes were now a molten gray that seemed to beckon her to him. With his chest exposed, his tattoo and impressive pectoral muscles were on full display. She licked her lip as she took in the delicious sight of his abs. Her eyes lazily drifted downward, taking in the sight of the white dress pants that adorned his lower half. Sexy!

With each step she took towards him, she could feel his eyes caressing her body, igniting a warmth that spread through her. As soon as his eyes landed on her exposed leg, a primal growl erupted from deep within him, resonating through the air.

"Mine!" he growled.

Sasha's lycan purred, enjoying every bit of her mate's possessiveness. She barely managed to blink when he suddenly stood directly in front of her. Their breaths mixed together as he lowered his head and gently lifted her chin with his finger. Her lips parted, ready to speak, but her words remained trapped in her throat when she noticed how close his wolf was to the surface.

"Always a tease, eh, buttercup?" he asked, his voice a low growl. He wrapped his free hand around her waist and pulled her flush against him.

She suppressed a moan as she felt his firm arousal pressing against her.

He smirked before whispering in her ear. "Feel that? That's all because of you." He pulled back to stare into her eyes, his eyes swirling with lust. "Let's hurry and get this over with so I can satisfy that ache between your thighs," he said through their shared link.

Sasha gasped, her eyes going wide with excitement and shock. She had unconsciously allowed him into her mind while being lost in his presence and touch. With every nerve ending on high alert, she relied on his firm grip around her waist to steady herself and prevent her knees from buckling.

"Now then, shall we begin, my beautiful hybrid," he said, lifting her in his arms bridal style and carrying her up the podium. "Mr. Lee, you can continue with the ceremony."

Mr. Lee cleared his throat as he approached the pair. "The marking is sacred amongst our kind. Once the marking process is started..."

Sasha internally groaned in embarrassment as she realized the ladies were right and their loud cheering only added to her embarrassment. She closed her eyes, trying to suppress the raging fire that her mate had lit, but being in his arms was only adding to the fuel. "You can put me down now," she whispered, staring at his neck. She licked her aching teeth as she realized how close she was to the area she was going to place her mark. So fucking tempting!

His deep growl snapped her out of her thoughts. "No."

"Why?"

"This is the only way my wolf and I will be able to make it through this damn ceremony when you're looking so appetizing."

She huffed, but she couldn't stop the smile or the way her chest warmed at his words. "I need to be standing when we mark each other."

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he gazed down at her, their depths swirling with amusement. "No, you don't."

She rolled her eyes before turning her head to look over at Mr. Lee.

"Alpha Hemming, you may now mark your mate," Mr. Lee said.

Sasha felt Kwan's hand shift from beneath her legs before it firmly grasped her side and rotated her body to face him. Heat flooded her cheeks as she realized she had no other choice but to wrap her legs around his waist. Her lycan's purring grew louder when his hand moved to her exposed thighs while Sasha wanted the earth to open and shallow her whole.

She wet her lips as her eyes met Kwan's intense gaze and everything seemed to disappear as her lycan surged forward. Her lips connected with his in a heated kiss, her extended canines drawing blood. His hiss of pain making her growl with pleasure as she ran her tongue over the cut on his lip, eliciting a groan from him.

She released his lips and kissed her way down to the area between his neck and shoulder where his pulse was the strongest. She ran her tongue over the area and smirked when she felt him shuddered. Her head reared back, and with a possessive growl, she sank her teeth into his flesh. The taste of his blood filled her mouth, causing her chest to rumble with satisfied growls.

His grip on her thighs tightened, his now extended claws digging into her skin. A deep groan of pleasure escaping his lips.

She pulled back and her tongue came out to lap up the remaining blood. She felt him shiver as his moan filled the air. "Mine!" she growled, looking at her mark with pride.

"Yours," he said before pecking her lips.

Mr. Lee cleared his throat, gaining their attention. "Alpha Hemming, here is the knife for the next part of the ceremony."

Sasha took the knife and bit her lip to stop her moan of displeasure that almost passed her lips when Kwan finally release his hold on her. Her heart skipped a beat when he reached for her hand, and a genuine smile appeared on her lips as he led her towards the table for the loyalty pledging ceremony.

She turned to face him; she could see the reflection of her glowing eyes in his. "Jung Kwan, do you accept me as your new Alpha and pledge to always be loyal?" she asked. Her voice was a deep growl due to her still present lycan.

His gaze lingered on her face, pausing for a solid minute on her lips, then locking onto her eyes with such intensity that it sent shivers down her spine. "I do," he growled.

"Do you pledge to protect me and the pack with your life?"

The intensity in his eyes grew fierce. "I do."

She nodded. Taking his hand, she ran the silver blade across his palm, causing him to hiss before doing the same to her own hand. She took his hand in hers, placing them over the bowl. "Let our blood sharing symbolize your pledge and acceptance to this pack."

The sounds of cheering and howling filled the air as the pack members rose to their feet, their joy evident on their faces.

Sasha grinned as she turned to face her family, her hand still holding her mate's. She glanced over at him, and her heart warmed at the happiness on his face. A wide grin, mirroring her own, stretched across his lips, while his eyes gleamed with pure happiness.

My handsome male.