Chapter Ten: Women
{ Vale }

After Shelby had instructed everyone on how we were suppose to walk and where we were suppose to stand or sit the actual rehearsal began.

First up was Nico who would be walking down with his parents, Next up came Claire's mother and Grandmother.

Claire wanted Shelby and I to walk the aisle together so Shelby took a hold of my arm and I escorted her down the aisle.

It felt amazing feeling Shelby's touch, and I couldn't help but imagine that this would be us one day.

And as unorthodox as it may be, I'm kinda glad she's pregnant.

I know it sounds crazy, but this way I will get to see what kind of mother she will be.

Will she be kind and patient, stern or loving, sweet, impatient, childlike, mature, levelheaded, or scatterbrained.

I smiled as we reached the end of the aisle.

She removed her hand from the crook of my arm and went to stand opposite me as everyone else stood up just in time to watch Claire and her father walk down the aisle.

The officiant instructed everyone not in the wedding party to take their seats.

"We'll go over the traditional vows and Nico and Claire will also be including their own written vows to express their love for one another..." the officiant spoke.

I had to fight the urge to openly stare at my mate during the practice ceremony.

But when everything was said and done I got to walk her back down the aisle.

"Everything went smoothly." Shelby said to Claire excitedly.

I don't think she was even aware of the fact that she was still holding onto my arm.

"Hopefully this weekend will go just as well." Claire sounded worried

"I'm sure it will." I put in.

"We'd better get going before the restaurant doesn't seat us for being late for the reservation." Claire put in with concern

Nico kissed the top of her head, "That wouldn't happen, but we should get going...see you two there."

I knew which restaurant they had chosen to have the rehearsal dinner at so I didn't mind lingering a bit to have a little longer with My mate.

Since I essentially grew up here I knew this pack as well as I knew my own pack so I wouldn't get lost when we take off.

"How will we explain you moving to my pack?" I asked, then thought about it. "I mean...Do you even want to move to my pack?"

I really wanted her to make this choice for herself, I mean it'd be hell to be away from her now...but I don't ever want her to feel like she has to do something just because tradition dictates it, or because it's something I'm pushing on her.

"Well it makes sense since we're mates and you can't very well move to my current pack can you?"

I shook my head, "afraid not."

"Well..." She sighed, "My parent's are both dead, and Claire and I are roommates, so with her getting married, I'm essentially a single mother going to suddenly take on the brunt of the financial burden of living alone..."

I knew she was trying to come up with an excuse to tell others But the reality of her words hit me.

While I was in a comfortable place financially and was fortunate to have been given homes due to my familial ties with the pack I knew others weren't as fortunate.

Also, the reality of the situation was starting to kick in.

I have a mate.

...I have a pregnant mate.

I'm going to have to provide for not just her, but her child...I'm going to have to be the best mate and father figure...something I didn't exactly have myself growing up.

"...We'll just say you heard about my situation and extended an invitation to your pack since you learned I'd be by myself once Claire moves out for good."

I nodded. "Well I know you have...concerns when it comes to my assistant but I'll have to let her know about you and get everything sorted for your arrival..."

She sighed.

"Jessa doesn't have to know about us being mates if you don't want...but I know it'd be helpful if she knew the truth." I tried to offer.

"Look Claire and Nico are one thing, I know them, I trust them...this Jessa is nothing to me."

"She is one of my closest friends...and not only do I trust my pack to HER in my absence but I would trust our secret with her wholeheartedly." I said.

I looked over at her and could see she was getting upset.

I sighed, "now I do not want to upset you and I know we've got a lot to learn about each other still...but if you don't want Jessa to know about us or be my assistant then so be it, those are things you have a say in...but Jessa is my friend and I don't think I could just give up a friend...and as my Mate I would hope you wouldn't put me in a position to do so...also she is one of my pack members, I can't just cast her away.

She looked at me and sighed, "you're right...we do have a lot to learn about each other and if you trust her...as your Mate I will trust you."

"So...?"

She smiled, "keep your friend as your assistant, let her know about us and let her help us...I mean, I'm gonna need a friend in the pack too right."

"I think you're really going to like her." I smiled.

"We'll see...for now I just want to get to know as much about you as I can Vale Kirkshaw."

I smiled and we finally got into the car to head over to the restaurant, "I'm an open book...what do you want to know?"

After that we drove on and talked until we reached the restaurant, we sat next to each other during dinner and talked some more, and when we got back to the Pruitt's house she ended up calling it a night and I went up after saying I had to check in with my Beta...I snuck into her room and we talked some more.

"How is it even possible that there is never an awkward moment between us?" I asked in awe.

"Awkward moments are the worst...rambling, fumbling over your words, forcing conversations." She said.

I smirked but it wasn't to her words, it's because I had, had my fair share of awkward moments with Jessa. I shook the memories away as I looked at me Mates smiling face.

"You should get some rest..we'll talk more tomorrow." I assured her before I hugged her and left the room.

As I walked down the hall I pulled out my phone and pulled up Jessa's number. I didn't hesitate to call her but second guessed it when she answered and sounded like she was sleeping.

"Shit...my bad, did I wake you up?" I asked worried.

"Nah, Just groggy...I should probably head home soon...sooooo how's everything going with the wedding and stuff?"

I chuckled a little, I thought about Shelby and went to tell her but she cut me off.

"Oh monkey...really quick before I forget to tell you, we came up with a way to help raise money for the Senior center." She sounded excited now.

"What did you come up with?"

"We're going to be having an old fashion sock-hop, the high school is going to convert the gym into an old fashioned dancehall, and there's an old Jukebox that one of our pack members owns, he's lending it to us for the night...but full on greasers and pink ladies, poodle skirts and all American jocks...like happy days on steroids."

"That sounds cool." I said smiling along with her own obvious excitement. It was one of the best things about Jessa, her happiness is contagious.

"We'll charge the admission to get in, but essentially it's a dance...I was thinking of opening it up to our alliances, give them a night out to dress up and have fun."

"Yeah...get some invites together and I'm sure everyone would come, I'll even let everyone here know too...how'd you come up with a sock hop?" I wondered.

"Oh...I kinda got the inspiration when we were in the meeting and I thought back to the night we went to the diner."

I smiled, "that was a fun night."

"You seriously still owe me some French fries."

"You never even finish your French fries..." I laughed as I though back on the countless times we had worked through lunch or dinner and ended up grabbing fast food for a quick meal.

"You're right...anyways, hope you're having fun and try not to miss us little people too much up there amongst the elite...I'm gonna head out before the storm comes...Night Monkey."

I smiled, "Night Pinky."

I let myself into my old bedroom and let my body fall onto the bed, I let out a heavy sigh...I hadn't told her about Shelby, and a really really small part of me felt bad knowing I had to.

But why?

Like I had told Shelby, Jessa and I are just friends and she's my assistant...no more than that.

But as I closed my eyes I couldn't help but play back various moments with Jessa and a small smile filled my face before my wolf projected an image of our mate into the forefront of my mind.

I sighed and forced myself to clear my thoughts of either one of them and go to sleep.