Thank Fuck.  I was being released.

Not from prison... although the infirmary was beginning to feel like one and I was quite prepared to plan a jailbreak!

Both Eve and Cass had insisted I remain in the infirmary for another two days, so I hadn't been able to drag my Alpha to bed and ravish him like I'd wanted too.

But this morning they had given me the okay to shift and feed.  It had been lovely to run through the forest, feeling the wind in my fur and the soft ground beneath my paws.  I would never again complain about anything!

Cassius was alive and well.  I was alive.  The only small thing I had to worry about was Willa giving birth to a goddess, a deal she'd made to save me.  But as she said, every time I thanked her I needed to stop worrying and just enjoy the here and now.  We had lots of time to prepare and make sure she was okay.

Returning to the infirmary.  Eve gave me a final once over before I showered and dressed.  I looked at the dress Sage had brought for me to change into.  It was beautiful for sure, black and fitted my curves to perfection—but what was the occasion?  I was more a jeans and t-shirt kinda gal, and this looked as if I was heading out on a date for some fancy dinner.  And last time I checked; the King's Moon pack didn't have any fancy restaurants to speak of.

But it was fun to play dress up occasionally.  Slipping on the shoes, which I have to say my cousin had amazing taste, and they fitted like a glove and my feet sighed in appreciation.

Packing up the last of my belongings, I glanced around the room.  It was rammed packed full of wildflowers.  Sage apologised as she told the pack it was custom to bring flowers when visiting anyone who was recovering.  So every single pack member that visited me here in the infirmary brought a handful.

I wasn't sure there were any left in the wild! And they didn't know what a vase was, so I had to fill buckets and anything that would hold water.

They were beautiful, and it was sweet of them all to visit and each one had kissed my hand and thanked me for saving Cass... their Alpha.

I honestly didn't know what to do with all the attention. It was a little overwhelming if I was honest. I was always thought of as the fuck-up of the family, a waste of good family genetics my grandfather had often said.  Yeah, well, fuck you old man!

"Enjoy your run?"  Sage came into the room. Freezing, her eyes ran wildly over my dress.  "Oui, oui, Its perfect." She clasped her cheeks. "You look beautiful Pearl."

"I did. My wolf needed to stretch her legs and thank you, although I think I might be a little overdressed?"

"Pfft, never." Swishing her hand dramatically.

I would not argue. This was the new me, happy to be alive, and I'd hardly seen her for the past two days.  "What have you been up to, not seen much of you?"

She avoided my eyes.  "Busy doing this and that—the twins wanted to explore." She glanced around the room.  "I don't think there are any wildflowers left for a two-mile radius."  She cringed, sheepishly.  "Sorry."

Okaaay.  Sage was lying and now distracting me.  But I would give her some leeway as she'd hadn't even mentioned the whole sacrificing myself and dying to save my mate.

"Have you seen Cass?"

She shook her head.  "No."

Was everyone avoiding me today?

"He leaves me no choice but to track him down and drag him away from whatever he's doing for a little alone time."

"I won't ask what this alone time is for." We both laughed.

I finished packing my bag as Eve wandered into the Room.  "I see you're ready to go. Leave your bags Pearl. I will have them brought to the Alpha's room." She corrected herself.  "Sorry, your room."

"Thanks Eve."

"Remember, come find me if you feel tired, or just want me to check you over."

"Of course." I smiled, understanding the need for importance of humouring everyone. Since dying they had been handling me with kid gloves. "

Sage tugged my arm.  "Come, let's head out. The twins have prepared a little tea party for you."

That was sweet, but I really wanted to find Cassius.

Sage spotted my hesitation. "It won't take long and then you can find your mate."

I noticed Sage was wearing a dress, too.  "Is that why you're dressed up too?" my hand swished over her appearance.

"What, this old thing?" she did a little twirl, she wasn't fooling anyone as she grinned.  "It's nice to play dress up."

Okaaay, this was getting a little weird.  "Lead the way, cousin."

As we walked through the Pack, it was strangely quiet.  "Am I missing something?"

"Missing what?" asked Sage.

"Where is everyone?"

She shrugged.  "Pack business... maybe?"

"Hmmm."

"C'mon this way."  She said, leading us to a part of the pack I'd not been to, we stopped in front of a building that you could say resembled a church.  Wildflowers decorated the entrance.

Weird.

Heading inside, it was all quiet. "Are you sure the twins are here? It's awfully quiet."

"Quite sure.  Leading me through an archway, I faced a swell of smiling faces that erupted into cheers and clapping.  Sage hugged me.  "Sorry, I know you hate surprises."

There was my Alpha standing in the middle, looking delicious.  He was wearing a dress shirt and formal pants—both of which I didn't know he owned.  Sage let me go and walked toward Hunter, who had his hands full with the twins.

Sylar and Willa waved as Cass strode toward me without a word and swept me up into his arms and I wrapped my arms around his neck.  "I was just about to come and get you myself!" he whispered.

"You did all this for me?" As he held me tightly, my eyes travelled around the room to see so many smiling faces.

Music started playing.  "The pack wanted to celebrate, and it's time that everyone saw us together.  Make our union official. You are my mate."

"What, so this is the mating ceremony?" My stomach tumbled.  Did that mean I had to get naked?

He laughed, putting me down.  "No, that will take place on my parents' return next week."

Urgh, the thought of being naked for all to see, still scared the shit out of me.

Pushing that thought aside, it was lovely to see my mate smiling, happy.

"Relax and enjoy, this is a celebration of you my love." He kissed my nose.

An hour later and having spoken with every pack member here.  Cass stood proudly beside me, holding my hand.  He'd hardly let it go since I'd arrived.

I watched Sage and Hunter and now Willa and Sylar on the dance floor.

"You up for a little dancing, Alpha?" The look on his face clearly said he'd never danced before as I swore colour drained from his face.

"Must we?" he looked uncomfortable.

"Come, follow my lead."  He still looked uncertain.  "Are you really gonna say no to me?" I fluttered my eyelashes sweetly.

"Never."

"Ah... never is a dangerous word Alpha."

He laughed, but let me drag him to the dance floor.  Instructing him where to place his hands. It was adorable how my confident, powerful Alpha looked slightly panicky.  "I won't make you suffer long." I reached up, gripping his shirt to pull his lips down to mine.

It didn't take my Alpha long to grasp the basic steps. "See you're a natural." We swayed to the music.

He laughed.  "It would appear so."

A moment later, he looked distracted.  I knew that look—he was having a conversation with a pack member via mind-link. "Everything okay?"  They halted the music as the room quietened.

He didn't answer, but took a step back, keeping hold of my hand.  "Cass?"

He reached inside his pocket and pulled out something, but I didn't get to ask as he sank before me, now on one knee.  He released my hand to open the small box and offered it to me.

Spank. Me. Pink!   There sat a diamond ring.

My mouth popped open. Was this what I thought it was?

"Pearl.  I found you and then I nearly lost you.  I don't want another day where you aren't in it, sharing it with me.  You are the sweetest melody on my eyes and ears.  I could wrap myself up in your love and forever sleep soundly because what I feel for you goes beyond what words can do justice.  But simply my love, I love you Pearl DuPonte, and will you honour me to become my mate, my luna, my wife and mother to my pups?"

My mouth dried and for the first time, I was speechless.  I nodded fearing my voice wouldn't work.

The smile on his face spread like the happiness spreading across my chest.

My wolf pranced on the spot, happy for me...for us.

Cassius rose and slipped the ring on my finger.  "This has to be a first." He grinned.

I double blinked, unable to form words.

"You— speechless," he said, with a chuckle.

He wasn't wrong as he leaned down and stole my lips.  Who needed words?

Everyone erupted into cheers, laughter and clapping as the music began playing.  And as he freed my lips, Sage and the rest of my family were by our side, pulling us into hugs and congratulating us.

I'd never felt this happy.  Cassius kissed the top of my head as I gazed down at the ring on my finger. Everything was perfect...well, almost.  I looked up. "Do you think anyone will notice if I drag you fine arse upstairs for, let's say, half an hour?"

His eyes darkened, obviously reading my mind.  "I think they can spare us."

Thank fuck for that.  I was going to binge, gorge myself on all his deliciousness.  I tugged his hand.

Door locked, I literally launched myself on him.

His deep chuckle vibrated through his chest.  As he fell onto the bed behind him.

Straddling him, I leaned forward and kissed him hard. His rich scent of Nutella and pine rained over me and I wanted him inside me before I exploded.

Breaking apart with a gasp, I sat up a little on top of his erection, pressing through his pants. Oh yeah my Alpha was ready.

"I'm taking it to mean you didn't drag me away to talk?"  Oh look, my Alpha had a sense of humour.

"No talking, just fucking!"

His hands gripped my arms. "No, Pearl!" Pausing my assault.

What?  I stilled.  "We're not?" My vagina pouted.

"No, we're going not going to fuck, I'm going to make love to you."

Make love...My heart barely recovered from his proposal, melted into my chest. I'd never made love.  "Who would have thought my big, bad Alpha would be a romantic."

"Complaining?"

I shook my head.  "As if."  l leaned down and pressed my lips to his.  Stopping myself from tearing at his clothes.

Cassius rolled me over, pinning me beneath.  "Stay." He rose from the bed and undressed... slowly... he was teasing me.

Off came the shirt, and I sucked in some drool. He was already packing on the weight he'd lost.  Flexing his pecs and impressive biceps, he stripped from his pants, revealing no underwear.

"All this time you were dancing with me and you had nothing on under those sexy pants?" I shivered with excitement.   "That's hot, Alpha."  I did a little growl as my eyes devoured him whole.  Huge and imposing, he exuded male confidence and lust. Of course, the long thick cock arching upwards to his stomach was the yummiest part!

I licked my lips.

Fuckity-fuck!   I was blessed with the best mate in the whole damn world!

I rose to sit up to remove my dress, but Cass beat me to it and ripped it from me with little effort. "Hey," I protested.  "That was new!"

"I'll buy you a hundred more." He extended a claw, and my bra and knickers were sliced and diced, falling from me.

"Beautiful," he groaned, grabbing my legs, I was pulled to the end of the bed.  "Come here Dark One."

"Come where?"

"I'll show you." He wiggled his eyebrows.  "I'm going to eat you and you're going to lie there and come in my mouth, so I can drink that sweet honey of yours."

Bossy much—but who was I to object!  

Heat flared in his heavy-lidded eyes, making me shiver.

Spreading my legs wider, he had an unhindered view of my pussy.  "I've dreamed of this."

My pussy?   Well, there were worse things to dream of.

His warm hands slid up my thighs as he leaned toward the holy land and blew.

Fuck. Me.

His hands slid around and under my arse and I was ready to beg if I didn't feel his mouth on me any time now...

And then he licked from my arse to my clit in a long, unhurried lap.

Holy shit!

My head fell back, gripped onto the bedcovers, and moaned.

Squeezing my arse, he settled in and devoured me, sliding his tongue through my slit, dipping inside, hitting all the spots that had me moaning and willing to beg. As his tongue rolled and sucked my clit, I was close.

"Cassius..."

I heard him chuckle whilst sucking on my overly excited clit.  My legs shook.

"Give me what I want, Dark One."

"You too go—" I didn't get to finish as it hit, hard, fast and breath stealing and I shuddered violently.

Coming down, I opened my eyes to find my mate above me, caging me.  Not that I wanted to be anywhere else.  He leaned down and stole a kiss, this one slow but intense as our tongue danced and loved each other.

My emotions were running high as I wrapped my legs around him and felt him push inside.  Edging back, his eyes stared into mine.  "I love you, Pearl."

"I love you Cassius."

He kissed me again, only this time raw passion and need dominated the kiss as he wrapped himself completely in my wet heat.

This was heaven as his cock struck deep, as his lips brushed against mine and he whispered more words of love.  His thrusts were smooth, but gentle and loving. "Mark me Pearl."

What? Had I heard him right?  "Mark you.  Now?"

He didn't stop his slow rhythm of making love to me.  "Yes.  The goddess granted me a second chance and I'm yours, forever, if you accept me."

Hell yeah, My wolf burst to life, whimpering like a newborn.

Extending my canines, He stretched up, tilting his head to the side, lowering his neck.

I sunk my teeth in.

His whole body tensed, a moan part howl tore from his lips as I became aware of him.  All around me.  In me.  Moments passed and I felt him all around me, every thought, every feeling we now shared.   We were one.

It was perfect.

I'd come to America for freedom and adventure.  Instead, I'd found so much more. 

My heart.  My home.  My mate... my everything.

~ ~

A/N - Thanks for being patient!  And I know I said I would finish...don't kill me...but we still have one more chapter to go—The Epilogue!  Phew, these last few weeks have killed me.  Writing and then re-writing these last six chapters.  Still not totally happy, so if you see any mistakes or you don't understand or I've confused you, then please let me know so I can fix it!  On a different note, whilst you're waiting for the epilogue (should be next week)  I want to throw a shout out to another author.  Her Book Becoming My Demons is a little gem, and I'm loving it... Here's the link    

@candlesandwhips