of now and forever,
hold my hand
and don't ever let go

M A D D I E ♛

After the ceremony, it was a whole event of feasting and everyone coming to greet Chase and I.

It was overwhelming for sure, there were so many people and although I had known most of them, I have seen people that I thought was the first time I was seeing.

Just as I was having fun with getting to know some other ladies, Shaye and Faye told me that it was time to go.

The ladies all gasped and laughed knowingly as if they knew something that I didn't.

"Good luck, Luna! I'm sure it'll hurt!" Fiona says and I look at her weirdly.

What will hurt?

Not minding any of whatever they were saying, I followed Shaye and Faye and as we were walking out of the banquet hall, everyone was parting to make way for us.

As we walked, the pack was throwing in some comments.

"Woohoo! It's marking time!" I hear a young man say, but he quickly gets reprimanded from a lady beside him.

Ah, right. The second marking.

"We wish you a happy life!" others were saying and many more things until we finally make it out of the rowdy banquet hall although until outside, there were still many people greeting me and also saying goodbye with such knowing smile.

What is it that everyone knows and I don't?! I'm just receiving a mark.

I noticed that the twins leading me kept their head low, as if they were embarrassed.

I decided not to put too much thought into it, I'm going to find out anyways.

We kept walking until we were outside of the pack house where there were still many people and as we passed by they all had the same reaction as those who were inside.

We walked away from the pack house and noticed that we were walking towards the residential area of the pack, but then we were getting further away from the centre of the pack house where everything was.

Our surroundings were mostly the forest and since it was late at night already, the wind that blowed was chilly and cold, but I liked it.

After a ten minute walk away from the centre of the pack, we reach a house that's much father from everything else. It was a big house, it looked ancient, but I can guess that the house must be of great importance and had a lot of history behind it.

We arrive at the wide cobbled doorsteps of the rather elegant house and when I turned towards to Shaye and Faye to ask them about the place, I saw them bowing.

"The Alpha is waiting inside." Faye says and while still bowed, they walked backwards until they left me alone in front of the big estate.

Uhm... weird?

But they said Chase was here so I knocked and waited. When no one opened the door, I decided to open it and since it wasn't locked, I intruded.

Chase's scent was definitely in here and he most definitely would know by now that I was also here so why isn't he coming?

I followed his scent but the nearer I got, I picked up a sweet and flowery scent.

On the ground were petals of a red flower and small candles that were lit up making a small pathway for me to follow. Instantly guessing that it was Chase, my lips form a smile that was impossible to suppress.

I took my shoes off and so the dress dragged on the wooden floor as I followed the candles. It led me to the stairs till the second floor.

Still following the flowery trail, I made a turn right where it led to a big room, the lights off, only the candles illuminated the place and there were a lot of candles.

The room had a balcony and the doors were opened, and from the side, I saw Chase come out.

I stopped in my track and watched him. He was still wearing the suit which told me that he probably had also recently gotten here himself.

He was holding flowers as he walked towards me.

"For you." he said and handed them to me. I took them from him and admired it.

At a closer inspection, the flowers were long and beautiful, but the colour captivated me all the more because it was crimson red.

I don't remember ever seeing flowers like these, but then again I wasn't really one to pay attention to flowers.

"They're called gladiolus, they reminded me of you." he says and shyly scratch the back of his head which made me chuckle lightly.

I take a step closer to him and smelled it. "No wonder they're so beautiful." I joke lightly and took a closer look at the flowers. "Is it because they're red?" I ask to make a small talk because the atmosphere was getting somehow heated.

Suddenly then, Chase also stepped closer towards me and put his forehead onto mine so the flower was the only space between us.

My heart was at a disarray and I was trying my best to keep things calm although I could feel my cheeks getting warmer and warmer.

"Gladiolus are a symbol of strength and I also learned that Dynamí meant power and strength, so how could it not remind me of you? You've been through so much in your life and that had made you to be the strong warrior I know today."

I was stunned by his explanation because his thoughtfulness struck me.

"And do you know what it means when someone gives you these flowers?" he asks again. Still stunned about his previous explanation and because I also didn't know, I shook my head.

He takes my free hand and puts it on his chest where his heart is.

"You pierce my heart."

Again, I was mute. For some reason, the emotions were overwhelming me, my chest was heavy, full of emotions.

"Ever since the day I met you, you pierced my heart and I was never the same again. Your whole existence struck me. Everything that happened wasn't easy to handle, I admit, but there's no way I'm giving up just because it's hard. Because it's worth it Maddie, we're worth it."

By the time he finished what he was saying, my tears were already falling. No, not out of pain or agony.

For the first time, I was crying because the happiness and joy I felt couldn't be contained.

"I love you." I whisper.

Chase smiled with the most of care in his eyes and wiped my tears away.

Chase leaned down and claimed my lips. It didn't take long for me to respond and kiss him back.

It was long and passionate, unlike any other kisses we shared before. It was almost like a competition of who could express their love more and I wasn't backing down.

However, it didn't stop there.

Chase's hands slowly went down to my waist as he pulled me closer to him. The proximity made my heart beat even faster as I was slowly realizing what was going to happen, things I have only heard of before.

But it was Chase, it was my mate.

My arms, in turn and almost instinctively, wrapped around his neck where I pulled him closer, wanting more of him. I didn't understand, but it was as if a fire has been ignited in me and only Chase could tame it.

As the atmosphere was escalating, I found myself helping Chase remove the black suit jacket and unbuttoning his dress shirt.

I was flustered when Chase's hand reached to my back and slowly unzip the dress. I could feel the bare skin of my back exposed and the cold air that swept through it.

I looked at him, probably a worried expression painted on my face, but then all he does is smile and unzipped it all the way down as he whispered "Don't worry."

I was biting my lower lip as the dress was slipping from my body and I clung onto Chase's bare upper body. I instantly realized what a wrong decision it was because at the contact of our skin, the heat ignited even more and spread. Where his hand passed through set my skin on fire wanting more.

Embarrassed and just wanted to be close to him, I pressed my lips onto his and he responded just as passionately.

We both pull away for a few seconds to breathe and then I remember why the pack mates were greeting us with such a knowing smile. They had probably known..! Those sly wolves.

However, I didn't have the time to think about it anymore. Chase didn't let me.

The moment had me delirious, the moment was too passionate to think about anything else.

Here was Chase in front of me showing me that he loved me in a way that I never imagined possible.

His kisses were deep and passionate, his touches were gentle and careful, but always leaving me wanting more.

"Have I told you that I love you?" I whisper in between kisses and I feel him smile.

"I can't recall at the moment." he answers teasingly.

"Then, damn, I love you."

The end