Mated by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 137

Rebecca's POV

The past few days had been a whirlwind of activity. Between final dress fittings, menu tastings, seating arrangements, and ceremony rehearsals, I barely had time to catch my breath. Dominic handled the security details while I coordinated with florists and decorators. Sofia kept me sane through it all, and even Emily pitched in with pack traditions I needed to incorporate. Everyone worked tirelessly to make this day perfect, and finally, after all the planning and preparation, our wedding day arrived.

"God, I'm really nervous," I whispered, fidgeting with the delicate lace at my wrists. My fingers trembled visibly, and I felt a knot tightening in my stomach. My heart pounded so loudly I was certain everyone in the room could hear it.

Emily knelt behind me, arranging the train of my wedding dress, ensuring every fold fell perfectly. "Of course you're nervous. Today, all eyes in the pack will be on you. It's not every day a human girl becomes Luna," she said with a hint of respect in her voice that still surprised me.

"Listen," Sofia approached, holding two glasses of champagne and offering one to me, "you're part werewolf now, perfectly matched with Dominic. Look at yourself—you're absolutely stunning!"

I accepted the champagne, taking a small sip. My hands were shaking so badly I nearly spilled it. Everything that had happened over the past few months still felt surreal—discovering William's betrayal, meeting Dominic, the gradual awakening of my wolf nature, and the little life growing inside me.

I took a deep breath, my gaze returning to my reflection. My eyes occasionally flashed with golden light, a manifestation of my inner wolf. The mark on my neck stood out prominently against the white wedding dress, a reminder of my unbreakable bond with Dominic. I touched it gently, feeling a warm pulse beneath my fingertips.

"I'm ready," I said, my voice steadier than I expected.

The hotel suite door opened, and Diana, Dominic's housekeeper, peered in with a warm smile. "It's time, dear. Everyone is waiting." Her eyes were kind, maternal almost, as she surveyed me with obvious approval.

I nodded, setting down my champagne glass with a slightly unsteady hand. Sofia helped adjust my veil one last time, her eyes misty with emotion, while Emily gathered the train of my dress, her movements precise and careful. Together, we moved toward the door, toward my future.

In the hotel lobby, Raymond stood at the center, checking his watch. "It's time," he announced, his usually impassive face softened by a slight smile. "Dominic is waiting." He looked unusually formal in his tailored suit, his posture rigid with the importance of his role today.

Diana approached me with graceful steps, gently touching my cheek. Her fingers were cool against my flushed skin. "Dear, you look stunning. The Silver Shadow Moon Pack is fortunate to welcome you." Her voice caught slightly on the words.

Tears welled up in my eyes as thoughts of my parents filled my mind, especially my mother. The absence created a hollow feeling in my chest that even this joyous day couldn't completely fill.

"Thank you, both you and Raymond," I managed to say, my voice thick with emotion, "for filling this void on this special day."

Raymond patted my hand gently, his typically stern demeanor momentarily softened. "Don't be nervous, Miss Brown. You'll be an excellent Luna." The sincerity in his eyes helped calm my racing heart a little.

Sofia and Emily adjusted their bridesmaid dresses—Sofia's deep purple contrasting beautifully with Emily's silver-gray—the colors specifically chosen to represent the merging of human and werewolf worlds.

As the luxury car drove toward Silver Moon Manor, I watched the scenery pass by, my fingers absently twisting the small diamond bracelet Dominic had given me as a wedding gift. I was about to become not just Dominic's wife, but the Luna of the Silver Shadow Moon Pack, the mate of the future Alpha, the female leader of the entire pack.

When we arrived at the manor, the sight took my breath away. The ceremony space had been transformed with hundreds of white and silver flowers. Delicate fairy lights hung from the ancient oak trees, creating a canopy of soft light. Silver ribbons adorned white wooden chairs arranged in perfect rows. Pack members stood in formation on either side of the aisle, their faces a mixture of curiosity and respect.

I took a deep breath and accepted Raymond's arm. As the string quartet began playing, I took my first step onto the petal-strewn aisle. My legs felt unsteady, but Raymond's firm grip kept me upright. My eyes locked only on the tall figure at the altar—Dominic. He stood straight and proud, his dark eyes finding mine immediately. The intensity of his gaze made me forget everyone else around us.

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Dominic's POV

When Rebecca appeared at the end of the aisle on Raymond's arm, my chest tightened with an emotion so powerful I couldn't breathe for a moment. Her white gown caught the sunlight, the intricate silver embroidery around the bodice glinting softly. Her chestnut curls were arranged in an elegant updo with a few strands framing her face. Her cheeks were flushed pink, and her gray-green eyes, occasionally flashing with gold, never left mine as she walked toward me.

Through our mate bond, I could feel her heartbeat accelerating to match mine. I had never felt our connection more strongly than in this moment.

As Raymond placed her hand in mine, her fingers were cold and trembling slightly. I enclosed them in my warm grip, trying to transfer some of my strength to her.

"You take my breath away," I whispered, my voice rougher than usual with emotion.

She smiled, her lips quivering slightly. "You don't look bad yourself, future Alpha." Despite her nervous tone, there was a steadiness in her eyes that filled me with pride.

The officiant, an elder from the pack dressed in traditional silver robes, began the ceremony. The ancient words of the werewolf wedding rite blended with modern vows as we pledged ourselves to each other. Rebecca's voice started soft but grew stronger with each word, her commitment clear in every syllable.

When it came time to exchange rings, I slid the platinum band onto her finger, noticing how her hand trembled but her eyes remained steady and bright. The ring, engraved with the Sterling family crest intertwined with a new design to represent Rebecca, glinted in the sunlight.

"Now," the officiant solemnly announced, "the Alpha will complete the marking ceremony."

This was the most sacred part of a werewolf wedding, the moment when our bond would be sealed in front of the entire pack. I gently moved Rebecca's hair away from her neck, revealing the mark I had previously left. Her pulse jumped visibly under the mark. In front of all pack members, I placed my hand over it, reciting the ancient words of claiming in the old language of our kind. The mark glowed briefly under my touch, and I felt the power of our bond surge between us.

Rebecca gasped softly, her eyes widening as she felt the connection strengthening. I knew she was experiencing the same rush of emotion and energy that coursed through me—the sensation of our souls truly merging into one entity.

The officiant raised his hands and declared: "By the power of the moon and the ancient laws of our kind, I proudly present the future Alpha and Luna Sterling!"

Applause and the traditional howls of approval filled the garden. I leaned down to kiss my bride, my mate, my Luna. Her lips were soft and warm against mine, and I could taste the salt of happy tears. In that moment, with her in my arms and our future stretching before us, I felt complete in a way I had never experienced before.