Omega Bound Chapter 71

Ayla

When Thane said we needed to push up the mating ceremony I could have had a full-blown panic right there, but here we are the next day, and I am getting my hair pinned up on top of my head with loose flowing curls framing my face and cascading down. I can't remember a time when I looked this beautiful. The she-wolves Thane sent helped me are very nice and patient.

They are also all mated, I noticed, which I am sure Thane did to calm my nerves. He is always one step ahead it seems when it comes to thinking about my needs, seemingly anticipating them which I appreciate. I don't know if it is him, the fated mate bond, or his Alpha's primal instincts to take care of an omega, but he is excelling at it. Having all mated she-wolves helping me get ready allows me to ask them my own questions about their mate bonds and the ceremony etc.

"Oh honey, it may have been twenty years ago, but I will never forget the look on my mates face when I chose to do the mating run instead of straight to the ceremony. It was like all his prayers he didn't even know he wanted answered were answered on the spot. You could tell he was trying to hold his excitement in for the chase, and of course what happened after he caught me." I look at her feeling shy but also engrossed in her story and waiting on a bated breath to hear what happens next.

Sheila is curling my hair, sparing no detail of her mating ceremony. "What happened after he found you?" I asked. I already know what Thane told me, but I want to hear it.

"Oh well, he caught me, marked me and rutted me into the dirt like he was a damn badger trying to dig a hole with his thrusts, honey. It was the best orgasm of my life dear, but you will have plenty of those without running. It is up to you. A lot of people skip it to go straight to the ceremony so they can party faster. They always sneak out early. Some shifters chose to claim each other publicly. Well, the marking not so much the mating, but to each their own I always say. Do you know what you have decided?"

I haven't even allowed myself to think about it because it makes me so nervous. The thought of a whole pack staring at me is enough to make my skin crawl, but I know that I need to push myself to overcome obstacles as well.

"No, I haven't decided anything yet. I am just hoping that I will know when I see him."

Monica is straightening my dress on the hanger while Telena is finishing my make up. I didn’t ever wear any until I started living here. She chose to keep it simple with nudes and a clear gloss she chose because she said an alpha shouldn't go through his ceremony "Covered in lipstick" but I may disagree. The thought of putting my lipstick all over Thane makes me blush a little and brings a smile to my face.

The dress they are helping me with is beautiful. Long black lace with a train and an off the shoulders, strapless neckline with a slit up to my upper thigh that I am not too sure Thane knows about and long lace sleeves. It is form fitting and not what I expected, but I guess joining the Midnight Pack does require a black palette in some capacity.

My neck is bare to not interfere with the marking, and I am a few inches taller in my black, glitter heels. I am still shocked that the pack was able to come together in such a short amount of time to plan everything. Thane said the pack was ecstatic and eager to help. They love their alpha, and he assures me they will love me as well.

I hope he is right.

The girls assist me downstairs to a limo that awaits. We piled in and I get my hair touched up on the way. I feel like a princess. I guess, technically I am one, but I feel like it tonight. I haven't seen Thane all day and I am starting to feel anxious to be in his arms.

I am quiet on the way to the gathering site, but once I get there my mouth drops open while the girls laugh amongst themselves at my reaction.

"You didn’t possibly think Thane wouldn't go overboard for you, did you? All everyone heard was ‘It needs to be perfect for Little Wolf’. It took a little bit to figure out that was you and of course he threatened the lives of every unmated shifter around if they dare refer to you that way. He is a totally different Alpha when he talks about you. We haven't seen him happy in a long time. Not since his family was here. What happened really took a toll on him and he carries a lot of guilt, but with you he seems lighter, and finally happy. The whole pack is happy for both of you." Monica tells me while holding my hand, and I hear her, but I am still taking in the scene outside the car.

There are rows and rows of long wooden benches alongside a gold runner going all the way up to a stage. The trees overhead all have twinkling lights hanging down and cascading overhead of the pack. There are also rows and rows of vases filled with white flowers in vases of different heights literally everywhere. I have never seen so many flowers. There are flower petals all down the runner. Hundreds of big, lit fire torches line the rows. My eyes make their way up the runner to the stage where a pack elder is standing in a red robe next to the most gorgeous man I have ever seen.

My Thane.

My Alpha, standing there waiting for me in a form fitting, matte black three-piece suit. Shined up black dress shoes, tousled, messy hair and dimples on display on his clean-shaven face. Suddenly, the hundreds of shifters fade away and his face, smiling at me with shiny, green eyes is all I see.

Monica gets out of the car, along with Sheila and Telena. They walked me to an awaiting Cyrus while straightening my train out. Cyrus takes my arm in his and leans down to whisper, "Damn girl you are looking fine tonight. Thane is a lucky Alpha and I am glad you two found each other."

I look up at him and smile. I am glad to have him here. I am trying to suppress the thoughts that dare to show up to ruin this night. The thoughts that tell me I have no family here. I am unworthy, damaged and unwanted. I suppress them and smile at Cyrus again, trying to not get emotional. He pats my forearm in an attempt to calm me.

"Let's go down there before Thane comes and breaks my arms for touching you too long. Also, I got a hundred bet with Damon that Thane cries so if you can make that happen you will be my favorite sister. I laugh at that.

"Do you even have sisters?"

"No, and I won't either if you don't win me this money."