Chapter 197: The Marking Ceremony
Chapter 197: The Marking Ceremony
(Aria’s POV)
Dominic’s silver–gray eyes darkened with displeasure as he considered my plan to stay at the Lewis family home the night before our marking ceremony. His powerful Alpha presence radiated protective concern, his cedar scent wrapping around me with obvious reluctance.
“I don’t like the idea of you staying there without me,” he said firmly, his jaw tightening. “We still haven’t identified the insider who betrayed us to Alexander.”
I understood his worry. The knowledge that someone in my biological family had provided Alexander with detailed information about our security arrangements still haunted both of us. My pregnant wolf whimpered softly, responding to the tension in the air.
“I know you’re concerned,” I said gently, reaching out to touch his arm. “But Dr. Nathan suggested I wait at the Lewis home so he can pick me up for the ceremony in the morning. It’s traditional.”
Dominic’s expression remained troubled. “I could take you back the night before the ceremony instead.”
“The schedule is too tight,” I reminded him, my hand moving instinctively to my belly where our pup was
growing. “There are last–minute preparations, and you’ll be busy with the pack arrangements.”
He studied my face for a long moment, his Alpha instincts warring with his desire to make me happy. Finally,
he sighed and pulled me closer.
“All the marking ceremony preparations are complete,” he said softly, his voice filled with tender certainty. “You only need to anticipate being my beautiful mate.”
His words sent warmth flooding through me, my wolf humming with contentment at his devotion.
The marking ceremony day arrived with surprising speed. True to his word, Dominic had returned me to the Lewis family home the previous afternoon, enduring Mrs. Caroline Lewis’s gentle scolding about the late arrival with patient grace.
“You should have brought her earlier,” my mother had chided, her maternal instincts flaring. “She needs
proper rest before such an important day.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Dominic had replied respectfully, his Alpha pride taking the criticism without
resistance. “It’s entirely my fault.”
Now, as dawn broke over the Lewis estate, I sat in my ceremonial room, fully made up and dressed in my flowing white gown. The moonstone embroidery caught the morning light, creating ethereal patterns across
the silk fabric.
Olivia bustled around me, her dark eyes bright with excitement as she chattered cheerfully to ease any lingering nervousness.
“You look absolutely radiant,” she said, adjusting my veil with careful hands. “Dominic won’t be able to take
his eyes off you.”
My mobile phone buzzed with an incoming message, and I glanced down to see Dominic’s name on the
< Chapter 197: The Marking Ceremony
screen. “Mate, missing you,” the text read, causing my cheeks to flush with warmth.
48 Points
It seemed ridiculous to blush over such a simple message, considering we had only parted the night before. But my pregnant wolf stirred with longing, responding to even this small connection with our Alpha.
“What’s that smile about?” Olivia asked teasingly, trying to peek at my phone. “Is that from Dominic?”
“Maybe,” I said playfully, hiding the screen from her view. “That’s between me and my mate.”
“Oh, come on,” she laughed, making another attempt to see the message. “I helped you get ready. I deserve some inside information.”
Before I could respond, the door burst open and Dr. Nathan Lewis entered, his face bright with excitement. His usually composed professional demeanor had been replaced by the enthusiastic energy of a brother on his sister’s marking day.
“Dominic has set off!” he announced, his voice carrying the authority of a pack coordinator. “Everyone, take your positions.”
A group of young children from the Lewis family had gathered in the hallway, their faces eager with anticipation. This was their assigned role in the traditional ceremony – to playfully obstruct the groom’s entrance and demand gifts before allowing him to reach his bride.
“Remember what we practiced,” Dr. Nathan instructed them with mock seriousness. “Don’t let him through until he’s properly paid the price for taking away our precious Aria.”
The children giggled and nodded, their wolf pups‘ energy electric with excitement. They had been rehearsing this “battle plan” for days, and now they were ready to execute it perfectly.
I gripped my hands tightly, noticing that my palms were sweating despite the cool morning air. My pregnant wolf whimpered with nervous anticipation, the reality of what was about to happen finally sinking in.
“Nervous?” Olivia asked softly, her protective instincts picking up on my emotional state.
“A little,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “This feels so much more real than I expected.”
“That’s because it is real,” she replied gently. “You’re about to mark your true mate, your perfect match. Of course it feels overwhelming.”
The sound of vehicles approaching made my heart race. Car doors slammed, and I could hear the deep rumble of male voices outside, punctuated by Dominic’s familiar tone giving instructions to his pack members.
“The groom is here!” someone shouted from downstairs, and immediately the bedroom door was pulled shut.
The house erupted in lively commotion. I could hear the children’s high–pitched voices as they confronted Dominic, demanding traditional gifts and payments. Dr. Nathan’s voice rose above the chaos, clearly enjoying his role as the protective brother.
“Not so fast!” he called out loudly. “You want to take our sister? You’ll have to prove you’re worthy first!”
Through the closed door, I heard Dominic’s amused chuckle, followed by the sound of rustling packages. He had obviously come prepared for this traditional negotiation.
“Will this suffice?” I heard him ask, his Alpha authority evident even in play.
“Hmm,” Dr. Nathan pretended to consider. “Perhaps. But what about the children? They’ve been waiting all
Chapter 197 The Marking Ceremony
morning to meet the famous Alpha King.”
More rustling sounds followed, accompanied by delighted squeals from the young wolves. Dominic was clearly winning them over with whatever gifts he had brought.
The negotiations continued for several minutes, with various family members joining in to playfully challenge Dominic’s worthiness. Each demand was met with good–natured responses and appropriate offerings.
Finally, footsteps approached my door. My heart seemed to stop completely as the handle turned.
The door opened, and suddenly Dominic’s handsome face appeared before me. He was dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit that emphasized his commanding presence, his silver–gray eyes immediately finding mine across the room.
My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. Even after all this time, he still had the power to take my breath
away with just a look.
“After being thoroughly interrogated by your brother and distributing what feels like half my pack’s treasury,”
he said with a warm smile, “I’ve finally reached you.”
Dr. Nathan appeared behind him, grinning broadly. “He passed all our tests,” he announced. “I suppose we
can let him have you.”
“Generous of you,” Dominic replied dryly, but his eyes never left my face.
He stepped into the room, his powerful Alpha presence immediately filling the space. “Aria,” he said softly, his
voice carrying all the love and devotion I had ever hoped to hear. “I’m here to pick you up.”
The marking ceremony was held at a beautiful ancient castle that Dominic had specially selected for the
occasion. The stone walls were draped with white silk and moonstone crystals, creating an ethereal
atmosphere that seemed to glow in the afternoon light.
As our car pulled up to the entrance, I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everyone’s attention. Pack
members from both the Shadow Pack and Lewis family lined the pathway, their faces bright with celebration.
The path itself was strewn with white and silver/flower petals, creating a shimmering carpet that led to the
ceremonial altar. The scent of roses and jasmine filled the air, mixing with the various wolf scents of our
gathered families.
At the end of the path, I could see Dominic standing tall and proud in his ceremonial black suit. Even from a
distance, his commanding presence was unmistakable. His silver–gray eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that made my pregnant wolf sing with joy.
“Ready?” Dr. Michael Lewis asked gently, offering me his arm. My biological father’s eyes were already bright with unshed tears, his paternal pride evident in every line of his face.
“Ready,” I whispered, taking his arm and stepping out of the car.
The moment my feet touched the petal–strewn path, a hush fell over the gathered crowd. Every eye was on
me as I began the slow walk toward my destiny.
Under my veil, I could see Dominic’s face clearly. His usual composed Alpha demeanor had been replaced by something more vulnerable, more human. His eyes seemed to drink in every detail of my appearance, and I noticed his hands clenched slightly at his sides.
Seeing his barely contained emotion, I smiled beneath my veil, hoping to reassure him that I was exactly
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Chapter 197: The Marking Ceremony
where I wanted to be.
Each step brought me closer to the man who had saved me, protected me, and loved me despite all the complications of our circumstances. My pregnant wolf thrummed with anticipation, recognizing her perfect mate waiting at the altar.
The walk seemed to take forever and no time at all. Finally, we reached the end of the path, where Dominic
stood waiting with barely contained eagerness.
Dr. Michael Lewis stopped beside him, his emotions clearly overwhelming him. With trembling hands, he
lifted my gloved hand and placed it in Dominic’s waiting palm.
“I entrust her to you,” he said, his voice thick with tears. “She’s been the joy of my life, and now she’s yours to
protect and cherish.”
Dominic’s powerful hands closed around mine with gentle strength, his silver–gray eyes never leaving my
face. “Thank you for entrusting her to me,” he replied solemnly. “I promise you won’t regret this decision.
My father’s expression became stern despite his tears. “You’d better treat her well,” he warned, his parental
instincts evident in his tone.
“I will,” Dominic assured him, his Alpha authority carrying absolute conviction. “With my life.”
He turned to me then, his eyes seeming to redden with emotion. The sight of his vulnerability made my heart
clench with love.
“What’s wrong?” I asked softly, concerned by his obvious distress.
Dominic’s hands tightened around mine, his voice husky with feeling. “Aria, you look so beautiful in your ceremony dress.”
(Dominic’s POV)
Looking at her standing there in her flowing white gown, moonstone embroidery catching the light like captured stars, I felt my chest tighten with overwhelming emotion. My wolf had never felt such perfect
contentment, such absolute certainty.
“Am I dreaming?” I whispered, hardly able to believe this moment was real.
Aria squeezed my hand, her touch grounding me in reality. “Dominic, you’re not dreaming,” she said softly, her voice filled with joy. “We’re really completing our marking ceremony!”
The pack elder stepped forward, his ancient face creased with wisdom and approval. He had performed countless ceremonies over the decades, but he seemed to recognize the special nature of this union.
“Alpha Dominic Blackwood,” he began, his voice carrying the authority of centuries of tradition, “do you take Aria Lewis to be your mate, to love and cherish through all circumstances, in strength and in vulnerability, for as long as you both shall live?”
The words I had waited so long to say came easily. “I do,” I responded, my voice clear and strong.
The crowd erupted in applause, pack members from both families celebrating the binding of our destinies.
The elder turned to Aria, his expression gentle. “Luna Aria Lewis,” he continued, “do you take Dominic Blackwood to be your mate, to love and cherish under any condition, in joy and in sorrow, for as long as you both shall live?”
Chapter 197 The Marking Ceremony
Aria looked directly into my eyes, her gaze filled with absolute certainty. “I do,” she answered, her voice carrying across the assembled crowd.
The cheers intensified, wolves howling their approval as I reached for the marking ceremony band. The ring was a perfect circle of white gold embedded with diamonds and moonstones, symbolizing the eternal nature
of our bond.
With trembling hands, I slipped it onto her finger, watching as it settled perfectly into place. The moment it touched her skin, I felt our mate bond strengthen and deepen, becoming something unbreakable.
“By the power vested in me by the ancient laws of our kind,” the pack elder announced, “I now pronounce you Alpha and Luna, bound by the sacred mate bond. The groom may mark his bride.”
This was the moment I had dreamed of since the day I first saw her. My hands moved to her veil, lifting it with reverent care. Her face was radiant with happiness, her eyes shining with love and trust.
I felt my cheeks warm with emotion as I leaned down to kiss her. The moment our lips met, the world exploded in celebration around us.
Flower petals rained down from above, thrown by celebrating pack members. Cheers and howls filled the air
as our families and friends expressed their joy.
But all I could focus on was Aria, my mate, my Luna, my everything. As we looked into each other’s eyes, surrounded by the love and blessings of our packs, I knew that this was just the beginning of our story.
We hoped to grow old together, to raise our pup in a world filled with love and protection, to build a future
that would honor both our families and our bond.
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