His Question

Harlyn

We sit talking, and I watch the moon move across the sky. Wayne’s arms are wrapped around my body, comforting me. Something about this feels familiar; I’m unsure of why, however.

“Do you still want to marry me?” he asks, looking down at me. I smile and nod.

“Of course, we can start planning when we return,” I reply. “How long do you think we’ll stay?” I ask, unsure of his plan.

“A few days, my love, and then it will give you some more time with your family.” He smiles and kisses my neck. “What do you think about doing it here, my love?”

I listen to his words and glance at him, confused. “Doing what here?” I wonder what he wants to do.

“Get married. Your family is here. You know mine could take years to find and bring back for a wedding,” he explains, and I sit quietly, unsure of what to say.

“Why here?” I don’t get why he would want to.

“Well, as I just said, your family is here. This is where you were brought up. I also know it will be hard for your family to come to the wedding if it’s not here.”

I consider his words, I never thought of having it here. In my mind, I would marry Wayne in our pack. I accepted that my family wouldn’t be able to attend.

It would be amazing to have it here. It also means that Samuel can walk me down the aisle and that Lucy can be my maid of honour.

“Honestly, I would love to marry you here, Wayne, but what about my father? There’s no way of having it here without including him. He would have to come, and I don’t want that.” I don’t want him anywhere near me on my wedding day.

“You’re looking at it the wrong way. Would you rather marry and have no family there or accept that your father will attend, but your mother, brothers and friends can join?” He looks at me, waiting.

“I would rather have him there if it meant my mother and brothers could attend. What about the pack, though?” They should be involved.

“We have the wedding here, and when we return, we have a joining ceremony. Then they are just as involved,” he explains. It’s like he has already thought of this idea, which is crazy.

“So we marry here before leaving?” That would be wonderful. I can have Lucy there, and that makes me smile.

“If you agree, it doesn’t need to be big or elaborate, my love. Something small, just family and a few friends. That is if you wish to; it’s entirely your choice.” He stops talking, and we sit in silence.

I consider the pros and cons, and I want to agree. I want my mother and brothers there. I want Lucy there, but it keeps going back to my father and how much I don’t want him there.

Choosing is like a sacrifice. I am sacrificing that part of me that longs to keep my father distanced and away from my life and wedding just so that I can have family and friends there.

“Okay, let’s get married here,” I say, and he looks up at me, shocked.

“Really?”

I laughed and nodded. “Yes, why are you so shocked, Wayne?” I didn’t understand why he was shocked that I had agreed.

“Because that is like days. I know you agreed to marry me and agreed to plan when we returned, but I thought you would still delay it for months if not years. Like something else.” His finger strokes down my neck; I know he means claiming me.

That’s different. I know I love and connect with him, but I’m unsure if he’s my mate. The feeling is so different from how I felt with Stefan.

If he’s not my mate, then what? What happens if he claims me and he isn’t my mate? I glance down at my hands, and he cups my face.

“What is your fear? I’m yours; I have been since you wandered into my pack,” he says, smiling at me and waiting for me to explain.

“I didn’t wander into your pack; I was brought there,” I reply, and he laughs.

“True, you met that rebel brother of mine who suggested you follow them back. He told you I wouldn’t turn you away, and I didn’t.”

He’s right. Had his brother not been travelling in that direction, would I have even ended up at Wayne’s? It’s a scary thought, but one I know is a possibility.

“I want to claim you, Harlyn; please let me claim you,” he begs, and I turn in his arms until I’m facing him.

“Then claim me,” I say. His hands pull me closer to him, and his lips find mine. His mouth moves, placing kisses along my jaw and down my neck as his hands slide over my shoulders, pushing my dress down to my waist.

He pulls back and looks at me. “You’re beautiful.” His eyes move from my body to my eyes, and he captures my mouth again, kissing me harder and faster. My moans get louder as I grasp his belt, my hands working to unfasten it.

My head falls back as his tongue glides across my neck. He moves, ensuring I’m below him as his mouth continues to tease against my neck.

“Wayne, please do it.” My words are moaned as he settles between my thighs, and I finally unfasten his belt. The feel of his teeth scraping across my neck has me moaning and pushing my body closer to him, begging for him to do it.

“You’re mine, Harlyn, promise me, you’re always mine.” His words have me nodding fast.

“I promise, Wayne, please!” Why is he taking his time? I push my body closer to his and turn my head more, giving him better access. A smile spreads across my face as I feel his teeth positioned between my neck and shoulder.