Chapter 1 - Times Are Changing
Melanie POV
I stared at myself in the mirror. My hair was perfect, my dress was perfect and my makeup was flawless. On the outside, I looked like a thriving and happy young woman. On the inside, I was lonely and scared.
Today was Max and Ginger's mating ceremony, and then in two weeks Max would become Alpha and Ginger, the Luna. There was a lot of things about to change for everyone here in Ridge Mountain Pack. The last three months had been a whirl wind. With Max finding his mate, our father had sped up the timeline for him to take over the pack. By summer, Max would be our Alpha and our father would be retired. Perhaps he wasn't really going to retire, he was going to Italy for a few years to make sure the Venice Pack was thriving for Jayden to take it over one day.
It seemed that while I had a plan for my life, I was still feeling lost. I would be a doctor in a month, my schooling would be behind me and I'd be ready to take over as Pack doctor. It hadn't been decided if I would be a doctor at Ridge Mountain Pack, or if I'd take my newfound title to another. Brock still remained in Ireland, assisting his family. We had only spoke twice in the last three months. He was very busy, and the time zones were making it more difficult. My spare time was limited as it was and on top of that, I had been helping to plan for Max and Ginger's Mating Ceremony.
There was a knock on the door, and I turned to answer for them to come in. "Melanie, we need to help Ginger get ready dear," my mother said as she peeked in the door. "Oh my, you look stunning." She smiled as she walked towards me and put a lock of hair behind my ear. "My beautiful daughter, I cannot wait for you to find your mate. In the meantime, we can't keep these Alpha men waiting." She turned and walked towards the door and I followed her.
We had Ginger in a room down the hall, while they had made Max stay away for the past two days. He was staying in the bunk house with the single warriors, and he wasn't allowed in the main pack house unless it was an emergency. He grumbled about it at first but ultimately, he would do anything for Ginger. He couldn't wait to claim her and had promptly marked her two days after they found out they were mates. They had anticipated that day for so long that I was truly surprised that Max was able to hold back that long. I chuckled to myself just thinking about it.
Approaching Ginger's room, we gave a light knock and she called us inside. Ginger sat at the dressing table where her mother fixed her hair. Ginger's stepfather had not come, and she was grateful that her mother didn't bring him. The Alpha from the Phoenix pack would be walking Ginger down the aisle. He had known her since she was a baby, her father having been his Beta. He had beamed with pride to see Ginger was mated to Max. It was as if she was his own daughter, and now that she would be a Luna, he couldn't be happier.
"Come now, let's get you into your dress Ginger," my mother said. "After that, someone is coming to do your make-up." My Mom held up her hand before Ginger could respond. "I know, you don't want a lot of makeup and I told the artist that. You want your natural beauty just highlighted. You really don't need make up Ginger, but this is a special day. Not everyone gets to find their fated mate, and you're about to officially be part of our family." My mother clapped her hands together as she walked over to the closet for Ginger's dress.
An hour later and Ginger was ready. I was going to stand as her witness or Matron of Honor as the humans called it. I had been so honored when she asked me that I cried a river of tears. I couldn't be happier for my brother and his mate. Ginger was an amazing and kind woman and she was going to be a fantastic Luna.
There was a light knock and the door and my mother opened it a crack to see who it was. She did not trust Max to not come and try to take a peek. It was Alpha Bronson stood at the door. "It's time. Is Ginger ready?" Ginger's Alpha from the Phoenix Pack stood there in a black suit with a deep burgundy tie, to match the bridesmaids dresses.
"I am so ready Alpha," Ginger practically shouted. We all gave a chuckle at her enthusiasm.
"Well then, ladies we need to go out there and get ourselves out of the way here. Melanie and Clara, are you both ready?" My mother asked. Clara was Ginger's other bridesmaid. She was a long time friend of hers from her pack. We both nodded and followed Mom out the door. Ginger's Mom followed us after she told her how beautiful she looked and kissed her on the cheek.
We made our way to the temple. The same temple our parents had married in almost twenty five years ago. The two mothers made their way to the front and sat in their respective seats. Clara and I stood at the back of the temple, waiting for our queue. When our high priest gave the signal, music started to play and we made our way down the aisle on the arms of Max's two witnesses. Max had asked Beck and Derek from the Half Moon Pack to stand with him. Beck walked with me, Derek with Clara. As we made our way down the aisle, Beck quietly whispered to me, "You look beautiful. Brock will be a lucky guy if he ever comes home."
I wasn't sure how to respond to that. It was kind of sweet, but also upset me that he would make the comment about Brock coming home. I knew there wasn't any love lost between the two, but surely Beck had gotten over that now that he had found his mate. I just quietly thanked him and said nothing more. This day was about Max and Ginger. I wasn't going to let him sour my mood.
We arrived to stand at the front of the temple, taking our respective places. And then there she was, Ginger. She looked stunning and Alpha Brandon looked handsome as he stood tall and proud. He walked her down the aisle as if she was his own daughter. I knew Ginger was sad that her own father had not lived to have this moment with her, but she had known the Alpha her entire life and he was the next best thing.
I heard Max suck in a breath. I glanced over at him to see that he was staring in awe at his beautiful mate, jaw practically on the floor. I couldn't help but smile. This was going to be one of the most beautiful days of his life and I was so happy for him.
Max POV
I stared in awe at Ginger, my mate. She was stunning. So much so that I was speechless. As she made her way towards me, I felt the love I had for her well up into my chest. I had waited so long to find out if she was my mate, even though my wolf had known all along.
Alpha Brandon stopped just a few feet away, then he turned and gave Ginger a soft smile as he released her arm. He looked back to me and quietly told me to keep her safe and then he took his seat. Ginger and I stood now, hand in hand in front of the people we loved and cared about the most. I barely remember the ceremony, the words that were shared were always the same in these types of mating ceremonies. There were some slight differences in that I was an Alpha and would soon be the Alpha of this pack, and she would be Luna. As soon as the high priest finished his request to the Moon Goddess for our future life to be filled with blessings, we practically ran down the aisle and out of the temple. We had barely breached the door before I was picking her up into my arms bridal style, as she lightly laughed and kissed my cheek. "I love you Max," Ginger said as she looked at me, her green eyes shining.
"I love you and now you are forever mine." I set Ginger down once we reached the black Suburban that was waiting for us. I opened the door and helped her into the SUV before climbing in next to her. It wasn't that far to get back to the pack house, but we were after all in wedding attire.
The party that my mother planned was grand, just like everything she did. This time though, she had strung thousands of fairy lights over our heads. That was no small feat considering the size of the back yard where we entertained. The live band was something I hadn't expected, along with the wooden dance floor that had been constructed. There was a special table set for us and we made our way to sit.
Dinner was served and cocktails were drank. We danced the night away, holding on to each other like we never wanted to let go. And I didn't ever want to let her go. The Moon Goddess had given me everything I ever wanted in a mate and I felt truly blessed.
As the night wore on, I looked around for my sister. I hadn't seen her much after the ceremony. She had eaten dinner with us, shared a dance with me at one point, and again with our father. I didn't see her again the rest of the night. I couldn't help but wonder where she had wandered off too, but if I knew her she was in her room with a book.
I took Ginger for one last spin around the dance floor and as I did so, I whispered into her ear "Mate, I think it's time we leave this party and have one of our own." Ginger giggled.
"Time to complete this mating bond my love. I can't wait to have all of you. Mine forever." We stopped dancing and shared a long kiss that had everyone around us clapping and whistling. Then we wished everyone good night and I scooped her up into my arms and rushed her up to my bedroom, now our bedroom. The anticipation of lying with my mate had my wolf ready to tear out of me. I had to remind him that he would get his time soon enough and to step back. My wolf Bo laid down with a huff and closed his eyes, allowing me to keep control. For now.
