My heart was pounding and my body quivering from the lovemaking we had done when she told me the best thing she could have ever said. She wanted to be my mate. I couldn’t believe my ears; the one thing I had wanted to happen for so long was finally happening, and I couldn’t wait.

There was so much excitement, I couldn’t wait to claim her. We had made love a second time after she told me she wanted to be my mate and afterward, I whispered the claiming words in her ear. It was finally official: I had a mate, and I wouldn’t go feral unless something happened to her and I went too long without mating again. Relief washed over me at the realization that I was going to get to live and do the things that I wanted to do, like my father had.

I laid next to her, watching her sleep as I wondered what my mother would think of her. I hoped that she would be pleased and love her like I did. I knew my father would have loved her and my heart broke that he wouldn’t be here to see us get married or have his grandchildren.

The clan would need to be notified, but that could wait until morning. I snuggled down in the covers and pulled her body to me and drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face for the first time in a long time.

Three weeks had passed since Lauren and told me that she wanted to be mine and let me claim her. The clan rejoiced when they were told, and a big celebration was planned. Everything was being prepared for the celebration that night, and that was the time it would be announced that we were officially engaged. I had asked her a few days after I claimed her, and she had, of course, said yes. My world was finally coming together, and there was nothing I wanted more than a long life with Lauren, our children, and the people of my clan.

The celebration started, and everyone cheered as we joined the group. The music and laughter made my heart happy. My father would have loved this as we had celebrations all the time just so he could drink wine and listen to the old tribal music that some of the clan members played.

After the meal had been served, we got everyone’s attention and gathered them together for the announcement.

“Today we celebrate a momentous occasion! Today, we celebrate my mate! I want to thank you all for never giving up on me, even when I had given up on myself. We wanted to let you all know we are officially engaged, and the wedding will be in the fall!” The clan cheered as I finished my words.

It was a delight to have people that felt like family even though they weren’t really family. I knew they would always have my back no matter what, and that made me feel loved.

A week had passed since the celebration, and the wedding planning was going as smooth as could be. Lauren and her mother were having fun doing that together as they smiled and planned back and forth how things might be. One afternoon after coming home from work, I noticed that Lauren wasn’t looking so good. I was afraid to say anything in fear of hurting her feelings. She looked pale, and I was worried about what might be going wrong.

Before I could say anything to her, she jumped out of her seat and ran for the bathroom. At that moment, I became suspicious of what might be wrong with the woman that I loved. I smiled to myself and secretly hoped I was right with my assumptions.

The next morning, a scream woke me from my sleep. I jumped out of bed and ran toward the sound of the scream coming from the bathroom. I found her sitting on the edge of the tub, a white stick in her hand.

“Lauren, what’s wrong?” I asked sleepily.

She turned and looked at me with a big smile on her face and held up the stick. In the middle of it were two bold pink lines. I looked at her and grinned.

“Does this mean what I think it means?” I asked, excitement building inside me, more than I thought I could hold.

“Yes, Dane, it does. I’m having your baby!” she exclaimed, grabbing me in a hug.

We announced the pregnancy the next night and the clan rallied around us, giving us the support we needed and wanted. My mind was reeling from all that had happened. I had no idea that my dreams would really come true. I was so grateful for the gifts I was receiving from above.

I hoped that my father would be proud of me, and I hoped that I would be the kind of father mine was. I knew I had a lot to teach the young one, and I couldn’t wait to do it. I couldn’t wait to share years of experience. I was amazed at how different my life was compared to what I thought it would be. I was glad Rory had talked me into starting my business; if he hadn’t, I would have never met my mate. I was afraid I might be a beast that my friends would have to kill. I worried life would never go the right way for me. I didn’t want anything more than to be with someone who would truly be the other half to my whole. The day my eyes fell on her, I knew she would be the one. Despite a rocky start, we grew together in the love that we formed together. I was proud to be with the one person who was capable of completing me. The woman I would love for always and forever: my Lauren.