Epilogue
One Month Later…
Jayden and Thorn were married under a large canopy tent set up on their property deep in the woods. All the Lycan were gathered together to witness the happy occasion.
Eric, Jayden’s father, walked up to her. “My daughter, you are so beautiful in this white gown. I wish you’d let us have the wedding months ago, but I’m relieved it is as it should be.”
“I know, Dad, I was stubborn and blamed Thorn, but in reality, it was I who had the problem and not trusted my mate. I realize no matter how long you know someone, it’s love that matters. I love him so much.”
“I know you do, sweetheart. Let’s get you two married already.”
Jayden smiled as her dad led her down the long aisle between the hundreds of chairs set up outside. The evening weather seemed perfect.
Even the vampires had come to share their happy occasion. Jayden’s family being here with them, it was only natural she would want everyone in attendance on such a special occasion.
Jayden couldn’t believe how everything had turned out in the end. Thorn loved her just the way she was. Trust wasn’t an issue for either of them now, and she understood now that no matter what, he would always love her. She’d asked Thorn not to give up his MC and to keep the ruse to help his pack fight the bad humans and evil rogue Lycan or the occasional Bolnav that showed up in the world.
Jayden’s minister stepped in front of her and her father. “Do you, Eric, give this woman to Thorn, to protect and serve for eternity?”
“Yes, I do.” Her father kissed her on the cheek then whispered, “I love you, sweetheart. Go to your husband.”
Her mother stepped over to Thorn. “Her father and I give you our daughter to love, respect, and care for her.”
“Thank you. I will, I promise.” Thorn reached for Jayden’s hand when he turned to her and knelt down on one knee, then said loud for everyone to hear, “I, Thorn Andreiko, give you my promise as a man and leader of my pack, to always love, protect, respect, and care for you for as long as I shall live.”
Jayden let her tears fall, she whispered, “I, Jayden, give you my promise, Thorn, to love, respect, protect, and care for you for as long as I shall live.”
The minister then gazed around at the entire population of Lycan and some vampires, Lucien included. “I now pronounce you, husband and wife.”
The crowd cheered and came up congratulating the happy couple.
A Few Hours Later…
Thorn knew it was time for his father to do the bonding ceremony. He worried Jayden wouldn’t allow him to claim her again, in front of the entire world, as expected for the Lycan tradition. And he didn’t want to disappoint his people.
She’d already told him she felt okay with his father performing the ceremony in front of his people. It seemed to be him, who wasn’t as confident. “Jayden, we must perform the bonding ceremony.”
She nodded and smiled up at him.
Thorn couldn’t believe the difference just a little time had on their relationship. She now seemed so open to him and trusted him beyond anything he’d ever expected.
“Let’s do this, husband.” Jayden tugged on his hand.
His father walked up to them. “Son, Jayden, please follow me.”
They walked on both sides of his father as they headed to the river. Their family and friends followed them to witness the ceremony.
“Today, I have the privilege to witness the bonding of my son, Thorn Andreiko, to his bride, Jayden.” His father took Thorn’s and Jayden’s hands. “True love is more than the joining of marriage for a Lycan. It is the union of two hearts, souls, and lives as they live together as one. Your lives will live on the love you give each other and will never grow old, but it should thrive from the joys of each new day in your life and that of your children. Marriage is love. May you always be able to talk things over, to confide in each other, to enjoy life together, and to share moments of quiet and peace. May you be blessed with a lifetime of happiness, a home of warmth and understanding, and many children to share your love with. Do you promise to love each other always?”
“Yes we do,” Jayden and Thorn answered together.
“True marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of your relationship continues to grow well beyond the ceremony’s end. A brief moment in time and the stroke of the pen are all that is required to create the legal bond of joining, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, respect, and compromise to make a union durable and everlasting. Today, you declare your commitment to each other before family and friends. Your yesterdays were the path to this moment, and your journey to a future of togetherness becomes a little clearer with each new day. Do you agree to abide by this rule?”
“We do abide by the Lycan rule together,” Jayden and Thorn both replied.
Thorn lifted Jayden’s hand and kissed it. “I, Thorn, have already bonded Jayden to me. My wolf is pleased with his mate and wants to join them together forever. Will you, Jayden, give me permission to do that?”
“I, Jayden, give Thorn Andreiko permission to join the human and the wolf together with them.”
Thorn turned Jayden around facing the crowd. He prayed she’d be okay once again after he claimed her. During this very special ceremony in front of his people, Jayden had to prove she was the strongest female, the Beta of the pack. He worried only because she was pregnant.
“Jayden, an alpha male is leader of his pack. I promise to provide, protect, and love you forever, not even death will tear us apart. Once joined, nothing will ever come between us. Fiercely, bravely, and courageously I will fight for you and love you as no one else can. I claim thee.” Thorn extended his canines, opened his mouth and clamped down on her shoulder.
He knew instantly when Jayden felt the sharp stab of pain because at the same time he bit down, they joined minds. He filled her full of warmth and love. ‘I’m so sorry, love.’
‘There is nothing to be sorry over. I accept you as my husband and will love you forever.’
He licked the wound with his tongue, sealing the punctures. He turned her around to face him. He touched her chin and lifted. “I love you.”
“Thorn, Jayden. You have bonded in the old time of the Lycan. I can see both of you are strong leaders. Thorn, you must complete the step to become the true leader of our people. Jayden, you must find it in your heart to take over the Beta position.”
She nodded.
His father continued, “Before these people I give to you, your leaders, Thorn and Jayden Andreiko.”
Thorn looked down at the reddened area on Jayden’s shoulder. It had already healed but left a scar over the old one. She’d been brave and completed the ceremony next to him. He’d always felt confident she would be a strong leader beside him. “You must come with me now, Jayden.” He led her inside the house. After undressing each other in their bedroom, Thorn turned to his wife and mate. “You do know you must claim leadership to my mother?”
Jayden nodded. “First though, husband, I need to have you inside me.”
Thorn swallowed, he loved this woman so very much. “As you wish.” He slowly undressed her and enjoyed kissing very piece of her silken skin he revealed.
She seemed to flush as he stared at her round belly.
He smoothed a hand down over her swelled tummy. “You are even more beautiful now, my love.” He laid her back and kissed her on her pert nose all the way down to her small perfect toes.
Jayden sighed and moaned as she accepted everything he gave her.
Thorn rose up and spread her thighs, he lowered his mouth and kissed her mound. “So sweet, so enticing.”
“Please, Thorn! I need you inside me.”
Loving it when she begged, he grinned at her as he rose up to enter her hard and fast.
She cried out and held him tight. “Yes, my husband, yes!”
“Yes, indeed,” Thorn growled. This was all he wanted to do. Be inside his mate, bonded with her, body, heart, mind, and soul.
After they had made love, they were able to go out to the party that was still in full swing. Jayden and Thorn held hands and watched as their guests intermingled.
It felt all too wonderful to have the Vampires and Lycan together with everyone getting along so nicely. Though, Jayden felt surprised at how everyone stayed in their little groups.
Najha walked up to her and gave her a hug. “Have I told you how beautiful you are today?”
“No, you have not.” Jayden laughed.
Najha smiled, the Lycan female warrior wasn’t here today. Beside her was her best friend, the human woman in a dress. Jayden had promised Thorn that Najha could be her maid-of-honor, as long as nobody knew who Najha was. Jayden still felt it wasn’t fair how Thorn didn’t want anyone to know she was his daughter.
Lucien headed toward them, and Najha quickly turned to her. “Jayden, I have to leave. I’ll come see you when I get back from my trip.”
“Oh, dang. Here I thought you wanted to meet Lucien.” Jayden teased as she held onto her hand.
Lucien smiled. “Jayden, introduce me to your friend.”
Najha kissed her cheek. “I love you, Jayden. Good luck.”
Her friend tried to dash by Lucien. Before she could get away, he reached out and tried to touch her arm. Najha hastily stumbled but recovered as she lunged away from him.
Why would she try to get away from Lucien? What caused her good friend to act like this? Wait a minute, this seemed so odd, Najha wasn’t afraid of anyone. Did Najha feel like— “Thorn, honey, what…” Thorn had grabbed her and kissed her pulling her into his loving arms.
“How are you doing, my love?”
Lucien chuckled. “Damn, Jayden, your friend is sure a nervous female.”
“Um. Normally, she isn’t like that. Thorn?” Frowning, she looked up at her new husband’s face.
‘Jayden, dear, I haven’t told him yet. I don’t mean to be disrespectful to you, but can you please help me. I can’t have anyone know who she really is. Remember, she’s human…’
‘Okay, but you have to tell him.’
‘I know. I’m not ready just yet, to share her.’
Jayden needed to immediately cover this before Lucien questioned them further. “I’m sorry about that. I’m not sure what is going on with her.”
“You know there is something strange about her.” The vampire leader’s frown deepened.
Not knowing what to say, Jayden became nervous. What if he figured it out?
Thorn quickly came to her aid, “Lucien, I see you’ve kept my bride company for me.”
“I was just telling Jayden how nervous that Najha is. Her parents are Myra and Cade Hills, right?”
“Yes, yes they are.” Thorn gave him an easy smile. “I recall telling you this what? Six months back?”
Jayden prayed Lucien hadn’t discovered what was really going on with Thorn and his daughter. Their secret had to stay safe with her, though she didn’t think Lucien was a threat and Thorn couldn’t possibly think this either, right? “You know, Lucien, I asked her to be in my wedding, and she did tell me how she hated being in crowds. You know with us being different, Lycan and vampire, what can you expect from a human? I think maybe we overwhelmed her just a little.”
Both Thorn and Lucien laughed.
“I suppose you’re right there, Jayden girl,” Lucien commented. “We are very different. Well, you both have a wonderful evening. I’m going to go enjoy myself, maybe with a hot little vampire.” He gave them a wicked wink.
“You do that, Lucien.” Thorn guided him away from her and over to the bar.
A few minutes later, Thorn joined her along the edge of the party. “Are you ready to go? We have more…consummating to attend to.”
“Yes, I am,” Jayden replied. “And that just may be my new favorite word…consummating.” She giggled. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Not in a few minutes, but I have ideas about how you can show me,” Thorn teased as they waved at their guests and made their way into the house.
THE END