I know I must leave Aubrey to prepare for the ceremony, but I don't want to. Geddes had put her into a deep sleep that should last until morning, and an IV bag hung with a wolf-healing med mixed in. Even though she didn't know I was here, I wanted to stay by her side.

I heard and smelled my mom enter. She walked to the bed and ran her fingers through Audrey's hair before turning to me.

"She will be fine for the next two hours. Go get ready." It wasn't a request. I nodded and squeezed the young she-wolf's hand before releasing it completely.

I showered quickly and dressed in my finest suit before heading to the training grounds. They chose this area because of its lack of trees and many cameras so that they could televise to those working, both Sinclairs and Mahani.

On the closest field, chairs were set up, four deep, in a large circle around a podium with several open aisles for people to enter and leave the area. Everything was decorated in a pale rose and silver, from the lights to the flowers. It was beautiful, and I was so happy for my sister, even though my wolf wanted to return to the infirmary.

I noticed several ring portals open in the outer fields. The other three training circles were empty and not decorated. That made little sense, since this area was chosen because of those fields.

The Mahani Blood Alpha turned my attention when he entered with his daughters, Doc and Leah, the Luna, and another man I'd not met before. He was well guarded by two huge Alphas.

I wonder what that's about.

My Blood Alpha was walking toward the group, and seeing Lachlan and Grace there, too, I headed in that direction.

I stared at the three she-wolf sisters, all dressed identically in long sleeveless silver dresses, their hair in identical French braids with silver studs mixed in. They matched perfectly; their only difference was their hair color and height.

"This is Leah's mate, Daniel. I believe you know everyone else." Blood Alpha Cooper introduced the newcomer. "I've been told the couple is ready. We only have a few minutes if we could get people seated."

I was told the transfer must be done at a specific moment, so with a nod from Alex, I sent a group mindlink to be seated, that we were starting. Within a few minutes, everyone was ready, and soft music was played as Kayla and Nicolas walked hand in hand to the podium.

Nicolas was in a black, fitted tuxedo jacket in the newest style. Kayla looked stunning in a formal sleeveless gown, floor length, and studded with jewels that twinkled from the surrounding lights. With her light brown hair, the rose gold color complemented her tanned skin. Their beauty left their audience breathless. 

The Blood Alphas of both Sinclair and Cooper were at the podium. The families were seated in the front row of the circle, while pack members and Mahani filled the other three. I glanced around, realizing there must be well over 100 people here. Blood Alpha Cooper cleared his throat before speaking.

"Welcome to all. We have come together to celebrate the love the Moon Goddess bestows on us when our wolf finds 'that one person.' That one person who compliments us to make us the best we can be—that one person who we will love forever, fated or choice. I ask you all to take a moment to understand that while fate can be cruel, it can also bring us great joy and that one person who completes us. We will begin by letting Kayla Sinclair-Kelly and her mate, Nicolas Kelly, recite their chosen prose to show their love and devotion for each other."

He motioned to my sister, who smiled at Nicolas before beginning.

"Hear me speak what's on my mind, and let me give this testimony,

To reaffirm that you will find, that you are my one and only.

There is no exception to this rule, I may be simple but I'm no fool.

I've got witnesses happy to say, every hour of every day—

Every heartbeat I have bears your name.

We are a classic case of boy meets girl, moving in the same direction.

You're not asking for the world, and I'm not asking for perfection.

Just a love that's well-designed for passing the test of time.

I'm here to tell you that I'm here to stay, every hour of every day.

Ask anyone and they'll tell you it's true,

That my every heartbeat belongs to you."

It was plain to see how my sister had spoken these words from her soul. Her love for her mate was so evident. In the past two weeks, her smiles and demeanor changes were there for all to see. He had changed her back to the loving girl I had known growing up before those Alphas had broken her. Now that she knew her mate loved her anyway, she was better than before. We all turned to watch Nicolas as it was his turn. He did not disappoint.

"Lady, for so many years, I thought I'd never find you.

You have come into my life and made me whole.

Forever, let me wake to see you each and every morning.

Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear.

And in my eyes, I see no one else but you.

There's no other love like our love.

And yes, I'll always want you near me.

I've waited for you for so long.

Lady, your love's the only love I need, and beside me is where I want you to be.

Because, my love, there's something I want you to know.

You're the love of my life.

You're my lady."

I had to put my head down and take a deep breath as the emotion I could feel through the family bond overwhelmed me. My parents and siblings felt this way towards their mates, while I was the only single one left. My wolf took that moment to send me an image of the Omega lying in the infirmary and an emotion he's never shown before: love for a female.

"At this time, we will move on to the final moments of this ceremony. For your safety, we ask you to please stay behind the ropes we've set up around the fields. Thank you for enjoying this day with us and the happy couple." The Blood Alphas shook hands before Blood Alpha Cooper and his daughters escorted Kayla and Nicolas to the center of the middle field.

Lachlan was unhappy about not being with his mate, but my mom grabbed both our arms and led us to the ropes, my father joining us moments later, carrying Sydney. I looked around for the other children and saw them with Blood Alpha Kelly and his Luna mate.

When I looked back at Kayla, they were all watching the full moon rise past the horizon. The sisters and their father formed a square some distance from the happy couple in the center.

Simultaneously, they all turned to my sister and her mate, who held each other's waist. All eyes lit up as the ground started to tremble.

Within seconds, Kayla and Nicolas were now on a pedestal of rough ground, about six feet above the rest of us. The wind picked up, and water droplets seemed to emerge from the ground and join the wind, whipping in a circle around their legs.

Slowly, the wind and water drifted higher until only their faces could be seen clearly. I kept my eyes on my sister, ready to interfere if she was in danger.

"Breathe, Keith. She's perfectly safe." I glanced at my mom, who was still staring at the spectacle before us.

As my eyes returned to the field, fire pooled across the entire area and joined the wind, causing the water to mist as the happy couple floated in the air, now several feet above the rock. As I watched, the eyes of Kayla and Nicolas glowed brighter than any wolf I'd ever seen.

After a few more seconds, everything seemed to reverse. They drifted down to their makeshift pedestal, the fire receded, and the water slowly flowed back into the ground. Then, finally, the dirt and rock were reduced back to flat land.

The wind whipped one final time around the couple as they kissed. The Mahani yelled their joy, and the Sinclairs joined in their celebration.

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Kayla's prose was adapted from EVERY HEARTBEAT by Amy Grant.

Nicolas' prose was adapted from LADY by Kenny Rogers.

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