"do you love him?" my mom asked looking at me intently.
"yes mum I do" I said smiling bat her.
"are you sure honey?" she asked again looking at me with worry in her eyes. every one was worried about me most especially my mom. But I was not going to let that affect me this was my day and I was not going to let even my own emotions ruin it.
"I am a hundred and infinity sure Mom" I said joking lightly. "okay then" she said and touched my cheeks affectionately before leaving the room.
My name was Ariel Jacobs. I was one of the rare wolves that could not phase completely into their wolves. the healers said could not find a solution to it while the elders said it was a normal thing for a specific type of wolves and that I was going to be able to completely shift once I met my mate.
now that was where the problem lay. I was a twenty five year old woman and I was yet to meet the one that was made just for me. For some people, not meeting my age would not be a bother but when your family was a high ranking wolf?, it was different. not getting your mate at my age was like not marrying at the age of sixty and living with cats. no offense to people who did though.
I loved James he was the most and yet most romantic guy I have ever met. he cooked dinner, always apologized when we argued even when he was not wrong, always made sure to give me breakfast in bed, cuddled after sex, heck!! he even opened the door for me. he was the perfect gentlemen and although I did not have him as a mate, I still loved him either way.
"Ari!, let's go!" my brother Jake boomed from the hallway
"okay! okay!!, I am coming" I said as I hurriedly checked myself in the mirror and checked for any mishap on my wedding dress.
"let's go" I said finally coming out of my room and meeting my brother who was pacing in the hallway.
"you look like a goddess" my brother praised smiling at me with the look of a proud of Father.
"thanks Jake" I said smiling back at him. my brother was my father figure. ever since my dad died, he filled up by the gap the way he could. when my mum fell into depression he made sure I could not feel her absence that much.
"you know, he would have been Soo proud of you" he said smiling at me.
"you know I am not really sure about that" I said feeling uneasy.
"what!, why" he said his smile disappearing.
"I think he would I wanted me to meet my mate instead of this" I said.
"oh no you don't" he snapped in a way that sounded as if he was scolding a child. "it does not matter if he is not your mate. so what! he loves you and you love him. that would have made dad proud. you know, most people shut themselves off from the world when they don't find their mates but you didn't. you really are strong and that is something to be proud of." he said looking at me in a loving way.
"stop it" I said punching him playfully. "you are going to make me cry" I added trying to blink back the tears that were already forming.
"well we can't have that now, can we?" he joked making me laugh.
"thanks, I really needed that" I said and hook my arm to his. "now, let's get me married." I said giving him a light tug.
as I walked down the isle, I felt happy I was glad. this was my moment. looking at James as he saw me approach the alter with his bright smile was nerve wracking but in a good way. each step I took towards him made me realize that this was it.
I was going to spend the rest of my life with him and I would not want it any other way. in a way I liked it. I chose him. I did not need a bond to choose otherwise. I was his choice and I was his.
"you know, if he ever does anything to hurt you, you don't hesitate to tell me. I'll kill him" Jake whispered as we approached the alter.
"we have gone through this" I said biting back a laugh. "James would never hurt me"
"I am just saying chika" we finally reached the alter and Jake handed me over.
"you look amazing" James said in a breath "I know" I said back winking at him, which caused him to laugh.
"dear ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today..." the priest's voice faded into the background as I looked at my mom seated in the front row. I smiled at her knowing that even though she was skeptical about the whole thing, she was still proud of me.
"you may now exchange your vows" the priest said placing the rings in both our first.
we both looked at each other before he smiled and started.
"Ari?" he called out looking straight into my eyes and not breaking eye contact. "you are the most beautiful and the most selfless woman I have ever seen. you complete me in ways I did not know we're possible." he said making me blush.
"you make me feel alive in ways I did not know where possible. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much you mean the world to me." he said causing a tear to run down my cheek which he immediately wiped away.
"James, you are my light." I said fumbling a bit because I did not know how I was going to top his own vows. "looking at you alone makes me want to be a better person. you are patient, loving and kind. You make me want to get up each morning. I would spend the rest of my life supporting your every step" I said and then he smiled.
after we exchanged rings, the priest continued. "with the powers invested on me by the states, I now pronounce you man and wife" I knew I was meant to hear those words but for some reason, I felt elated. he was finally mine. Forever.
"you may now kiss the bride" and then he grabbed me by my cheeks and kissed me senselessly parting my lips with his tongue and then ravaging my mouth like owned them.
"save that for to night" I could hear the distant voice of my mother through the cheers at the background which caused me to laugh.
just as I was about to pull away from the kiss though, I smelt the most amazing thing my nose had ever smelt. it was a mixture of apple sauce and aloe vera with a hint of rain.
As if James could also sense that something was wrong, he looked at me but I ignored it pretending as if I did not just see his concerned face
'shit!!! this could not be happening to me'
