The week leading up to their Saturday wedding was a blur. Not only did Kelsi have to give Dr Vasquez her notice, but she also had to pack twenty-five years of stuff and go dress shopping. Her downtime was spent at Lee's parents' house, reviewing legal documents sent by the Bureau of Werewolf Affairs, and finalizing the purchase of a double-wide mobile home that would sit on their 200 acres in Silver Rush. The initial listing had been for a hundred acres, but when the seller realized it was for a newly minted alpha, he offered to double the amount—for double the price, of course.

Riley's excitement for the move lasted as long as it took her to realize that Hecate City and Silver Rush weren't just a few towns over. Faced with the reality she couldn't see her friends or grandparents whenever she wanted, the situation devolved into several screaming matches and slammed doors. Lee's suggestion that they let her stay in Hecate City until the end of summer placated Riley—along with the promise of a whole new bedroom set and playscape.

Generally, Kelsi was opposed to bribery, since that was Don's modus operandi, but she was left with few alternatives—especially on such short notice.

On the day of the wedding, Kelsi left her childhood home for the last time. She glanced up at the rough, old house, with its peeling paint, faded shutters, and homemade patches, eyes prickling with tears as Mom closed the door behind them. It wasn't one of the betas' glamourous HGTV estates, but it was home. It was safety and security; it was where she had brought Riley home after leaving the hospital. Now, she would call a different place home—in another town, another state.

As the luna of a brand new pack.

Taking a deep breath, Kelsi swallowed a surge of emotion and hustled across the lawn to Dad's pickup, the ties to her worn bathrobe flapping in the wind. Across the street, straining against barriers set up by the Hecate City police and patrolled by cops and Clan Bloodmoon security, were members of the press. Once word had leaked about her and Lee's wedding, reporters and paparazzi began canvassing their street, crawling around like ants and making nuisances of themselves until the Bloodmoons stepped in. Shouts from reporters rang in Kelsi's ears and flashes from cameras and cell phones made her wince as she climbed into Dad's pickup for the drive over to the estate.

For the first time in her life, she was grateful for the gates surrounding Clan Bloodmoon.

"Are you nervous, Mommy?" Riley asked.

Kelsi glanced over at her daughter, sitting between Toria and herself. Riley wore a cute, sleeveless pink dress with a tulle skirt and embellished lace appliques. Her open-toed shoes sat on the floor of the truck while her bare feet swung back and forth.

"Very," she admitted, reaching over to squeeze Riley's hand. "I—"

The truck jerked to a halt and a horn blared out, making everyone jump.

"Tell those assholes I'm going to run them over if they do that again!" Dad yelled out the open window to a clan member.

Kelsi clapped a hand to her chest and leaned over to peer between the front seats just in time to see two Bloodmoons toss a human over the barrier by the seat of his pants.

"Sorry, guys," Dad said, rolling up the window. Although his tone was casual, his knuckles were white against the black of the steering wheel.

Biting her lip, Kelsi leaned back against the seat. Dear goddess, the last thing she needed was for her father to commit vehicular homicide against a human. That would bode so well for relations between her, Lee, and the all-human population of Silver Rush.

She'd read the online comments, of course. Watched too many broadcasts and read far too many articles than she would admit to Lee about the protests going on in the community. After digesting all that animosity, she was glad Riley was staying here for another month. Hopefully, they could get a security fence installed before her parents brought Riley down.

More reporters were waiting for them as they pulled up to the guardhouse in front of Clan Bloodmoon. If the crowd in front of their house was small, this was like pulling up to the Oscars. Vans from ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX, and others lined the street. TV cameras, arranged like machine gun turrets, were all aimed at the Bloodmoon gates. She even spied a contingent from the BBC in the mix.

Why do the British care about me? she wondered, lips parting in amazement. Was a new alpha and his luna cause for this much attention?

"Oh, wow," Riley breathed, unbuckling her seatbelt to kneel on the seat and stare out the back window.

"Sit down!" Kelsi ordered, tugging on the tulle skirt. She didn't want the kid's picture plastered all over the internet any more than it already had been.

"There's so many of them!" Riley exclaimed, bouncing on the seat. "Are they all here for the wedding?"

"I hope not," Kelsi remarked dryly, pulling the collar of her bathrobe tight against her neck. If she'd known there were going to be this many cameras, she would've bought a better robe to wear.

Or worn something different—like a bag.

Thankfully, the Bloodmoon guards opened the gate and waved them through. Kelsi turned around and watched the gate close behind them. The minute it slammed shut, the press surged forward like a tidal wave, shoving their cameras through the bars and shouting at the pickup as they drove away.

Goddess, she moaned, pressing a hand to her forehead.

Dozens of cars were parked in front of Lee's parents' house as they pulled into the driveway. Instead of the press, these belonged to members of the clan. In the middle of a sea of shiny F350s, pricy SUVs, and sleek sports cars were a dozen older, beat-up vehicles belonging to members of Kelsi's family and friends. The sight of cars belonging to omegas parked alongside the betas' expensive ones made Kelsi smile. Omegas would always be her people and she would never forget where she came from.

Parked on the lawn next to the driveway was a moving pod, Kelsi's car, and Lee's Challenger. The majority of her belongings were in that pod, ready to be picked up by a moving company tomorrow morning. Her and Lee's vehicles would be loaded on a car carrier and transported with the pod.

Lee had offered to buy her a new car, but she declined. There were just some things she wanted to be able to purchase on her own and not rely on her husband's wealth.

Although, as part of their wedding planning, she did get to look at Lee's finances—and they were quite robust.

Two women were waiting in the driveway as Kelsi stepped out: Lee's mother and his glamoured faerie sister, Sawyer. The elder Bloodmoon's dress was silver with a front-twist and Sawyer's was a one-shoulder dusty-blue item with a modest slit up the side. Both women were barefoot, as per werewolf tradition.

"You'd think this was a royal wedding," Sawyer remarked, coming up to Kelsi and hugging her.

Kelsi rolled her eyes and refrained from replying. Even with the distance between them, she could still hear faint shouting from the road.

Mrs Bloodmoon—Ronnie, Kelsi corrected; she was asked to call her Ronnie—waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about them, dear. We've got to get you ready."

Kelsi took a deep breath to steady herself, then nodded. "Okay."

The Kohl women were ushered into the house, while Dad was sent to find the groom and his entourage. Kelsi's best friend from high school, Aubrey Gold, waited for them in the Bloodmoon's living room with a photographer, make-up artist, and hairstylist. Someone—probably Toria—shoved a mimosa into Kelsi's hand and propped her on a padded stool while the stylists went to work.

For an hour, a beautiful, chaotic dance took place around Kelsi. She sat there, drinking her mimosas while things were done to her hair and face, and the photographer flitted around the room like a hummingbird. At some point, she zoned out, lulled into a stupor by the pull of the brush through her thick locks. Through the bond, she could sense Lee's anxiety. Strangely, she found herself smiling. Knowing that an alpha was also experiencing wedding day jitters acted as a calming effect on her frayed nerves.

"Wakey-wakey," Aubrey sang, waving a hand in front of Kelsi's face. "Time for the beautiful bride to put on her dress."

Kelsi came to with a jolt—one that was accompanied by the flash of the photographer's camera. Aubrey snickered at her expression. "And that's enough mimosas for the bride," she announced, plucking an empty glass from Kelsi's hand.

Mom fed her pretzels while Toria held a napkin under her chin; Sawyer and Aubrey handled the duty of getting Kelsi into her dress. The Bloodmoons had offered to pay for it, but Kelsi declined. They were already taking care of the venue (their backyard) and catering. That alone was enough in her book. The dress—a sleek, A-line halter with an embellished bodice and tiny crystals sewn into the hem—wasn't the most expensive at the boutique—not by a longshot—but once she tried it on, there was no going back.

"You look lovely," Ronnie murmured, handing her a bouquet of white roses and pale pink tulips. "Lee is lucky to have found you."

"Thank you," Kelsi said, a sudden swell of emotion washing over her as her fingers closed around the bundled stems. She looked down at the flowers, two fat tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. One week ago, she and Toria had walked into the Stillwater Casino for free food on the alpha's dime, and now look where she was—ready to be married by the High Priestess of Hecate and elevated to luna.

Who could have imagined?

"Now, now," Mom said, stepping up and dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. "It's all right, Kels."

Swallowing hard, Kelsi nodded. "I know," she whispered. "It's just ... so much, you know?"

Mom smiled, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "I know," she whispered, kissing Kelsi's cheek. "But you are a very beautiful bride. Mrs Bloodmoon is right—Lee is lucky to have you. And you, him."

There was a knock on the wall and Dad poked his head into the living room. "Are you girls ready? It's time to start."

This was it, Kelsi thought. No turning back. From now on, she was walking the path of a luna. Lifting her chin, she tightened her grip on the bouquet and nodded. "Yes."

Sawyer reached out and touched her arm. "I'll see you outside, sis," she told Kelsi with a wink. With a grace Kelsi could only dream of possessing, the faerie glided out of the room to take her seat with the rest of the guests.

"Do you have any words of wisdom for me, Dad?" Kelsi asked as they lined up at the door to the Bloodmoons' patio.

Her father turned, eyes crinkling in a mixture of amusement and solemnity. "I don't think there are any words for a situation like this," he admitted, glancing out the back door. "All I know is that your mother and I raised a strong, independent woman who doesn't take shit from anyone. You're a great mother, a wonderful daughter, a good sister, and I know you'll be a great luna, too."

Emotion threatened to choke her once again and Kelsi fought against its pull, shoving the tears back down. Taking a deep breath, she squeezed her father's hand and nodded.

Music began to play and Riley skipped through the back door, the little flower crown the hairstylist had set on her head shedding tiny petals as she moved. Toria and Aubrey followed in their matching pale rose bridesmaid gowns.

And then it was her turn.

"Here we go, kiddo," Dad whispered, giving her a wink before leading Kelsi onto the patio.

Warm grass cushioned her bare feet and the sun shone brightly overhead. Slowly, carefully, they walked through the backyard and past a sea of betas. The skin between her shoulder blades twitched, but Kelsi held her head high and fixed her eyes on the raised dais sitting beneath a square gazebo decorated with white satin and roses at the end of the aisle. Lee stood there, hands clasped tightly in front of him. He looked up as she and Dad approached, his blue eyes lighting up, mouth rounding in an "O" of surprise. It quickly transformed into a wide grin and Kelsi found herself smiling in return.

The High Priestess of Hecate stood at the head of the dais, looking refreshed despite her long black garments. She nodded to Kelsi and gestured her up on the platform. Kelsi turned and handed her bouquet to Toria, then ascended the dais.

Lee reached out and took her hands in his large ones. "You look lovely," he murmured, running his thumbs over her skin.

She flushed. "And you're handsome."

Lee grinned and winked. He wore a simple grey suit, white shirt, and pink vest to complement the flowers and her bridesmaids' dresses. Tucked into his lapel was a pale pink rose.

The High Priestess began to speak, but Kelsi barely registered her words. She was caught up in the bond, the flow of emotions between her and Lee, in his steady blue gaze, and the way his strong hands cradled hers. For the first time, she truly understood what it meant to be soulmates. She was never going to be alone, for here was a man who would remain with her for the rest of her life. From this day on, they would be partners, lovers, and friends, and rule over a pack with strength, determination, and—hopefully—wisdom.

"Kelsi," the High Priestess intoned, drawing Kelsi out of her deep introspection.

She started, which drew gentle laughter from the assembled guests. "Yes?" she asked dreamily.

The High Priestess beamed benevolently. "Repeat after me ..."

"I, Kelsi Marie Kohl, take you, Lee Samuel Bloodmoon, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

"I, Lee Samuel Bloodmoon, take you, Kelsi Marie Kohl, to be my lawfully wedded wife and luna, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

The High Priestess lifted her hands and laid them atop their heads. "As Hecate's representative on Earth, I do lift you, Kelsi Marie Kohl, to the status of Luna of the Bloodmoon Pack of Silver Rush, Nevada. What the goddess has brought together, let no creature tear asunder."

A jolt akin to an electric shock shot through Kelsi's body and a pack of wolves howled in her soul. She swayed on her bare feet, but Lee held her steady. "I've got you," he mouthed, squeezing her hands. And she believed him without a single doubt.

The High Priestess smiled and proclaimed, "I give you the Alpha and Luna of Silver Rush!"

------------

Later that evening, Kelsi and Lee stumbled into his bachelor cottage, several hundred yards from where everyone else was still partying. The high of the evening gradually trickled away as Kelsi took in the barren cottage and was reminded of the journey that lay ahead of them the next morning.

"It looks better this way," Lee commented wryly in her ear, breath tickling the side of her neck.

Kelsi shivered and turned to look up at him. "Why? Was it a mess?" She crossed her arms and cocked her head, grinning.

He chuckled, walked back to the front door to lock it, and then began closing the blinds. "I don't think so, but my mother may disagree."

Kelsi smiled and shook her head. Men. Well, she wasn't a neat freak by any stretch of the imagination, but she wasn't going to tolerate a messy home. She left Lee to the blinds and crossed the room. Some kind soul had left her duffle bag with all of her toiletries and change of clothes on top of the kitchen counter. As she rummaged around for her toothbrush, she felt Lee's arms slide around her waist.

"Do you know what I heard about sex between fated mates?" he whispered, brushing his lips against her neck. A jolt of desire swept through Kelsi's body, igniting sensations and scenarios she long regulated to dormancy.

"I hope you didn't ask your sister," she countered, leaning against his solid form.

Lee broke out laughing, hands dropping from her waist. "Fuck no!" he exclaimed, wiping a tear from his eye.

She pivoted to face him. "So, what is it?"

Her dark-haired alpha laughed helplessly and shrugged. "I don't remember what I was going to say."

"Well," she began, reaching out to unbutton his vest. The suit jacket was still out on the dance floor where Lee tossed it during an enthusiastic performance of the Electric Slide. "Why don't we find out for ourselves?"

A low growl reverberated through Lee's chest and his irises lit up orange. Desire pulsed through the bond and somewhere, a wolf howled; in the back of Kelsi's mind, a she-wolf replied in kind. Before she could reach the last button, Lee scooped her up and carried her to his bedroom.

They fell onto the mattress in a tangle of limbs and eager lips. Kelsi moaned as Lee's hand slid up the inside of her thigh, bunching the fabric of her wedding dress around her waist. Her pulse quickened and she arched against his hand as it pushed aside her underwear to ghost around the edge of her core.

"Goddess," he groaned into her neck, pressing further into her slick depths.

"Are you going to take any of this off?" she breathed, clawing at the vest. But the last button remained stubbornly in place.

Lee reared back, his dark hair in disarray, eyes glowing orange. Evidence of his arousal tented his grey slacks, making Kelsi lick her lips in anticipation.

"Shit," he swore, tearing off the vest and tossing it into a corner. The white shirt and pants soon followed. Kelsi didn't remember where his tie was—perhaps in the same spot as his jacket. She propped herself up on the bed, drinking in the sight of a fully-grown alpha werewolf.

An alpha who was hers and hers alone.

Lee's body might as well have been carved from marble by a master sculptor. How was it that all beta and alpha males were built so exquisitely? She reached out and ran her nails along the planes of his broad, muscled chest, enjoying watching him shiver. Lee may be the alpha, but she was his luna and she was in charge now.

Her fingers trailed down his sternum, where his heart thumped beneath her touch. "Kels ..." he groaned, taking deep breaths. "You're going to make me blow early if you keep doing that."

Kelsi paused and cocked her head. "Surely alphas have better self-control ...?"

"Not this alpha," he replied through clenched teeth.

She withdrew her hand and sat up. Taking the hem of her dress in both hands, she lifted it over her head, tossing the five-hundred-dollar garment into a corner of the empty room.

Alpha Lee of Silver Rush whimpered, rooted to the spot, waiting for her next request. A heady euphoria coursed through Kelsi's system, fanning the flames of her desire to new heights. "Come on, Alpha," she said, reaching out and pulling him close by the waistband of his boxers.

He pounced on her like a man desperate for water. Their remaining clothes flew off, flung to various corners of the bedroom. Lee's hands and mouth worshiped her body like a goddess, alternating between biting and licking, making her lose the ability to form a coherent sentence.

As she teetered on the edge of insanity, he reared back to grab a condom from somewhere, then slowly eased into her depths. Kelsi moaned as Lee slid inside her, his alpha girth stretching her inner walls to fullness. She locked her arms around his neck, urging him deeper with her thighs.

"Goddess," he exclaimed, moving slowly at first, but it wasn't enough. She needed more.

Her nails clawed at his bare back, hips shifting against his. They moved together with an urgency born of desire, tied together in a bond far beyond mortal comprehension. In a barren bedroom, their pants and moans, their exclamations of delight and pleas for more, were songs of praise to the ancient goddess who made their souls whole.

The song built, climbing higher and higher until they crashed together into a rousing crescendo of sweat and commingled breath. In the pleasure that followed, the goddess smiled.