Marissa and Bethany arrived at the venue. It was an open space surrounded by trees. The moon was already taking its place in the sky as they approached Bryce.
"You look very beautiful," Bryce commented when Marissa finally got to him.
"You don't look bad yourself," Marissa chuckled.
"Are you ready?" Bryce asked, and she nodded happily.
"Bryce and Marissa, please step into the center," Elder Mason instructed with a soft hum.
Marissa and Bryce stood at the center of the moonlit clearing, surrounded by ancient trees and silent witnesses. The presence of the full moon cast shadows of the people who were present to witness the sacred tradition.
Marissa's heart pounded—not from fear, but from the weight of what was to come. This was more than tradition. It was a bond written into their souls.
Bryce took a step closer, his gaze locked on hers, intense but tender. "Are you sure?" he asked softly, his voice was low, and it could only be heard by him and Marissa.
"I've never been more sure of anything," Marissa replied, determination written all over her face.
He reached out, brushing his fingers against her cheek, then gently tilted her head to the side. She did the same for him.
As one, they leaned forward. Bryce's canines lengthened, eyes glowing with his wolf just beneath the surface. He bit down gently on her shoulder, marking her—claiming her—not as possession, but as his equal.
Marissa followed, sinking her fangs into the place just above his collarbone. The moment she did, the clearing seemed to still.
Their blood mingled. The bond is sealed. They had finally become one.
Bryce and Marissa felt something warm flow into their chests after marking each other. This signified that they were one.
The ground trembled slightly underfoot as the energy of the ceremony pulsed outward. Their bodies began to shift, not from pain, but from power.
Muscles rippled, bones realigned. Fur replaced skin. In moments, two majestic wolves stood in their place—one deep, powerful silver, the other, golden.
They circled each other once, then touched noses. The bond had been made, witnessed by moonlight, and sealed by ancient tradition.
The circle of onlookers let out a soft murmur of approval. The elders nodded pleased with the development.
Gray offered the faintest smile. And Bethany's eyes shone with something like pride while holding on to Gray excitedly.
"They finally marked each other," Bethany held on to Gray tightly, her face radiating excitement.
Together, Bryce and Marissa raised their heads and howled—a song of love, of unity, and of destiny.
The trees swayed slightly at the howl, as though they were bowing to them.
Elder Scott had a vicious look while staring at the two wolves who nestled against each other.
While no one was watching, he sneaked out.
"Father, why wasn't I allowed to watch the mating ceremony?" Eliana questioned her father.
After several days of planning, she didn't even have a right to be there.
Elder Scott looked at his daughter whom he had already cherished.
"You do not need to worry, dad will get justice for you," Elder Scott promised.
"It is too late dad, she has already been marked by him, they would mate today," Eliana looked like one who had already given up, and lost all hopes.
"Have I ever taught you to give up?" Elder Scott queried.
"No, but I feel like all hope is lost, they have marked each other already, by now, they should be on their way to the Alpha's mansion where they will complete the ceremony," Eliana replied while sighing loudly.
Well, her words were extremely valid. From a logical point of view, she was fighting a losing battle.
"You do not need to think that way, you are a Parker, and we Parker's do not give up on what is ours, if you want Bryce, then you'd get him," Elder Scott vowed.
His words reignited the burning flame in Eliana's heart, and she nodded to his words.
"If I want him, then I would get him," she repeatedly chanted these words to herself.
"Good, now, all you have to do is take care of yourself, and not worry about these trivial issues, daddy is here, and I will make sure your dreams are fulfilled," Elder Scott promised.
"I know you are the one who cares about me the most," Eliana smiled, giving him a hug.
"What you both are planning is wrong, the Alpha has already found his mate, and it isn't you, you should learn to move on quickly, and maybe the Moon Goddess would give you your mate."
Eliana's and Elder Scott's mood turned sour at these words.
"What do you know, woman?" Elder Scott turned and scolded the woman who was at the stairs.
The woman only shook her head, with her eyes on Eliana who scoffed.
"I am your mother, Ana, you know I won't wish bad for you, trust me, you are going down the wrong path if you choose to follow your dad's footsteps," it turns out the lady was Eliana's mother.
Eliana sneered, "I don't think you are my mother, because if you were my mother, you would understand what I stand to gain by being close to the Alpha."
"You were always over my elder sister, but now that she is dead, you finally remembered that you have a younger daughter," Eliana spat.
"Ana, why would you say that?" Rita took a step back in shock. Her lips trembled, never expecting that her daughter would say such hurtful words to her.
"You do not need to be bothered about me, you have never cared about me, if I want the Alpha, then I would get him," Eliana rolled her eyes, taking her face away from her mother.
Rita closed her eyes painfully, lamenting internally about how she failed in training her daughter correctly.
"Ana, I need to ask you a question, do you...."
"Rita, that is enough, Eliana doesn't consider you to be her mother, you are only living in this house so I can uphold my reputation," Elder Scott interjected, stopping her from completing her question.
Rita had a heartbroken look on her face while staring at the two people she considered family.
"I have said my piece, I have served your food, I'll be in my room if you need me," Rita sniffed, walking back to her room.
"What's up with her? She has never meddled in our business, why now?" Eliana inquired, her eyes focused on the stairs.
"Don't be bothered about her, just focus on yourself," Elder Scott replied while rubbing her hair.
While Rita was in her room, she sighed before looking out the window, staring at the moon which was glowing in all its brightness.
"I hope they realize that their actions are wrong," she murmured to herself, breathing out heavily.
"Before it is too late," she completed, closing her eyes tiredly.
___________
Just as Eliana had predicted, Bryce and Marissa had made their way into the room for the completion of the ceremony.
They had shifted into their human form after everyone had dispersed. Of course, they had to disperse. They could not watch the couple mate with each other.
While in the room, Bryce stared at Marissa whose face was heavily red.
His eyes lingered on the fresh mark, pride swelling in his chest—she was his now, in every way that mattered."
"We will only complete the last part of the ceremony when you are ready," Bryce spoke in a husky tone.
Marissa immediately placed her index finger on his lips, indicating for him to take back his words.
"I am ready," Marissa stated with a small voice, while her finger ran across his face.
Bryce's eyes traced hers, and he sighed satisfactorily. She was finally his.