The Mark of Betrayal (Samara and Roman) novel Chapter 79

Samara

I can’t remember having this much fun since my mother passed away. When she was alive, I’d sit with her while she would get ready for big events, or we’d get ready together. By then, Althea was old enough that she didn’t want to participate, but my mother and I always had a great time.

Getting ready for my Luna ceremony with Elizabeth, Sloane, Scarlet and eventually Luna Devi and Luna Jasmine, was reminiscent of my time with my mother. I was happy to see that Elizabeth and Scarlet have matching dresses, just like Sloane and I.

Luna Devi is doing my hair when I feel Roman push his love through the bond. I instantly reach out, embracing it and him.

Luna Devi starts chuckling, distracting me.

“What’s funny?” I ask her.

“Ayla just started purring,” Elizabeth says, grinning at me.

I smile. “Roman,” is all I have to say. All the adults are mated so they know what that means.

Once we’re done, everyone heads downstairs leaving me and Sloane alone.

“Are you ready to stand on that stage beside me?” I ask her.

“Are you sure I should. I mean after everything ...”

“Yes. I’m absolutely sure you should. You’re mine now. Mine and Roman’s. Both of us want everyone here to know that.”

I take her hand and lead her to the long mirror on the door of the closet. I stand behind her, letting her see how much we look alike.

“No matter what happens from here on out, no matter what anyone else thinks or says, you are mine, mine and Roman's. I understand if you don’t want to call me mom. I will never be mad if you don’t. But you need to know that I already think of you as my pup and I always will. No matter what.”

I watch her fight her tears as her lips tremble and she nods. I lean down behind, wrapping my arms around her and holding her gaze in the mirror.

“I love you, Sloane.”

“I love you, too, Aunt Samara.”

I squeeze her as tightly as I dare so I don’t wrinkle our dresses, then I stand and take her hand. “Ready?”

She nods and we make our way downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs, Alpha William is waiting for us.

“Well, look at these two beautiful women. You ladies take my breath away,” he says, making both of us smile. He holds out an arm for each of us and then he escorts us to the back of the packhouse.

From here, I can see Roman, watching and waiting for me.

I feel the growl of approval from him before I hear it as we step outside. The pack and the visiting Alphas all get quiet and turn to look at us as we walk down the aisle, but I can’t take my eyes off my mate. He’s dressed in a suit and he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in my life.

Ayla and I send waves of love and happiness to him and when the pack begins purring loudly around us, I realize they can feel my happiness too.

I hear the murmurs of the visiting Alphas, but I ignore them. It wasn’t intentional on my part, but this is part of why Roman wanted so many Alphas here tonight. After tonight, everyone will know that I’m a white wolf.

Alpha William leads us to the stage, where Roman comes over and extends his hand to me, helping me up the stairs before turning to help Sloane up the stairs behind me. Austin, Elizabeth, Luca, Scarlet, Adrian, and Phoebe are already on the stage. Slade is with Luna Jasmine and Aria is with Luna Devi.

Sloane goes to stand beside Scarlet, and I walk to the front of the stage with Roman. Alpha Sterling is presiding over the ceremony.

“Friends, family, tonight we celebrate an incredible union, one that has been in the making for many years. I know most of the Alphas here still do not know the name of my son’s mate, and there is a reason for that,” Alpha Sterling says, smiling at me.

“My son searched for my daughter-in-law for many, many years. I don’t mean that he searched for his mate. I mean that he searched for the missing Brenner, Samara Brenner,” he says and I hear the gasps of the visiting Alphas and their families. I feel the weight of everyone’s stare as they all turn their eyes to me.

Roman squeezes my hand, but I raise my chin. I’m proud of who I am and I’m not hiding anymore.

“Many of you were at Alpha William’s pack when my son’s wolf called her mate. I wasn’t there, but I understand that Samara made a feeble attempt to reject him,” Alpha Sterling says, making everyone chuckle.

We start by both swearing our love and loyalty to each other, then we bring Adrian and Phoebe forward to swear their loyalty to us before the pack comes forward.

Roman stands at my side the entire time and somehow, the link between us and the link to our pack grows even stronger.

When we’re done, Roman steps forward again.

“There’s just one more announcement that I have to make tonight,” Roman says, looking at Alpha William.

“Alpha William, Luna Jasmine, Alpha Will, will you join us on the stage?”

I can see their surprise, but they walk up with Luna Jasmine still holding Slade.

“Alpha William, as my father said earlier, you took my mate into your pack, you protected her, gave her your name and hid her for nine years. We are indebted to you for your kindness, and it’s a debt that I can never repay. But tonight, I want all the Alphas here to know that we have entered into an alliance agreement. Anyone who threatens Alpha William, threatens me. Anyone who attacks Alpha William, attacks me. Anyone who tries to harm Alpha William or his family, attempts to harm me and my family. Anyone who goes after Alpha William in any way, will answer to me and my Luna,” he says.

I can feel the weight of his words as they settle on the Alphas. Alpha William has always been considered one of the weaker Alphas, especially since he’s an older Alpha with a relatively young heir. But not anymore. Roman just put the power of our pack behind him.

“Oh, and one more thing, you may have noticed that our family has grown. Samara and I are in the process of adopting three pups, Sloane, Slade, and baby Aria. But in addition to that, my mate is pregnant with our Alpha heir. So, we have many, many reasons to celebrate tonight! So, LET'S CELEBRATE!”

While someone turns on the music, I hug Alpha William, then Luna Jasmine, and then my adopted brother, Will.

“That’s going to help us a lot, isn’t it?” he whispers to me.

“Yes. And we’ll recommit to the alliance once you take over. You’re my brother. I’ll always be there for you,” I say to him. I know it’s what Theo would have done, and I’m so proud that my mate has not only done this, but also announced it to everyone.

“I know it’s early, but have you decided on a name yet?” Luna Jasmine asks me.

I look at Roman and we both smile. I know my mate. I know we’re in perfect agreement on this.

“Theodore,” we say together.