Nebraska walked hand in hand with Hades across the rug that ended at the foot of the small dais. On either side the members of the two packs merged as one. The faces of the Council wolves rose around the dais, while two people waited upstairs that Nebraska did not recognize them at first, because she did not remember seeing them before, but analyzing in detail there were features that seemed familiar, such as the silver eyes of the man of the couple and very dark hair of the petite and beautiful woman next to him.
-Are they your parents?- She asked in a low voice.
Hades nodded and a smile on his lips proud of the woman he carried with him. He couldn’t deny that he was strangely excited, he seldom felt that way.
He felt Nebraska’s hand squeeze his and he responded by giving her support. The omega looked around surreptitiously seeing four of her children next to the beta at the beginning of one of the rows. She was not a newcomer to these kinds of celebrations. At her wedding to Rudoc, she had been so nervous that it was difficult for her to walk well and had to lie down with her former husband.
She remembered the looks of most of the members of the pack as if they accused her or felt sorry for her being tied to such a young couple. That day had not been a pleasant one for her. The nerves had left her mind blank and the events of that day were hardly clear to her. Even when she had consummated her marriage to Rudoc, it was fuzzy. The armor she had created that day had only grown stronger over the years.
But now, as hectic as this day had been, she wasn’t nervous. Next to Hades it was as if everything around her was correct and she just had to go with the flow.
-At least you can smile a little, you are at your wedding, not at your funeral- the wolf had bowed slightly and was commenting in her ear.
Nebraska hadn’t noticed that her expression was as cold as ever. Hades was right, she had no reason to be so serious. Moments later his life would change again, perhaps for the better, so for a moment she felt it appropriate to shed his armor.
-I think you’re right- her facial muscles relaxed and a slight but sincere smile left her lips that made her partner stop.
Hades could feel his heart beat in his chest suddenly and a blush reflected on his cheeks. If he had considered her beautiful, he had no words for now. He smiled back at her.
-You should smile more often, he nods-
-Just for today Hades, just for today- and she looked forward to pick up her pace so that she wouldn’t see the sparkle in her eyes. Being so devoid of barriers, every now and then was relaxing.
They reached the foot of the dais and were greeted with a bow by the other members of the Council. Although many dismissed the wolves as a wild race that only allowed itself to be carried away by its instincts, the truth was that they were governed by a severe label both in respect and in subordination. Thus they guaranteed balance and discipline in all members.
Hades helped her up the two steps and they stopped in front of the couple waiting there. Closer, Nebraska had to endure a gasp of amazement. Now he understood where the twins’ genetics had come from.
The father was even taller than them, not much, but it did make a difference. His body was so hard and muscular that was marked above the shirt. His hair was very long tied at the nape of his neck and fell over his shoulder to his hips, a color that could be compared to copper, and that contrasted with his silver eyes. His face, despite looking mature, was very handsome and manly and despite his feigned expression somewhat serious it showed his great pride trough every pore of his being.
Beside him, him partner was not overshadowed, clad in an elegant and demure red dress that did nothing to hide her slender curves. The first thing Nebraska had seen was her hair. It was the exact copy of Hades’s, even the same length, framing her pale, beautiful face and those two huge dark eyes that ran up and down studying her, then she smiled slightly approvingly.
Next to that wolf that smelled of alpha, she showed herself as worthy of having been a queen and that she was not inferior, even with her years of age, And despite everything, her bodily expressions and her smells indicated that they loved like soul mates.
For a moment the omega thought that if she and Hades would see each other like this, in a few years and the idea did not disgust her as it had been with Rudoc.
-Father, Mother- Hades bowed kneeling on the ground before them taking his partner with him- As son and wolf I show you the person who will share the rest of her days with me-
Nebraska knew the entire ceremony. Children were to show respect to their parents and their consent to follow the ceremony was crucial. Especially if it was the partner of the alpha and the future queen. In her case, as she did not have parents, her part would be omitted because she was excommunicated from this action, it only remained to see what her future in-laws thought.
-She complements my existence, and is appropriate to perform the task of queen by my side. Parents give me your blessing – Hades’s head was lowered and his eyes were closed.
Nebraska was watching him covertly. The only wolves that an alpha showed such respect were their parents and mate. She knew that but never expected such a solemn image of that wolf. The silence that followed his words was eternal. They both felt the weight of the gaze from both the Council and the older couple.
-I, Saisen, progenitor of your being, give you my blessings for your wedding- his father’s voice came out sweet in contrast to his appearance.
-I, Celesia, progenitor of your being, give you my blessings for your wedding- then a higher voice but with an authoritative tone.
Hades smiled receiving acceptance from both of them. They did not know exactly the situation of the pack until they arrived in the afternoon, and now that they knew their future mate. He got up and helped Nebraska to her feet. They bowed and turned to face each other. Sara approached them with a red scarf embroidered with two handles in the middle.
They both took the one that was woven both by crimson cords and by a lock of her hair that had been cut days before. The cords as well as all the decoration and the dress denoted the union and fidelity of the blood, the most important thing in the herd. The hair was carefully selected and the yarns intertwined with them, creating a piece that not only marked as property whoever had it but also left its scent throughout their body.
Hades raised his head and searched for the beautiful purple orbs of Nebraska.
-I will be your partner, and I will be faithful to you for the rest of my days- he spoke those words in a warm way that enveloped the omega as he put his handle on her and adjusted it to her right wrist.
-I will be your partner, and I will be faithful to you for the rest of my days- she replied with a slight smile and feeling gratifying to put that bracelet that marked it as hers.
Rodrigo came up behind them and offered them a tray with a small bronze-colored goblet, which by the worn details indicated how old it was. That was the cup of union. Hades and Nebraska cut a small line on their respective wrists and let a few drops of blood mix with the liquid in the container.
Hades offered it to his partner first. The omega took a small sip and then the wolf copied it. Then he took her hand and bowing slightly between them, they turned to the herd.
-Starting today, the name of your new queen is Nebraska, my partner and the wolf who will bond with me- Hades pronounced before everything erupted in shouts and ovations, breaking the discipline they had so far.
The omega watched as the faces of its former members lit up and screamed along with the others. They seemed happy, but she not so much. Nerves began to torment her.
Now came two very complicated parts, becoming a wolf for the run under the full moon and the consummation of the marriage.
For the first time she did not feel able to face this alone.
She felt vulnerable.