My Older Alpha Mate

chapter twenty four

I tucked myself into the cabinet under the sink and held my breath as I heard footsteps make their way down the stairs and slowly into the kitchen. I widened my eyes as the footsteps got closer and closer. Suddenly, the cabinet door swung open and a loud "Gotcha!" followed quickly. I squealed as Ashton pulled me out of the cabinet and into his arms, showering me with as many kisses as he could fit on my face. I wrapped my arm around his waist, giggling hysterically.

Jon walked from the bedroom next to the kitchen, throwing his arms up and groaning. "You didn't even try to find me. I hate playing hide and seek with y'all." He muttered, crossing his arms. "It's my secret! I found you just now." Ashton shrugged, pointing at Jon. I laughed again, releasing my mate and walking over to the couch.

Jake walked into the front door, joining the rest of the gang. I waved at him and he waved back, sitting in a chair across from me. "Aurora, do you wanna go grab lunch? I'm so hungry I could die" He rubbed his stomach, causing me to laugh. "Yeah, I could eat," I looked over at my brother who leaned against the door frame still. "You guys wanna come?" I glanced over to Ashton who shrugged. He held up his cup of cold black coffee from earlier and shook his head. "I'm not too hungry. I have to work on some finalizing paper work"

I nodded understandingly and looked back at Jon who also shook his head. Its been approximately 4 months since the incident. We decided that we would adopt Jax's old village and incorporate the land into ours. A few weeks ago, we all went to Jax's old village which was now struggling due to lack of leadership. We extended our hands and told them the truth about what happened to their alpha. We expected fight back but everyone from the other village seemed at peace with finally having a real alpha who cared for them. We signed the peace treaty last week.

I was now the Luna of an extremely vast village but I no longer felt unprepared, or scared, or in denial. I came to terms with my new life and I was excited about it. Jon went through therapy and is still recovering in his own way but he's doing better. I think about Liv all the time so I can't imagine how he must feel about it.

"You ready?" Jake broke me from my thoughts by extending a hand. I nodded and accepted his hand, getting up from the couch. I said bye to my brother and Ashton, the two men who were easily the most important people in my life and amiled.

Jake drove his black Range Rover and I joined him as his passenger. "Whatcha hungry for?" I asked him, crossing my legs in my seat. He shrugged mindlessly as we pulled off. We decided on italian food since I've been wantinf spaghetti and set on the treck. It takes about thirty minutes to escape our property on tbe village and then another thirty to get into town. I scrolled mindlessly through my phone as he drove, singing to the music that blasted on the radio. It was beginning to get warmer outside and the hot wind combed through my hair from the windows.

I smiled and rested my head on the side of the car, turning off my phone and deciding to take a quick nap. When my eyes peeled open, I saw the welcoming sunset dawn through the clouded sky. I looked around and noticed that we were pulling into a parking lot. "Where are we?" I asked groggily, rubbing my eyes.

"I wanted to take you here. Its a meadow... Surprise!" Jake said goofily, making me laugh. I shrugged and unbuckled my seatbelt, hopping out of the now stationary car. I noticed a rose petal on the ground as I looked down at the vibrant green gas. I looked up to notice more rose petals. I followed them slowly at first, but as they lead to a trail within the trees, I became cautious.

My heart thumped in my chest and rang through my ears as I approached an opening in the field. I thought back to the time my mate planned our furst date. I thought about everything that had occurred since then, about how much we had been theough together and as individuals. I saw my mate standing on the other side of a large flowered field.

I stopped in my tracks, locking eyes with the man who had become my world. Who went from a misogynistic bully to my sensitive, considerate, lovely boy.

My breath hitched in my throat, threatening to choke me. I swallowed the lump that appeared and began running. With every time my foot hit the ground, I felt myself becoming lighter and it the wind pulled my hair out if my face. I ran to the man who managed to convince me to fall head over heels.

Before I knew it, I stood just a foot away from him. I breathed heavily, catching my breath and feeling butterflies from the surprise of him being here. "Aurora..." He spoke deeply. I loved his voice. I love everything about him, I think.

"Knowing you has been the greatest pleasure. Earning you has been the greatest challenge, and loving you has been the easiest task i've ever had. You are forgiving, intelligent, independent, and you keep me level. I don't ever want to be without you." My eyes watered with every sentence he spoke. I think all anybody ever really wants is to be loved wholeheartedly.

The man in front of me was the most powerful person I had ever met yet he almost looked nervous while speaking to me. He continued hastily, "Every day, I fall in love with you again. You are my muse... My only weakness." He stepped closer to me now, looking deep into my eyes and intently at my short frame.

"I can't be without you again, angel." He breathed out conclusively. He kneeled onto a knee and offered the most gorgeous and expensive ring I had ever seen. He bit his lip slightly and choked out the words. The grand finale.

"Will you marry me?"

I gasped loudly and clamped my hand over my mouth. After years of being torn down and having what I love taken from me, I finally was going to get my hapy ending. The one I dreamed of all those years ago.

Tears pooled in my eyes as my heartbeat increased. I felt ecstatic and my cheeks caught fire. "You know I will!" I squealed, jumping into his arms as he rose from the ground, almost knocking him over. He pressed his lips onto mine passionately and I offered him my hand.

He slipped the stunning jewelry onto my finger and grinned like a child.

"You are my everything, Aurora."