USELESS?

32

"Ok, so," Anthony begins, standing in front of the arch that has been set up for tomorrow, "Joseph and Victor, you'll walk towards each other from either side, and meet here in front of me. Hunter, as Luna, you will step to their other side, across from me, and prepare to bind their hands with the ceremonial ribbon. I believe you chose a silver velvet?"

"We did," they say together.

"Great, we'll go through the opening, I'll link your forearms like this," he places Victor's hand on Joseph's forearm, and Joseph's on Victor's "then to your vows. Victor, you'll go first, then Joseph. As they're saying those, Hunter, you'll drape the ribbon over their hands, then wind it from one to the other, then back so it's in a criss-cross pattern, and can be tied above their hands.

"Once that's done, we get to the short 'do you accept your mate, etcetera, etcetera', you say 'I do', and I pronounce you bound mates," Anthony continues. "You can kiss if you choose. Hunter will slide the ribbon in, over your hands, so you can slide them out of it. We'll leave it tied, and send it to the pack artisans to be turned into a bow and put in a case for you to keep.

"Then, you proceed, together, in the direction of the pack house for the feast. The rest of the mating, including exchanging of gifts, is done in private. I'll have the keys for the pack vacation lodge for you at the feast, and you both have a week off from pack duties to celebrate and cement your bond." He takes a deep breath. "Any questions?"

"I think we have it," laughs Victor.

"Let's head inside for dinner, then" I suggest.

"And leave the mates-to-be to their last night as free men," my father jokes.

After dinner and a quiet night, Archer and I join Joseph in the pavilion set up on his side of the ceremony space. Xavier and Anthony are with Victor in his pavilion. Joseph is glowing from happiness, but shaking from nerves, and Archer and I are amused.

"Love, it's time for us to take our places." Anthony mind links me.

I turn to Joseph as my father steps into the pavilion. "About ten minutes to ceremony time, so I need to go. I'll see you there," I tell him.

As I go to stand beside Anthony in my place as Luna, beside an arch covered in greenery and blue and white flowers, the music starts. Guests find their way to the rows of plush sliver folding chairs, chatting excitedly. When everyone is seated, the music changes, and the mates appear. Joseph is coming from my right, and Victor from Anthony's left.

They meet in front of Anthony, and I step around to their other side, holding the length of ribbon. Anthony takes a deep breath, and begins.

"Good morning, Golden Moon Pack and exalted guests. We come together today to celebrate the joining of Doctor Victor James and Elder Joseph Andrews as mates. Their union is decreed and blessed by the Goddess herself. Our role is to witness and support them as they vow to uphold the Goddess' choice for them, and to thank Her for her guidance and wisdom."

He joins their hands as he demonstrated yesterday, and gestures to me. "The mates have chosen to write their own vows, so, Victor, you may go."

Victor wipes a tear with his free hand and begins, "Joseph, I have spent my whole life looking for my other half, and I knew it was you from the moment I saw you. I promise that each kiss will be filled with more love than the last and that our days together will grow in love and devotion. Our love can withstand our flaws, imperfections and shortcomings because we will always look for and cherish the good in each other."

"Joseph," Anthony prompts.

"Victor, I am the luckiest person alive to be standing with you today, and I plan to embrace life with you every day. Without you, my life has no meaning. I vow to always remember to treasure the gift the Goddess has given me in you. From this day onward, you and I will be one in heart, body and mind. Take my heart, love me forever and I will never leave your side." Joseph smiles as he finishes.

Having finished tying their hands, I wait for the next part.

"Victor," Anthony says, "do you accept Joseph as your mate, to love and honor him, and to comfort him in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Victor answers proudly.

"Joseph," Anthony continues, "do you accept Victor as your mate, to love and honor him, and to comfort him in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Joseph cries in joy.

"Then, by the grace of the Moon Goddess and in the role as Her Alpha that she has bestowed upon me, I pronounce you bonded mates." Anthony proclaims.

He gestures to me, and I slide the tied ribbon in, and they unclasp their hands. As I step back with the ribbon, Victor takes Joseph's face in his hands and gently kisses him on the lips, then forehead, before taking his hand and facing the pack.

The guests cheer as Anthony announces "it is my great honor to introduce to you, Dr. and Elder James." The cheers get louder as Victor lifts their joined hands before picking Joseph up in his arms and carrying him towards the pack house.

The normal tables on the dais have been replaced by a single, round two-person table. Buffet tables line one wall, as the cake stands in glorious isolation between the dais and the buffet tables. As the celebrated, Victor and Joseph are the first to get plates from the buffet before taking their seats on the dais.

A mating feast, so I've heard, is similar to a human wedding reception. Two-thirds of the main floor of the dining room is filled with tables, with a clear space in the middle for dancing. Everyone toasts the mates, eats, and parties. Before we leave, we stop by Victor and Joseph's table to give them the keys for the vacation lodge, and congratulate them one more time.

With that, Anthony, Jeremiah, Archer, my parents and I leave the pack house and head for the challenge arena.