Mine, Forever Mine

Chapter 24: You Found Me

I wake up and look at the empty space beside me. I stretch and don't get the urge to throw up. I walk down the stairs and see Liam's shirtless back. I sneak up behind him and hug him from behind. "Morning to you too." He says, turning in my arms. I smile up at him and he kisses my nose. "Sit down. I just finished brunch." He says, and I sit on the bar stool. "What time is it?" I ask. "About one now. You slept for a long time." He replies and I nod. He places a plate of fruit and pancakes in front me. He places a similar one beside mine and sits next to me. "Eat up. We have to get ready for today." He says and my eyes widen. "You can't see me!" I say loudly. "Why?" He asks confused. "It's bad luck." I say, jumping up. "You're going to hurt the baby." He says, holding my waist. I take deep breaths and sit back down. "It doesn't matter now that you saw me." I say, and start to eat. He raises an eyebrow at me but starts to eat. Once we both finish, I take the plates and put them in the dishwasher. "Go get ready." I tell him, pushing him towards the door. "I don't have my shirt on. Let me get it." He says. "Don't care. Now go, I have to get dressed." I say again and he sighs. "Okay, okay. I'm going." He opens the door and shifts. He presses his head against my thigh and his nose against my stomach. "We'll be fine." I say and push him away. He growls and trots off. I close the door and go upstairs.

I easily put my dress on, and lacing it up was the hard part, but Kane sent Elle and Kaye to my house. Briar had said she didn't want to see me and it was fine by me. The three of us got ready and Elle covers her mouth. "Alexa, you have a slight bump. How far along are you?" She asks. "I'm not sure. I'll call Lance." I say, grabbing my phone. I dial his number and he answers on the second ring,
"Hello Alexa." He says.
"Hi Lance. I have a question?"
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Should I have a slight baby bump now?"
"Since you are a shifter and an Alpha, you would show faster so yes, you should."
"Okay, thanks Lance."
"No problem, Alexa."
He hangs up and turn to the girls. "So?" Elle and Kaye say at the same time. "He said its normal since I'm a shifter and an Alpha." I say and they nod. "Let's get you two ready." I say and push them to my closet.

*After they are all ready**

I look at Kaye and Elle and smile softly. "Your second time." Elle says and I nod, looking down. "Happy time! Smile!" Kaye says and I smile slightly. "Bigger Lexie." She teases and I laugh. "That's it." She laughs and we descend the stairs and I take a deep breath. I keep one hand on my stomach, and the other is holding up my dress. Kaye opens the door and I step out. Ghost and Zan follow at my sides and we make our way to the clearing between the homes. Kane was once again pacing then looks up at me. "There you are." He says, pulling me for a hug. I hug him tightly and he pulls away first. "Go inside. The guys will be coming out now." He says and we quickly make our way into Kaye's room. "My stomach hurts now." I say, gripping my stomach. "What's the cause you think?" Elle asks. "Either the baby or I'm really freaking nervous." I say, and rub my stomach. "Probably nervous." Elle says and Kaye nods, "Yeah, you're getting the jitters." I laugh and she gives me a look to shut up. I shut my mouth and look at them. "Elle, Kaye, it's time." Kane calls and they get up. "See you out there." They say as they go. I stand up when someone knocks. I open the door to see Bren. "I'm supposed to take you downstairs." He says, holding his arm out for me. I wrap my hand around his bicep and we walk down the staircase. Kane turns and holds his hand out, "Thank you Bren." He says and Bren goes out the back door. "Ready?" Kane asks me. "Not really." I answer and he looks at me. "Come on." He says and music starts playing. The song Can You Feel the Love Tonight? by Elton John plays softly. I realize the song made sense for the time of day, since it was already turning to nightfall. The soft light of candles line the aisle. We take a step off the porch and walk slowly through the path of white and red rose petals. I meet Luke's eyes and he smiles. I smile back and turn my head forward. Liam is standing with a white button up, an open blazer, a loose tie, black jeans, and his favorite black Vans. I smile and show him the shoes I have on, my white Vans. He smirks when Kaye covers her eyes. I meet Jason's eyes and they are cold to me as always. I blink at him and his eyes flick to my stomach. His eyes grow icy when he stares up at me. Briar's hand grips around his bicep, and he shakes her off. I smile, and bare sharp fangs at him. He grins and his eyes are friendly again.
Seriously bipolar.
Echo!
Lex! I've missed you.
I've missed you too.
So Liam?
The only way I could keep my child.
She doesn't respond and I look up at Liam. He holds his hand out for me and I place mine in his. Lance is once again standing in front of us and I smile at him. The king steps in, "I'd like to be the one to bond them." He says and Lance backs away. I look up at the King, and Liam squeezes my hand. "Since you are to be bonded today, we will continue in the old ways." He tells us and we can only nod. "Alexa, you may go first." I nod and turn to Liam. "Wildflowers bloom on a mountainside,
As icy waters on their tumbling ride,
Flow in haste to meet the Sea,
On a cycle that will always be.
Cycles, cycles everyplace,
Even in my life, I face
The fact that cycles often race
With no regard to proper pace.
So I was born and grew up fast,
And now I'm free to love at last,
And need Liam to complete the chain
Of the cycle that is in my name." I say and he smiles down at me. My mouth tilts up at the sides and the King looks to Liam. "Liam, you are next." He says and Liam looks into my eyes. "They said we'd never make it,
But now we've come this far.
Today we celebrate our love
And honor who we are.
We had a hard beginning,
Adults before our time.
But growing up together made
Our deepest roots entwine.
You are my life, my love, my hope,
My friend, my world, my song,
The mirror of my unseen heart,
The place where I belong.
And as our one life passes,
Through love we live for two:
A cornucopia of joy
That we this day renew." He says and he wipes away the tears on my cheeks. "Liam, may you show Alexa the gift you have for her?" The King asks and Liam nods. He whistles and turns toward the front. "When I was gone for a few days, I had the chance to explore the land. A few miles out, there was a still standing barn. It would need some work, but I knew that with you, we would fix it. And for your love of animals, I give you this." He says, and a man walks in, holding an all black horse. He brings the horse to us and I gently pet its face. "It's a female." The man says. "I'll name her Rosemary." I say, and he nods then backs off. He dips his head to Liam and leaves. "Alexa, what did you get for Liam?" The King asks. I look at Kaye and nod. She goes into the house and returns with a large box. "Since I know of your love for music, I give you this." I say, and he opens the box. He pulls out the custom painted acoustic guitar. It had a large tree, a white bird, and a wolf at the bottom. "Thank you." He says with a smile and I smile back. "I now say you are bonded as a pair in front of the RedHill Pack!" The King says and everyone cheers. I kiss Liam for the first time and he holds my waist. "Get a room!" Jason barks. We break apart and I keep my hand in Liam's. I take Rosemary's reins and hand her to Kane. I walk with Liam down the aisle and go towards our home.

As soon as the door is closed, I am in his arms. "You don't know how long I've wanted this." He says against my ear and captures my lips in a passionate and dominating kiss. I twist my fingers in his hair and his hands fist in mine. I take his bottom lip in between my teeth and tug slightly. He groans and I release his lip. He lifts me and I look into his eyes, "I have to change." I whisper. "I know." He whispers back and kisses me. We go up the stairs and into the room.  I break away from him and he sits on the edge of the bed. I disappear into the bathroom and I hear the bed creak a little. I change into my blue lace bra and panties and put my flannel boxers and long sleeved button up shirt over it. I leave a few buttons open and I stand at the door in between both rooms. Liam had removed his shirt and was in only his jeans. He looks up at me, and his jaw drops slightly. I walk over to the bed and lay down. He crawls to lay beside me, and curls around me. "I have to mark you." He whispers. "I know." I whisper back. I expose my neck and he kisses the curve gently. I feel the sharp prick of the fangs and I gasp. He pulls away and looks at me, "I didn't hurt you, did I?" He asks worriedly. "No, just wasn't expecting it." I say, and he nods. He licks away the blood and kisses the mark. He lays on his back and turns his head. I lay on him, and nuzzle his neck. I kiss it, then bite down. He groans and I pull away. I lick it quickly so it won't bleed and press a kiss to it. He turns his head and kisses me softly. "I love you." He says. "I love you too." I say and lay my head on his chest, right over his heart. "Good night." I say. "Good night, my love." He says back and kisses the top of my head.