My Mate's Joy

Chapter: Ten

Chapter Ten: Women
{ Vale }

After Shelby had instructed everyone on how we were suppose to walk and where we were suppose to stand or sit the actual rehearsal began.

First up was Nico who would be walking down with his parents, Next up came Claire's mother and Grandmother.

Claire wanted Shelby and I to walk the aisle together so Shelby took a hold of my arm and I escorted her down the aisle.

It felt amazing feeling Shelby's touch, and I couldn't help but imagine that this would be us one day.

And as unorthodox as it may be, I'm kinda glad she's pregnant.

I know it sounds crazy, but this way I will get to see what kind of mother she will be.

Will she be kind and patient, stern or loving, sweet, impatient, childlike, mature, levelheaded, or scatterbrained.

I smiled as we reached the end of the aisle.

She removed her hand from the crook of my arm and went to stand opposite me as everyone else stood up just in time to watch Claire and her father walk down the aisle.

The officiant instructed everyone not in the wedding party to take their seats.

"We'll go over the traditional vows and Nico and Claire will also be including their own written vows to express their love for one another..." the officiant spoke.

I had to fight the urge to openly stare at my mate during the practice ceremony.

But when everything was said and done I got to walk her back down the aisle.

"Everything went smoothly." Shelby said to Claire excitedly.

I don't think she was even aware of the fact that she was still holding onto my arm.

"Hopefully this weekend will go just as well." Claire sounded worried

"I'm sure it will." I put in.

"We'd better get going before the restaurant doesn't seat us for being late for the reservation." Claire put in with concern

Nico kissed the top of her head, "That wouldn't happen, but we should get going...see you two there."

I knew which restaurant they had chosen to have the rehearsal dinner at so I didn't mind lingering a bit to have a little longer with My mate.

Since I essentially grew up here I knew this pack as well as I knew my own pack so I wouldn't get lost when we take off.

"How will we explain you moving to my pack?" I asked, then thought about it. "I mean...Do you even want to move to my pack?"

I really wanted her to make this choice for herself, I mean it'd be hell to be away from her now...but I don't ever want her to feel like she has to do something just because tradition dictates it, or because it's something I'm pushing on her.

"Well it makes sense since we're mates and you can't very well move to my current pack can you?"

I shook my head, "afraid not."

"Well..." She sighed, "My parent's are both dead, and Claire and I are roommates, so with her getting married, I'm essentially a single mother going to suddenly take on the brunt of the financial burden of living alone..."

I knew she was trying to come up with an excuse to tell others But the reality of her words hit me.

While I was in a comfortable place financially and was fortunate to have been given homes due to my familial ties with the pack I knew others weren't as fortunate.