Blood

Chapter Thirty-Two: I Pronounce Thee Mated

It's been a week since we came back from Pack Imislo. It has also been a week since I've legitimately seen Zev. He always says that he needs to take care of something without me distracting him. Excuse me Zev if I'm so distracting pull yourself together! Ah wishful thinking.

So instead of being helpful like I would love to be right now I'm sulking. Not only that I'm sulking by staying in my cabin. At night I return to the packhouse and in the morning I leave once more. Finishing the cabin is an upside of this adventure. Darryl had finished the annoying parts up for me while the craziness had been going on.

Currently I'm laying on the kitchen counter counting the number of nots in the wood that is the ceiling. It's not that many, and having counted them who knows how many times I've throughly determined there are thirty-one. It feels like it's been thirty-one forevers ago that I first was going to the mating meeting where I met Zev. So much has happened, yet somehow I've come out unmated and actually ready to be such.

Becoming bored with the ceiling I sit up and jump down. It's been a while since I last went hunting, so why not. I shift right outside the cabin and start to run. As I pick up my pace I think about how it wasn't that long ago when I didn't know I was an alpha. Now I'm so ridged about it you couldn't tell if you hadn't seen it for yourself.

The people who have been around me this whole time are experiencing their own problems and excitements. Lilith is expecting two pups. Covell, well, he's still grouchy when I steal food from the kitchen. I can't remember the last time I saw Ronan not complaining about paperwork or buried underneath it. Ember and Oisin have settled right in. Though Ember is already planing a trip to go visit her father in a few weeks.

I come up on a lake and tilt my head slightly. I have no idea how far I've come, but I do know I'm hearing the border. I should start hunting soon or I'm going to end up off of our lands. Right on cue I pick up the smell of rabbit. Always a population that's in need of a little bit of culling. I track it down and find it nibbling at some bush. Interesting but not enough to keep me from making it into my lunch. I lunge and before it has the chance to react I've broken its neck.

Rabbit is surprisingly delicious, but it takes quite the number to feel satisfied. After taking my fill of them I head back towards the packhouse. It's gotten late enough that I might as well go straight back. I'm about half way between the packhouse and my cabin when I remember I'd left my clothes there. Grumbling I head back.

I shift and quickly throw my clothes on. That's when I notice Zev's scent is all over. Maybe he needed something? Maybe I should check for him just in case he's still around. I turn around and am about to leave when I hear him.

"Casmoke," he murmurs. "Leaving so soon?"

I spin around and with a huff snap, "You startled the hell out of me Zev."

"Care to come in with me for a while?" Zev asks smugly.

"Maybe next time, I have a mate whose a hell of a lot nicer than you waiting for me," I counter.

He raises an eyebrow and I burst out laughing. I start heading towards him and he heads inside. I consider making another rude comment but decide otherwise. I can't remember the last time Zev actually came to the cabin, let alone on his own accord. When I open the door I want to cry. There are candles all over the place and are the only thing I can think of is that it's a fire hazard.

Following the candles I end up at the door to the bedroom. And instantly I am nervous. After all this can only mean one thing and I have not mentally prepared myself for that yet. I take a few breaths and then open the door. Inside there were no candles. Instead there are softly glowing lights all around. Looking closely I can see that they are on strings and taped to the walls. I'm glad he didn't make any holes in the walls but it's honestly quite funny. Can't even imagine him taping up of strings of lights.

"Zev," I murmur under my breath when I see him.

"Casmoke for the past week I have been neglecting my duties as your mate. I hope that you will forgive me as I tell you why," Zev starts. "I thought a lot about how we first met. You ran away from me, hid yourself, and then tried to reject me. It's been a long time, and it has felt even longer, especially considering we haven't taken a step that most mates take the day or the week they meet. So I start thinking about why after all this time have we never taken said step? And the answers I came to, I'm comfortable with, I only hope you agree with me."

"The most shocking day in my life was when you marked me. At the time I was so horrified that I lost control. As an alpha idea of losing control and you taking that from me was revolting almost. Since then I've learned to let you take control when you need to. I think that's one of the things that has made our relationship work. Helping you grow into your alpha title, has been a little overbearing. We don't agree, so we fight, and then we keep things from each other. Which brings me to the scariest day of my life. The day in which I found you puking up blood. I hadn't noticed it yet, but that's when I found out that I could not live without you. Something that is distinct only to a mate for us."

I cover my mouth and do my best to hide the tears trying their best to escape my eyes. I didn't come prepared for a monologue confession. He smiles and offers his hand to me. I take it and he gives it a small squeeze.

"When I came to this conclusion, I knew how I wanted to stay with you. I know longer wanted to just be your mate. I wanted a confirmation that could never be broken. But alas we had already marked each other. And that can never be changed. So I knew it was time that I asked you, Casmoke, as my mate, as my love, as my Luna, will you mate me?"

The tears come spilling out and I can only nod. We have never been overly romantic in the first place. This is all too much for my heart to bear. He pulls me into his chest and wipes away my tears gently.

"Please I need to hear the words Casmoke," Zev lightly rumbles.

I lightly laugh and leading my head into his chest I answer, "Of course I will mate you Zev. You didn't even need to give a speech for me to know my answer. We are mates, equals, and from now on we can be lovers. I did some hateful things when we met and I regret that. I am ready to become yours."

Zev heads me to the bed and lays me down on it. The whole time he is careful and slow. Taking his time he makes me his, but he also make him mine, as we are meant to be. At times we laugh and joke and other we relish in the moment. Our love was made for each other and it is perfect.

Waking up in Zev's arms is different from how it was previously. I gently feel the tender skin on my neck where Zev's mark is. He'd insisted on reaffirming them and I ended up caving to his wish. It's okay though because in the end I means that truly our blood runs together. That through all the bloodshed that has shaken us up we've come that much farther.

Blood. Something that has had so many shapes and meanings since the beginning. I will always have omega blood in my veins but I also have his blood as well. I lost so much blood to my stubbornness but I healed even without being all that mush less stubborn. On the battlefield both Zev and I shed the blood of those opposing our species and a crazy woman took both of our blood to try and achieve her wicked plans. And now once more blood has been shared between us renewing our commitment to each other and the bond between us.

"I love you," I murmur into Zev's warm embrace.

"I love you too mate," Zev rumbles back.

/// AN ///
Welp that all folks. I laughed too hard at the chapter's title, and I actually like how this turned out. Zev got to show off his hidden romantic side and they finally mated after so long.

I hope you have enjoyed my book. Thank you for supporting me.