When I reached an area where her scent was the strongest, I found her sitting. We were at her little lake, the same place she had first seen me as a wolf. I found it interesting that she had chosen this spot. Her ears perked up when I stepped from the trees, but she didn’t turn to look at me.
Did you have fun? I asked her as I trotted up to sit beside her. She leaned against me, much like she would have as a human, and I nuzzled her fur.
Yeah, it was amazing. Her voice in my head sounded breathless with excitement. I have to agree with Cody, it’s like being a superhero flying through the trees. I can’t wait to do it again. I could relate to the feeling. There was nothing quite like it.
Zee dipped her nose down to the snow and I wondered what she was doing. I caught on just seconds before the snow hit me in the face. I had a moment of blindness while I shook of the flakes and she was already several feet away from me. She was crouched down, tail wagging, while she watched me.
A playful growl rumbled in my chest and she cocked her head to the side, waiting for my move. I crept to her side carefully, circling her to figure out the best strategy. She circled with me, not letting me get behind her. Her eyes were lit up, and I could see her fur rippling with excitement.
I feinted to my left and she made to follow me before I switched to the right and lunged for her. She caught on just at the last second and when I connected with her, she managed to take me down to the snow with her. The feisty little female had me on my back for the briefest of moments. I flipped her quickly and then climbed to my feet.
Zee lay under me, belly up, but she wasn’t submissive. Her tail still wagged playfully, and her mouth was open in a wolfy grin. I growled softly and she yipped back at me. Then she raised her head and licked under my chin. With a huff of pretend frustration at her failure to submit, I collapsed into the snow beside her.
Aw, don’t be grumpy mighty Alpha, she rolled over and nudged at my shoulder. I’m just teasing you. I didn’t look at her and she butted her head against me again. I turned my head to meet her gaze and she touched her nose to mine. I love you, Alex.
I love you, too, troublemaker. I flicked my tongue out to lick her cheek and she ducked her head below mine. Her eyes didn’t lower, but it was still a small concession to my authority. I wanted to do this when you were human, but I don’t think the clothes you’re wearing will hold up in this cold.
I could feel her curiosity as she watched me. I worried about what she would say. I knew she had to feel my nerves as I tried to find the right words. I know I should have planned something big and romantic. You deserve flowers and a fancy restaurant, me down on one knee with a huge diamond. But in this moment, your first moments as a wolf with me, and in this spot that means so much to you, it feels right. Would you be my mate?
She didn’t answer immediately, but her tail wagged quickly giving away her excitement. This is the perfect moment and the perfect place. Yes, definitely yes. She licked my muzzle and snuggled into my side.
Hours later, after we had explored the territory together, we trotted back into the yard. Tegan and Wyatt were sitting on the front porch together, and Tegan let out a low whistle. Zee and I came all the way up to the stairs before we shifted to human. Zee rushed up the stairs to keep from freezing her toes off, and I had to fight laughing at the sight of her dashing into the house.
“I don’t think Eli will be letting you have that room back,” Wyatt called to her. “He says he wants to turn it into a recovery room if it’s needed in the future.” Zee turned and looked at me in question.
“Go ahead to my room,” I told her. “I’ll see if I can rescue your clothes for you while you shower.” She flashed me a grateful smile and shut the front door. I turned to the expectant faces of my betas.
“She’s white,” Tegan observed. “It’s an interesting contrast to your black. You made quite the regal pair coming out of the woods. I expect your parents will agree.”
“Yeah, I’m sure that will be the first thing that comes up,” I said a bit sarcastically.
“I wonder what your kids will look like,” Tegan mused, ignoring my comment.
“Geez, Tegan, let them mate first,” Wyatt told her. “She just became a wolf last night. Don’t go planning out their lives for them already.” Tegan pinched his leg and he glared at her while he rubbed the spot. I didn’t have time for their banter. I had things to figure out first, like calling my mother before Tegan did.
“I already asked her,” I said, earning a surprised look from Wyatt, and a pleased look from Tegan. “She said yes, so I guess that means we need to start planning a ceremony.” I didn’t even begin to know what Zee would want to do. She didn’t seem like the big wedding type, but she had to have imagined her wedding. I wasn’t sure how it would all work out with the mating ceremony.
Tegan must have noticed my unease because she started laughing. “I’ll get with Zee,” she could barely keep her face straight enough to talk to me. “We’ll figure out what she wants to do and work it together with the traditional ceremony. Don’t stress out. You’re not the first male to go through this.”
