Captive Of The Alpha
Chapter 58

Nebraska walked hand in hand with Hades across the carpet that ended at the foot of the small stage. On either side the members of the two packs merged as one. The faces of the Council wolves loomed around the dais, while above waited two people whom Nebraska did not recognise at first glance, for she did not recall having seen them before, but on closer inspection there were features that seemed familiar, such as the silver eyes of the male of the pair and the very dark hair of the petite, beautiful woman beside him.

-Are they your parents,” he asked quietly.

Hades nodded his head with a smile on his lips proud of the woman he carried with him. He couldn’t deny that he was strangely excited, he rarely felt this way.

He felt Nebraska’s hand squeeze his and he returned the gesture with support. The omega looked around slyly, seeing four of her children standing next to the beta at the front of one of the rows. She was no newcomer to such celebrations. At her wedding to Rudoc she had been so nervous that it was difficult to walk properly and she had to lean against her former husband.

She remembered the looks from most of the pack as if they were accusing or pitying her for being tied to such a young couple. The day had not been a pleasant one for her. Her nerves had left her mind blank and hardly any of the events of the day were clear to her. Even when she had consummated the marriage to Rudoc, it was fuzzy. The armour she had created that day had only grown stronger over the years.

But now, as hectic as this day had been, she was not nervous. Next to Hades it was as if everything around her was right and she just had to go with the flow.

-You can at least smile a little, you’re at your wedding, not a funeral,” the wolf had leaned in slightly and commented in her ear.

Nebraska hadn’t noticed that his easy expression was as cold as ever. Hades was right, she had no reason to be so serious. Moments later her life would change again, perhaps for the better, so for a moment she thought it appropriate to shed her armour.

-I think you’re right,” her fractions relaxed and a faint but sincere smile left her lips that made her partner pause.

Hades could feel his heart suddenly thump in his chest and a blush to reflect on his cheeks. If he had thought her beautiful, he had no words for now. He smiled at her in response.

-You should smile more often, he nodded to you.

-Just for today, Hades, just for today,” and she looked ahead to pick up her pace so he wouldn’t see the glint in her eyes. To be left so devoid of barriers, every now and then it was soothing.

They reached the foot of the dais and were greeted with a bow by the other members of the Council. Although many would dismiss wolves as a savage race that only went with their instincts, the truth was that they were governed by strict etiquette in both respect and subordination. This ensured balance and discipline in all members.

Hades helped her up the two steps and they stopped in front of the couple waiting for them there. Closer Nebraska had to hold back a g***n of astonishment. Now she understood where the twins’ genetics had come from.

The father was even taller than they were, not much, but it did make a difference. He had a hard, muscular body that showed through the shirt that he could be sure one size up wouldn’t hurt. His hair was long, tied at the nape of his neck and falling over his shoulder to his h**s, of a colour that could be compared to copper, and which contrasted with his silver eyes. His face, despite looking mature, was very handsome and manly and despite his feignedly serious expression showed his great pride in every pore of his being.

Beside him, his partner was untarnished, sheathed in an elegant and demure red dress that did nothing to hide her slender curves. The first thing Nebraska had noticed was her hair. It was an exact copy of Hades’, even the same length, framing her pale, beautiful face and those two huge dark eyes, which swept up and down studying her, then smiled slightly approvingly.

Next to that wolf who smelled like an alpha, she showed herself to be worthy of having been a queen and not inferior, even with her years of age. And in spite of everything, their bodily expressions and their scents indicated that they loved each other like soul mates.

For a moment the omega wondered if she and Hades would look like that in a few years, and the idea did not repulse her as it had with Rudoc.

-Father, Mother,” Hades bowed, kneeling on the ground before them, taking his mate with him, “As son and wolf I show you the person who will share the rest of your days with me.

Nebraska knew the whole ceremony. Sons had to show respect to their parents and the consent of the parents to follow the ceremony was crucial. Especially if it was the mate of the alpha and the future queen. In her case, having no parents her part would be omitted as she was excommunicated from this action, it only remained to see what her future in-laws would think.

-She complements my existence, and is the appropriate one to exercise the task of queen at my side. Parents give her your blessing,” Hades’ head was bowed and his eyes were closed.

Nebraska watched him slyly. The only wolves an alpha showed such respect to were his parents and his mate. She knew that, but she had never expected such a solemn image from this wolf. The silence that followed his words was eternal. Both felt the weight of the gaze of both the Council and the older pair.

-I, Saisen, progenitor of your being, give you my blessings for your wedding,” her father’s voice was sweet in contrast to his appearance.

-I, Celesia, progenitor of your being, give you my blessings for your wedding,” followed by a higher-pitched voice but with an authoritative tone.

Hades smiled, receiving acceptance from both of them. They didn’t exactly know the herd situation until they arrived in the afternoon, and now that they knew their future mate. He stood up and helped Nebraska to her feet. They gave a bow and turned to face each other. Sara approached them with a red handkerchief embroidered with two handles in the middle.

They both took the one that was woven from both crimson cords and a lock of her hair that had been cut days before. The cords, as well as all the decoration and the dress, denoted the union and the fidelity of the b***d, the most important thing in the herd. The hair was carefully selected and the strands intertwined together, creating a piece that not only marked the wearer’s ownership but also left its scent all over her body.

Hades raised his head and searched Nebraska’s beautiful violet orbs.

-I will be your companion, and I will be faithful to you for the rest of my days,” he spoke those words in a warm way that enveloped the omega as he placed his handcuff on her and fastened it to her right wrist.

-I will be your companion, and I will be faithful to you for the rest of my days,” she replied with a faint smile and feeling gratified to put on the bracelet that marked him as hers.

Rodrigo came up behind them and offered them a tray with a small bronze-coloured goblet, the worn details indicating how old it was. This was the bonding cup. Hades and Nebraska cut a small line on their respective wrists and let a few drops of b***d mix with the liquid in the cup.

Hades offered it to his partner first. The omega took a small sip and was then copied by the wolf. He then took her hand and with a small bow between them they turned to the pack.

-As of today, the name of your new queen is Nebraska, my mate and the she-wolf that will reaffirm a bond with me,” said Hades before everything erupted in shouts and cheers, breaking the discipline they had up to that moment.

The omega watched as the faces of her former members lit up and shouted along with the others. They looked happy, but she was not so happy. Nerves began to rack her.

Now came two very complicated parts, becoming a wolf for the run under the full moon and the consummation of the marriage.

For the first time she didn’t feel able to face it alone.

She felt vulnerable.