Shane's POV

I watched Ariel as she slept.

Now, to any other being who doesn't understand the Mate bond or how beautiful she is, that might sound weird, but she's my mate and I am hers so I kinda have the right to do this.

Shane, we need to talk, Aiden's voice rang through my mind.

Can't this wait? I whined through the link. I really want to spend the day with Ariel.

Oh trust me, you'll be spending the whole day with Ariel. You need to come down here. It's important.

Okay, I sighed in defeat. I'll be there in a sec.

I carefully slid out of bed, making sure not to wake Ariel up, before sliding on my basketball shorts and walking out without bothering to put on a shirt. I just wanted to get this over with so I could get back to my mate. Have a nice little date, feel the electricity that erupts all over me every time her finger tips touch me..... Hopefully he didn't call me to talk about it though, because if he did, I can kiss those plans goodbye.

I went to my office where Aiden was waiting then sat down at my desk. "You got me here, make it quick. I gotta mate I gotta get back to."

Aiden gave me a humorless laugh. "Yeah and I don't."

"True," I said with a shrug. "Continue."

"Okay," he started. "The pack's starting to get a bit inpatient because over half of them still haven't met their Luna yet. Especially because they've found out that she's mute." He said whispering the last part.

"So you're saying...?"

"She needs to have her ceremony." He bluntly stated.

"No," I immediately said as I shook my head. "She still needs more time! Can't you delay it or something-"

"I can't!" He said. "I've already pushed it back twice. Two times more than I'm allowed to. I'm sorry but you have to-"

"I know, I know," I said as I leaned back in my chair and started massaging my temples. "How long do I have?"

"Uh....tonight?"

"What the heck Aiden?!" I growled.

"Sorry! I would've told you earlier but I've been....distracted."

By the look on his face, I could tell distracted meant Jessica and I softened knowing the feeling.

"Okay," I said as I ran my hand through my hair. "What time tonight?"

"Ten," he said. "That's when the full moon is at its peak and that's-"

"When the Luna and Moon Goddess will be closest." I finished nodding my head.

"Alright," I said as I got up and walked to the door. "Make sure that everything's ready at ten on the dot, okay?"

"I've already sent out the message."

"Good," I smiled. "Now here comes the hard part."

***

Ariel's POV

I woke up, expecting to see Shane's cute face asleep and his soft skin against mine, but instead, all I felt was me, myself, and I. Puzzled, I sat up and looked in the direction of the bathroom, but the door was wide open and no one was there.

I stretched out a bit before throwing the covers off, and along with throwing the covers off, I introduced myself to the cold air that was in the room. It also wasn't helping that I was wearing only Shane's shirt and a pair of underwear.

I swung my legs over the edge and as soon as my foot touched the wood floor, I quickly jerked it back due to the fact that it was freezing cold.

Come on, Ari. We can do this. I said to myself, before taking a deep breath and running across the floor and straight into the closet where I grabbed one of Shane's sweatshirts, sweatpants, and my fuzzy slippers.

"Ariel?" Shane's voice called causing me to scream and whip around, my hand on my heart which was beating a million beats a second.

"Woah, sorry I didn't mean to scare ya." He said with a smile as he pulled me into a hug then placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"What were you doing?" He gently asked as he tucked some stray hair that was covering my mark a bit behind my ear.

N-Nothing, I said as I looked into his mesmerizing brown eyes. A small smile tugged at his lips. "Okay." He gently said as he took my hand in his own. "Let's have some breakfast. I have something to tell you."

My heartbeat sped up a bit, but his facial expressions didn't show anything to tell me that he knew....

Okay. I said with a small smile as he led me out of the closet.

He walked me down to the kitchen, which was awfully quiet. The house was awfully quiet too. It was like everyone just disappeared.

Where is everyone? I asked as he gently picked me up and set me on the bar.

"I don't know." He said. "Probably out or training. But I'm glad they're gone. Now I can just focus on my amazing mate." He smiled causing me to blush.

He reached under the counter and put on an apron that said "Kiss the Chef".

I smiled as I watched him pull out eggs among other ingredients and he started making an omelet.

Let me help. I said as I got ready to hop off the counter, but Shane quickly stopped me.

"No!" He quickly said. "Let me serve you." He said with a cute little smile.

I nodded as I repositioned myself on the counter. I smiled as I watched him work.

How come you didn't tell me that you can cook? I questioned.

"Because you never asked." He quipped before he bent down and got a pan. And goddess, his butt looks amazing! Don't judge me. I can't help what my eyes are attracted to.

I continued watching him until he placed a plate with two omelets on them in front of me. "Enjoy." He smiled.

Thank you. I smiled as I I took one in my hand. I took a bit and I instantly fell in love.

The eggs were just right the cheese and ham went together so well and it melted in my mouth. It was amazing. I took another bite, using all my will power not to inhale the food that was on my plate and look like a pig.

"So I take that as you like it." He said with a smile.

It's amazing! I gushed as I finished the first one and went on to the next one, Shane smiled at me while I basically inhaled the food.

I might need you to make these every morning! I chuckled.

"If that's what you want," He said as he took the first bite out of his.

So what did you want to talk about? I asked after he was done.

"Uh," he said with a sigh. "You're most likely not going to like this but, here it goes. Every time the Alpha finds his mate, there's a ceremony where the Luna officially starts leading the pack with the Alpha. It also renews the Alpha's duties, but instead of having just him, it'll be with his mate."

Okay. I nodded. So I'm going to have to have a ceremony. I said. When?

"Uh...tonight..."

What?! I screamed, nearly choking on my omelet. Shane softly patted my back, but I swatted him away. Why are you just now telling me this and I have to have it tonight?!

"Hey in my defense, I tried to get it pushed back because at first it was supposed to be the night after you got here, but I felt that you weren't ready. Then it was supposed to be the week after but the whole Stephanie thing happened so I pushed it back again. Now the pack's restless to meet you and if we don't have it tonight, they'll go crazy and it'll all just be a mess."

I sighed. Well, not a lot of pressure there. I grumbled.

"Don't worry," he said as he took my hand in his and rubbed his thumb over it, sending sparks all over my body. "I'll be right next to you holding your hand and keeping you safe. Plus, Aiden and Jess will be there too for the Beta and Beta Female part of the ceremony."

I sighed, nodding as I ran my fingers through my hair. Okay. Tell me what I have to do.

****

Hey guys! What's up? Happy Labor Day Weekend! Sorry for the short update, but I'll try to update again later on today. Don't forget to comment, vote, and fan, and as always...

Love y'all- Jordan 😘

EDITED JULY 12, 2016