The Alpha's Mate

Chapter 38

Charlie

My mama and August helped me prepare for the mating ceremony. It felt crazy that around this time last year, I had just met Presley. We had slept with one another, quelling our heat and rut. We were strangers to one another. Now I carried his seed, our child. I was more in love with him than ever. Despite all odds, our parents having their dislikes about them. My parents atoned for how they treated August and Alexandre when they were first mated.

Things were perfectly imperfect. I had learned a lot about Presley, who was kind to his pack members. That he cared for each and every one of them, he knew everyone by their names, even though our pack was vast and large.

Everything he did, it made me love him a little bit more.

My mama helped me slip into my white suit, and August walked around me, burning sage and lavender to eliminate any evil spirits around me.

"Goodness, how couldn't we tell you were pregnant?" My mama asked when she stood in front of me, trying to tie my rosegold-colored bowtie. "I'm surprised you don't have two in there." She chucked.

"You're telling me," I put one hand on my hip and leaned to the side to stretch out my back. "I'm mad that I still have a few months left."

"It gives me time to get things to spoil my grandbaby." August's face beamed with a smile.

"You really don't have to." I blushed, looking at myself in the mirror. I only had one last thing to add to my suit, and I would be ready for our ceremony. "I'm sure he'll be spoiled enough." I placed my free hand on my stomach.

August put the sage down, putting the smoke out.

"I'm sure he will. He's got two nonna's who will love and spoil him." August's voice raised an octave in excitement.

"In all honesty, I think your papa is more excited about this little bambino than I am. Which is saying a lot considering his first reaction to finding out you were pregnant." My mama chuckled, grabbing onto my veil. It was a cape that fastened into my jacket and almost looked seamless. There was an intricate design on it, and it dragged on the ground in a grandiose fashion.

August then grabbed my flower crown, which was designed by himself, and put it on top of my head. The accessory was made from the flowers on the cherry blossom tree that was in bloom.

"Today, you will be my son too." August wobbly smiled at me. "The flowers on this tree has meant so much to me, so much to Alexandre too. The flowers were a farewell to a child that never was. But now it's a welcome to our family and to our pack as luna. You have made my baby boy so happy. That has been one of my pride and joys in life. You were something he always needed, and I don't think he knew it when he first met you." Tears flowed down his cheeks, and I could feel my own spilling from my eyes. "I bless you and all of my future grandbabies. You will be a wonderful mom, or papa, or whatever you decide is best for you to be called." He giggled.

I pulled August into a hug, and I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of love for the man. He was such a strong omega. He was all that people spoke of when people questioned anything about omegas. I couldn't be more proud to be mated into this family.

"Thank you." I managed to choke out. "Thank you so much."

When I pulled away from August, my mama pulled me into her embrace. "You're so beautiful, my bambino." She muttered into my ear.

"I love you, mama." She hugged me tighter.

"I love you more." She kissed my cheek, then wiped the tears from my cheeks.