SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter thirty-two: the surprise
It's been two weeks since the twins were born, and two nights ago, Ben and Ashley came to us and announced that they were doing a simple wedding, and of course, they scheduled it for today for the pack to witness.
“Ready” I question Ashley while holding the twins making her nod her head
“Then let's go” I smile
I follow safely down to outside the pack and take my seat with the twins, which they landed up naming Henderson and Rose.
"We are gathered here today to witness the union of Ben and Ashley . Welcome friends and family! We're glad to have you with us.
Today is the beginning of a remarkable journey for this couple. Drawing on their mutual admiration, respect, and trust, they are ready to embark on the next chapter in their lives. We celebrate the love and light evident in their relationship, and wish them well on this joyous occasion.” Pack priest Aadon starts.
"Who gives this Bride today?” Hazyn stands up
“I do” he smiles before sitting back down
“If anyone has cause to object to the forming of this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Aadon continues.
“Marriage is an integral part of the human tradition. Let us remember, as we stand here before the Elements , that the vows taken today hold great importance, just as they did to our ancestors. As individuals, we make the choice to enter the union of marriage in order to share all aspects of ourselves with our soulmate. Today, this is true for Ben and Ashley .
In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and bodyFresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South.Warmth of hearth and home.The heat of the heart's passion.The light created by both to illuminate the darkest of times.Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West.The deep commitments of the lake The swift excitement of the river.The refreshing cleansing of the rain.The all encompassing passion of the sea.Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North.Firm foundation on which to build.Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives.A stable home to which you may always return.Each of these blessings emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union.Yet they are only tools. Tools which you must use together in order to create what you seek in this union.”
"Under the fold of the Elements with the moon goddess baring witness, together we take a moment to acknowledge the seriousness of the commitment being entered into today. With great joy, we also recognize the special bond shared by Ben and Ashley .
Before we proceed, I will first recite the Apache Wedding Prayer: Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Treat yourselves and each other with respect,and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness,gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship;as they threaten all relationships at one time or another,remember to focus on what is right between you,not only the part which seems wrong.In this way, you can ride out the stormswhen clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives, remembering that even if you lose sight of itfor a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibilityfor the quality of your life together,it will be marked by abundance and delight.” “I will now invite the couple to share their vows with one another. Ben and Ashley , the promises you make today are sacred; they are the groundwork from which your marriage will grow and blossom over time.”
“Ben, would you like to begin first?”
"Ashley , today you will become my Wife. I promise to love you with all my heart, from now until eternity. I cannot wait to begin building our life together.”
“Ashley , your turn.”
“Ben, today you will become my Husband. I promise to love you with all my heart, from now until eternity. I cannot wait to begin building our life together.”
“Let us proceed.” Aadon smiles
“Ben and Ashley , it's time to join hands.
Ben, before your family and friends, do you take Ashley as your beloved Wife, to have and to hold, through laughter and in sadness, through challenges and successes, so long as you both shall live?” “ldo.”
"Ashley , before your family and friends, do you take Ben as your beloved Husband, to have and to hold, through laughter and in sadness, through challenges and successes, so long as you both shall live?”
“ldo.”
"Wedding rings are a traditional symbol of the strength of the bond between two soulmates. This bond is never broken, and continues in a perpetual circle, glowing with the warmth and eternal light of two souls in a perfect union. By wearing these rings, you will be always reminded of the connection you share and the vows you have made today. Please repeat after me” Aadon stops before turning to Ben
“I, Ben, present you, Ashley , with this ring as a symbol of our everlasting love. Let it never lose its luster, just as my love for you will never fade.”
“I, Ashley , present you, Ben, with this ring as a symbol of our everlasting love. Let it never lose its luster, just as my love for you will never fade.”
“Ben and Ashley , by the power vested in me by the Universal Life Church under the fold of the Elements, I happily pronounce you Husband and Wife!” Aadon pauses
“Ben, you may now kiss the Bride” I watch as Ben kisses Ashley gently.
“Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time, I give your beta male and female” everyone stands up and starts clapping as they come and grab a twin each before retiring back inside.
I turn to Hazyn once everyone leaves the back yard
“I'm going for a walk”, I whisper to hazyn
"Is that a good idea, with how you have been feeling recently?” He questions with a hint of worry in his voice.
“I will be okay, I promise. My wolf is on edge, and I just need some fresh air. I will stay close, I promise, and if I wander too far and need help, I'll call someone,” I reply back before running away from the packhouse like it is on fire. I know I should probably behave and walk away nicely, but someone is calling out to me, and I refuse to be stopped; I may be alpha of the pack, and it was just my beta and best friend's wedding, but I am still a free spirit at hard and can't be locked up too long without going crazy.
I allow the fresh air to go through my hair as I run, and I soon realise why I need to get away for a while. Ever since the twins were born, I have been Locking myself in the bedroom for weeks on end, and it definitely doesn't help my wolf's urge to roam the wild.
Taking off in a brisk jog, I head straight towards the forest, wanting to get some distance between the house and myself. I promised not to go too far, but right now, I couldn't care less. This is what I needed all along.
After a while of jogging, my heart begins to speed up, and confusion sets in. This is odd. My heart never speeds up, even in the face of danger. I have no issues, so what's causing this now?
I turn on my heel to head back towards the packhouse, it's getting chilly outside, and the sun is starting to set signing nightfall, and the last thing I want is to piss dinner or, even worse, upset Hazyn thinking I have run off in anger.
On the way back to the packhouse, I decide to make a sharp left and head towards the pack border. Something is wrong, and I can feel it.
“Somethings wrong, heading towards the border to make sure it's clear be home soon’ I send into the main pack link so that I don't get blocked out. The link is pretty quiet today, so I know someone heard my words and will pass it on.
“Please be careful. I hear hazyn chime in, showing he got my message. Cutting the link, 1 go on full alert, checking the perimeters as I go, so I don't get attacked from behind. It may sound stupid, but it wouldn't be the first time someone has snuck up.
I make it to the border and see a small crib on the opposite side of the border; looking around; I see a teenager watching closely from a nearby bush.
“Who's kid?" I question with full power, the teen is just a rouge, but I need to show I am not weak “She is mine, mam, her name is Sofie”, she calls back, keeping her distance.
"Why is she next to my border and not with you?” I question calming down on my power load
“I was raped mam, I heard wonderful things about what this pack brings, and I want a good life for my kid, something I could never do and only a pack can offer. I ran onto your side and back to get attention and was waiting here to make sure she got to you guys okay and not killed by another rouge. I can't be a mother can you please look after her for me or find someone else too, she needs the best. I know she will get the best,” the teen cries out, falling to her knees, her words filled with pain, knowing she can't raise this child.
"Why don't you join the pack too, watch your daughter be raised or get help to raise her yourself?” I question.
“I left my pack because I hate the pack lifestyle. I love being a rouge and couldn't give that up for the world, but this is no life for a baby, if she ever wants to join me or meet me, I'll be out here somewhere with open arms, but for now, she needs someone else” she tries to hold back tears. I slowly lean over the border and grab the child.
"How old?" I question
"6 weeks, thank you, I'll be going”, she calls before ducking into the nearby bush and leaving sight for good
Heading home, my mind is full of so many questions, but one question I don't have is that my wolf knew she was there and needed me, and she has already claimed the child as her own, so I have no choice but to raise this child, with or without Hazyn.