DYLAN ||

What the actual fuck man.

I'm so damn nervous!

Today is my freaking anniversary! I've been bound to my mate for a whole year and today marks that day. Like the actual day, a year ago, like this day one year ago, I met him and it's been a year already and today marks that day.

Holy shit... I'm freaking out.

"Here, let me help you."

Flinching at the sound of my mate's voice, I blink a few times before focusing back on my reflection through the bathroom mirror. Apparently I was still fiddling with my tie, trying desperately to get the damn thing to actually work with me.

"Pups.." His voice, my mate's voice pulled my attention to his reflection through the mirror as he stood next to me. Raiden's hand was now on my shoulder, gently turning my body so that I would face him.

Once he had my full attention, he gently removed my fumbling hands from my tie and proceeded to fix it for me. Cool, calm, collected and in record time, might I add.

I sigh heavily as his hands now rested on my chest. Reaching up to grab his wrists, I stare into his eyes and smile.

"Sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I'm a nervous wreck right now." I admit, tightening my grip on his wrists.

"Don't be, today is a day of happiness and a day to celebrate our bond and all the things that we have tackled together.." He removes his hands from my chest and cups my face, my own hands never leaving his wrists. "There's no space for nervous wreckage today."

My smile widens as I nod in agreement.

There was nothing more that I wanted than to enjoy this day with this perfect man in front of me right now. We really have been through so much this past year and thinking about our future, brought an even bigger smile to my face.

I couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life with Raiden and our boys. Hopefully with a little girl in the future. My mate still thinks I was delirious the day of my C-Section, but I really do want a little girl and by any means necessary, I'm going to have a daughter.

Hopefully, we can figure out a way for Raiden to carry the pups or cubs this time and fingers crossed that we don't have anymore Hybrids.

Staring into my mate's eyes right now, I see nothing but love and compassion and understanding. He's always been so fucking perfect, it's unreal.

"I love you so much Raiden." I tell him before he leans forward, gently caressing my lips with his own.

"I love you too, Puppy." He whispers against my lips as he breaks our kiss. I sigh before closing my eyes and leaning into his touch.

What did I ever do to deserve such an amazing man?

"Let's get the boys ready, so we can get out of here.. we're going to be late to our own party if we don't hurry." Raiden chuckles, which brings a dorky laugh out of me.

Releasing my face, he now grabs my hand and pulls me out of our bedroom and towards our boys room.

Once we wrangled the little fuckers and managed to get everyone dressed, I almost cried at the sight of my boys in their little baby suits.

After my moment of ridiculous emotion, reality hit me and I wanted to get the boys in the car as soon as possible, so they wouldn't get their outfits dirty, but Raiden asked me to wait while he rushed out the baby room to grab something from one of the spare rooms.

The moment he came back to the baby room, he had a huge smile on his face. The only thing I could do was shake my head at my overly excited mate and grab Rhys, while he grabbed Ezra and Gage.

Getting everyone into the car was a challenge, but we figured everything out and eventually drove out of the garage.

Pulling into the parking lot of the new building that Maxx built for pack parties, we make quick work of getting ourselves and the boys out the car.

My nerves get the best of me once again as soon as we walk through the back gate of the building, knowing full well what was waiting for us inside.

"HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!"

Excited screams, laughter and an obnoxious amount on confetti invades every ounce of my senses as soon as we stepped foot into the backyard. Well more like back field with how big Maxx expanded the space to accommodate everyone here.

Raiden's laughter along with my own fills the space as we duck and dodge the crazy assault that our families and friends were drowning us in.

"Thank you everyone." I tell them through my fits of laughter as I wipe the confetti and silly string from my eyes before wiping poor little Rhys' face as well.

"I can't believe it's been a whole year, like what the hell dude! You two have come a long way!" Gabe exclaims, pulling me into a hug.

"Seriously, this is nuts!" Hunter smiles as he hugs Raiden, who surprisingly enough, reciprocated his affection.

"I know man, it's been a crazy ride." I tell them before smiling at my mate, who was already smiling back at me.

"It really has, but I'm grateful for everything that's happened." Raiden nods with a soft smile before pulling me into him.

We hand the boys off to their Grandpas before fully embracing each other once again. Squeezing my mate as tight as I could, I try to put all of my love into him with this one simple hug because he means the world to me and I want him to know that he would always be loved in my arms, as I would in his.

Pulling away from our embrace, I lean in to briefly capture his lips before looking around at our family and friends. I seen their smiling faces all staring back at us. I've never had a pack that loved and supported one another like those here in the Shadow pack.

My dads hold onto each other as they smile at us. Emilio's head leaning on Liam's shoulder. Looking at them and how happy they make each other, their love never dying out even after 27 years of being apart. The fact that they are the most loving, happy go lucky, caring men that I could have ever been blessed to call my dads is truly amazing. Especially after 23 years of hell living under Dean, Jake and Jade's rule. I may have lost a ton of time with Liam, but I would spend the rest of my life making that up to him and loving him the way he deserved to feel his sons love during his years of sadness.

Adonis and Layla, hopefully becoming my official mother and father in law one day. Their love is powerful and they both ooze strength. Raising four awesome cubs of their own, my crazy brother in law, sister in laws and last but not least, the perfection that is my Raiden. I thank Goddess everyday for giving my mate such awesome parents and raising the beautiful man that I call my own.

Miles and Allio, the goofy, weird combination they are. Witnessing their love these past 7 months has been nothing short of interesting to say the least, but they compliment each other so well, everything just seems to make sense.

Aunty Sophie, I hope she can find love again one day. She's lost a lot and been through hell these last 23 years as well and she deserves her happy ending.

Eva and Maxx, the terrifyingly gorgeous pair of magical chaos. I can't thank Eva enough for what's she done for me and my family and I'm looking forward to getting to know Maxx better. He seems obsessed with his mate and that's great because Eva deserves everything.

Quiweeme, that weird, oddly beautiful elf, who was now holding Ezra and smiling down at my son. I'm internally grateful for his help along the way as well. He's been a lifesaver literally and to see his relationship with my son is so wholesome. He said elves believe children are sent from the Heavens to watch over us all and bring happiness to our world, so I'm glad we have someone like him around to love all of the little ones in the pack, especially Ezra because Goddess knows he will need all the love he can get with his unknown future.

I'm looking forward to the year that Alaric wakes up because I miss the grumpy, emotionless vampire who hates his own kind more than he hates wolves. Which is still hilarious because not only does he live in a pack full of them, but now he's mated to one.

King Kano and Weheil stood next to Beau and Derrick. Their bonds seem really adorable honestly. Hopefully with the elf's help, King Kano will be able to get rid of the ridiculous laws that's plagued our existence for way too long.

Theo, Kaylie and Ruby.. I love them as I always have, they are my cousins and always will be. Blood doesn't always make a family.

Rhogon and his mates, Mateo, Zane, Jett and Hendrix were here as well. They had another man with them too, smaller and younger than the rest of them but just as handsome. I pray their bonds work out and I appreciate his help with everything that's happened.

Zahara and Preston, with their odd pairing, seem to be working it out or at least trying to get along. She now allowed Preston to hold her hand, so that's a start. Only Goddess knows what will happen with them, but I'm grateful for what they've done and that they are here to celebrate with us.

Maisie and Dakota are just perfect.

Garrett and Aaron are sickeningly adorable. My baby brother definitely seems like he's getting used to the fact that he's mated to a man. I'm glad he took it better than I did and I'm extremely happy that he doesn't have the drama of the Wolf's Claw pack breathing down his neck while trying to work through his own sexuality. Goddess wouldn't give him Aaron if he didn't need him, so I pray he allows him into his heart because their bond will be beautiful the moment he does. One of the best parts of my little brother being here was the fact that Liam also calls him son now, which is freaking awesome. Garrett never has to feel unwanted or left out ever again.

Gabe and Avery, my bestfriends literally are so perfect together and they always have been. Hopefully Avery learns his past soon for his own sake because I know it's been bothering him. I love them and knowing what I know now, Gabe is truly the best type of friend a guy could ever have. I don't know exactly how long he was helping Taj and Bennett and dad, but he did everything he could to bring me back to where I belong and I love him for that.

Hunter and Roman.. there's sadness there as both men stood feet apart. Roman smiling at Raiden, never once looking at me or his mate. At least, I hope Hunter is still his mate. Their bond makes me sad. I know Hunter has made a ton of mistakes, the same that most of us have made, but he deserves to be happy too. Especially since Raiden forgave him for the past. Goddess have mercy on their bond and give Roman a forgiving heart when it comes to my friend because they both deserve to be happy as well.

Taj and Bennett, there's so much I could say as I stared at my favorite wolf and my second favorite leopard. I love them so much, like so fucking much. Taj sacrificed 7 years of his life to help bring me back to my family, he's taken care of my brother to no end and made the choice to carry their little ones because he didn't want Bennett to go through anymore pain. The man is amazing and my brother is blessed. I still can't believe my brother is alive, it's crazy to think that all this time, I thought I lost him, but he's here. Alive and still getting there health wise, but he's perfect and the same Bennett I remember.

After taking in all those around me, I looked back at my mate, who was already smiling at me. "Let's celebrate our love today." I state happily and he nods.

"Absolutely."

Our anniversary party carries on without a single ounce of negativity. Laughter, love and happiness filled the air as did the smell of the grilled food that Eva and Maxx cooked so perfectly.

We all enjoyed our food as the evening approaches us, conversations filled the field as the grilled perfection filled our stomachs. I was busy eating my third burger when my mate's scent hit me and I turned slightly to see him now standing behind me.

He leaned down to place a gentle kiss on the top of my head before his lips traveled down to my ear. "Would you like a pickle?"

My eyes widen at his stupid question, knowing all too well that I don't do pickles anymore. His dumb joke made sure of that.

Then he drops the pickle on my plate.

I glare at it before opening the link to him.

"I hate you so much."

"No you don't, Dill pickle."

"How do you even remember that, you idiot!"

"I'll never forget that day."

"If you ever want to touch me again, you will do your best to forget that day. Now get this pickle off my plate, you overgrown hairball."

Raiden chuckles at my aggressiveness, then grabs the pickle and takes a bite of it before he actually tosses the rest into the field.

"I have a surprise for you." He tells me after swallowing his bite of stupid pickle.

"Should I be afraid?" I ask, skeptically. Allowing him to grab my hand and pull me from my seat, I stand up and follow him towards the sliding glass door of the new building.

"I hope what I want to do doesn't scare you." He finally answers as he turns towards our family and friends.

"Everyone, can you all join me over here for a few moments... I would like to present my mate with his anniversary gift."

I swallow nervously as I watch my mate closely. Hearing the shuffling of feet behind me, I narrow my eyes at Raiden's big, cheesy grin.

"Eva, Maxx, if you don't mind?" He asks some of our magical creatures.

"Of course." Eva and Maxx smile as they both flatten their palms and raise them towards the sky. I follow their gazes up to the semi-darkened sky to see what looked like a movie rolling through the stars.

Then I see Raiden's face and I gasp, clutching onto his arm next to me. Whipping my head in his direction, he smiles softly and grabs my free hand.

"Happy anniversary baby, watch and enjoy." He whispers, nodding back towards the sky. I swallow again before looking back up to see the scenes in the sky start to develop and then I hear my mate's voice.

"Hi Puppy." I raise my eyebrows before looking back at my mate next to me in real life, who was still smiling at me. So I returned with me own before looking back up at the sky projection.

"I wanted to do something really amazing for our one year anniversary and I figured what better way to show you how much I've enjoyed our time together, than to show you a behind the scenes view of what I've witnessed become the most beautiful year of my life."

I let out a shaky breath as I watch the movie start to play through the sky.

It was the first day we met at the Stone Waterfall back in the Wolf's Claw pack. Thank Goddess we all had clothes on in this movie thing because thinking back to that day, Raiden and I were both naked and I was freaking out about how fucking hot he was.

"This day was one of the best days of my life, Pups. The last thing I ever expected to was to go on a hunt and then find my soulmate, but there you were... you were so beautiful and you were all mine."

His voice through the movie continues to speak as I watch myself say hi to Onyx's form. He jumped off the branch and nuzzled his face into my neck. I kept calling him a "she", which caused everyone here to laugh. Then I called him a pretty leopard asked him to shift, I looked back at Gabe and Avery, who gave me thumbs up and excited looks, then they gasped and I turned around. That's when Raiden stood in front of me. A man instead of a woman. Fully clothed in this interpretation. Thank Goddess.

My mate stared at me with loving eyes while mine were damn near bulging out of my fucking head.

"You we're hilarious this day. Clearly you were shocked that I was a man, but that didn't stop you from being affected by me. I loved you from the first moment I saw you Dylan, your eyes drew me into your ocean and kept me there, afloat in those beautiful waves of yours."

My eyes brim with tears as I turn slightly to look at my mate, who was standing right behind me with his arms wrapped tightly around my waist.

"I love you puppy." He whispered as he placed a kiss to my cheek. I smile softly at him before looking back up at our movie.

Our eyes were locked onto each other in the movie as the screen in the sky morphed into his hospital room.

"My next favorite moment together was about the seventh day I was in the hospital.. it was the moment we came to a compromise and agreed to give our bond a chance.. Doing what each other needed to do to move forward."

I hear myself say "I can try Raiden" after he asks me for a chance with his mate, he wanted a chance to love me and show me that he could be the perfect mate for me. Thank Goddess I agreed to that.

The screen in the sky then morphs into another day in his hospital room.

"This day was the first time I got to see your flustered, chaotic way of thinking first hand as you argued with Kyle about my pain meds. Asking what times of the day and how many to give me, then Avery pointed out the fact that the instructions were on my discharge papers, you didn't know where they were and I laughed because they were in your pocket."

I chuckled watching myself fuss over something so damn trivial. I actually did ask Kyle what times of the day and how many pills to give Raiden and Avery sure enough laughed at me because every question I had would be answered on my mate's discharge paperwork. I seen Gabe trying to hide his laughter in Avery's back, which made me look at him now and I almost choked when I seen him doing the same thing in person.

"This moment was the funniest point of that day."

I looked back up at my mate's voice and my eyes widen as I watch Kyle pat me on the shoulder then smile as he said "Enjoy your mate Alpha, but don't get too carried away, Raiden is still healing." In the movie, my face resembled my face now as my eyes widened and I grumbled "he's fucking fired" as soon as Kyle was out of the hospital room.

"I loved you so much for giving me a home once we left the hospital because I didn't have a home to call my own for so long before I met you Dylan and that same night, you went hunting for me. Dragging a deer through the packhouse and Sophie yelled at the top of her lungs because there was blood everywhere."

I laugh as does everyone else as we watch my big, dumb self sure enough dragging a dead deer through the packhouse and then we all hear aunt Sophie say the exact words that Raiden mentioned. She rolls her eyes now at her dramatics back then.

The screen in the sky then morphs into a day in our bedroom as Raiden and I laid together talking about Bennett and how much he meant to me.

"This day was one of my favorites because you trusted me enough to tell me about Bennett and how much he meant to you and everyone around you. I was beyond honored to hear you talk about him in such a way that I would speak about my own brother... and when I told you that Bennett would be proud of the Alpha you have become, you kissed me for the first time."

Sure enough I watch myself lean forward as Raiden was talking to me, his hands cupped around my face and I press my lips against his.

The screen in the sky stays in our bedroom but this time Raiden and I were cuddling under the blankets.