Klepto POV

The light catching on my dress twinkles in the mirror, nearly blinding me. I've never been a fan of anything girly. Dresses and sparkles haven't ever been my thing, and yet here I am, dressed to impress in a stunner.

My gown isn't overdone, thank the Goddess. It's dark maroon. The tiny sprinkle of gauzy silver flecks are beautiful. My dark hair frames my face like two curtains. I can't help but like my new haircut, I needed a change, and I got it.

It's not too short for my taste. The waves reach my shoulders, and I just pray that Ezra will like it.

Ezra.

I'll see him in just a few minutes, but I feel like it has been an actual eternity. I haven't seen him all day because it's bad luck to see your mate the day of your ceremony.

When I had peered at my reflection this morning, I despised the thought of running a brush through the eternal mess of tangles and knots. The sight of the scissors in the drawer was all I needed in that last minute, hasty decision. A few snips later and I had much less hair to fuss over.

Hopefully Ezra will still recognize me. I laugh at the thought.

Ever since I told him I loved him everything has felt less strained, more easy. We compliment each other perfectly. Once the fear and doubts are set aside, I feel a lot better, I feel like I can finally live my life. My whole childhood taught me that I'll be disappointed, that I should just lower my expectations as low as they can go.

I am willing to put my heart on the line now.

Yes, the world is a terrifying place filled with scary possibilities, but if you don't go for what you want out of fear of failure and hurt, you set yourself up for disaster.

It's only recently that I've discovered this wonderful bit of advice, and I've decided to live by it from now on. Go for what I want without holding myself back.

There is an abrupt, startling knock at the door and I jumped a little.

"Come in."

I'm not shocked when my Dad peeks his head in, his gray eyes weary. When they latch onto me they soften. He comes into the room wearing a very dapper suit and tie. I can't recall the last time I'd seen him dressed so fancy.

My Dad stands there for awhile, just looking at me. The copious amount of emotion is enough to tell me everything without a single word, but he voices it anyway.

"You look beautiful." He whispers, and I can tell he's getting choked up. I walk into his arms, leaning my head on his shoulder and closing my eyes.

"Thank you." I murmur into his suit coat, the scent of his cologne calming me. His arms wrap around my torso and he hugs me snuggly.

"I'm so sorry for everything you've had to live through, and that I wasn't there to help." When I pull away to stare at him I notice the dark circles under his eyes and I sigh.

It isn't his fault that his mate is an abusive psychopath. I give him a grim smile.

"It's okay, Dad. Don't worry about it. Everything's turning around for me." I insist, kissing him on the cheek. He nods slowly, but I can tell he doesn't feel much better. He looks like he hasn't slept in a week.

"I'm just happy you get to be with your destined mate. You're both very lucky." He whispers, and I squint up at him in confusion, my brow furrowing as his words slowly start to dawn on me.

"You and Mom? Are you not....?"

"No." He answers, before I can finish my question, "We're chosen mates. I was nearly 40 and hadn't found my mate, and your mother, well.... her mate rejected her."

I'm completely shocked.

I've lived my whole life thinking my parents were destined for each other, and that The Moon Goddess gave my Dad the short end of the stick. They never showed that they loved each other, my Dad worked hard to make the demoness happy, but it didn't ever come off as a super loving, supportive relationship.

I guess now I know why.

Wow, I feel like my entire universe has been shattered.

"You and Ezra will be happy, I can already see it." He smiles at me and I grin back, giving him another hug.

I wished more than anything that my Dad will find his real mate. He deserves happiness after all these years of relentless torture. We all do.

As much as I really want to tell him that, we don't have enough time. We are already late as it is.

So, my Father hooks his arm through mine and we make our way out of the cabin. I take a deep breath of the frosty, clean air and release it. My exhale is a cloud of mist in the dim sky. It's pretty cold, but I don't care much.

The knowledge of what's about to happen is enough to warm me up inside.

Especially knowing what will happen tonight after the reception. I still at the thought, shoving it away. Now is not the time to be nervous about such things. I will live in the now. The present is the best place to be after all.

As we make our way through the woods, the trickiest part is walking in the snow with heels on. I realize it was a mistake as soon as I sink down into the fluffy white surface.

My Dad chuckles to himself, patting me on the hand.

"You want to go inside and get your converses?" He asks, and when I glance at him I see that he's 100% serious. I scoff at the thought.

"Absolutely not. I'm going to be mated and marked today, and dammit, I'm going to be fancy!" I gesture to my black heels and we both laugh. It's a weird thing to think of me wearing heels.

I'm not very good at being dressed up and wearing makeup with a pair of stilettos strapped to my feet. There isn't anything wrong with any of those things, but I never personally liked them. But tonight is different.

Tonight... tonight I want to feel like a princess.

We shuffle through the snow as fast as we can, and as we drew nearer I can smell my mate and fireworks go off in my stomach. I am helplessly giddy.

There is the soft sound of faint music, along with the singing of the birds high in the trees. The small clearing in the woods is quaintly decorated. Stacey has outdone herself. It isn't too simple, but not too overwhelming either.

I marvel at the flowers, tulips and peonies, and wonder absently where she'd gotten them at this time of year, and on such short notice. They cling to every surface like a flower bomb has gone off.

There are very few people here. All of them staring at me now, but I don't see them.

All I saw is Ezra.

It's corny and mushy, I know. Who knew I would turn into a lovesick puppy?

Not me. That's for sure.

My Dad slowly leads me down the aisle, and it doesn't take long to get to the makeshift altar since there are three rows of chairs in total.

When we reach my mate, I turn to my Dad and kiss him on the cheek. I issue one last hug before I shuffle forward to Ezra. He is looking good in his tux, it makes him appear large and important. The way he looks down at me makes me want to burst into tears.

Dr. Paullini stands in front of us, gazing at me knowingly through his half moon glasses. He's performing the mating ceremony. I asked him to. I wouldn't have it any other way.

He starts to talk, saying everyone should be seated. I steal a quick glance at the people gathered to witness our marking each other.

Reid, Stacy, Ace, Hyrum, and Miranda are all sitting together and grinning. Then there's Savannah and Alpha Veiler watching silently. I can't hold back my grin at the sight of my Father by himself. He is absolutely beaming.

I can't help but feeling a bit sad that none of my siblings made it. Everyone is busy with something or other, and Daniel and Felix wouldn't be able to sit still or stay quiet.

Dr.Paullini keeps talking.

"We're gathered to witness the marking of Ezra Blackmore and Harper McKay...." I look up at my mate and see he hasn't stopped staring at me in awe.

As Paullini keeps droning on, Ezra whispers lowly to me.

"You cut off your hair." He says. He doesn't sound like he feels any certain way about it, it's just a statement, but I can't help but worry that he hates it.

"Do you not like it?" I ask in a hushed tone. The corners of his mouth lift a little in amusement and I sigh in relief.

"I love it. You look perfect, as always."

My insides buzz with pure euphoria. He is the sweetest thing.

"You may now exchange promises"

Oh crap, it's already to this part?

I blank a bit, trying to remember the promises that I wrote over the past few days. I have them memorized... well maybe not. My heart begins pumping faster and I freeze. When someone touches my fingers, I glance quickly up at Ezra and my worries evaporate when we make eye contact and I start my promises. He gives my fingers a squeeze.

"I promise to always stay at your side through thick and thin, never abandon you in time of need, even when things get rough. I promise to take care of you. I promise to be patient and understanding. I promise to always love you and protect you. Forever." I say the words as if they've always been there inside my heart.

Through every wavering syllable Ezra os there smiling down at me. I gulp when I'm finished, a bit terrified at what might come out of his mouth. He is so overwhelmingly handsome. I can't believe he's mine.

"I promise," He begins, and I hold my breath, "to never leave you. I promise to always listen to your feelings and worries and kiss them away. I promise to aid you in any way possible, to make you the happiest I can. I promise to protect you from danger and harm. I promise I will always love you and hold you close. Forever." By the end of his promises tears are filling my eyes, and his hand reaches out to wipe them away.

"You may now mark each other." Anticipation bubbles through me as Ezra leans down towards me. His face filling in the hollow of my neck.

Goosebumps break out across my skin when the tips of his fangs make contact, ready to sink in.

I nearly jump out of my own body when a horrifying sound echoes off the trees. The sirens. The noise makes me quiver, my knees trembling and about ready to buckle underneath me.

Oh shit.

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If you're reading this, I love you:)