- Titus -

We had been at this for well over an hour now, just back and forward asking questions and answering them, from things as small as favorite color to things as big as deepest fears.

I knew I had to ask her what I really wanted to know but I didn't know exactly how to brooch the subject delicately.

I needed to know if she had decided to reject her mate as I had suggested, in truth I had felt utterly horrible earlier after suggesting such a thing. The minute I found out she had a mate somewhere out there I almost called the entire thing off.

But something deep inside of me wouldn't allow it.

And seeing her here now, it was still so unbelievable how much she resembles Maggie...but a sort of Maggie 2.0.

"Is there anything you really want to ask of me?" I wondered out loud.

"W-well, I have been wanting to know...about your mate, no one speaks of her here."

"They wouldn't, they've been asked not to talk about her." I admitted.

"Why?"

I didn't want to tell her, but suddenly I found myself spilling the truth. "To talk or hear about her is too painful for me."

"Well I'm going to have to know about her." She stated with finality.

"Then I'm going to have to know about your mate!" I growled.

"There's nothing to know, his name is Caleb he didn't want me, we messed around one night and that was the end of that...I've already rejected him so there is no more on the subject of him...your turn."

I could see the fire in her eyes as she tried to keep the tears at bay.

I removed my handkerchief and handed it to her before I got up and turned to give her some privacy.

"As you may already know my mate's name was Maggie, we met when we were kids, she was my complete opposite and loved to challenge me every chance she got. She hated me growing up..." I sighed. "She was beautiful in every way and she and I tied the northern and southern packs together the day I proposed..."

"How did it happen?" She asked softly.

I had managed to walk over to the large bay window, I glanced out, this was always the worse part.

"Rogues...they took her, did unspeakable thing to her before they dragged her body back...they left her on the edge of my pack lands alone, naked, and close to death." I hadn't realized I was shaking with fury from the vivid memory. "My father ordered the best doctors around to work on her, but in the end she just couldn't hold on any longer."

"How long ago was this?" She asked barely above a whisper.

"Just over two years ago." I confessed.

"It must be hard having to marry all over again?"

"This will be my first wedding." I said as I turned and found her still dabbing at her eyes. "And my last."

She looked right at me now.

"Yes well to be honest marriage was the furthest thing from my mind up until a few days ago...but if I have to marry someone, I suppose it could be worse." She smirked.

"Is there anything else you wish to know before we sign off on this marriage license?"

"Just a couple...first, Are the rumors true?" She asked.

At this I actually chuckled, "pick one and I'll tell you if it merits any truth."

"Okay...um, ruthless savage?"

"Only toward those that cross me." I smiled.

"Do you torture people?"

"On occasion." I admitted.

"When was the last time you've tortured someone?"

"Yesterday."

She nodded.

"While I may be 'cruel', and 'ruthless' please know that I would never harm you, if anything, knowing everyone is scared of me should make you feel like the most protected Were around."

At this she rolled her eyes. "Cocky much?"

I laughed once more.

"You mentioned that you were never married, and I know you and Maggie didn't sleep together..." She sounded.

I wondered who would've told her this, sure not Maggie's own cousin. "Are you trying to ask if I'm a virgin?"

"It's as good a question as any considering we are suppose to...well, perform on command so to speak."

I held back a deep chuckle.

"No." I confessed. "I'm not a virgin, there were a couple of girls that caught my eye before my mate and I actually got together, but rest assured that I will know what I'm doing tonight."

At this she snorted daintly, as if put off by my words...but even I could see the flush that suddenly painted her cheeks at my mention of sexual acts. I would be lying if my wolf wasn't also excited now at the mention of sex with her.

"Are you ready to sign then?" I motioned toward the license laying on the table.

"Is there anything else you need to tell me?" She asked.

I honestly thought about it. "I have some rogues chained up in our basement."

Her eyes went wide, i'm sure it was a huge shock to hear that random rogue hostages were right beneath were we stood.

"Anything else you want to tell me?" I asked.

"I can't think of anything."

Once more I motioned toward the table and this time I signed my signature first. After she finished I escorted her out of the room and then out of the back doors of the house where we were to have the actual union ceremony.

I removed my suit jacket and placed it upon her bare shoulders.

"Thank you." She smiled up at me.

Once again I held my hand out to her but this time it was to help her walk through the snow covered ground as she was (I'm sure) wearing heels.

She gathered the bottom of her long dress in her free hand and as I expected, she was wearing heels and having a bit of trouble walking properly.

"Hold this." I Instructed and handed over the marriage license. She let go of her dress and took it without question and this time I hooked my right hand around her waist and took her left hand into my own, she re-gathered her gown and together we made our way toward the tree line.

It was a bit of a walk but when we saw the fire we knew we were in the right place. Once again it was only Mikael, Henrik, my father and her's.

For the actual Union portion we would have to break bread with our fathers to represent peace between the two families, I would give her father a gift of money to prove that I can provide for her, I had already shielded her with my coat from the cold nights air (normally this is done with a blanket) so I "proved" I could protect her. Lastly of course we're the vows, while close to similarly spoken vows that humans exchange, when we speak them...they hold so much more merit to them.