Knotting His Rejected Breeder

Dane took another step toward his father. "Are you going to stop us?"

The heavy question hung between them in the tense atmosphere. Finally, Ramon stepped aside to clear the path.

"No."

Beside them, Hannah let out the breath she had been holding. Dane stared at his father, caught somewhat off guard, as Ramon pointed toward the chapel doors. "But don’t mistake that for approval."

Dane gave a solemn nod. "I won’t."

"Then go," Ramon said with a final nod.

Dane turned toward the chapel entrance, and Destiny followed close beside him.

Sonia started after them, but Ramon reached out and gently caught her hand, causing her to pause. For a moment, neither spoke."You shouldn’t have encouraged them," Ramon said quietly.

Sonia shook her head gently. "No. I knew you needed to be reminded of what you were actually protecting."

Ramon looked toward the chapel doors, his fingers slowly loosening around hers. "Maybe."

Together, they followed the young couple inside. The chapel was intimate enough that the cozy warmth of the candlelight reached every corner. Free of formal banners or royal decorations, its centerpiece was a simple stone altar set beneath a carved image of the moon, surrounded by lush white flowers and glowing candles.

The priestess stood before the altar and gestured for them to approach. "Come."

As Dane and Destiny walked forward, the rest of the group followed and arranged themselves behind the couple. Hannah stood beside Henrik, while Sonia and Ramon remained near the back alongside Marcus and Kalessie.

The priestess looked kindly at Dane. "Who comes before the Goddess?"

Dane took Destiny’s hand into his own. "Dane, son of Ramon."

Turning her gaze to Destiny, the priestess asked, "And who stands beside you?"

Destiny lifted her chin with quiet pride. "Destiny, daughter of Marcus."

"Then let the Goddess witness what you have chosen," the priestess smiled faintly, motioning for them to face each other.

As Dane turned to face Destiny, the surrounding room seemed to fade away until there was only her. Though the anxiety she had carried all evening was still present, it had visibly softened into relief.

Dane gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You okay?"

Destiny offered a faint smile. "Ask me after."

He laughed quietly under his breath. "You look beautiful."

"I’ve been terrified for the last hour," she admitted.

"I noticed."

"And you still think I look beautiful?"

"Especially now," he replied softly.

She tried to fight off a smile, but failed entirely. Watching their silent dynamic with fondness, the priestess remarked, "Some vows are difficult enough without making them harder."

A ripple of quiet laughter moved through the room, breaking the remaining tension.

Dane’s thumb brushed affectionately across Destiny’s knuckles as the priestess carefully draped a traditional white cord around their joined hands.

"Dane, do you take Destiny as your wife?"

Looking directly into her eyes, Dane answered without hesitation, "I do."

The priestess turned to Destiny. "Destiny, do you take Dane as your husband?"

Destiny’s eyes softened as she replied, "I do."

"Then speak the promises you have chosen for one another," the priestess instructed with a gentle nod.

Dane drew a slow, steady breath to center himself. "I promise that I will not ask you to become smaller so that I can feel larger. I will not make choices for you out of fear. And when the road becomes difficult, I will stand beside you instead of asking you to walk it alone."

Destiny blinked rapidly as tears welled in her eyes. Dane smiled warmly at her reaction. "Your turn."

She shook her head, laughing softly through her rising emotion. "You’re making this difficult."

"I know."

She held his gaze for another quiet moment before speaking. "Then I promise that I will not run when things become difficult. I will tell you when I’m afraid, I will fight beside you when I can, and I will remind you to rest when you forget that you’re in a partnership."

Dane’s smile widened. "Fair."

"And," she added with a lighter tone, "I promise never to let you forget that I chose you."

The playful look on his face shifted into something deep and earnest. "I won’t."

The priestess placed her hands over their bound palms. "Before the Goddess and those who stand witness, you have spoken your vows." She turned toward the parents gathered behind them. "Do the families give their blessing?"

Sonia stepped forward first, resting a comforting hand on Dane’s shoulder. "I bless you, my son," she said, before shifting her warm gaze to Destiny. "And I welcome you."

Marcus approached next, pausing beside Destiny to rest his hand gently against her head. "My daughter," he spoke softly, "may you always have the courage to choose what is right for you." He then looked up at Dane, adding, "And may you have the wisdom to deserve her."

Dane nodded respectfully. "I will."

Kalessie embraced Destiny tightly, while Henrik clapped a firm, supportive hand on Dane’s shoulder. Nearby, even Hannah fought back tears, quickly wiping her eyes when she caught Henrik looking at her.

"Don’t," she warned.

"I didn’t say anything," Henrik replied defensively.

"You were about to."

"I wasn’t."

"You were."

The priestess smiled gently at the bantering pair. "Enough."

The light laughter that followed broke the very last thread of anxiety in the air. Reaching down, the priestess untied and removed the cord from their hands.

"By the vows you have spoken and the choice you have made before the Goddess, I recognize you as husband and wife."

Dane looked at Destiny, and she looked back, neither of them moving right away as the moment washed over them. Then, Dane leaned in closer while Destiny’s hand curled lightly into the front of his formal coat. Their foreheads touched first in a moment of quiet connection.

He smiled softly. "So?"

She whispered back, "So."

When his lips finally met hers, the kiss began gently and carefully, as if both were still processing the fact that they had actually made it to this moment despite everything. But as Destiny tilted her face closer to his, Dane’s hand settled warm against her waist to draw her near, and her fingers tightened against his coat. The kiss deepened into something warm and unhurried, carrying all the lingering fear, defiance, and relief of the night away with it.

When they finally parted, Destiny’s cheeks were flushed warm, while Dane looked entirely too pleased with himself.

"Don’t," she whispered, catching his expression.

"I didn’t say anything."

"You were about to."

Another warm wave of laughter moved through the chapel. The priestess lifted one hand in a final blessing. "May the Goddess bless this union." She then smiled at Destiny. "And welcome to the pack, Luna."

Destiny’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise as Dane reached out to take her hand once more.

"You may mark the bride," the priestess concluded with a smile.

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