My Eternal Mate
Chapter One

The patterned lace clung around my breasts, holding on to my skin for dear life. My sternum was exposed down to my waist, with the lace designed to cover parts of my torso. My shoulders were semi-exposed, with the floating lace dispersed throughout the arms and down my body.

The sheer floral lace dress hugged my curves in all the right places, with a long train piece of fabric clinging on from behind. The back was left wide open, giving all the attention to the long fabric trailing behind.

In all honesty, I hadn't visioned myself getting married because it was not really in wolf nature to. Once you found a mate, you knew you were set. But now that I was getting married, the dress seemed perfectly made for me. I knew Alexander would struggle once he saw me.

I knew because even Jaxon shed a tear just by glancing at me.

"Wow," he beamed when he saw me, as I walked towards him.

We were stood outside of the wedding hall, waiting for him to walk me down the aisle.

"Do you like it?" I asked, biting my lip.

Jaxon whistled. "Your mate is going to lose it. I will tell you that now," he commented, his eyes raking down my body. "You look incredible, Lyr."

I chuckled softly at his words, before I placed my arm around his waist. "Thank you for being here, and doing this for me."

Jaxon placed a soft kiss on my head, gentle to not ruin my low-messy up-do. "I wouldn't be anywhere else right now," he replied, before pulling back and glancing down at me. "Are you ready?"

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I inhaled sharply before I glanced at my best friend. I quickly ran a hand down my dress, not understanding why I felt nervous all of a sudden.

Nodding once, I smiled at Jaxon.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, grinning. "Just don't let me fall, please."

Jaxon smirked. "I can't promise anything," he responded, sarcastically, before he tugged my hand and wrapped it around his arm. He leaned his head closer, and mumbled, "Boring is not my thing, I like to keep it entertaining."

I slapped at his chest and frowned at him, but the boy chuckled. "In that case, Jaxon, I can walk myself down the isle."

"I'm kidding," he promised in between laughter. "I would never let you fall."

I glanced at him momentarily, smiling because I was so grateful for this boy. He was my best friend and my family all in one. Despite how traumatising my past was, having Jaxon come out of it made it all bearable.

"Come on," he urged, bringing me out of my thoughts. "At this rate your mate will think you're having cold feet."

Taking my hand in his firmly, he signalled the wedding planner before the background music filled my ears.

The double doors swung open, revealing our closest friends and family on either side of the aisle. Clinging on to Jaxon for dear life, I squeezed at his forearm as we slowly entered the hall.

My eyes roamed over the guests, before I directed them on the person that I was most nervous to see.

Visibly, I watched my mate inhale a sharp breath. He was wearing a black tuxedo suit, looking out of this world. His hair was neatly styled on his head, and he was stood with his hands put together as he anticipated my walk towards him.

"That's my girl," I heard Alexander mutter to the wedding officiant, before he grinned widely.

I couldn't help but crack a smile, and the guests must have heard too because they all erupted in to a soft chuckle amongst themselves.

"Told you," Jaxon whispered, bringing his head closer down to me. "He's already struggling and you haven't even reached him."

I couldn't even respond to Jaxon, because Alexander's gaze raking down my body had me completely hypnotised. He was glancing at me with such lustful eyes, admiring me.

'My girl. My Luna,' he mind-linked me just when our eyes met again. 'You look beautiful.'

Alexander didn't waste any more time as we approached him. He took two big steps meeting us half way, and instantly tugged at my hand. My mate surprised me by embracing Jaxon and thanked him, before he gently lead me towards the altar where the officiant awaited.

My eyes remained on Alexander's tie, because for once, I was feeling quite nervous. Perhaps, it was because his piercing gaze was on me, causing for butterflies to erupt inside of me.

'Lyra, look at me,' Alexander said through the mind-link.

Biting my lip, I tilted my head back slightly so our gazes could meet. Alexander smiled, proposing his white pearl teeth. His thumb on my hand stroked gently.

"You alright?" he whispered, his eyes scanning mine.

I nodded, before turning to the officiant, who was waiting for the both of us before he proceeded.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Alpha and the Luna have invited us here today, to celebrate their union," the officiant declared, smiling lovingly at Alexander and I, before he continued with his introductory speech.

When Alexander squeezed at my hand, I just knew he was no longer listening to the wedding officiant and my thoughts were confirmed when he jumped in to my head.

'Do I have to wait until the end of the night before I can rip that dress off of you?'

I had to force myself to not react to his words, but I gave him a sly smile, knowing how worked up he was going to be by the end of the night.

I didn't have time to respond back to him when the wedding officiant asked Alexander to repeat after him, proceeding with the wedding vows.

"I, Alexander Noah Rathborne, take you, Lyra Dane, today as my lawful wife. You are my soulmate, my Luna and I am incredibly lucky to marry you. I promise to protect you and love you unconditionally. I will hereby, thank the moon Goddess for choosing you as my Luna, as I would not want anyone else to lead this pack with. I love you."

The crowd cheered loudly as my mate agreed to marry me, and similarly, I proceeded in the same manner.

When the wedding officiant announced us as husband and wife, Alexander did not waste a second before he pulled me flush against his chest and kissed me hard.

The loud applaud was the only noise in the background, with a couple of our friends cheering us on, as I got lost in the kiss. Alexander growled lowly against my lips, and I smirked as I realised how badly he was struggling.

"Congratulations!" Zynthéa beamed once we entered the reception venue. Giving me a quick embrace, she pulled back to hug her brother. "I love you both so much."

I smiled at her lovingly, before I stepped forward to embrace Dyami that was stood behind her. He pulled back to embrace Alexander in a man-hug.

"My man, congratulations," Dyami beamed, slapping at Alexander's chest playfully.

The pair of boys erupted in laughter, as my gaze travelled to the distance where Jaxon and Evan were dancing on the dance floor with Luca, acting silly. The rest of the guests were sat at their table respectively.

"I wish Ava was here," I mumbled, biting my lip.

The girl had been gone for almost six months, and though, she updated me quite frequently, I still missed her. I was hoping she would be here tonight, but the girl was half way across the world having her best time with Matteo. I couldn't even be mad.

Alexander squeezed at my waist, bringing me close to his chest. His head dipped down until his lips were on my ear.

"Tonight is about us, alright?" he murmured, his fingers grazing my exposed back. "I do not want you to worry about anyone else."

Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck and searched his eyes before my gaze dropped on to his lips.

Alexander must have read my mind because he pulled me flush against him and pecked my lips firmly.

"I love you," he mumbled against my lips. "Mrs. Rathborne."

I chuckled softly against his lips at my new surname, before I pecked him a couple of more times.

"Okay, seriously. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought the two of you haven't seen each other for months," a voice said sarcastically from behind me, and I pulled back in utter shock, but my eyes remained on Alexander.

My mate smirked knowingly, before he placed his hands on my shoulders and made me twirl in his arms. My gaze met with the familiar auburn haired girl, and I didn't waste another second before I leaped in to her arms.

"Oh my god," I screeched, embracing my best friend tightly. "Ave, you're back. You made it!"

Ava hugged me tightly, a laughter erupting from her. "What kind of a friend would I be if I missed your big day?"

Tears blurred my vision and I pulled back to glance at her. "Thank you for coming back, I really missed you."

The girl frowned. "I missed you too, Lyra. And I'm not going to watch you ruin your make up," she cried. "Don't cry, I'm back for good."

Alexander snaked his arm around my waist at her words and pulled me flush against his chest. Ava rolled her eyes, waving him off.

"I guess, I can't compete with him," she muttered, giving my mate a dirty glance before her eyes returned on me. "I will see you later, okay?"

I nodded eagerly, still hardly believing that Ava had returned. She was more tanned than before and looked so radiant. I was glad that she had got some time away with Matteo, who was currently nowhere in sight.

When Alexander softly kissed at my shoulder blade, I turned my focus back on him.

"I think we deserve some time to ourselves. Do you not agree, Mrs. Rathborne?" he murmured, huskily, against my exposed skin, causing the hairs on my skin to rise.

"Perhaps," I agreed, hesitantly, blinking away the threatening tears.

That was all the consent my mate needed before he tugged at my hand and lead us away from the crowd.

The familiar strides up the flight of stairs gave me an insight to where he was taking me, and when he flung the familiar door open to the empty room, I couldn't help but giggle.

Alexander smirked devilishly, before he tugged me inside roughly and shut the door behind us.