Chapter 12:
Andromeda
Do you want us to plan the ceremony?
I let out a groan. I'd forgotten all about that.
"What's wrong?" Garrus asked, still slowly rubbing circles on my back.
"Mom wants to know if I want her to plan the mating ceremony." Another groan.
"What does that mean?" Confused, his mandibles moving almost frantically.
"It's basically a wedding ceremony, but for wolves who are taking each other as mates. Since I'm a royal, it'll be a big thing. Those who can't make it, mainly leaders of packs that are too far to travel, will call in and watch via extranet." I flopped onto my back, staring at the ceiling. "When my brother and his mate had theirs, it was a huge thing."
Kisses started peppering my shoulder, and I glanced at him, amused.
"And you're opposed to the ceremony?"
A flash of hurt.
"No!" I sat up abruptly, throwing myself on top of him. "No, not at all. I just don't like that it'll be a spectacle, that's all. I would love to have a ceremony to add to our memories. I want to show you off to the whole universe. I want everyone to know you're mine. But I also want to make sure you want the ceremony, too. If you don't, then-"
His mouth on mine silenced me.
"I want that. I want to stand up with you in front of everyone, making sure they know you're mine, too."
His words softened me. "Okay."
Yes, please.
When? Her immediate response.
I pursed my lips. As soon as possible. We'll have to leave soon. I can't believe I spent the majority of our time here in heat. That's so ridiculous.
A soft laugh came through the link. A pause, then. When do you want his ceremony for becoming a pack member?
I glanced down at him. "Do you want to join the pack?"
I knew we'd talked about this before, but I honestly couldn't remember what he'd said about it.
"I do. They're your family, all of them. It's clear to see, with how you interact with them. I'd be honored to join your family."
I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. "I... Love isn't a strong enough word for how I feel for you in this moment."
"You can show me." A wicked glint in his eyes.
Yes, he wants it. Add it to our mating ceremony.
Will do! I could hear how excited she was.
Darius and Juno had planned theirs themselves, much to her horror. She was beyond thrilled to do ours.
"Take me, Garrus Vakarian." I purred.
He rolled his hips, grinding upward against my core, and I shivered.
...
My dress was a soft off-white color, modeled after the old show Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Her mom's wedding dress. From the first moment I'd seen it, I'd wanted it as my mating ceremony dress. And mom had had it made for me as a surprise, having remembered how often I'd talk about it when I was younger.
It's time. My mother's voice filtered through my mind.
I all but sprinted to the door, finding Garrus standing there, waiting for me. He held out a hand, and I took it, letting him guide me to the stage. My father was already there, standing in the center. We stopped in front of him, baring our necks in respect. He told us to stand, and we did.
"Today, we are gathered to celebrate the union of Andromeda Quinn and Garrus Vakarian. Through the will of the Goddess, they have found each other and honored her wishes by joining together." He said, addressing the crowd. "They are here, before us, in a show of love and trust. Trust in the way the other loves them. Trust that they are equals. Partners to share their lives with. To always be by the other's side, through everything that enters their lives. Today, they are vowing to stand tall together against everything, never to be parted, until life no longer beats in their chests." A look between us. "Andromeda Quinn, do you take Garrus Vakarian as your mate? As the one bonded to your heart and soul?"
My words were immediate. "I do. I will love and cherish him. Raise him up when he is low, bolster his happiness. I will be for him what he is to me- a part of his soul that will never shatter."
A slight smile tugged at my father's lips, before he turned to my mate. "Garrus Vakarian, do you take Andromeda Quinn as your mate? As the one bonded to your heart and soul?"
"I do." Immediate, his eyes burning into mine. "I will be for you. Everything you need, everything you want. I will give it. If I don't have it, I will find a way. You are my everything, just as you are, and I wish to be there for you through everything that comes our way."
My eyes teared up, and I willed myself not to mess up my makeup.
Softness in my father's eyes. He turned, picking up a chalice and a knife. I knew from witnessing other ceremonies that it was wicked sharp, and I had no doubts it would cut through Garrus's hand. My father approached us, handing me the knife first. I cut my palm, letting my blood drip into the chalice. Handed the blade to the turian, who mimicked me.
My father did the same, which surprised Garrus- I felt it through the bond. This hadn't been what we'd practiced and talked about. This was a surprise for him. Along with our bonding, this would tie him to the pack.
"With this, I bind you together, just as much as your mating marks." A look to Garrus. "With this, I bind you to our pack."
Happiness flitted through the link, and my chest felt as if my heart was swelling.
I sipped first, before holding it out to him. He drank, as well. It was a good thing that the Goddess had made it so we were compatible with aliens, otherwise we wouldn't be able to do this.
He inhaled sharply as the web connecting us all opened up in his mind. Thanks to me teaching him how to suppress our link, he was able to block it out after a few moments, murmuring a soft I've got this through my mind.
I had never been more proud of him. He was everything I had asked for, and everything I hadn't known I'd wanted. The Goddess had more than blessed me by putting him in my life.
"The mating ceremony, and the bonding ceremony, have been completed." My father declared. "I welcome the new couple."
After being greeted by everyone, and thanking those who had attended via extranet, we made our way back to our room. Before the door had even shut behind us, I found myself with my back against the wall, a hungry turian nibbling along my neck and shoulder. Murmuring dirty things as he went. Things he wanted to do to me. Things he wanted me to do to him. I reveled in it, loving the way his voice curled around the words. Loving the feel of him on my body.
Loving him.
...
I hugged Isadore, before giving her a look. "Behave, please."
She had the grace to look contrite. "I'll try."
At least she hadn't outright lied and said she would. Genesis thought she acted that way on purpose, to get attention. Sometimes, I agreed with her. Today was one of those days.
My mom was crying, smiling through her tears, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. My father was looking on, a proud smile on his face. Darius and Juno stood together, fond smiles on their faces. Isadore was the only one that seemed to be put out by our leaving. But we had to go back- I couldn't stay here forever, having to put up with her "innocent" jokes.
Garrus took my hand, gently tugging me away. I looked up at him, overcome with the amount of love I felt for him. It was overwhelming, in the best way.
We got into the sky car- I didn't want to walk back to the port, so Richard had arranged it for us.
Once we were on the ship, heading back to the Citadel, I let myself relax.
"I'm glad we're going home." I admitted quietly. "Isadore is best taken in small doses."
A chuckle left him. "I have to agree with that." A pause. "You didn't tell me that she was your twin."
I wrinkled my nose. "She never lets me forget. I didn't want you to suddenly look at me differently, knowing how she is."
He rolled his eyes. "If anything, I think even more highly of you. You put up with that with grace."
Ignoring our fight, where I'd almost seriously injured her. But I understood what he meant.
"Thank you." I murmured. "Not everyone sees it that way. Isadore acts like a baby, so she gets treated like one. Our parents and Darius, and Juno of course- they all see it, but everyone else dotes on her. It's just made her behavior worse over the years."
The flight took a few hours, where we just talked about our siblings and shared stories about them. I loved hearing about Solana. Mine were mostly about Darius. He was curious about which sister Solana reminded me of, and I told him Isadore, but in the way that she gets excited about everything. Not the hellish way she can act.
When we were walking through the Citadel toward home, we came across a man. I smelled him first. A disgustingly sweet aroma- apple pie and sweet pea. Something that I would normally like, but it curled my stomach.
Richard stepped up on my other side, eyes on the man as he stared at me.
"Alpha Rowan Teagan of the Indigo pack." He introduced himself. "I know who you are." A nod toward me. "Reject me."
I raised an eyebrow. "Not every day someone wants to be rejected."
He shrugged. "Even if you hadn't just had a mating ceremony yesterday, I wouldn't want you anyway. I have a woman I intend on choosing as a mate."
A soft smile pulled up my lips. "I'm glad for you." A pause. "I, Andromeda Quinn, reject you, Rowan Teagan, as my mate."
We both let out a hiss of pain, before he echoed me. Both of us clutched our chests. Garrus steadied me, keeping me from falling to my knees at the pain. When he recovered, he thanked me and continued about his way. I was still rooted to the spot, Genesis whimpering in my mind. It had always hit us harder than the other party, just a side effect of being able to choose freely. To discourage rejections.
Garrus scooped me up into his arms, and I curled against him, letting him carry me the rest of the way. Richard left our bags just inside the apartment and left quietly. After a few more minutes, I was able to breathe without feeling like my chest was being crushed.
"It never gets easier." I groaned, closing my eyes.
He brushed his fingers against my forehead. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. Rejection just hurts, that's all."
"You took it harder than he did."
"Yeah. It's a side effect of being able to choose. The extra strength pain is supposed to discourage rejections." A shrug. "Hasn't stopped me yet. But, hey. You got to see it in action."
"I did." So slow, I opened my eyes and looked at him. He laid me down on the couch, climbing on top of me. Looming, a hungry glint in his eyes. "And I loved it. Minus the fact you were in pain, of course. Hearing those words from you..." His eyes closed briefly before meeting mine again. "You're mine."
"I'm yours." I purred, reaching up and guiding him down for a fierce kiss.
...
Another week flew by, where we only left each other's arms for necessities. You'd think, after all the time we'd spent together since we'd first mated, we would run out of steam, but no. Far from it. If anything, every time only fanned the flame higher.