Chapter 15! I know. Took me long enough. However, I've been struggling with something that I learned about this story. And many of you are going to not like me for it. However, all I ask is that you stick with me because I've also seen what happens next. Nothing terrible in this chapter, but be ready for the next few. I'll be getting angry reviews and I also sense a cliffy of some sort. So just...stay calm.

*Disclaimer*

Please Enjoy!

ChristaPOV

I woke up in Walker's arms, his body wrapped around me protectively. Today was our day. Carlisle was marrying us tonight, and tomorrow, the males would be going to Denali. My chest tightened at the thought. So many things could go wrong, and suddenly, my anger bubbled up again. He wouldn't let me go to watch his back because of some stupid male pride thing.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Miss Christa? Mr. Walker?"

Sighing, I though to myself that we really should try to get her to drop the Mr. and Miss stuff. Wasn't necessary to be that formal.

Inching out from under Walker proved to be an obstacle course. Every time I moved one of his limbs, the other came to take its place. Finally, I just pushed him off so that he rolled over onto his back. His leanly muscled body sprawled out and my breath caught. Tanned skin glowed, auburn hair glinted. He stretched in his sleep, pulling that body taut. The remnants of the ties were still wrapped around his wrists. My mouth watered as he hardened while I watched him. Last night had been amazing and kind of terrifying. I hadn't realized that I'd had that kind of kink in me until he'd pissed me off. I'd wanted to punish him, but not with pain.

When I finally was able to pull my eyes off him and pull my pajamas on from last night, my body screamed its aftershocks. My own muscles were tight, especially my hips and thighs which had done the most work last night. If I was hurting, I knew Walker had gotten a lower ab workout as well. We kept that up, he'd have a twelve back all the way down to his manhood. I could live with that. Just one more thing to lick.

Taking a deep breath, I told myself to clear the dirty thoughts. I had a six year old to feed.

Slipping out the door, I quickly closed it behind me. The only thing covering Walker was a sheet over his thigh. That was it.

Haleigh was standing in front of the door in her nightgown, her doll clutched in her hands. Her dark brown hair was tangled around her shoulders.

"Good morning, sweetie." I bent down to pick her up as she yawned and rubbed one of her eyes. My body protested as I hefted her up into my arms. She put her head on my shoulder, and I figured I could live with it. "What would you like for breakfast?"

"Lucky Charms," she said sleepily.

"Well, then, Lucky Charms it is." Keeping her in my arms, I put together a bowl one handed. But there was no way to carry it to the table without both hands, not if I didn't want to spill it. I put her in a chair at the table and then carried the bowl to her. She was starting to wake up, humming to herself, kicking her little feet.

"Miss Christa?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Why are you mad at Mr. Walker?"

Chuckling, I knelt down beside her chair. "Sweetie, you can just call us Christa and Walker. No Miss or Mr. Ok?" When she nodded, I answered her question. "He and I just had an argument. We don't agree on something about the pack. That's all." I tried to smooth her tangled hair behind her ear. "We'll work it out."

"Are you getting mated?"

It took me a second to realize she meant married. "Yes, sweetie, we are. Carlisle, you remember him?" She nodded. "He's going to help us with the ceremony tonight."

Her eyes filled with excitement. "Can I come?"

I laughed again. "Yes, sweetie. We want you to be there. You're ours now."

She beamed at me.

"That's right, baby girl."

We both turned to find Walker in a pair of sweats and another tank, one that wasn't ripped to shreds. His hair was tousled, eyes still fighting sleep. At least the ties were gone.

"We couldn't get mated without you."

Her beam got so bright I could practically feel it. Standing up in her chair, she reached for him. He picked her up and kissed her cheek. She returned to gesture.

"But listen, baby girl. I gotta tell you something, ok? And I really need you to listen. Can you do that?"

Her expression turned serious with a little frown as she nodded.

"Good. Now, the males of my and Jacob's packs have to leave for a few days, which means that I have to go with them. You and Christa will stay down here on the reservation with Nessie and the other females."

Her frown deepened. "Are you coming back?"

"Absolutely. I'll be back before you know it."

For a moment, she just pouted. "I'll miss you," she finally said, throwing her arms around him.

He rubbed her back and met my eyes over her shoulder. "I know. I'll miss you, too." He pulled her back a little. "But listen. I need you to do something for me."

"What?"

"You gotta watch over Christa, ok? Keep her safe."

Solemnly, she nodded. "I will."

He booped her nose with a fingertip. "Good girl. Now," he lifted her up and over the chair, "you need to finish breakfast. You have to be strong."

Plopping back down, she started eating again, swinging her feet once more. Walker came over to me, wrapped his arms around my hips and pulled me close.

"Good morning, beautiful," he whispered against my neck.

"Good morning," I said, kissing his shoulder. "I'm still mad at you."

"I know."

"Glad you do. What do you want for breakfast?"

"You," he breathed into my ear so Haleigh wouldn't hear.

I shook my head. "Not happening. Food, Walker. What food do you want?"

He pulled back to give me a look. "Hmmm, got stuff for waffles?"

I nodded. "Actually, yes. I was thinking the same thing." Pulling away, I went for the pantry. "Grab the eggs out of the fridge for me."

An hour later, Walker and I were laughing at the sticky mess that Haleigh's hands and face had become. She was frowning at her hands as she flexed them and clapped them, the syrup giving her resistance. And then she shrugged and started licking her fingers and hands all the way to her wrists.

Shaking his head, Walker got up to gather the dishes and start cleaning the kitchen. "You want bath duty?" he asked over his shoulder.

Going over to her, I picked her up. She pressed a sticky kiss to the corner of my mouth. "Yup, it's bathtime, pipsqueak."

Walker leaned back, wanting a kiss. I gave him one as I passed. "I'm getting in the shower once I get done in here. Meeting up with Jake."

"That better not be an invitation, because the answer's no."

"Still mad at me, huh?"

"You bet your sweet...butt, I am."

He chuckled against my lips. Haleigh giggled. His eyes slid to her just before he darted in to plant kisses all over her face. She giggled even more and squirmed in my arms. When he pulled back, she planted one right on his lips, which surprised him because he just froze as if he were unsure of what just happened. She just smiled and buried herself closer to me. Giggling, I leaned forward to give him my own kiss. And then I spun to give our little one a bath.

Thirty minutes after I finished giving Haleigh her bath, I was stepping out of the shower. Walker had ended up on the phone after washing the dishes so he'd shooed me into the bathroom. The hot water had done wonders on my body.

There was a knock at the front door. I threw on my underwear, a white tank, and some jeans before going out into the living room, towel drying my hair on the way out. Walker had gotten the door.

"Hey, guys," he said. "What are you doing here?"

Alice's voice drifted around him. "It's your wedding day. Weddings are my thing, and I thought that Christa might want some company of the female variety. I know you're going with Jake ring shopping, so…"

"I would love that," I choked out. Tears had threatened me again. I wasn't all that close to Alice, so the gesture was touching.

Walker moved aside so that I could see Alice, the girl I assumed was Cricket, Nessie, and Jacob. Nessie came in with a smile and her arms held out. I hugged her hard.

"Thank you for coming over. You look better."

Letting go, she smiled. "Of course I came. I am still your alpha female even though you have a pack of your own. I wouldn't let you do this alone. And thank you. I feel much better after the blood."

"Yeah, she licked the glass clean," Jacob said with a chuckle. She smiled sheepishly as if she were an old time lady not used to people talking about her.

There was something different between the two, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"Your boyfriend isn't around is he?" Walker asked the girl, eyes scanning the outside as everybody came in before he closed the door.

The girl snorted. "Not scared of him, are you?"

"The gun, yes. Him on his own, not so much."

Her violet eyes widened. "You're that type of werewolf?"

He assumed a bored expression. "Do I look Quileute to you?"

I spoke up before a fight could break out. "I don't look Quileute, but I am. Leave her alone, Walker," I said with a chuckle.

She stuck out her tongue at him. He rolled his eyes. It was amusing to think that they were the same age.

She held her hand out to me. "Cricket. Brigette, actually, but Cricket."

I shook her hand. "Christa. I sense a story behind the name."

She shrugged. "Not really. I just like it. It's weird. Like me."

Alice shot her a sharp look. "You are not weird, just different."

"Uh, Aunt Alice, that's called weird."

Alice gave a graceful snort. How she managed it, I didn't know. But I believe she'd met her match in her niece.

Again, Walker rolled his eyes as he shook hands with Jake. "Let me hop in the shower. We had syrup with breakfast and a six year old at the table."

"It was sticky," was said with a little giggle.

The room turned. Haleigh was standing in the doorway that led to the hall. Her hair was combed but still wet draped over her shoulders. She was wearing a long sleeve white t-shirt with a picture of Belle from Beauty and the Beast, a pair of jeans, and the sneakers I'd bought her the other day. The doll, as usual, was tucked against her chest.

"Hey, Haleigh," Nessie said as she bent down.

"Hi, Miss Nessie."

"You look very pretty today."

Haleigh assumed a bashful expression. "Thank you. Are you all better?"

Nessie smiled. "Yes, I am. Thank you for asking."

"Mis...Christa got me a new doll. Can I show you it?"

Nessie's grin got wider. "You certainly can," she said taking Haleigh's outstretched hand. Looking over her shoulder she smiled sweetly to Jacob. "See you later. Love you."

He smiled back. "Love you, too. And Ness?"

"Yes?"

"The four of them are outside. If you leave, they go with you." Though he still held a smirk, it was stated authoritatively.

She nodded, gaze meeting his. "I understand. Be safe."

"We will. You, too."

And that's when I figured out what was different. There wasn't anymore tension as if Jacob had finally gotten whatever was bothering him off his chest. They were easy-breezy as Morgan liked to say. After the exchange, Nessie disappeared down the hall while Jake smiled down at me.

"Congrats, Christa," he said wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me in. He smelled like supple leather and woodsmoke.

"Thank you." I hugged him back.

"Don't worry, I won't let him pick out anything too obnoxious."

I laughed. "Oh thank god."

He chuckled. "Seems like the pack females don't ever want anything huge and sparkly. Just a little something."

I nodded. "Sounds perfect to me. And don't let him spend too much. I'll kill you both."

Dark brows rose to his hairline. "Our little pup is getting feisty now that she's alpha female."

My eyes widened and I looked at the ground. "Sorry, Jacob. I'm really-"

"Awesome, is what you are." He squeezed me to his side. "Really, Christa. It's great to see you like this. And I'm seriously happy for you. You deserve this." Stepping away from me, he put his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. "But listen, I don't want to step into this...ordeal. However, Walker told me you were mad at him for telling you to stay down here tomorrow. I just want you to remember something, and if you need to ask, talk to Nessie."

I stared at him. "Ooookay? What is it?"

He took a deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. "Just remember, he's the alpha male of the pack."

I frowned. "What?"

"Hey, man. Ready to go?"

Walker was sliding into his own leather jacket that wasn't nearly as old as Jacob's as he came back into the foyer. Still had some breaking in to do. His hair was still damp and sticking in every direction as if he'd rubbed over it with a towel and then walked off.

Shaking my head, I reached up and ran my fingers through it to flatten it out a bit.

After a moment, he pulled away from me. "Thanks, mom," he said sarcastically.

I cocked an eyebrow, knowing the "little ears" were busy. "I am not your mother. Pretty sure I proved that last night."

Heat flooded his expression, as did a blush. Jacob's brows went back into his hairline, gaze bouncing between us, a smirk pulling at his lips.

"I might just need to buy some more ties," Walker growled in a low voice.

"Alright," Jacob said, grabbing the collar of Walker's jacket as he stepped into me. "Alice would kill me if I let the two of you go at it on your wedding day before you said your vows."

"That's right!" Alice's voice rang down the hallway. All the girls had migrated to Haleigh's room.

Jacob gave us a look as he dragged Walker toward the front door. "We're leaving now. You," he said with a pointed look at me, "hang out with the girls. This one and I are going into Port Angeles. Say your goodbyes until you meet up to say your vows and sign the paperwork."

Walker shrugged out of his hands. "Gotta kiss my woman, man. You're cramping my style."

Jacob's eyes rolled while Walker strode up to me and took me in his arms.

"Love you," he whispered.

Stepping onto my tiptoes, I kissed him. "Love you, too."

Slipping his arms around my waist, he pulled me up to him and deepened the kiss, his tongue dominating my mouth. When he pulled back, I was left panting and breathless.

Jacob tugged on Walker's collar once more. "Come on, Romeo."

Laughing, I blew Walker a kiss as Jacob dragged him outside.

A few minutes after the door closed, the patter of little feet echoed down the hall. Haleigh flew past me a moment later to open the door and fling herself outside.

"No! Walker!"

Both Walker and Jacob turned in surprise as Haleigh ran across the yard. Walker scooped her up.

"What's wrong, baby girl?" he asked, worry etched all over his face.

She threw her arms around his neck. "I don't want you to go yet!"

Jacob tried to hide a soft smile.

"I'm not leaving yet. I'm just going to the store. Jacob and I will be back later today." He stroked her back.

"I wanna go with you," she pouted.

Walker opened his mouth, no doubt to protest, when Jacob spoke up. "That's sounds great. She can help."

"Help?" she asked, still pouting.

Jacob nodded. "Walker needs to pick out a ring for Christa. You wanna help pick it out?"

Eyes widening, a grin twitching at her lips, she nodded fervently.

Walker looked over to me. "You mind?"

I shook my head with a grin. "Nope. Spend some time with her before you leave. I'll get a few days with her."

As they turned away to the pack truck that Jacob drove, she waved at me over his shoulder. I waved back, and felt an arm pat my shoulder.

"They'll take care of her. She'll be fine."

Turning, I found Nessie standing there. Alice and Cricket were digging through my house, no doubt looking for any inspirations.

"I know she will." Frowning, I turned to her. "Hey, Jacob said something to me before they left. He said that if I had any questions about it that I should ask you."

Now she was frowning. "What was it?"

"Well, apparently Walker had told him that I wasn't happy that Walker was making me stay down on the rez, which I'm not. But Jacob said, 'Just remember. He's alpha male of the pack'. What did he mean by that?"

A moment of silence before she sighed. "As Walker's alpha female, you are in a very...unique position. And, as you know, I'm still learning the ropes. Things are changing, Christa. It's no longer an unstructured system for the Quileute pack. Jacob is the ultimate authority, and that means that I am as bound by his orders as say Adam and Derek." She wrapped her arms around herself. "You know I was attacked. And that was because I didn't follow Jacob's orders. He specifically told me to stay in our house yesterday. And I didn't. I disobeyed him and I got hurt. If Abigail or Cricket hadn't been there, I'd be dead. Malik would have killed me." Reaching out, she took my hand. "What I'm saying is that you are Walker's alpha female. If the pack sees you defying his orders, they'll think they can get away with it, too. Walker was meant to be leader. I firmly believe that fate puts you where you're supposed to be. He's supposed to be a leader. And leaders follow their instincts. So trust him. If he says stay, accept it. Eventually, he'll become the leader that will understand all this. As their women, we're the example for the rest of the pack. We follow them, they'll follow them. And as a new leader, Walker needs all the support from you he can get."

My frown stayed as the truck fired up behind us. Turning around, we plastered smiles on our lips and waved as they drove off.

Ness was right. Just as with everything else, the pack structure was evolving.

I had some apologizing to do.

CadenPOV

The moment the door slammed, I knew I was about to get an earful.

"Caden!"

Taking a deep breath, I walked out of the bathroom in a pair of jeans, running a towel over my hair.

"Yes, luv?"

Leah stormed around the bedroom door to pin me with a glare. Her expression shimmied between lust and anger. She always did like me better without a shirt on.

I was just about to smirk and say something when she got her glare back. "I have to stay down here?!"

Seth was told to release the information while he was phased. Jacob and Walker had gone to Port Angeles for most of the day.

Sighing, I sat on the edge of the bed. "Leah,-"

"And you're going along with this?" She crossed her arms over her stomach. "Let me guess, it was your idea."

I gave her a sharp look. "Actually, no, it wasn't. It was Jacob's. And as scary as he's become, I would love to see you give him a piece of your mind." Sighing, I patted the bed beside me. Fuming, she sat down in a huff, her arms still crossed. "Sweetheart, as much as I know you want to go, as much as I would love for you to go, I agree with their decision."

"Caden, it doesn't make sense. All the females, vulnerable on the rez?"

"Leah, you'll still be useful. The rez will need you to watch over them. Hopefully we won't be gone that long, but you need to understand something. Even if I didn't agree, I'd go along with it."

She gaped at me. "Why?"

"Jacob took me in when he didn't have to. I have no rights to dispute him. And Walker? He needs the support right now. He needs to realize that his word is law."

Her dark eyebrow cocked up. "Excuse me?"

I sighed again. "It's a thing with our type of wolf. The pack leader is the law maker. Therefore, he or she is the law. These packs are not a democracy except for in dire circumstances such as when they decided to make Walker their pack leader instead of finding someone else. Bianca had already stepped down, and those were there only two choices after that. Walker killed Edmund. Even though I'd be more experienced as pack leader, he, in their eyes, earned his place. In my eyes as well. And I will do what I have to in order to cement his leadership."

Huffing again, she turned her eyes away from me. "This is the first time we'll really be separated. I don't like it." Her bottom lip trembled. "I don't want to be away from you for that long."

Wrapping her in my arms, I rested my chin on her shoulder and kissed the pulse in her neck. "I don't, either, luv. You...will be on my mind the entire time. After Alora, leaving you is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done. And trust me, if we ever have pups, there will be no leaving you at all. That, I will fight."

Bringing her hands up, she stroked my arm. "I'm so sorry, Caden."

"Luv, it's the past. And I knew she wasn't my true mate. I knew something would eventually pull me away from them. I just didn't expect fate to be that cruel to two innocent children."

"Is there any chance the children could still be alive?" she asked quietly.

I could only remember bits and pieces of that day, so I always told myself no so as to avoid the pain. Feeling agitated, I stood up and paced.

"If they are, they're probably better off without me."

Turning to me, there were tears in her eyes as well as confusion. "Caden, they're your children."

"They're my past," I snapped.

The wolf in me was also getting agitated. He'd taken over my body that night in fury and rushed us away from the ruin of our home. He blamed himself for the death of his offspring.

She shook her head. "How can you be so callous about this?"

"Because if I were a better a father and deserved those two boys, I would have stayed to make sure! I didn't! I took off, and here I am. Disgraced for my failure."

Swallowing hard, she stared at the floor. "You want them to be alive, don't you?"

I took a deep breath to calm down so that I could stop yelling at her. Neither of us needed it. "Leah, I had several friends that would have checked on us after not hearing from us. They would have known what happened. And if the boys were alive, those friends would have come forward when we visited. They're gone. And it's my fault, something I will live with for the rest of my life."

After a long moment, she stood up to walk to me. I turned away but she still wrapped her arms around my waist. Warm lips pressed into my spine.

"I'm sorry I brought it up, Caden. I should know better."

Hanging my head, again I was ashamed of myself. If only I had resisted Alora in the first place, I wouldn't have to bear this sympathy, this burden of shame. If I had just waited for a few more years. Dominic's third birthday was coming up. My unborn son would have probably turned one some time in the summer. My chest constricted at the thought.

"Don't be sorry, luv."

"Well, I am. So sorry for all you've lost."

I turned in her arms to grasp her to me. "You're right. I did lose. But I also gained. Not many people are allowed a second chance. My boys are gone. I won't forget, ever. But I can't not go on and not have more children just because I lost them. Alora would understand."

"So...you do want kids? With me?" She snorted. "If I can even have them."

Leaning back, I just stared at her. "Are you joking? Of course I do! I love you. And you can have them. I can smell your hormones rising and falling. Just because you don't get your period, doesn't mean you can't have kids. You're part wolf. Your body is different."

Her smile was soft and genuine. I had a feeling not many people got a chance to see that smile. "I love you, so much." She nudged her hip against mine. "Sooo, what have you got planned for today?"

"Nothing much. It's my off day, and I went for a run. I thought you were on patrol for most of the day?"

She shrugged. "Seth sent me home after I kept screaming at him."

"Ah, taking orders from your baby brother now, are you?"

"Oh shut up. I have a soft spot for him now."

"You mean a softer spot."

She rolled her eyes.

Capturing her face in my hands, I kissed her lips. "Well, I suppose my plans have changed from doing nothing to doing...you," I whispered against her lips.

She shivered delicately in my grip. Such delicacy she only showed me, behind closed doors. And I liked it.

For the winter months, she'd started growing her hair longer so that her wolf had longer fur. It amused me that human and wolf lengths matched. But I liked her hair longer. It softened her, the edge leaving her, bringing out her femininity.

Though it was winter, she'd tossed on a pair of short shorts that had once lived a life as jeans and a white tank that accented her caramel skin beautifully. Every time I saw her, I just wanted to lick that skin, to taste its sweetness. That's why we made the deal to stay separated when dealing with business. It was safer that way. In the privacy of home, however, the loving was a different story.

My fingers tightened on the skin of her waist as I pressed a kiss into those plush lips. She sighed into my mouth, opening herself to me. My tongue plunged into the depths of her mouth, dancing over her tongue, slipping and sliding.

"Caden," she said on a sigh, her fingers scraping over my chest and stomach. Reaching around, she skimmed over my back, my spine, and across the waist of my jeans. Jeans that were quickly getting a little tighter.

My name on her lips was the most fattening of candies to my ears. Moving my lips to her jaw, I slipped my fingers to the front of her shorts. Her hands went to my hair and the nape of my neck, pulling me closer to her skin, slipping my lips down to her pulse point. Nibbling and sucking at that fine spot, I continued working at her shorts.

While one of her hands dug into my back, the other set of nails dug past my jeans and over my ass. The wanting of her just didn't make sense on a logical level. We'd barely gotten any sleep last night. And we'd made love again this morning just before she'd left for the patrol. It had been like that the entire time we'd been lovers, taking each other at least five times. Neither of us minded the lack of sleep, each for different reasons.

Turning, I backed her up against the bed until the backs of her knees hit and we went down. As soon as we landed, her legs locked around my waist and she arched her hips into my erection. We both moaned at the sensation.

"Take me, Caden."

"My pleasure," I growled into ther skin.

Growing my claws, I sliced through the denim easily, leaving it in ribbons around her hips. Since she'd dressed just after phasing, there were no panties to tear through. Just smooth, creamy caramel skin. No hair to be seen. Her hands reached between us to rip my jeans.

As soon as the long length of me was free, I slammed home without any guidance from my hands.

We both shouted at the plunge. Her tight, wet heat was thick, the walls pulsing around me as I fought for every exquisite inch. Blood seeped down my back from the scratches Leah's nails left in my skin. The liquid slid down my sides, smearing on our skin.

"Yes, Caden, yes. Please."

Pressing my face into her hair, scenting caramel and woodsmoke, I released the control in my body, letting instinct take over. Over and over I pounded into her. My beast growled and snarled, pouring his scent out of my pores to surround her, to sink into her skin. Any of my kind would smell it and know what it was. A marking scent that only true mated males shared. Leah knew because I'd explained it to her when she'd asked.

Her grunts and moans echoed in my ears as I hefted my upper body up so that I could get more leverage to swing my hips. Her thighs tightened, squeezing around my waist, heels digging into my lower back. Those nails scratched down my back, and when she reached my ass, she dug in, pulling me to her, deeper inside her.

Opening my eyes, I found her watching me. Those bottomless black eyes were so full vulnerability that all I wanted to do was protect her, never let her do anything remotely dangerous. But I liked my balls where they were, so I never tried to keep her in the dark.

It was so hard to believe that this woman was it for me. So many nights I had loved Alora, had prayed for the true mate instinct to kick in, but it never did. Still, she had bore my children, and had died because of my inability to protect her. I wouldn't allow that to happen with Leah.

"Caden?"

Blinking rapidly, I looked down to find that I had stilled and Leah was watching me worriedly. "Sorry, luv."

"Don't apologize. Are you ok?"

Clearing my throat, I nodded. "Yeah. I was just thinking too hard."

Reaching up, she slid a finger between my eyes. "Caden, I will never doubt that you can protect me if I really needed it."

Surprise colored my expression. "How did you-?"

"Know?" she finished with a smile. "Because we were just talking about your family and how you keep thinking it's your fault. It wasn't your fault no matter what you try to tell me. I love you, and I trust you with my life." Wrapping her other hand around the nape of my neck, she pulled my lips down to hers. "Now make love to me. Show me what I am to you."

A growl slipped from me, the wolf peeking out. "You're my female."

"Then prove it."

My hips moved in one swift motion, a deep thrust that I held just long enough to make her squirm.

"Oh, god, Caden."

"What am I?" I asked, swiveling my hips, moving my erection inside her, caressing those walls.

"Mine. My male."

The beast in me purred and moved my body, again pounding, hammering into her.

"You're mine, woman. You belong to no one else. Mine."

"Yours. So yours," she moaned, nails back to digging into my skin.

Each thrust was hard and deep, hitting the end of her, moving her entire body on the bed. The slapping of skin on skin was getting louder, sharper in my ears. Her heavy breathing, sighing, and moaning mixing in.

"Bite me."

Swimming to the surface out of the waves of lust and pleasure, I stared at her. "What?"

"Bite me. I want to be inside you the way you're inside me."

"You know what that means, don't you?"

She nodded. "Talked to Ethan. He said it was a marrying of the bond. And a sign from the female that the sex is good."

Chuckling, I asked, "And you're sure about this? We'll be lifemates in my world."

"We're already lifemates in mine."

Growling, my hips picked up their punishing rhythm once more as I bent my head over her shoulder where it met her neck. The scent of caramel filled my nose and my mouth watered.

"Ready?"

"Almost. So close, Caden, so damn close. Faster, please."

Loving when she begged for more, I had no choice but to give her what she was after. I picked up my pace and her breathing became erratic. My body was tightening up. Lower back and stomach screaming for release. Erection burning where it was buried deep inside her. My breathing wasn't any better than Leah's.

She was so close yet that one drop hadn't been added for her to overflow. Reaching between us, I pressed my thumb over that sensitive bundle of nerves, and she screamed, body jerking.

As she bucked against me, nails digging in, I bit her shoulder. The moment her blood hit my tongue, my own orgasm shattered everything. With a wild growl, my body kept pumping even as I emptied out inside her. The thick liquid of her blood slid down my throat as I poured my own thick liquid into her. In that moment, I was nothing but animal. The marking scent roared throughout the room, filling my nose.

Finally, after several minutes, I collapsed on her, only aware enough to lean to the side so as not to crush. The wound in her neck was still bleeding, so leaned forward to lap at the marks. She smiled, eyes closed, and sighed.

"Alright, luv?"

"So alright." She turned on her side so that we were facing each other. "I love you, and I'm sorry that I got mad at you. If you trust their decisions, then I will, too."

"Thank you."

She smiled. "Welcome."

I frowned.

"What?" she asked.

"Your shirt. I actually left it on this time."

Her laugh was deep and beautiful. Reaching down, she tugged it over her head. My mouth watered again as her nipples pearled from the cool air.

Those dark eyes became darker as I growled.

Her voice was deep and sexy as she said, "I think it's my turn to bite you."

And she swung herself over my hips.

JPOV

I felt much better leaving Nessie today than I had the day before. This time, I felt like she understood where I had been coming from, what my whole speech meant. Making her cry and hurting her hadn't been my goal, but I had needed her to understand what exactly she meant to me. And I had meant every word.

"Jake, can I be honest with you?"

I hated those questions. "Sure. What's up?"

Walker sighed, staring into a glass case with Haleigh clinging to his leg, face likewise pressed to the glass. "I'm worried."

"About?"

"Tomorrow. What if something happens? Maybe a few males should stay down as well."

I'd been having the same thoughts. More males than just those few running the patrol line needed to stay down with the women. Adam and Derek would be staying with Sadie and Blake to guard Nessie. With Walker's pack combined with mine, we had a little over one hundred and sixty wolves. Splitting them in half wouldn't be too bad. Eighty wolves on the rez and eighty with us. Not bad.

I nodded. "What were thinking?"

"Half?"

"I think we're on the same brainwave," I said.

He chuckled. "Good. I thought I was going nuts."

"Oooooo," Haleigh murmured.

Walker bent down, knowing this was serious. This was the fifth shop we'd been in but Haleigh hadn't uttered a single approval about anything until now.

"What is it, baby girl?"

She pointed to a ring that was sitting alone. The tag said white gold and black diamonds. It was actually pretty awesome. A long rectangle was cut out of the surface to fit the nine black diamonds.

"You like that one?" he asked her.

She nodded fervently. "It's pretty."

"It sure is. And I think it's perfect."

When the sales guy, John if I remembered correctly, came over, he looked at me. He'd seen me in here before with Alice and Bella. Behind Walker's back, I pointed at the ring and nodded with a wink. He smiled and nodded before walking forward.

"Hello, sir," he said to Walker with a hand held out. "I'm John. How may I help you today?"

Walker shook his hand. "Walker. I'm shopping for my woman. We're getting married tonight and I wanted something special." Petting Haleigh's hair, he looked down at her. "This little one is helping me out and she picked this one."

"Well, I must say, your little girl has good taste."

I expected Walker to correct the man on being Haleigh's father, but he didn't. He just smiled down at her when she grinned up at him.

"That she does. So, talk to me about it."

John went through all the stats, the pro, the cons. And then the price which Walker sort of coughed at.

"Well, that's a bit-"

"We'll take it," I said.

John went to grab the papers.

Walker turned to me. "Jacob, I can't-"

I shook my head. "You can't, not all of it. But Alice handed me the credit card in my name this morning at my place. And if you refuse, you'll have to answer to her. If it'll make you feel better, you can pay me back."

"Sir, if you will fill these out, please."

Walker just looked at me for a moment. And then he looked down at Haleigh whose face radiated joy. No way he could deny her.

And he didn't.

We both had to fill stuff out since it was going on the card.

"Pay in full," I said to John when he took the card.

Not even a blink. He just bowed from the neck. "Of course, Mr. Black."

"Oh and Christa's ring size is a six. I found out from Morgan."

Walker nodded. "Thanks, man. This is...you didn't have to do this."

"Yes, I did. Christa is one of mine, and I wasn't there to protect her when she needed it most. You can pay me back, Walker."

He held his hand out and I took it.

"Very well, gentlemen. It seems as if the only thing left is the sizing."

Walker cleared his throat. "She wears a six."

A grin spread over John's face. "It seems fate is in your favor. This is already sized at a six."

John cleaned the ring and slipped it into a black velvet box. We each shook his hand before walking out. Outside, I picked up Haleigh and watched Walker study the box.

"How does it feel?" I asked with a grin.

"Like it's burning a hole in my pocket without even being in it."

Chuckling, I said, "Oh yeah. Now you know how I felt carting around my mother's ring for Ness. I was praying it fit because of my mother's superstition."

He tucked it into his pocket. "I just hope she likes it."

"Dude, you and Haleigh picked it out. She'll love it. She'll probably kill me if you tell her the price, but she'll love it." I clapped his shoulder. "Come on. Let's get some food. I'm starving."

"Meeeee, too," Haleigh sang out, patting her tummy.

Walker and I chuckled.

"Well, then," I said tapping her nose with my finger, "you ever have pizza?"

Frowning, she shook her head.

I gave Walker a look. "We gotta educate this girl."

"Amen."

"There's a great pizza place about a block away."

An hour later, I was watching as Haleigh inhaled her fifth piece of pizza. Walker and I were just staring at her as sauce smeared all over her face. She giggled and licked her fingers. Luckily, we'd gotten the largest size they had, which was pretty big. Three humans wouldn't have been able to finish it, but three werewolves? Oh yeah. We were licking the plates.

"I like pizza," she said.

"Clearly."

"Alright, baby girl," Walker said. "Let's go get you cleaned up. Christa would kill me if I let out in public like this."

He picked her up and took her to the restroom. The waitress came back with the check and a take-home box only stare with wide eyes at the clean pan.

"Well, I guess you guys were hungry."

She'd been hitting on me the whole time we'd been here even though I knew for a fact she'd seen my wedding band. I tried not to chuckle at how Nessie would react if she were here. Best not to tell her about it.

I patted my stomach and smiled. "Yes, ma'am. It was delicious. Thank you."

She bumped her hip into my arm. "I'll let the chef know."

I nodded and subtly scooted away as Walker and Haleigh came back. Haleigh was skipping, her hair flying out behind her. She hopped up into my arms.

"I'll be sure to bring my wife out here sometime. I'm sure she'd love it," I said as I grinned at Haleigh.

The waitress sort of drooped on herself, but kept her smile. She took the check from my hands. "It's on the house."

"You sure?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Enjoy your day."

"Thank you." Though I suspected her number was on the check.

Digging out my wallet, I handed her a fifty. "Then that's for you. Have a good one."

She waved as we walked out.

"What was that about?" Walker asked taking Haleigh from my arms.

I shrugged. "She was hitting on me. I guess she snapped out of it when I said 'wife'. I bet her number was on that ticket. That's why she took it from me."

"Hey at least she took it well. Most women huff and puff."

"Can we go home now? I wanna see Christa," Haleigh asked just before a big yawn took her voice.

Walker nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I was just thinking the same thing."

Amen. Today, being away from Ness was hard, especially after what had happened yesterday. But I knew she'd want to be with Christa today, so I'd offered to take Walker ring shopping.

We could spend tonight together before I took off with the pack tomorrow.

RPOV

At around two in the afternoon, we all heard car doors slam outside Christa's house. We were in the living room on the couches, laughing at something Cricket had just said when the front door opened and Haleigh came rushing in, a giant grin on her face.

Christa caught her as she leapt into her arms. "I missed you," she said.

"Aw, sweetheart, I missed you, too. Did you have fun?"

Haleigh nodded. "Mhm. I ate pizza! It was messy, too. And the lady really liked Mr. Jacob."

Jacob made a choking sound. Crossing my arms over my stomach, I gave him a look. He shrugged. I laughed and shook my head.

The other girls laughed, too.

"I can see the pizza sauce on you. Was it good?"

Haleigh nodded. "Mhm. It was yummy. We ate it all."

"Good. I'll remember to make you some one night."

Grinning, Haleigh leaned forward to press a wet kiss to Christa's lips and then wriggled out of her grasp. As she ran for her room, she yelled, "We also found a ring!"

Christa shook her head as she gave me a look. I laughed. And then she went after Walker, hands going for his pockets.

"Where is it?" she demanded greedily.

Walker laughed and backed up, agilely avoiding her fingers. "What, are you gonna molest me now? You don't get it until tonight, woman."

She growled playfully and pounced on him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "Fine. Alice is making my dress, so get out."

He gave her a face of shock.

She shrugged. "You can't see it. She's already being nice in letting us see each other. Might not wanna push our luck."

Wrapping his arms around her, he nodded. "Good idea. I like my head attached to my body."

"Me, too," she whispered, going up on her tiptoes to kiss him.

Jacob came up to stand beside me. "Hey," he said softly.

"Hey," I said leaning into him.

He wrapped his arm around me and put the fingers of his free hand under my chin to lift my face. "You can look at me, Ness. Nothing's changed there. You're still my wife, my equal."

"I know."

"Then, look at me."

Swallowing hard, my gaze met his. And I wanted to cry all over again. The fact that I let him down, that I wasn't the alpha female he needed, that I was still acting like the stupid teenage girl when I'd promised not to, killed and shamed me. I hadn't been the mate or the wife he'd needed, the wife I'd vowed to be the day we got married.

Pulling me to him, he took me outside, telling Walker to meet him out there in a few minutes, that he needed a moment with me.

Once we were outside, he turned to me, keeping arms wrapped around me. "Nessie, what's wrong?"

The tears threatened to spill over. Looking away from him, I wiped at my eyes and shook my head.

Reaching up, he moved my hands to replace them with his thumbs to wipe my eyes. "Hey, come on, now. Talk to me. Don't hide it away. We promised. Remember?"

Damn. He was right. We did promise.

But I couldn't look at him as I said, "I just...I feel like I failed you. Like I've broken every promise I ever made to you." Now the tears fell in earnest, even as I still didn't meet his eyes. "H-how can you even stand to look at me?"

His hands tightened on my face, trying to force me to look at him. When I didn't, he moved his face in front of mine.

"Baby, you haven't failed me. Not at all. And you haven't broken promises. Our two main promises were to not lie to each other and to always fight to come back to the other. We've both done that. I look at you because I love you, and because you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. If there's one thing I wish, it would be for you to project to me more often. I love your thoughts, your mind. Nessie, I didn't want you to think that you failed me. Baby, no. That's not what that was about. I just wanted you to understand what I need from you, how much I need you to watch out for yourself, how much I need you. That's all. Our world is changing, and it's understandable that you need to adjust. I'm adjusting, too."

He pulled my into his arms and I buried my face in his chest.

"I just want to be enough for you, to be what you need."

He squeezed me. "You are, baby. You're everything I need. Do you not remember what I told you last night? That your beating heart is what keeps me alive? I meant every word. If I have to, I'll write it down for you. Have it framed. Whatever I need to do to get you to remember."

"I remember," I whispered. "Every word."

"Good." He smiled. "Now, I want my Nessie back. My strong, proud, head held high wife. No more of this not meeting my eyes and being quiet. This is isn't you. My whole point was to get you to trust my decisions, not to change your behavior. I don't want a permanently submissive wife. I want the fire, the passion that I love."

His face was gentle, but the smile was all amusement. He was trying to make me laugh, to make me feel like myself, to joke with me. And it worked. I choked out a laugh while his thumbs still stroked under my eyes.

The Jacob-y grin that I loved so much, that was so rare now days, shined down on me. Warmth flooded me when I saw his eyes. Love engulfed me, wrapped around me, and I felt myself come back to life. My husband didn't see me as a failure. He loved me, and just wanted the best for me, wanted to protect me. No more rash actions for me.

"There she is," he whispered. "There's the woman I married."

Trying to hold back the grin but unable to hold the blush, I said, "Shut up, Jake."

"Never. I'll always tell you what you need to hear."

"Just kiss me."

"I think I can do that."

He did. Those soft lips pressed into mine gently at first. And when I opened to him, he deepened it. Again, that's what I needed. Something in me just let go and I flung my body against his, arms wrapping around his shoulders, fingers in his hair. He picked me up around the waist and swung me around. Breaking the kiss, I leaned my head back and laughed. He pressed a kiss to my throat.

"I love you, Nessie. Always."

Looking down at him, I stroked his strong cheekbones.

"I love you, my alpha male."

ChristaPOV

Hours later, I was standing outside of Carlisle's study in a simple white sundress. The straps spread over my shoulder. The bust was corset-like with the skirt flowing out to my knees. Alice had twirled my curls through her fingers, adding flowers here and there, and it flowed down my back to my waist. I was scrubbed clean, skin smooth.

Air was getting hard to come by as Alice worked on my make-up.

"Hey, Alice," I said through barely opened lips.

"Yes?"

"Could you ask Jake to come out here, please?"

"Sure."

Jacob was my pack leader, the one to run my dad off, and the one who had been there for my first phase. If anyone was going to hand me off to another alpha male, I wanted it to be my first pack leader. Alice poked her head inside the room for just a second before she came back.

Two seconds later, Jacob stepped out. He looked good in his black slacks and dark grey button down. His smile was bright and shiny.

"Hey! You look beautiful."

A blush crept up my neck. "Thank you."

"What's up? Your man's getting a little anxious. Second thoughts?"

My heart fluttered that Walker was feeling the same way I did. "No, not at all," I rushed out. "I just thought that maybe you could walk me in. Walking alone seems a little...sad."

His features softened. "I would love to." He offered me his arm. "Shall we?"

Slipping my hand through his elbow, I smiled at him and gripped the bouquet of dark red roses. "I'm ready."

Alice grinned and opened the door with a flourish.

Jacob and I exchanged a look and smile before he led me into the room. My eyes didn't want to land on Walker just yet so I looked around. Caden and Leah were in a corner, smiling at me. Nessie was standing beside my empty spot. She was pretty in a dark grey spaghetti strap to match Jacob's shirt. Morgan was standing beside her in a crimson number that she looked vaguely uncomfortable in with Lucas beside her. Carlisle was standing behind the desk, and the rest of the Cullens were spread throughout the room. Shelby, Seth, and Brayden stood next to Caden and Leah. Tricia and Embry were next Walker.

Finally, since I was almost in front of them, I looked at Walker. His dress shirt was white and crisp as were his slacks. The white made his skin darker than it really was. The shirt was open around his throat, allowing me to see it as it worked through swallowing hard. Gaze moving up to his eyes, I teared up just as he was clearly doing. He cleared his throat.

Wrapped around his leg was Haleigh. Her hair was partially pulled back with a white bow. Her dress was light pink with dark purple accents. Even the doll clutched to her chest had been cleaned up and had a matching outfit.

In a moment, I was standing in front of him. Walker held out his hand and Jacob placed mine in it before moving off to stand with his own wife.

"God, you look beautiful," Walker choked out, fingers squeezing mine.

"Shall we begin?" Carlisle asked gently.

"Absolutely," Walker and I said at the same time.

The room chuckled.

And so he began. Walker and I had picked the traditional vows of repeating after Carlisle. The entire time, Walker held my hand. Haleigh had moved to stand between us, one arm wrapped around my leg, the other around Walker's.

"And now, Mr. Johnson, you may present your bride with her ring."

Walker took a deep breath and anxiously dug into his pocket to pull out the little black box. With trembling fingers, he opened the lid and my breath caught. The most beautiful piece of jewelry I'd ever seen was nestled inside. A white gold band with black diamonds set into it.

I gasped as Walker took it out, took my hand in his, and slipped it onto my finger. It was a perfect fit.

"It's gorgeous," I breathed.

"As are you," he whispered back.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. Walker, you may now kiss your bride."

Grinning, Walker swept me into his arms, tilting me over, and claimed my lips. The kiss was everything I'd dreamed it would be. I was kissing my husband!

The room cheered and threw confetti on us. I could hear Haleigh giggling. Tilting me back up, Walker bent down and scooped her up into his arms.

"Walker, Christa, if you wish, you may now also sign the adoption papers."

Haleigh was being held between us, an arm each wrapped around our necks.

"Is this what you want, Haleigh?" Walker asked.

Rubbing her cheek against his, she nodded. "Yes."

Carlisle handed the pen to me first. I signed my name, my new name since Walker and I had signed the marriage license earlier in the day. I was now a Johnson.

Walker signed his name afterward.

Carlisle took the paper and grinned. "Well, I now pronounce all of you the Johnson family."

Tricia squealed from beside us and ran over to us. "Oh my gosh, I'm so happy. So excited." She was crying as she flung herself on us.

Walker handed Haleigh over to me so he could hug her. "Just remember not to tell Mom and Dad yet."

She chuckled. "Yeah I know."

One by one, everyone in the room came to congratulate us and play with Haleigh. She skipped around the room, hugging and kissing people, dancing around in her dress. Esme handed out champagne in flutes.

Walker and I shared our drinks, laughing as we wrapped our arms together.

"I love the ring, Walker. It's beautiful," I said while everybody was talking amongst themselves.

He looked relieved. "Good. Haleigh actually picked it out. She found it first."

I looked down at her. "Really?"

She nodded shyly into Walker's leg.

I knelt down in front of her. "I love it, Haleigh. You did a very good job."

Grinning, she flung herself into my arms. "I love you."

Tears threatened me once more. "I love you, too, sweetheart."

"Are we a family now?"

Walker knelt down on the other side of her. "It's official. You can't get rid of us now."

She grinned again. "Yay!"

"There's food downstairs," Esme said. "Why don't we let the new family have a moment."

Those were the magic words. Everyone started for the door. Except Caden. He'd been on his way out before he'd looked up at a portrait next to the study's door. His body had gone rigid as he stared at it. After a couple minutes, Leah managed to pull him out even though he remained rigid. Something about the painting had upset him, but what?

"Christa?" Walker's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Everything good?"

Playing with my wedding band, I nodded and smiled.

"Yeah. Everything's fine. I'm finally with my family."

"Family," he repeated with a nod.

"Family," Haleigh echoed with a finality that rang with truth.

Finally, I had a family of my own. A husband and a little girl that he and I were going to raise together.

Everything was fine. For tonight.

Totally loved this chapter. Especially Ness and Jake. But what did we think about Caden and Leah? Hmmm? Anywhozzle, please review! They make me happy and help keep the story going. Love all of you. And I hope that any of you who celebrate Thanksgiving had a good one! xoxoxoxoxo