*A huge thank you to all who have read the story so far! I have quite a few chapters thought up for this story so frequent updates will be happening! Things from this chapter and forward will continue to heat up with our favorite Alpha and the OC! Enjoy! *

Ch. 3

Jess POV

We spent the next couple of days preparing to pull this off. Jeremy and I had gone to pick out our rings and Antonio and Nick took me to find a dress. I picked out my dream dress that I always wanted. It was a long, lace sleeved beautiful dress. While picking out rings with Jeremy, he came up with the idea of me picking his and him picking mine. When I picked his ring out, the jeweler was starting to raise a brow with us. To keep the guy from getting any more suspicious, Jeremy put his arm around me and kissed the top of my head.

"I love it, baby. We'll take it." Jeremy said.

The jeweler's suspicions went away after that. Looks like Jeremy has this acting thing down to a tee. I could help but feel a little flutter of joy when he did that. We headed home after that. After arriving back at Stonehaven, Antonio filled us in on the plan tomorrow. Antonio was able to talk the judge into coming up to Stonehaven to marry Jeremy and I, then after Nick was going to take some pictures of us so we could use them if anyone would ask about them. At dinner, Antonio cracked open a bottle of wine for the four of us to drink with our supper. After dinner was finished, Antonio and Nick left to go pick up Pete. I've known Pete for many, many years. Pete would come out in the summers when we were younger and work for my dad on the ranch. Pete was the same age as my oldest brother, Michael. They had been best friends for many years. I went out to throw a bit of hay to my two horses, Movin and Epic. I sat in one of the patio chairs and watched them, listening to them munching on their hay. I heard the door click and turned to see Jeremy coming out to the patio with a couple glasses and the bottle of fine whiskey he enjoyed.

"I hope I'm not intruding but I thought coming out and having a drink with you on this beautiful night would be good." Said Jeremy.

I smiled at him and watched him pour a good shot of whiskey in each glass. Jeremy held out the glass to me and I took it from him. He sat in the chair on the other side of the small table and took a swig of his whiskey. I took a sip myself.

"Isn't it crazy? Just how quickly life can change in a moment." I said.

"Most definitely. Are you sure about doing this plan? I don't want you to think you're being forced to do it." Said Jeremy, concerned.

I looked over at him and smiled. "I wouldn't do it if it wasn't for my own good. I'd rather have the protection over risking having no protection. Plus, I don't think it would be all that bad being married to the Alpha." I chuckled.

Jeremy chuckled too. "Seems like those two are enjoying it here. It's kind of a nice change of scenery around here."

"I could take you out for a ride sometime. I took a short ride the other morning and you seem to have a lot of area to ride." I told him.

"I'd love that." Smiled Jeremy, as he took another drink.

Jeremy POV

After she finished her drink, she went inside for the night. I stayed out on the patio and had another drink. Antonio and Nick had just arrived back with Pete. Pete had come to the patio to greet me.

"Hey Jer, congrats on getting "married" tomorrow!" said Pete as he shook my shoulder. "Antonio and Nick filled me in on the situation."

"Thank you, Pete." I said as I took another swig of my whiskey.

"What's wrong, Jer? Is it bothering you?" asked Pete.

I paused for a while. Pete was always a trusted member of the pack and I could always trust him with any issue there may be.

"It's because she's my mate, Pete. I hate making it seem like I'm only acting in love with her when we would be in public rather than showing it no matter where we would be. I don't want to scare her or make her feel like I'm forcing her into something. Antonio says it could take time but what if she doesn't ever reciprocate the same feelings? From the moment she stepped foot here at Stonehaven, I've known. I've known that she is my mate. I felt a jolt in my chest and her scent was like no other to me when she stepped out of that truck that night. The wolf in me wants her like no other." I told Pete, rubbing my temples.

"I can see it, Jer. Just by how you're acting." Said Pete, pouring himself some of the whiskey. "I've known Jess since she was little. I was best friends with her oldest brother, Michael. After I heard the events of what happened to Martin and what Jacob was doing, I worried about her. She's like my little sister. There's no other man I would like to be part of her life than you, Jer. She's a tough one that's for sure. She's had a tough but fulfilling life and she's one of the kindest people in the world." Pete threw back his whiskey.

Hearing the words Pete had to say helped with the worry of one day being able to truly act as her mate. Pete had gone back inside and everyone else had went to bed. Taking one last look at the two horses, I finished off the last of my own whiskey and went in for the night. As I passed her door, I had to stop and make sure she was not having a repeat of that same night. This had become a habit now. After I was sure she was asleep and not in distress, I headed to my own room. I dropped my clothes at the end of my bed and crawled under my covers. The cool sheets felt great on my naked flesh. With little to no effort, I fell asleep.

Suddenly, I heard my door open and heard her speak my name. I jolted up.

"Jeremy, something's not right outside. I smell him." Jess said shakily. "I know that scent and I know it's him."

A low growl rumbled in my chest. How dare he show up on my territory? Good thing her sense of smell was incredible. I jumped out of bed and threw on a pair of sweatpants and my shoes. Following her down the stairs, I could smell him. He was close. Too close. I felt a presence in my house that was not welcomed. I grabbed Jess and pulled her back to me. She had let out a small yip as she was not expecting me to do that.

"Jeremy what are you-." She began but I threw a hand over her mouth.

"Shhhhh…He's in the house. I need you to stay close." I whispered lowly in her ear. I let her go but kept ahold of her arm and pulled her behind me. The full moon was tonight and it had illuminated the rooms decently. I stopped in the study. His scent was strongest here.

Without warning, a figure jumped out at us. Releasing my grip on her arm, I reached out and grabbed the intruder in my home. Throwing him back from Jess and I, I seen his face. It was none other than Jacob. Anger pulsed in my veins. He had the guts to show up and attack me in my own house. The look on his face was unforgettable. He looked over me at her. You could see the look of murder and rage on his face. He, truly, wanted to kill her. And I was not about to let him. Not her. Not my mate.

"What are you doing in my house, Jacob?" I growled at him.

"You know why I'm here, Jeremy. All I want is her. No one else. Now hand her over…. Alpha." spat Jacob.

"Jess, wake the others. Go!" I yelled out at Jess. She darted up the stairs.

As she went to dart up the stairs, Jacob lunged at me. I grabbed him by the neck and slammed him to the ground. He struggled but he was no match for me, especially after the fact that he threatened my mate.

"You dare come into my home and threaten me, my family, and my mate?! You dare attack me on my territory!" I yelled at him darkly. I heard Jess, Antonio, Nick, and Pete behind me. Jacob began to laugh.

"You think that her being your mate would stop me from killing her? You thought wrong, Alpha. I'll kill her whether she's yours or not!" Jacob spat at me. My grip around his throat tightened. I pulled him off the floor and slammed him into the wall in the study. His look went from smiling to a face of fear.

"You made a huge mistake coming here. Your last is threatening her. No one…ever...threatens…my mate." I spoke loudly to him. With that, I snapped his neck and dropped him to the floor. I turned back and looked back at the others. All with looks of shock, especially Jess.

"Antonio, Nick, Pete. Dispose of him." I told the three. "Jess, come with me." I motioned for her to come upstairs with me. I brought her to my room.

"I didn't think you were going to kill him, Jeremy." Said Jess. "I thought you were just going to drive him away. Did you mean what you said to him? That I was your mate?"

I stayed silent for a second and drew a long breath.

"Yes. You are my mate. He made the fatal mistake of coming here and threatening you. It was my final straw. No one threatens you and gets away with it." I told her. She was pondering the words in her head. She sat on the end of my bed. I moved towards her. She looked scared but not fearful of me. I hoped she did become afraid of me after seeing my kill her brother like that. I cupped under her chin to look up at me.

"I did not want you to know how I felt so soon. Especially with the plan in place. But I couldn't help myself in the moment. I've known it since the moment you arrived here. When I embraced you that night, a jolt went through my chest and your scent was like no other to me. I didn't realize it at the time, but Antonio mentioned to me that we could be mates, knowing I felt that. I didn't believe it until the night that you were having nightmares and I spent the night comforting you. After that, I knew it was true. When you said yes to the plan, I was so thrilled. Even if we wouldn't act on the marriage in the beginning, I was more than fine with the fact of waiting and building up to it eventually. If anything would happen to you, I'd never forgive myself. I need you. I want you, Jess." I told her, looking her in the eyes. I could see a look of realization in them.

"That would explain that same jolt in my chest I felt that night. I had my suspicion but never wanted to ask you about it. I thought would think I was insane." She said looking at her feet. I stroked her cheek.

"I don't want you to feel rushed by this. This is not to pressure you into anything, Jess. I just want you to know how I feel." I said. With that, she stood up and brought her hands up my chest to either side of my face. I looked down at her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. The top of her head just came up to my eyes. Her eyes were the most exotic blue green. Her lips full. Her brown hair swept in her face.

"You have never rushed me, Jer. I have the exact feelings as you do. I don't want us to fully rush into everything right away, but I want you to know this. I am yours." She spoke softly to me. I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers and she returned the kiss. I deepened the kiss, picking her up and gently laying her on the bed. Without laying my weight on her, I continued to kiss her passionately. After a short time, I moved to her neck. Leaving gentle kisses down it. I moved back to kiss her lips and pulled back to look down at her.

"Is this okay?" I asked her. She nodded. I nuzzled her face. I needed this. "I don't want to take it further, at least for tonight. Only when you are ready, Jess."

"Can I stay with you tonight, Jeremy?" She asked.

"You are welcome to stay with me whenever you want to." I smiled at her, placing a short kiss on her forehead. We moved to crawl under the covers and I pulled her in my arms.

"Jeremy." She spoke.

"Yes, love?" I replied.

"I want you to know this. I'm a virgin. I've kissed others before but never had sex. I've always wanted to save myself for someone special." Jess whispered to me. I kissed her forehead.

"Only when you are ready, my love." I kissed the top of her head. She drifted off to sleep in my arms. I followed shortly.

Jess POV

A loud knock sounded at the door and the door suddenly opened. I jumped. Probably would have fallen out of the bed too if it wasn't for Jeremy's grip on me. It was Antonio.

"Time to wake up you two! Breakfast is almost ready. Jess, you better get up before Peter eats all the bacon on you." Winked Antonio. "Looks like you two had a good night after the incident" he chuckled.

"Tonio, get out." Laughed Jeremy, pulling me in a little closer. Antonio left chuckling to himself.

"I suppose it's time to get out of bed." Said Jeremy.

"For sure because if Pete eats all the bacon on me, I won't be impressed this morning." I retorted. Jeremy's face lit up with a smile. Before leaving his room to go change in my room, Jeremy pulled me back into him and kissed me passionately.

"Also, happy wedding day, love." Jeremy smiled against my lips. I kissed him back and went to change.

I went downstairs before Jeremy. Pete and Nick were sitting in their spots at the table. Antonio was just finishing up the last of the French toast. Nick and Pete smirked at me.

"Sooooooo, how was your night?" grinned Nick.

"We did not do the thing, if that's what you're asking Nicolas." I raised my eyebrows, smiling at him.

"Oh Nick, leave her be! Can't you see her cheeks blushing over there." Poked Pete.

"Of course, I spend one night in the same bed as Jeremy and now I'm catching all the shit from you two." I said.

Jeremy came down and sat in his usual spot. He looked over at the other two.

"Of course, you two must pick on the poor thing. If she fights back, I'm not saving either of you from her." Said Jeremy. I looked at the other two and gave them the little attitude face.

"I bite back too, boys." I said taunting them. We all laughed.

After breakfast, it was time to get ready for the judge to come to Stonehaven. Nick and Pete helped me get ready. I kept my hair simply down and straight. Nothing fancy. I put on my mother's necklace that she had given me. It was the same one she had worn on her wedding day. I came out of my room. Pete and Nick were speechless.

"Well, how do I look?" I asked.

"Jess, you look absolutely stunning." Said Pete, hugging me.

"Smile!" said Nick as he took a photo of me in the doorway. He was having so much fun getting to play photographer today.

Both boys helped me downstairs and out to the patio. Jeremy had chosen the spot to be the willow tree on the other side of the house. He was waiting with the judge and Antonio. When he seen me, I swore I could've seen him shed a tear. Antonio was beaming. Even the judge looked super happy even though he wasn't a big fan of Jeremy.

When I got to Jeremy, he took my hand.

"You look absolutely stunning, Love." He whispered.

The judge went through the entire ritual, had us exchange rings, and finally told Jeremy he may kiss his bride. We shared a quick kiss. Afterwards, we thanked the judge and sent him on his way. After he was off the property, we went up to the house again.

Nick made us take many pictures. We let him have fun with it. It's not often something like this happens. After Nick had his fun taking pictures, we all went to change into more comfortable clothes. We sat in the study and had drinks to celebrate. Jeremy sat beside me on the couch. Pete sat on the other side of me. Nick and Antonio sat in the chairs across from us.

"To Jeremy and Jess! Even if this was not an entirely planned thing, I hope that life treats you both well! To mates! To freedom! And most of all, welcome to the family, Jess." Antonio said, raising his glass. We all did the same. Jeremy put his arm around me and we all shared different stories and laughs.

"I'm forever thankful to be here with the pack. Just a couple weeks ago, I had been run ragged and felt like I had no hope of surviving that ordeal with Jacob. I don't think I even remember most of the drive from Tucson to here. I'm still in disbelief that I had made that drive straight through with no sleep and only stopping long enough for fuel. Being surrounded by a loving pack has helped me so much. I miss my family in South Dakota, but I'm glad to be here in New York with my newfound family. Thank you, guys, for taking me in when I was in the darkest time of my life." I told them.

I felt Jeremy give my shoulder a squeeze.

"I also have some other news for you guys. I just accepted a full-time position as an RN and as a medic at the North Region Memorial Hospital here in Bear Valley! I'm excited to finally get back to a sense of normal again." I said.

"That's amazing, love." Said Jeremy, leaning over and kissing my head.

"Why do picture you being nurse badass over there?" Smirked Nick. Everyone laughed at that.

After everyone finished their drinks, Antonio ushered the two boys out, leaving Jeremy and I alone. Jeremy spoke first.

"Clay knows about this and about you. I figured you would like to know. I know my son can be a handful at times." He said.

"Is Clay actually your son? I've seen pictures of him and he looks to be my age and I'm twenty-six. Speaking of age, how old are you, Jer?" I asked Jeremy. Jeremy chuckled.

"Clay is my adopted son. I brought him here when he was eight. When I found him, he was just a wild little boy in the swamps of Louisiana, now he has a PhD in Anthropology. He's twenty-five now. As for me, I'm forty-five." He said.

"Can I stay the night with you again, Jer?" I asked, looking up at him. He leaned down and gave me a slow kiss.

"You can always stay the night with me." He smiled.

With that, Jeremy grabbed my hand and led me to his bedroom. We both crawled into bed and fell asleep in each other's arms. Everything in the world was just right again.