Free Chained To The Alpha: A Paranormal Shifter Romance Standalone by JJ Jones Page B

hadn’t lived together before. This was a change in my life, something that would affect the rest of my life. It was perfectly natural for me to feel nervous about it. All of the ladies went to work, helping me with my dress and my hair. They put make up on me but it didn’t feel right. I wasn’t comfortable.
    We had picked up some human customs over the last few years and our ceremonies had become more and more like theirs. In a sense I was getting married in less than fifteen minutes, but this was a bit different. He was going to be my mate. I fought to get myself in control and I reached out to him. He was going through the exact same thing. This was permanent, and as a result, was meant to be frightening. We mate for life; living together and raising a family, growing old and helping his pack accomplish its goals.
    I tried to remember what they would expect from me. I was going to be a defender, a supporter, a lover and a friend and he was expected to fulfill the same things. We would live through illness and attacks. We would have adventures together and because of the spell, we would die together. It was the way that we were expected to live.
    I took a deep breath and walked out to the man that would become my mate. We met each other in the small park, and I looked at him. He was dressed to the nines, a handsome man and a part of me wanted to faint at the sight of him. He was magnificent looking and the way that he was staring at me, I could tell that he was impressed.
    Obviously, the other women had done pretty well. The ceremony was beautiful, but a little too long for my taste. I just wanted it to be over. When it was over, that was it. We were mated. We had no reception. I saw no need. The next day there would be a party at the tribe where people could celebrate an Alpha’s mating, but our first night would be ours and ours alone.
    We finished the beautiful ceremony and walked slowly to his car. I was trembling. I remember that much. When we arrived at his place our trembling had increased to shaking. I felt like it was my first time. He took me by the hand and led me into the house, my new home.
    “No pressure.” He whispered the words. “Whenever you’re ready.” He didn’t push me, he didn’t pressure me and I felt the urge to hyperventilate again.
    “Why does this feel so different?” I asked the question, not really understanding the question, much less the answer.
    “I don’t know, but it feels different,” he agreed with me.
    I looked at him, his eyes were wide, he was taking in the sight of me, breathing deeply like it was overwhelming him as well. I couldn’t tell you how he was feeling at that moment, but I can say that it made me feel a little better to see him just as uncomfortable as I was there.
    “Sacred, almost,” I explained
    “Exactly.” He nodded. I leaned closer, my lips brushing his cheek. “What was that for?”
    “Just because I love you,” I whispered in his ear and he held me close.
    “I love you too.” He told me the truth.
    I knew it was the truth because I had seen his heroism. He loved me in a way that I would never truly be able to explain; in a way that only one person could love another. He wanted to keep me close, he would give his life for me and I would give my life for him. We’ve already proven that. Our relationship felt destined somehow, but I hesitate to actually call it that. Fate cannot be changed, cannot be improved or destroyed.
    We ended up in bed later that night and it was one of the most exquisite nights in existence. We belonged in each other’s arms and we belonged together. He held me as we mated, officially, for the first time. He held my body while I writhed in pleasure underneath him, twisting and turning and clawing at his back. He touched me in intimate places, running his fingers up and down my body. The fingers felt like a thousand dancing feet on my skin.
    I loved to feel him, embracing me, hot arms wrapping around me. I needed him