Page 83 of Plus-Size Sold Mate
“I mean it,” he adds, dipping down to brush his nose against mine with a dazed expression, “I love you, Sera.”
Emotions heightened, I let go of a shaky breath, and my arms wrap around him fully.
“I love you, too,” I whisper back, trying to wrap my head around it.
Leaning up, I catch his lips with mine, and I feel how he relaxes against me, like he finally got it off his chest. He returns the kiss, keeping it slow and deep.
All the while, the afterglow feels even sweeter beneath the trees, and regardless of everything we endured, I know I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
Chapter 30 - Luke
The waves are calm today as the tide stretches away from the shore while the sun breaks through the clouds on its way to disappearing for the night. The usual sea birds fly overhead in greeting, drifting along the breeze carrying the very scents I grew up with. Now, my daughter will too.
In my arms, she seems so impossibly small, yet fearsome in the way she squirms, as if she’s already counting down the days until she can wreak havoc on the rest of us.
Before, I thought I understood true strength and what it meant to protect something precious. I didn’t until the day she was born.
Her fingers curl around mine, small yet determined as she peers up at me with all the trust in the world. Even if she doesn’t understand pack dynamics or exactly who I am yet, she looks at me like I’m someone important, as if she already knows me.
The blessing ceremony is small and intimate along the shoreline at dusk. Streaks of pink and orange meld together across the sky as if the Salt Mother herself is here to welcome our girl, too.
Our tradition has stood the test of time. When new life arrives, they are presented to the sea in thanks. A blessing for a blessing, as we see it.
Sera stands beside me, gazing at our daughter in awe, wearing a soft white dress to match the cloth wrapped around the little one. As the wind lightly pulls at her hair, she looks more beautiful than I could ever describe.
I stand close enough that our arms brush while Elder Jonah and the others begin to speak, with some waving their incense.
The rest of the pack forms a semi-circle around us, all trying to get a better look at the baby while still keeping their distance. Some aren’t quite as eager, given how they’re still working through their old prejudices, but the fact that they’re here means they’re trying, and that counts for something.
Even if a handful of others aren’t sure what to make of having a witch so closely tied to our pack, they still look at her with respect anyway. They know now that I chose her for a reason, and that Sera was brought into my life not by chance.
Isaac and Eve stand the closest to us, watching with warm, gleeful expressions. Neither of them has gone a day without coming to see her, and of course, they don’t waste any time spoiling their first-ever niece.
“As Alpha, please step forward and present your daughter to the sea so our Salt Mother may gaze freely,” Jonah says, gesturing to me.
With my chin up, I step forward until the shallow waves lap against my feet, and I carefully raise the baby up while the last rays of sunlight illuminate her soft skin.
“Who are you presenting on this day?”
A new, more tender emotion courses through me as I hold her in my protective grasp. “Fern Rourke.”
Instantly, a soft, positive murmur passes through the crowd behind me as I turn slowly to show the others her face next.
“Fern Rourke, born of strength, resilience, and unity,” Jonah continues, voice unwavering despite his age. “Has beenwitnessed by our Mother. May she always feel her guiding hand.”
The others clap softly as they smile, taking the time to look at her while they can. Eve beams, unable to contain herself, and I catch as the guys grin too. Even they can’t resist.
Carefully, I cradle Fern again, moving back to Sera, who gladly takes her now.
“Our little darling,” she says softly, eyes damp with happiness as she smiles.
“She will always have a place here,” I murmur, gently placing my hands on her shoulders before pressing a kiss to the top of her head. I say quietly just for her, “She will always be wanted.”
As the gentle congratulations are handed out, and the others tend to a bonfire on the beach in celebration, my father approaches the three of us.
Even after the fight with Dawson, he hasn’t said much, and he hasn’t needed to. Though it seems today is a bit different.
His gaze drifts to Fern as Sera gently rocks her, then he looks at me. “She has your eyes.”
