The Omega's Mate?

Chapter 48: August's POV*

I had told Zandre about my confrontation with a Dominant wolf while I waited for Raven to come out of the sex shop. He was elated to hear that even during my heat, I could still take down a Dominant wolf with the defense moves he had taught me. He also said he would begin teaching me how to defend myself in my wolf form once our mating ceremony was over and done with.

My mom led me into her master bathroom, Luna Graciella, Ella, Raven, Malikai, and Onyx were inside of the room.

It was still kind of awkward with Onyx around, not only because she had slept with Alexandre when they were together but also because her and Alexandre's relationship ended. She was still as sweet as could be, but her not telling Alexandre about her finding her mate for weeks just didn't sit right. He had said to me that they were spotty after our last scenario that ended up with me having to wear the 'collar of shame.' Alexandre explained everything happened the way it was supposed to, he was just happy that he had his mate in his arms.

I was pulled from my thoughts when the bath had started, my mom told me to get undressed. Once I was undressed, my mother and Graciella added carnations and roses into the tub, symbolizing love's blossoming. Malikai poured the goat's milk in, symbolizing fertility and nurturing. Onyx added the Epsom salt, waving away any bad energy. Then Both Raven and Ella added rose cologne and lavender; the rose cologne was meant for romance, the lavender was to soothe my anxiety.

Once the ingredients were added, they said a prayer to the goddess to bless the bath. They helped me into the tub, and they each began to wash my body. The cleansing bath was meant to clean me for our ceremony, where we would officially present our love to the goddess for her blessing.

---

It was later in the evening, close to sunset, when our mating ceremony began. Lanterns hung from the trees, and tealights lit the path to the opening where our service was to occur. My dad was holding on to me before he walked me down the aisle. My mom had done the same as they dressed me in my suit. Right now was the only time I had alone with my dad, and much like me, he was nervous.

"I can't believe all of these years passed by." He said into my hair, squeezing me tighter. "I thought your mother and I had just a little more time with you before turning 18." He chuckled. "We were planning on going on vacation next month to spend our last month with you before you turned 18, and your wolf could sense your mate. Here we are two months shy of turning 18, and you're already mated and having a ceremony." He choked out. "You grew up too fast, kiddo."

"Nah, you guys just got old too fast." I tried lightening the mood, it didn't stop from tears forming in my eyes.

"Wow, way to kick a man while he's down Aug." He pulled away from me. "Just to let you know, if anything, and I mean anything happens, you're always allowed to come back home."

"Dad, shut up, you know he'll treat me right." I rolled my eyes, playfully shoving him away.

"I just wanted to let you know, I may serve my Alpha, but I'll always side with my son first." He rubbed my head, messing my hair up.

"Dad, seriously, they took forever to get me ready," I whined, trying to fix my hair, combing my fingers through my locks.

"On a serious note though kiddo," He pulled me into his embrace once again. "I wanted to let you know how proud I am of you. You've done so much, and changed so much within the last year, you're not my little Aug anymore, you're a strong, intelligent, and loving person. You're just an amazing kid, you'll always be my number one." I squeezed my dad, tears ready to spill. "Until you give me grandpups, though, then you'll be a close number two." I pushed him away, chuckling, flicking the tears that fell from my eyes with my index finger.