Even though the mate ceremony started this afternoon, there was still plenty of work waiting for Cortez in his office, just like every morning. He didn't used to mind it until Sophie began sleeping in his bed and he had to leave her every morning. He usually tried not to wake her up when he did leave but he quickly found out that she was a light sleeper so it was difficult.
It was extra difficult this morning since Cortez had planned a special surprise for her that required her to be asleep while he was up. He was able to break away from Sophie enough to reach for his nightstand. Carefully, Cortez pulled the drawer open, dug around for a small box, and then push it shut. Sophie shifted from Cortez's slightest movements, which made him freeze in place.
When Sophie was silent and still again, Cortez reached for her hand that was extended across the blankets in front of her. He had to quickly remember which hand was her left one but since she had her back to him, it wasn't that difficult because it was the same left as his. Slowly and gently, Cortez coached the diamond ring onto her ring finger.
Luckily, when he asked, the man at the jewelry store had told him it was meant to sit on her ring finger on her left hand. Otherwise, Cortez would've never had known. Wolves didn't buy their mates wedding rings so it wasn't like there was anyone in his pack that would know, not even his father. They definitely sounded daft asking the man how Sophie should wear the ring.
Cortez stared at Sophie's hand for a moment and smiled to himself. Her fingers were long and skinny, skin pale but pinkish around the joints and creases in her hand. The diamond shone in the sunlight pouring in from the window behind them and accentuated it's beauty. It looked really nice on her finger but Cortez wondered if it was too small. He tried to buy a good one that was just bigger than the average ring.
Unfortunately, when Cortez placed a kiss on her knuckles, Sophie began to stir again. And this time, she woke up. Turning in Cortez's arms, Sophie snuggled against his chest with her eyes still closed but a content smile on her face.
"You're still here." Sophie moaned.
Cortez held her hand in his to hopefully hide the ring. "I was just getting up. I didn't mean to wake you. You can go back to sleep."
Sophie shook her head. "The ceremony is today. I should get up and prepare, right?"
"No, you don't have to. My mother should be on her way by now. She'll take care of everything."
Sophie pried her eyes open, her eyelashes fluttering as she looked at Cortez. He loved how soft her green eyes were, especially in the morning sun and a sleepy glow around her. "I don't want her to take care of everything." Sophie continued talking through her yawn. "It's our ceremony after all, right?"
Cortez chuckled and brushed her hair behind her ear as he admired her. She looked so innocent and pure in the morning. "I still have to work this morning."
"Of course, you do." Sophie muttered.
Sophie pushed herself up and stretched out her arms above her head, Cortez's eyes following her hand as he stared at the ring as if it would fall off any second. It did fit her so it shouldn't but Cortez still worried. It would be a horrible way for her to discover it because it fell on the floor as she was walking or something. Sophie didn't notice the ring yet but she did notice Cortez was still in bed, which was an odd sight to see in the morning.
"Aren't you getting up?" Sophie asked as she dropped her arms.
Cortez perked up at her reminder and hurried out of bed. Sophie admired him as he walked off, rolling his broad shoulders back and stretching out his arms. She was happy to wake up with him this morning, despite the anxiety hiding within and ready to spring. Today was the day of their mate ceremony, of course, she was more anxious than she'd ever been.
It was basically her wedding day. She was just as cripplingly anxious as she was excited out of her mind.
Sophie threw the blankets off her and excitedly skipped across the room to get to their bathroom. She stepped beside Cortez, who was already brushing his teeth, and was quick to catch up with him. Cortez stared down at his little mate as she vigorously brushed her teeth, making sure to hit every single tooth, nook, and cranny in her mouth. She could see Cortez staring in the mirror and peeked up at him with a noticeable smile.
After spitting in the sink, Sophie wiped the corners of her mouth. "I'm excited to get married to you today."
Cortez tilted his head with a curious jolt of his eyebrows. He continued brushing for a moment before spitting as well. "You're not scared?"
As Sophie spoke, she began gliding her hands up Cortez's chest. "I'm not scared one bit. I don't have to worry about you eventually cheating on me or ever wanting a divorce or something because we're mates. I know we're not getting actually married because everything is different around here but I think this is better than..."
When her hands were finally in her peripheral vision, she spotted something shiny that shut her up. Sophie's eyes dropped from Cortez's and found the diamond ring shining brightly on her ring finger. Her jaw instantly dropped and her eyes widened and pricked with hot tears.
There was an engagement ring on her finger.
The look on her face instantly made a smile spread across Cortez's face. "Do you like it?" He asked, grabbing her other hand and placing a kiss on her knuckles.
Sophie couldn't stop staring at it. "This is for me?"
"Yes, Gorgeous. That's why it's on your finger." Cortez chuckled.
"When did you get it?"
"I went with my father and Miguel while you were shopping with my mother."
A tear rolled down Sophie's cheek but she was quick to wipe it away, pulling her hand off Cortez's chest and looking closely at the ring. Cortez pulled Sophie against him and planted a million kisses on the top of her head as she stared at the ring on her finger. Part of him worried that she hated it. Was she crying from joy or out of fear?
"Do you like it, baby?" Cortez murmured against her hair.
"Yes. Of course." Sophie sniffled, her voice soft and weak. But then she began shaking her head. "You really didn't have to, Cortez. When I asked, I wasn't trying to hint at you to.."
Cortez cut her off. "I know, I know. But this is part of human culture, right? Just because you're a wolf now, doesn't mean you have to abandon all your past dreams. You dreamt of a wedding ring so I got you a wedding ring."
"Well, technically, this would be considered an engagement ring.." Sophie mindlessly corrected as she stared at the diamond.
Cortez broke away from Sophie with a groan. "Shit! Did I get you the wrong one? The guy at the store said this was a good one!"
Sophie looked up at Cortez, noticed the anger in his voice and written all over his face, and happily smiled. She cupped his face in her hands and shook her head. "No, baby, this is the right one. This is perfect. I really, really love it."
Cortez continued to frown. He wasn't convinced. "I can try to return it and get a wedding ring."
Sophie chuckled and pulled him closer. "I'm telling you, baby, this is right. It's an engagement ring. I was talking about a wedding band that you get during the ceremony. But we're not marriage yet, or will ever be, so this is right. You got the right one."
"What the fuck is a wedding band?" Cortez huffed with annoyance, his eyebrows pulled together in the middle.
Sophie chuckled and brought him closer while propping herself up on her toes to meet him halfway. She only let their lips brush for a fleeting moment. "It's nothing. It's not important. This and you are all I need."
Sophie locked her lips with Cortez and didn't wait to slip her tongue between his lips. She could taste the toothpaste on his tongue just like he could on hers. Cortez gave into the kiss immediately, snaking his arms around Sophie's middle and pulling her flush against him. The kiss was slow but just deep and intense enough to turn Cortez on.
A moan erupted from Cortez's chest as he tried to take control, although, Sophie wasn't planning on giving up. It was strange to fight Sophie for dominance considering he never had to before. On the other end, she was trying to show him how grateful she was but he wouldn't back down from taking control to enjoy the kiss. So, instead, Sophie went for another method to show her gratitude.
Breaking the kiss, Sophie began trailing wet kisses down his neck and then proceeded down his chest. Cortez watched with a bit of shock as she got lower and lower, her fingers setting the path in which her lips would follow as she went. He didn't expect her to do what he pictured her doing but it still made him hard just thinking about it. And to his surprise, they were both on the same page.
❗️Skip❗️
Sophie tugged Cortez's sweatpants and underwear down, revealing his semi-hard dick. A low moan escaped Cortez as Sophie took him in her mouth, only teasing his shaft and the tip with her tongue. Still, the warmth and wetness of her mouth made his whole body go tense. It was only seconds before he was fully hard in Sophie's mouth.
When Sophie gathered enough spit, she took more of Cortez's length in her mouth and lathered him in her spit. She pulled back only until his shaft again, using her hand to slowly pump the rest of his length. Multiple cursed were forced through Cortez's teeth as he felt Sophie's tongue swirl around the head of his dick.
"Is this suppose to be your thank you?" Cortez groaned, his fingers slipping into Sophie's hair.
Sophie's beautiful green eyes looked up at him, her long eyelashes fluttering so innocently. She nodded as she pulled Cortez out of her mouth. "I hope it's good enough. It's my first time doing this, after all."
Cortez went to respond before Sophie run her tongue up Cortez's length and took him in her mouth again. Another moan spilled off his lips. "You're doing amazing, baby. Your mouth feels so good."
Just like always, Sophie enjoyed Cortez's praise. It was good encouragement and gave her a bit of confidence. She wasn't afraid to slip him so far into her mouth that he hit the back of her throat, which nearly drove him wild. It was almost pure reflex to thrust into her mouth and hit the back of her throat again. For a moment, Sophie was worried she'd choke but that sensation gave her a bit of adrenaline.
"You wanna fuck my mouth, baby?" Sophie cooed, her hand still stroking his throbbing length as she looked up at him.
Hearing Sophie swear always did something to Cortez. It made him throb even more, instantly. He couldn't possibly say no when she was passionate enough to cuss. She was normally so small, so dainty, so innocent, but not when she had his cock and a cuss word in her mouth. He liked this lewd and unfiltered side of her just as much as he liked her dainty and innocent. She somehow knew exactly when and how to use each side of her.
"I wanna fuck you." Cortez answered, gently tilting Sophie's head up with his hand under her chin. Her lips were wet with her spit.
Sophie shook her head with a sly smirk. "I thought we had that planned for later tonight."
Before Cortez could say anything, Sophie had her lips around the head of his dick again as she took care of the rest of him with her hand. Cortez gently pushed Sophie further down his length, which made her smile to herself. She bobbed her head up and down his hard dick until he took over and thrusted into her mouth.
As Cortez took control of the rhythm, Sophie focused on sucking and using her tongue just right. She seemed to be doing just fine as Cortez's orgasm approached faster than he planned. Her mouth was so wet, lips so soft, and the occasional noises off the back of her throat vibrated through his length and amplified the amount of pleasure he was already receiving.
It wasn't long before Cortez was shooting cum against the back of Sophie's throat, another slur of cusses spilling of his tongue. Sophie moaned as she felt the hot liquid fill her mouth. Cortez stilled as he came by Sophie continued to pump his length so he could ride out the orgasm and sucked on the head of his dick.
"Fuck, baby... You did that so well." Cortez moaned as he combed his fingers through Sophie's short hair.
Sophie giggled, letting the tip of his dick slide down her flat tongue. A mixture of cum and spit followed, a string of the mixture connecting between her tongue and her teeth. The image of Sophie like that was so lewd, so raw, that Cortez felt like he could nearly cum all over again. Her eyes were so big and glossy, appearing completely innocent despite the dick and cum on her tongue.
Sophie swallowed the contents in her mouth and cutely tilted her head with a sweet smile. She slightly wiggled like an excited puppy, which made him just now spot the bit of cleavage past her tank top. "I'm happy you liked it. Thank you for the pretty ring."
Cortez was quick to scoop Sophie into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and slamming his lips against hers as he marched back into their room and towards their bed. "I'll buy you a million pretty rings, baby girl."
Sophie giggled into the kiss as Cortez nearly body slammed her against the bed. They didn't get to make out for long before their was a knock on their door.
❗️Resume❗️
"Cortez! Sophie! Momma's here!" Maria sang excitedly on the other side of their bedroom door.
"Wow, if that doesn't completely kill a boner.." Cortez muttered.
Sophie laughed but the sudden click of their doorknob caused her to panic and push Cortez off of her. Maria peeked shyly into their room just after Cortez had shoved his dick back in his pants. Sophie nervously waved to Maria, trying to appear as casual as possible. She was sat at the edge of the bed and Cortez was stood in the middle of the room, there was no way Maria would assume anything dirty was happening. Hopefully, at least.
"Hi, guys.. Sorry to interrupt. I was just hoping we could have breakfast together before everyone's busy with preparations for the ceremony." Maria smiled at her son and his mate.
"I have work to do, Ma." Cortez sighed.
"Oh, poo. Leave it for tomorrow." Maria waved her hand in the air, dismissing Cortez's claim. "Your father can do it if needed. I just know how busy we're going to be today so I think we should be together before the chaos starts."
"We were together until you interrupted." Cortez bitterly countered as he looked to Sophie.
Sophie shockingly glared at Cortez, silently scolding him for hinting at something she'd rather keep private. Maria decided to butt in as the two stared at each other. "I mean all of us. Come on, you two. The fun can wait, business can not."
And then, Maria was out of their room with the door shut behind her. Sophie cringed as she stared at the door, her thumb nail finding itself the victim of her nervous chewing again. "She knew, didn't she?"
"Of course, she did, she's my mother. She knows everything I'm doing three days before I actually do them." Cortez huffed as he started towards the dresser.
Sophie's eyes found Cortez's bare back before she suddenly remembered the ring again. She pulled her thumb from her mouth and looked at the diamond ring sat so beautifully on her ring finger. She couldn't help but smile at it and admire it. As much as she imagined getting married one day, it was such a far off dream that she didn't really think about it with too much depth. Even now that there was an engagement ring on her finger, it seemed surreal.
The view of it was nice, yes. Of course. But the fact that Cortez had given it to her made it a thousand times more amazing. She couldn't stop ranting and raving about it all in her head. I'm engaged to Cortez. I'm gonna marry him today. Cortez loves me and I love Cortez. I'm gonna spent the rest of my life with him.
People always seemed to be nervous and scared on their wedding day. Sophie wondered why she felt nothing but joy and love. Shouldn't she be shaking with fear? Shouldn't she have cold feet by now? She was only seventeen.
"You know, you didn't even bend down on one knee." Sophie faked a pout. It didn't really matter to her. She had the ring and was basically getting married. She just wanted to tease him since he didn't know how this whole proposal and marriage thing went.
Cortez sighed and walked back to Sophie to kneel in front of her. Sophie's eyes instantly sparkled with excitement. Cortez couldn't help but laugh at the look in her eyes. He cupped Sophie's hand in both of his as he gently played with the ring on her finger with his thumb.
"Sophie Carter, would you please do me the honor of..." Cortez paused. Sophie nibbled on her bottom lip with anticipation. "Having breakfast with me and my family this morning?"
"Get out of here!" Sophie laughed and pushed Cortez away to climb off the edge of the bed.
Cortez chuckled and pushed to his feet as Sophie made her way to the bathroom. "I love you."
"I loObVe yoOuu." Sophie mocked.
"Hey!" Cortez playfully barked.
Sophie giggled and turned once she was in the bathroom. "I love you, Cortez." She sang as she shut the door.
~
Sophie and Cortez joined the family for breakfast, the five of them talking up a storm for a full hour. Maria reminded everybody of what their plans for the day were and all the things they had to do and get done by the time the ceremony started late this afternoon.
Miguel didn't have much to do besides welcome everyone that got here earlier since people were arriving from far away, which would make their arrival time unpredictable. Antonio would be helping Miguel with guests so odds are, Miguel really wouldn't be doing much. And on the other hand, Sophie had to run around with Maria to make sure everything was in order and ready.
Cortez would have to follow along and somehow get work done when he found time to. Which would probably be when Sophie was getting her hair and make up done. All the preparation sounded very overwhelming but Sophie knew it would be worth it. Everything Maria had planned sounded like fun. Sophie honestly couldn't wait.
While Sophie and Maria were running around the pack house, Sophie took the few dull moments they had to show off her ring to a couple of the female pack members. Nobody really seemed to understand why Sophie was so excited but they did give her lots of compliments on it. Sophie understood why they were confused though. Cortez didn't even know what he had bought because wolves didn't get wedding rings so she could expect them to know.
After a few other preparations, Maria dragged Sophie on to the stage in the ballroom to go through a quick rundown of how their night would go. Sophie paid close attention to everything Maria said, like what to do, what not to do. She had to be polite and poised but not too uptight since she had to appease the masses. Not only did she have to impress her pack as the new Luna, but impress all those coming in from other packs as well.
"Just be yourself." Maria smiled as she gently grabbed Sophie's arm. "Just play up your appealing qualities a little bit."
"What are my appealing qualities?" Sophie cringed. The fact that she didn't even know scared her a little. How could she play up her personality when she wasn't sure what her personality was?
"You're cute, sweet, and a very smart girl. All you have to do is put on a bright smile and if they ask about the pack, you're very intelligent, so it should be no problem for you to soothe any concerns they bring up." Maria reassured.
Sophie only grew more tense. "Uhm.. I may be good at studying and I do good on my tests but I think running a whole pack of werewolves is still a little out of my league. I mean, of course, I'll try my best along the way but, for now, I don't really know what I'm doing."
Maria frowned and her eyes drifted away as she tried to think. "Well... Okay, that's fair." Maria returned with a confident smile. "If anyone asks you about the pack, just say you're excited and ready to take on the roll."
"Alright.." Sophie sighed and nodded. That wasn't a lie. She was excited, but still a little scared of screwing up.
Maria suddenly stepped off the platform that held the piano and Sophie took that as a cue to follow. "And if anyone asks about you being human or anything, just..."
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Luna." Delilah awkwardly butted in, gathering both Sophie and Maria's attention. "But Sophie should be getting ready now so she's not late for the ceremony."
"Oh, already?" Maria gasped as she looked at the clock on the wall. There was only two and a half hours until the ceremony. They really had been running around all day. "Yes, you hurry, dear, and I'll make sure everything is done and ready."
Delilah dragged Sophie away and they rushed through the house to get back to her room. But before they got far, Sophie slipped into Cortez's office. He was busy talking with his father and two older men she didn't recognize. She was about to apologize and excuse herself but Cortez did so for himself and started towards the door.
"I didn't mean to interrupt, I just wanted to see you before I got ready." Sophie whispered since Cortez was still in the doorway of his office and holding the door ajar.
"I'm glad you did. I missed you." Cortez grinned. He cupped Sophie's face in his hand and pulled her in for a quick kiss.
Sophie smiled. "I have to hurry but the next time you see me, I'm going to look like a princess."
"You always look like a princess." Cortez countered with a handsome smirk.
Sophie playfully glared at him for being so cheesy but still kissed him once more before skipping away. It was time to get all dolled up and then it was time for the mate ceremony. It was all happening.
{ Sorry, it's taken me so long to update. I just got a new job, it's all manual labor, and I have to get up at 3am. I'm regretting it. I'll try to keep up with my regular posting schedule but I keep falling asleep after work.. so tiredddd...😪😴}