When You Were My Mate (Demetra and Emris) novel Chapter 127

9:46 Thu, Apr 30 T

Chapter 127

Chapter 127

Alpha Emris.

I can’t stop smiling.

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I don’t smile at public or private events. I stand at the front of them and make people remember why they came, and then I go home. But the moment the horses slow and the chariot rolls to a stop, and I see her… I genuinely cannot help myself.

She looks every bit a true Luna.

I think about the first time I saw that hair and thought it looked like something out of an old dynasty portrait. White curls, impossible…

I was right, only I had the wrong read on it. It’s not only the signature of some empire. It’s the signature of her, and Demetra owns it the way she owns everything.

Her curls are braided tonight. Is it symmetrically or diametrically, I genuinely don’t know the correct word but it’s pinned and woven. All I know is that I’m going to be the one to take every single pin out later, and the knowledge of that sits warm and patient in the back of my mind while I walk toward her.

I cross to the chariot in front of everyone and offer her my hand.

“They’re all looking at me,” she whispers, low enough that only I can hear with her eyes fixed somewhere past my shoulder.

“I’m looking at you too.” I help her down carefully through the volume of that dress.

“You are so beautiful.”

“That doesn’t make it any better.”

I get an arm around her through the magnificent layers of the dress and she puts her hand on my shoulder, and that’s when we hear a cluster of children, including out own somewhere in the crowd shrieking Luna day!

The guests start laughing and I chuckle too.

“There are like a hundred of them, Emris.”

“Baby.” I turn slightly so she has to look at my face. “Look at me only.”

She focuses, and then her face goes pink, and I know exactly why. I cut my hair three days ago… first time in five years that I haven’t looked like a Lion that wandered out of a forest. Demetra keeps catching herself staring and then getting embarrassed about it, which is, frankly, my favorite thing that’s ever happened.

“You look really handsome. It’s hard to look at you too.”

“Demi. I have seen every part of you. Why are you still shy?”

9:46 Thu, Apr 30

Chapter 127

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I kiss her fingers and we begin to walk.

The landscape of the pack grounds is opened up for the occasion, and there are thousands of people here. Elders, government officials, high-ranking pack members from six territories, and enough civilians who are currently screaming from the boundary.

Thousands are cheering with some distinct cameras flashing in our faces because I permitted a handful of press today, which I haven’t done in years, because this isn’t a routine event.

But again, today marks a significant day in our history. Where the world learns that Demetra is my mate, that the Black Covenant has a Luna and I want it documented.

“Do you see Seth in the crowd? I bet that bastard wants to kill himself watching you with me.”

“Emris, can you—”

She tries to keep her expression gracious like she’s hissing at me, and it’s not working because the effort is making her laugh.

“Every single man here is thinking the same thing.”

“I cannot with you.”

I stop us at the center of the gathering…the exact point I had planned where we are to take out first dance.

“Let’s dance,” I say.

And just like that, we stop having to look at anything else. There’s only her face, and the way she keeps smiling like she’s trying not to.

Demetra doesn’t realize this is the best day of my life. The absolute best day. I could not have asked for something better.

I would trade every single day before this one if it meant getting here sooner. That everything that happened between us, the wrong starts and the closed doors and the ugliest parts of how we found each other, feels worth it standing here.

“I’m sorry for bonding you the way I did,” I say quietly into her hair as we move.

“Are you going to apologize for that forever?”

“Yes.”

I spin her out and bring her back in, and she’s close enough now that I could kiss her without moving much. which I’m actively considering.

“I imagined it’s what a father would do. I couldn’t imagine Amira here alone. And you probably couldn’t imagine Amira in another pack without you.”

She puts her hand on my chest, right over my heart.

9:46 Thu, Apr 30

Chapter 127

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“You will not regret bringing yourself and Amira to me.”

I kiss her hand.

Demetra cups my face instead like the hand kiss wasn’t enough.

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So I kiss her properly…not French. This one is R-rated. The crowd screams as I do so, thousands of voices rising into the sky.

Right after the dance comes the moment where guests come forward to shake hands with us and introduce themselves to the new Luna they’ve never met before. I’m sure they can tell how different this bonding gala was from the other one…so they can tell I’m in love.

Which means they will be more excited to meet the woman who’s made the cold-hearted Alpha a little bit softer.

Because a softer Alpha means an accessible Luna, and an accessible Luna standing right beside me means every petition and favor they were afraid to bring me directly now has a potential side entrance. I can already see the math working behind their polite smiles…” she seems warm, she seems reasonable, maybe if we appeal to her first-”

“A pleasure to meet you, Luna.”

One of those socialites I hate is currently taking too long with Demetra. Too many compliments. I lick my lips with the lack of patience of an orca circling a seal.

“Luna, you look so beautiful. Oh my goodness… you…. you look just like Luna Amelia.”

I think back to history class. Luna Amelia is my great-grandmother.

She had white hair too. She’s the kind of woman the pack still talks about in the same tone they use for the moon goddess. I look at Demetra and look back at the woman and I think – huh.

“That’s so sweet, thank you.” Demetra says and the elder looks like she might need to sit down.

“Luna, I’m Beatrice from the Eastern Territory.” A woman with braids and a custom tracksuit bumps in next.

“A pleasure-”

“Luna, if you ever need anything at all, my businesses are open to you. We have a spa, and the most peaceful views of the city. Please consider it your sanctuary.”

“Alright-”

“A pleasure to meet you, Luna.”

“That’s Margaret Holloway, tech billionaire, owns half the digital infrastructure in the Southeast.” Silver comes from somewhere and whispers to the both of us.

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