Dawn danced with Daryn in the best way she could.

The way he put his feet on the ground with every beat of the drum - was in sync and so graceful. It wasn't possible to imitate him. Everyone took Daryn's lead and performed along with him. He was covered with sweat by the time they finished. Dawn giggled through her missteps. She must have stepped over him a dozen times but who cared? She thoroughly enjoyed it.

Finally it was time for the Rede'vota. He stopped and held her close to his body. Leaning his head on her forehead he said, "We must leave for the sacred ritual. It is time."

She nodded with a smile as butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She twined her hands in his and walked towards the cave.

However, with every step, Dawn had multiple thoughts racing through her mind.

It was time for her to commit to her mate for life. It was time that she stepped up as the Luna of the Silver Pack, it was time to shoulder responsibility. And so on the inside, she quivered. She was too young and Daryn was her first boyfriend. He made her feel special. He was her first kiss. Her first… He was the first person she had sex with. She remembered how awkwardly they had met for the first time. So many things had gone wrong with him, but no matter what, she always came back to him. He was endearing and she thought she was a mess who kept ending in sticky situations every now and then. Would he be happy with her? Would their dynamics change after they became an official couple?

She stopped and so did Daryn. A frown came on his face and he asked, "Are you okay?" There was nervousness in his voice. He caressed her back in order to encourage her.

Her heart raced wildly. Was she about to commit another mistake? She squinted at him. "What am I going to do?"

He continued to caress her back. "Whatever decision you take in there, it won't affect me as long as you are by my side. I am going to stay content with you, with whatever you want you to do. Just give this thing a chance. There's no harm." He encouraged her with his soothing words.

She lowered her head and said, "Okay," in a gravelly voice.

The two of them continued to walk towards the cave. A crowd had begun to form. Werewolves from various clans, across the country, continents, people from various realms, friends and family had gathered. Rede'vota for mates was a rare occasion. It also meant that if the female agreed, the male would have to mark her soon.

Daryn and Dawn walked through the throngs of people who cheered for them all the way. Flower petals were thrown over them as they sauntered to the cave's mouth. Gayle was standing right there. As soon as he saw his son, he walked up to him and together they all went inside.

It was a large cave, enough for more than a hundred people to stand together. The roof was brightly lit by the tiny, shimmery pixies who fluttered their wings. As soon as Dawn stepped in, some of them flew to her and circled her head. Three of them sat on her hair and fluttered their wings sprinkling the magical golden stars. The whole setting carried an otherworldly ambience.

They had rarely seen pixies doing that for anyone else. It was the not the first time that they had appeared in large numbers but it was the first time that they had indulged a werewolf. Their presence was required when one of the mates wasn't a pure blood. Mostly they used to stay around Brantley or a few Yardraks who would join the celebrations. However, this year none of the Yardraks had joined.

Dawn noticed a big fire that was burning in a pit. A Shaman was throwing herbs in it while chanting in a language she didn't understand. There were five girls dressed in short deerskin skirts and brown tube tops with bouquets in their hands. Dawn's hands twinged with sweat as her nervousness increased. His heart ran as fast as the panther running after its prey. Her face became tight with worry. It was time. She gulped. The girls walked to her, they held her hands and brought her to where they were standing. One of them placed a diadem on her head, which was made from precious stones that were wrapped in flowers. Another girl made her wear traditional beaded bangles and anklets. A black thread was tied across her waist.

When she was ready, Dawn turned to look at Daryn. He looked breathtaking.

Daryn watched her as if a spell had been cast on him. She looked ethereal. She took in a deep breath. He had lived for so long, never understanding the emptiness in his life. Only when Dawn appeared, his craving for her went through the roof. He never believed that he would see this day ever. His dream was only a notch away from coming true.

Gayle stepped closer to his son and placed a feathered headdress on him. Then he went to Dawn and said, "I would like to give my son's hand in yours for this life and for the next."

Dawn's skin tingled. She held Gayle's extended hand and walked up with him to Daryn who was standing close to the fire. From the corner of her eyes she saw that Caleb and Pia were also present. She missed Cole's presence. If only he could see everything that was happening here. Gayle left there and the Shaman took over.

A tremble coursed his body. If Dawn accepted him, it would change the course of his life, their lives. An hour back, he had come so close to losing his mate that he was shook, and he didn't want to feel like that ever again. He was going to offer her everything he could. It was for her to accept it. He stared at her intensely and her cheeks warmed.

The Shaman chanted and offered more herbs to the fire. He called upon the Goddess Skadi to oversee the holy union. Then he took their hands and joined them. "Voice your Rede'vota."

A silence fell upon the crowd. All eyes were upon Dawn and her Alpha.

Daryn took Dawn's hands in his. He gulped and caressed her palm. His face became serious and his eyes looked at the only person who existed in the room for him. In the dance party, he had danced with her to feel her, to smell her and also to test himself if he could stay away from her. But he failed. With her on his body, it was simply stunning.

"Dawn, when I first met you on the highway, I didn't know that my life would turn upside down. That night when I was saving myself from the enemies, I didn't know that I would meet my mate. I had tried my best to find you, to stay away from you but with time, I came to realize that there's no way I could. I love you! I would have offered you my power, my wisdom and my protection to you." He said, trying to decipher the wondrous look on her face. "But, I know that you don't need all that. You are a brilliant, beautiful, wise and a strong woman. Would you stay by my side for the rest of my life?"