His Arrogant Human Mate novel Chapter 71

As I finished getting ready, Dominic stayed closed by to answer any questions I had. He advised me to keep the makeup minimal, even claimed I didn't need it. But I disagreed. With all the drama that had occured over the last couple days, it was showing in my face - some shadows under my eye and then I had a bit of an acne breakout.

"You're going to look beautiful no matter what. They will love you."

I raised an eyebrow at him when I leaned away from the mirror. "You said that last time I went in front of you."

He gave me a sad smile. "Right. But much has happened since then. You have gained most of their respect. Of course, there is still going to be dicks, but that's just the truth of life, isn't it?"

Snickering, I wagged my head, running my fingers through my now-curled hair. "That's my word."

"No. Your word is dickwad," he corrected me.

I was about to banter with him on it, but a knock on the door interrupted us. "Alpha, Luna. It's best you come downstairs, guests are beginning to arrive." Goosebumps rose on my skin and I immediately sucked my bottom lip into my mouth nervously.

Dominic told the servant we would be down soon before turning to me. I avoided his gaze as I tried to calm myself down. His hands cupped my face and lifted until we were looking straight at each other. "Caroline. Don't shut down on me now. I need you to be fully present, at my side. Okay?"

I nodded softly, sighing deeply. "I don't want to be laughed at again."

"Sugar," he hummed darkly. "Anyone that dares laugh at my mate will have their heads severed from their bodies."

~ ~

The beginning of the ceremony began with Dominic and I standing in the entry to his massive backyard, greeting all the guests. As the first group of guests approached, I instinctively snatched his hand and held it tightly in my own, needing the contact to calm me down. He pressed a chaste kiss to my hair.

"Alpha, Luna," a woman greeted, giving a slight bow. She turned to me specifically and gave me a wide smile. "I love your dress. You always look so put together. I can hardly drag myself out of bed any morning."

Laughing, I relaxed a little bit. "Thank you, ma'am."

She then introduced us to her family. "This is my husband, Kaine, and our twin daughters. Olivia and Octavia. They've both just turned five. My apologies about their dress."

"For babies?" I whispered. "But-"

"They think we are consummating the bond tonight, sugar. Usually said consummation is also the conception of our first pup," he explained under his breath, nodding to a single man who entered but didn't give me a single glance. "I apologize for their treatment of you, my love."

I shrugged carelessly at him. "I'd rather they ignore me than laugh. I might actually make it out of here without wanting to die!" I teased, bumping him with my elbow.

Before we could talk more, Nina and Jeff approached. Once again, I clutched onto Dom. This time I had my hand in the crook of his elbow, but he caught it with his fingers and brought it to his lips. "Relax, sweetheart."

Jeff smiled easily at the two of us, shaking hands with Dominic before offering me a light hug. "This will earn you brownie points with the other members, even if they don't know it won't be consummated tonight," he whispered encouragingly. "Have any given you trouble yet?"

I shrugged, giving Nina a polite smile. "The worst so far has been getting ignored. I'll take it," I answered. "No one has spat in my direction yet."

Nina rolled her eyes. "Why are the pack members so salty about this?" she muttered, glaring out of the corner of her eye at the people milling about the backyard.