Of Rogues & Royals

Gift

COLBY POV

The few hours leading up to the ceremony were torturous. Janessa was nervous, and it was reading through her dressing process. She went through all three gowns that my brother had picked out, and we ended up requesting an Omega to come in to help her with hair and makeup when she couldn’t get it right.

I wanted nothing more than to please her, to make her happy. But she was definitely grinding my nerves. The pack was expecting us in less than five minutes and Cody and I had spent the last hour staring at each other and trying to talk each other off the ledge.

When she finally emerged from the bathroom, it was worth it. She picked a deep purple gown that was encrusted in black jewels at the top and kissed her shoulders. It hugged her body all the way down her long legs and pooled around her feet. Her hair was down, and curled at the ends, but the sides were swept up and pinned back, giving us each easy access to her exposed neck. She crossed the room and nuzzled her nose into mine, but when I went to kiss her she pressed a finger to my lips.

“Don’t you dare ruin my lipstick, sexy.” I groaned in frustration as she crossed over to my brother and grabbed him by the crotch. His arousal peaked, I could feel it through the bond, and it peaked mine as well. “You can’t avoid me, Cody. That d**k will be mine tonight and I expect you to make me scream your name out for the entire pack to hear. Am I clear?”

“Crystal, Little Mate.” He nuzzled into her neck and she stormed out of the room, her heels clicking on the hardwood.

My brother and I shared a glance. “Fuck.” We both moaned and went trotting after her. We were in deep s**t. This woman would be the death of us.

I linked my parents, and they said the pack was ready for us and everyone was assembled outside on the back lawn. I straightened my black suit jacket over my pressed black shirt and slacks. I’d let my hair air dry so there was a slight curl to my dark locks. I didn’t get to shave since Janessa had taken over the bathroom, so I had a pretty heavy scruff, but at least it was somewhat tidy. Cody trotted next to me. He ditched his grey suit jacket on a chair as we passed out of our quarters and rolled up the sleeves of his baby blue button up and undid the top two buttons. He rocked a more casual look with black slacks and black snakeskin dress shoes.

We left Janessa just inside the back double doors of the pack house, each kissing her cheek and walking slowly through the center aisle our pack had left open. A small platform deck was situated on the back lawn, in front of the event barn. I could smell all the delicious food Ms. Boudreaux was setting up on the opposite side of the barn. Hopefully, Janessa would be a little more open to her cooking moving forward. Or else my brother and I may have a mental breakdown.

My heart jumped into my throat at the sight of Ainsli next to her parents in the front row, her new mate at her side. His arm was wrapped protectively around her delicate waist and a beautiful white mark decorated her neck. I felt my brother tense next to me as well, seeing it. But we both smiled supportively toward them and took our places on the deck.

This is why we need to complete it. I reminded my brother.

Agreed. It’s not fair to Janessa.

My parents stood behind us. Alpha Ryker made a speech about the sanctity of the mate bond. Reminding us of how he counted himself blessed to be my mother’s second chance mate. And that her original mate, his adoptive brother, accepted his love for her - as did our pack- and allowed us to have the beautiful family we have today. We went on in prayer to the Goddess for guidance and grace and thanking her for blessing us with the love that only our mates could give us. Cody and I shared a look. That’s all we wanted. Was to feel the same love my parents had for each other. The love Ainsli already had with this stranger. Maybe we could also have that with Janessa.

My mother stepped forward and explained that we had requested to accept and mark her with the pack as witnesses, like she had with both her mates. And how she was touched that we had made this choice. I could see Camila in the front row, glaring, no doubt plotting a way to sabotage this event. My mother introduced Janessa of the Jade Coven. And our mate made her grand entrance, walking with an air of grandeur down the center aisle. She had a victorious and seductive grin on her face and kept her eyes locked on us as she practically strutted her way down to the platform. I couldn’t help but see Ainsli glare at her in my peripheral. Janessa had not made friends in the short time she had been here.

We had a lot of work to do with her.

Work that we honestly didn’t have the time or patience for.

This was the right thing to do, right?

My wolf, Jarek, had completely stopped communicating with me. My father had told me that was a clear sign that something was amiss. But anytime I tried to brainstorm a different solution, this was the only answer my brain came up with. I couldn’t, and wouldn’t, let anyone speak poorly of my mate. It was my job to protect her.

Janessa went first. “I, Janessa Raven, accept both Cody Rayce Porter and Colby Jett Porter as my mates and royalty. I will stand proudly by their sides and take my role as their future Luna and Queen with utmost pride.”

A weird crackle resounded in my chest and I couldn’t help the uneasy look I slipped my brother, who obviously was feeling the same thing. It was imperceivable to anyone else, but Cody shook his head ever so slightly, he was not on board with this plan. But I’d made a promise to her. Do I turn back now in the presence of our entire pack?

My mother looked at me, an indescribable look on her face. Almost pleading.

“I, Colby Jett Porter..” …Again I hesitated.

And then the sky turned black.

The sun had been peeking through the clouds moments before, yet for a half a moment, the sky had darkened. Everyone’s attention shot to the sky and Janessa threw herself against me, pulling my lips to hers.

“Go on, Colby. Finish what you were going to say.” She goaded me, her purple eyes enticing me with every word. This was wrong. Something was wrong.

I could feel the pack’s panic through my bond with my brother. He could read the surge of emotion clearly. My parents stepped forward, searching the sky, my fathers both threatening to shift to protect their people. But all we could hear was what sounded like amplified chainmail rustling.

“Accept me, Colby.” Janessa practically whispered into my ear, sending my heart rate up a notch. But my mouth had run dry. My face was buried into her rich chocolate brown hair when I smelt it. Overpowering the lavender and lemongrass. Overpowering every ounce of control within my being.

Amber and roses.

I ripped my face away from Janessa, and she dug her perfectly painted nails into my shirt, clutching me in her grip. As effortlessly as air, the most breathtaking woman I had ever seen in my entire life literally dropped out of the sky and landed in a crouched position in the center aisle of the pack, like something out of a superhero action movie.

She was dressed in black, almost leather-like riding gear. She had the most stunning feminine features, but she was both beautiful and intimidating. Her amber eyes drilling into mine. Her hair was curly and cropped short, just below her chin. It was dark, but had an auburn red undertone to it. But every single inch of my body screamed for her. Every part of me ached for her touch. Every atom of my being needed to belong to her, and immediately. She was shorter, like my mother, but even under her getup, I could tell she was filled out in all the perfect places. And my d**k immediately responded, needing to know what secrets her outfit was hiding.

This. This was the mate bond.

“MINE.” She growled as she hoisted Janessa up by the throat, despite their differences in height, and peeled her off me. I was so stunned I couldn’t even move. I was so caught up in the beauty that was this fierce woman, my body and my mouth refused to participate in the moment. She tossed her effortlessly off the platform and into the dirt. Janessa was screaming, howling in betrayal. I knew she was calling for me, but I was completely entranced by the gift in front of me.