Staring down at Caden kneeling before me with the ring I have seen many times in portraits of his mother twinkling in the moon light, I feel tear welling in my eyes. To think six months ago I did not want to find a mate in the Run, did not want to have a partner unless it was someone I truly loved and here I am with a man I met in the Run that I want to be with for the rest of my life.
"Grace.” His voice is husky, filled with emotions and I spy his eyes slowly growing glassy with tears.
“Will you…” He trails off, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes for a moment. I can smell his nervousness in the air, hear the quickening of his heart beat and know that no matter what, I will always say yes to this man as long as he has the courage to ask. His emerald eyes open and stare into mine as love, love for me, is clearly displayed in those gem like eyes.
"Grace, My Princess and the love of my life. Will you marry me? Will you share my life with me and be mine?" His voice cracks mid sentence as he fights back tears and my own begin to flow. I feel my legs shake as an overwhelming happiness washes over me.
"Grace?" Caden asks, his voice holing a hint of worry and fear. I lower myself onto my knees and allow myself to cry harder, unable to put into words how happy I am. Happy that a man wants me for me. Happy I found my soul mate in Caden. Happy that I did not kill him the first day I met him thinking he was trying to rape Amelia. Thank you Amelia for stopping me from ruining my future.
"Grace I'm sorry if this is to fast!" Panic rises into Caden’s voice as he lowers the hand holding the ring box while his free hand reaches out to wipe away my tears as best as he could. Guilt for making him worry wells inside me but the happiness over powers it.
"I'm sorry I just-" I sob out, still unable to form words. Without thinking, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him towards me, pouring all my love and emotions into a kiss. His arms warp around me, pulling my body flushed against him as our lips dance with each other once again. My tears slow as I think about all the happy moments we have had since meeting, all the sad moments that made me realize I have grown feelings for him, but most importantly all the moments that made me realize I am utterly in love with this wolf before me. Sadly, he pulls away from me as we soon become breathless, leaving us panting heavily as I look at him, still crying.
"Yes." I manage to whisper out, smiling at Caden as I wipe away some more tears.
"What?" He asks confused and I realized I had whispered too quietly to hear.
"Yes! Yes I'll marry you! I'll be yours and you'll be mine!" I exclaim as I cry harder, feeling him pull me to his chest as I burry my face into the crook of his neck inhaling his calming scent.
"You will?" He asks hopefully and I nod.
"Yes." I laugh as he pulls away to hold me at arms length, amazement in his eyes. He is such a dork at times, but he is my dork.
"I love you Grace." He says as he pulls me into his embrace once more, his face burying into my hair and inhaling my scent deeply.
"I love you too Caden." I reply back, wiping away more tears. Six months ago all I wanted was to avoid the Run and help my pack mates to be able to choose whether or not they want to go to the event. I wanted freedom to find my own love and live my life free from the anxiety of being raped and claim by some unknown power hungry male. Being forced to go led me to Caden. Led me to a life where I can be loved and love back. To a life I can bring change. My love for Caden is something I never thought would be possible but now I will do everything I can to keep this love for the rest of our life.