“Do you like it?” Matthew tapped his foot as he waited for her reaction.
“Like it?” Audrey kept her focus on the wolf sitting before her. “I love it.”
“I’m glad.” He let out a long breath and smiled. “I figured it could go either way.”
It was a very thoughtful gift. It was nice to see that Rage’s parents loved each other just like mom and dad did. My heart kinda sunk at that thought. I hadn’t talked to them in the last couple of months. I’d been avoiding it, and I wasn’t quite sure why.
“Alright, it’s your turn.” She motioned to the present he was holding in his hand.
“Okay.” He unwrapped his long rectangle package and opened a jewelry type box. A small grin spread across his face as he pulled out a watch. However, it wasn’t like any ordinary watch; instead of a circle, it was shaped in a wolf’s face. “This is perfect.”
It didn’t take long for Stone to open his presents. Now it was Rage’s turn. His parents had given him some new clothes and a laptop. When it was my turn, I got a little nervous. I grabbed the cylinder-shaped present under the tree and handed it to him. “Here you go.” I was kind of anxious about the gift, not sure if he would like it or not.
He held it and shook it. “Is that a picture of you?” He grinned at me as he examined the sides.
“Or better yet, a picture of me.” Cole piped in. He hadn’t gotten a present since he only came last minute, but he didn’t seem to care.
Slowly, Rage unwrapped it, and when he removed one of the ends, a map of the United States fell out. He grabbed it and opened it. The words on the top read ‘Anywhere With You’, and it had a heart placed in New Orleans, Clarksville, and his parents’ house.
“It’s a way to track where we’ve been together.” I sat next to him on the loveseat and placed my finger on the hearts I’d colored. “I want to travel the world with you. This is one way we can track where we’ve been and where we need to go.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet.” Cole grinned and walked over to us. “I’ve been there with you in each place too. So where’s my map?”
“First off, I didn’t realize you were going to be here or I would’ve brought your gift.” I did feel bad, but there wasn’t much else I could do.
“Alright, it’s my turn.” Rage took a deep breath, and for some reason, his hands shook for a moment.
“I’ll grab her gift.” Cole cooed as he jumped up and grabbed a small squarish box that wasn’t wrapped. “Here.” He shoved it in Rage’s hand.
“You know it’s been over a year since we’ve known each other, and it’s been the best part of my life.” He kneeled in front of me.
Oh my God. He couldn’t be doing that ...
“I know you’re my mate, but I want it official in every way.” He opened the box, and a large oval diamond ring with small stones around the band sat nestled within the satin. “Will you marry me?”
My heart felt like it may explode. “Yes.”
He grabbed my left hand and slid the ring on, a huge smile on his face.
I wasn’t sure how the hell he got it on with how much my hand shook, but it fit perfectly. “It’s gorgeous.”
“It looks even better on you than I imagined.” He stood and grabbed my waist, pulling me flush against him.
“Congratulations.” Audrey ran over and wrapped her arms around us. “I’m so glad I got to be part of this.”
“Right, me too.” Cole came over and joined the group hug. “I’ve never met a better couple.”
“Man, now my gifts seem lame,” Stone grumbled.
“Your brother just got engaged to his mate.” Matthew reached over and smacked his son on the arm. “You should be happy for him.”
“Of course I am.” Stone gave him a thumbs up. “I’m just glad I get a great sister-in-law from it all.”
In a lot of ways, I already was part of their family, but now we’d have the official mate ceremony and a wedding. When marriage certificates became a thing, shifters began having official mating ceremonies. Essentially, it’s the same thing as a wedding but with a wolf twist.
“Alright, picture time.” Audrey picked up her phone off the table and pointed it in our direction. “Cheese.” Her camera flashed, and she waved her hand back and forth. “Now look at each other.”
Not needing any encouragement, I faced Rage, and my heart sky rocketed. I never imagined I’d be this happy, but now that I was, there was no going back.
The camera flashed again.
“Now, one with me.” Cole placed one hand against my chest and the other against Rage’s and spread us apart. He smiled smugly between us right when the camera went off again.
“Remember when we got engaged?” Audrey dropped her arms and turned to her husband.
“Do you think I wouldn’t remember that day?” Matthew chuckled and stepped toward his wife. “It was the best day of my life.”
“Liz dragged my butt out of bed telling me she needed a run.” Audrey glanced at the ceiling with a small grin. “When we got close to the woods, there was a blanket lying on the ground. Matthew and Jonathan, who you all know as Professor Shaw, had been waiting on us.”
“I was so nervous.” Matthew wrapped an arm around her and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. “I remember you looked so confused but headed over. I thought I was going to pass out. I couldn’t even focus on anything else.”
“He’s not kidding.” Audrey glanced at us. “I even asked Liz if Matthew was okay. Oh, we even have a picture.”
It was obvious how much Rage’s parents loved each other. It showed that even chosen mates could be the real deal. “Can we see?”
“Of course, let me go get it.” Audrey ran out of the room, heading up the stairs.
“It’s so strange to think of you all hanging out with Professor Shaw.” Cole shook his head and wrinkled his nose. “He’s kinda odd. He always seems annoyed by me. I mean, who thinks like that?”
“Oh, me.” Stone raised his hand.
“It’s called a rhetorical question.” Cole motioned for Stone to lower his hand. “You’re outright lying. I’ll let it slide this one time. I mean, I’m fuc … flipping amazing.” Cole saluted Matthew. “See, I’m considerate. I filtered for you.”
“Do you ever get tired?” Matthew scratched the top of his head. “You’re always so energetic.”
“My dad asks the same question. He’s even tried to deprive me of blood, wondering if that would ‘fix’ things.” Cole shrugged even though there was a bit of sadness in his eyes. “I say I can be calm and composed when I’m dead.”
I’d always wondered why Cole never talked about his parents. The few brief times that he had, it was short and sweet. This was confirmation of what I’d guessed all along.
“Alright, here it is.” Audrey came back into the room and waved the photo. She hurried over and held up the picture for Rage, Cole, and me to see.
It was an older photo, but Bloodshed was clearly in the background. It hadn’t changed in all these years. Like Audrey mentioned, there was a blanket underneath them with Matthew and her smiling wide. Right in the corner was a person that hadn’t meant to be included though. She was just barely in the shot. As I looked closer, my heart began to race.