Chapter 190: Chapter 190 Announcing the Mating Ceremony Day
Caroline’s POV
After the exhilarating pack run under the moonlight, everyone returned to the pack house for a feast.The great hall was alive with conversation and laughter, wolves from various packs mingling together over plates piled high with food. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much, but I couldn’t stop. For the first time in my life, I belonged somewhere completely.
Draven stood at the head table, raising his glass to call for silence. The room gradually quieted as everyone turned toward their Alpha.
"Tonight, we welcomed Caroline and Liam Bennett officially into our ranks," Draven announced."But I have one more announcement to make."
He turned to look at me.My heart skipped a beat as he took my hand and pulled me to stand beside him.
"I would like to invite you all back this Saturday," he continued, "for our official mating ceremony."
The hall erupted in cheers and applause. Eleanor practically squealed, nearly spilling her drink in excitement.Ryan and Nate were whistling loudly,while my parents exchanged surprised but pleased looks.
"That’s only three days away!"
"I’ve waited long enough to call you mine in every way," he murmured back,"Don’t worry,I’ve already put plans in motion."
As the noise died down, wolves began raising their glasses in toast to us. I spotted Clara beaming proudly from her seat next to Alpha Arthur, while Alpha Gerald nodded respectfully from across the room.
Later, as Draven was pulled away to speak with some visiting dignitaries, I found myself surrounded by our friends at one of the long tables.
"Moon goddess,Carrie!A mating ceremony!" Eleanor exclaimed,"I’m already having millions of ideas for decorations and themes!"
"Absolutely," Ruby chimed in with a bright smile. "You’re taking the rest of the week off. We’re going to help you organize a dream ceremony. Right, ladies?" The women at the table all nodded in agreement.
"That’s perfect, because I’ve already cleared your schedule," Ava informed me with a wink. "Alpha’s orders."
"If you want, you can take the mountain retreat as your honeymoon," Joseph joked, earning laughter from everyone at the table.
I looked around at all these people and felt a wave of gratitude. "You’re all wonderful. I couldn’t ask for better packmates."
Across the room, I watched Draven deep in conversation with Ryan and some of the other beta wolves. He must have felt my gaze because he looked up, caught my eye, and smiled.
"Alpha Draven wants everything done properly," Ryan said, joining our table. "He’s already asked me to arrange a private dinner with your parents tomorrow."
"He doesn’t need to do that," I protested.
Ryan shook his head. "He insists. Even though you’re both adults and already agreed to marry, he wants to formally ask your parents for their blessing. You know how serious he is about pack traditions."
"Okay, dinner tomorrow then," Luke said, putting his arm around Kyle’s shoulders. "We’re all tired today anyway. And we’ll definitely be there—I wouldn’t miss it for anything."
"Let’s have it at our place," Nate suggested eagerly.
"No," I said, having a better idea. "Let’s have it at the pack house. What do you think?" I looked at Draven, who had returned to my side.
"I think it’s perfect," Draven smiled, sliding his arm around my waist.
"Then it’s decided," Ryan declared. "You’ll have a pre-wedding family dinner fit for an Alpha pair."
"Let us organize the dinner," Kyle suggested.
"No way," Luke protested. "You’ll handle the mating ceremony. The family dinner before the wedding is ours to plan!"
Eleanor stood up."Girls, you have the rest of the week off," she announced to Ruby, Ava, and Nina. "Just clear my schedule too, Ruby."
"Already done," Ruby replied with a smirk.
The elders and visiting Alphas found us and said we needed to join the formal feast. They brought us to the main dining room where dinner was being served.
After we ate, I told Draven that Liam should go home with my parents for the night. We still had pack business to handle, and Liam was tired from all the excitement. My parents understood and took him home.
Alpha Arthur and Clara went downstairs to finish some alliance paperwork.
"Finally! I thought they’d never leave," Ryan said as the door closed behind the last visitors. He dropped into a chair by the fireplace.
We all let out a sigh of relief. Draven called the men into his study. Kyle was already getting everyone to clear the dinner tables and figure out sleeping arrangements for the overnight guests,handling everything. I went with Ruby and Eleanor to take care of some urgent calls while Ava and Nina stayed at the main table, making phone calls and rescheduling things that got pushed back.
Two hours later, we gathered in the kitchen for coffee. We were all exhausted and needed rest, but there were still matters to discuss.
"Ladies, we need to talk about some changes," Draven said, getting our attention.
"What kind of changes?" I asked.
"We want to reassign some of your roles," Joseph said.
"What do you mean?" Eleanor asked.
"I want to offer Ruby an executive assistant position with one of the directors," Draven explained. "It’s the same level as Eleanor’s and Caroline’s jobs. Joseph and I already discussed it. It’s an admin role, and Ruby has the skills for it. I need someone I can trust who can handle these tasks. I’ve watched you work these past few days, Ruby, and you’re perfect for it. The pay matches the responsibilities. If you want it, you can start Monday."
"That’s an amazing opportunity," Ruby replied, looking interested. "Joseph, you won’t be upset with me leaving your department, will you?" she asked, clearly teasing him.
"If you keep calling me ’sweetie’ in front of everyone, I might not let you go," Joseph grumbled, making us all laugh.
"I accept," Ruby said enthusiastically. "I’ll love working in this new role."
"The director doesn’t know he’ll be working with me yet, does he?" she asked shrewdly.
"He doesn’t even know he’s getting the promotion yet," Draven smiled at her. "But he’ll appreciate having you as his assistant. Now, Ava, I’m also going to move you..."
"You can fire me if you want, but I refuse to work under Joseph," Ava interrupted, making Joseph snort.
"That’s not what I meant!" Draven said quickly. "We need to fill several positions after we got rid of those people involved in the company issues, and we want to offer you an admin role," Ryan explained. "Something that fits your skills better."
Ava’s face lit up. "Seriously?"
"Yes. You can choose which department you prefer.We have openings in project coordination,resources,finance,operations,and administration. Each has a management position available, which is what we’re offering you," Draven told her, leaving Ava practically bouncing with excitement.
"Project coordination, please!" she replied without hesitation.
"Done," Draven agreed.
"And Nina, you’re also coming to work at the main office.You’ll be our new communications manager, if you want," Ryan told her.
"Are you getting rid of me, boss?" Nina asked Joseph with mock hurt.
"These guys decided to steal all my best people," Joseph complained. "But we worked it out, so yes, I’m letting you go too. The position and benefits they’re offering are way better. It’s your choice - take it or stay."
"I think I’ll take it!" Nina said, grinning.
"Are you going to send me away too, you manwhore?" Eleanor pretended to pout at Joseph.
"I can’t function without you, you psychotic, crazy, filter-less woman," Joseph took Eleanor’s hand across the table and smiled at her.
"I’ve never been so happy to be insulted!" Eleanor broke into a huge grin, making everyone laugh. "I can’t live without you either, you pushover!"
"Should I be concerned about you getting too friendly with my mate, Joseph?" Nate asked, feigning jealousy.
"Relax, Nate. My connection with Eleanor is purely professional," Joseph joked with a wink. "But I do want Kyle on my team."
"Whoa, hold on!" Luke exclaimed. "My mate is very happily married, and you’re not her type."
"What are you talking about?" Ryan complained to Luke. "Kyle is part of our agreement."
"Since when did I become a bargaining chip?" Kyle questioned Ryan, while the others burst into laughter.
"Beautiful Kyle, you’re impressive, but not what I’m looking for," Joseph clarified through his laughter.
"I didn’t know you had a type, Joseph," Ruby commented. "I always thought you just haven’t found your mate yet because you can’t tell who’s compatible with your wolf."
"How cruel, Ruby," Joseph pretended to be offended.
"Then it’s settled," Draven concluded. "You’re all relieved of duties until Monday. That includes you, Kyle. You’ve worked tirelessly these past days, and I honestly don’t know what I would have done without you. I’ll be forever grateful. You are all the finest wolves I could ask for in a pack."
"Actually," Draven corrected himself, looking around at all of us with genuine emotion, "you’re family. The best family in the world."
"How touching," Ryan smiled and clasped his Alpha’s shoulder in a show of brotherhood.
We said our goodbyes, and I arranged with the women to meet the following day to begin preparations for the mating ceremony.
I was heading toward the door when Draven gently caught my arm, saying he still had one matter to discuss with me in private.