Finally, their moment came. The moment of the truest of vows. The oaths made under the moon would as long as they lived.

"I am fully prepared to take on any duties needed from my husband or the tribe." Iona responded to the Shaman, "I am more than prepared for the path ahead."

She resisted sending a glance at her father who was already looking at his feet. Her words were an embarrassing reminder of how much of his work had often been handed to Iona. Once she agreed the Shaman began to tell her more of their traditions in a  tone that indicated a dislike of their speed. Iona simply smiled but took a mental note of the shaman's behavior in case it ever became a problem in the future. She moved her veil to reveal her neck, the weakest point of a wolf's body. When she looked up she saw Jet's beautiful eyes and his calmness, which dissolved any fear of pain. Iona did flinch, but it wasn't as painful as she had expected.

A surge of magic ran through her veins as the bond she shared with Jet became less like a dream and instead shifted into reality. She could hear every single breath, his strong scent, and every single thing about him somehow became… not desirable as she had already desired him. It was like she had known him forever yet only recently looked at him. Every part of him became more lovely, even the parts she hadn't noticed before. She burst into a smile and held out her arms for Jet to take her up. He embraced her and gave her a kiss. A kiss that was real and a kiss that both her and Jet were hoping for.

"I have always wondered where my place was in the world." She secretly admitted to him in a low voice, "Whatever it may be, I know it'll be with you."

Her eyes revealed she wasn't just talking about a job or duty or destiny. It was all of those things but so much more. Iona was young and she knew she had a bright future ahead of her. And now she wouldn't have to travel that path alone. Now, she had somebody who would be by her side for the rest of her life. Suddenly the scents of freshly baked pastries, roasted meats, delicate fruits, and spiced alcohol hit her nose.

"I hope we eat soon." She half-jokingly whispered to Jet.

The magic that bound the tribes together in the tribal land was legendary. It bound mates together often for life unless something could be argued otherwise. Those who accepted the mark… They gained new senses. Angela knew this and she was fine with it, which gave Trygve some room to breathe that he hadn’t sacrificed his son.

If Jet had a moment to think past everything he was feeling he would have realized how familiar she felt now to him. A lifelong friend, a destiny for him to grab hold of. This magic was incredibly dangerous. He had a grin as he lifted her up for the kiss, he was excited that she was happy. He couldn’t just see it but now he could feel it in his bride as well.

He listened to her as he used a free hand to move back some of her black locks. “I am very happy to hear that… Maybe it won’t be so lonely now when the beast is gone…” He gave a small smile that showed just how lonely he could be when Hana wasn’t around.

“Keep smelling as good as you do… and you might just be my dinner,” Jet made the joke as he kissed her ear and put her down. “Come on there’s a party.” He brought her down into the crowd. Angela was near by and did a minor wave.

“You will have a long happy life. I’ll make sure of that,” the Mother’s eyes sparkled towards Iona before giving the bride a forehead kiss. “I do believe your father is looking for you though. We will have plenty of time to talk later. I have to go back to Elysia. My gift to you~ A month in my realm. Whenever you are ready for it.” The goddess disappeared as fast as she had appeared in front of them.

Jet didn’t know what to make of it, “Did she gift us a honeymoon?” He tilted his head. “Guess she really does like you.” Leading her to Trygve he stood next to a man with many tattoos. “Ma said you were looking for us?”

“You did promise to get the mark. No time like the present before you do it drunk. You know you don’t handle your alcohol well at all,” Trygve gruffed before laughing. “Iona, this is Ake, he is our tattoo specialist. If that’s the name for it. He will be putting your marks on you.”

Jet was quick to strip his tunic off, “No time like the present.” Taking a seat the warrior rolled his shoulders as if he was stiff from anxiety and stress. “Put it next to my shifting one ah?”

“Important is it?” Ake smirked a bit before starting the mark on Jet’s chest after getting Jet to lay down.

“Fuck off Ake,” Jet smirked and looked up at Iona. “Why wouldn’t she be?”

“Okay, loverboy fuck yer wife later. Tattoo now,” Ake flicked Jet’s nose before finishing the mark. It took him no time at all and the lines were nice and good. “Now for yer wife. Where are you going to get it? Might have to stri–”

Jet growled lightly and before long looked away, “So-sorry.”

“Nah, all the bonded do it. I should have thought about it,” Ake smirked. “Now where do you want it?”

After Iona got her mark Jet kept his shirt off as not to agitate the new mark. During the music, he scooped Iona up and hoisted her above everyone else. Everyone in the Lunar Sun tribe yelled up at her in celebration. They gained a new member today too.

When Jet spoke of the loneliness without his twin, she knew she had felt the same. Her brother was a moron and her father was sweet but she never had the feeling that the both of them were on the same level. Now she had someone to talk with and somebody to keep her company as she would do the same for him. Iona knew she would be more than willing to beat back the pains of loneliness that would try to claim him. He then joked, claiming he would make her his dinner. 

"Is that a promise?" She challenged with a smile. 

Jet's mother, Angela approached the both of them and promised her a long happy life. Then she mentioned a gift in the form of a honeymoon in her realm whenever they wanted it. A month to spend with just each other. It sounded like the perfect vacation but she would have to speak about it with Jet. Iona didn't know if his responsibilities would allow him for so much time away. 

"Thank you." Iona spoke warmly to his mother. 

Getting on the mother's good side was always the best way to get along with in-laws. And now she was family, which made her wonder more about the rest of the family. The only one she got a good read on was Hana. Jet's mother vanished as quickly as she came and Iona turned back to Jet. She nodded to his question and hoped his comment was true. Only time would really tell. They traveled to Trygve and a stranger covered in tattoos. Jet then stripped his tunic off and Iona's attention quickly turned back to him. She was just admiring the view as she thought about where to have her own marking. She watched as Jet's mark was finished. She was a little surprised when he growled at her after the guy suggested that she strip. Then again, if somebody had asked him to take off his pants, she might have had the same reaction. 

"The upper back in the center." Iona said. 

To anybody else that wouldn't be a significant space. But to her and her people, it was believed that the upper back was one of the most important parts of the body. It was where the strength came from and it was believed that the soul's endurance came from the back. Placing something on the back, whether it was a piercing or a tattoo was a way to induce strength whatever it may be. Once he was done, she walked over to Jet and showed him, beaming with pride. Once she repositioned her dress, she was scooped up and hoisted above. Laughter escaped her as she looked over the massive tribe. Suddenly, she felt a part of the tribe. There was still more to learn but she was excited to embrace her new life with Jet and with the tribe.