Chapter 422
Clementine:
I was shocked to see my father among other people. However, it seemed like these people could not communicate with each other.
“The bad people go there,” Ian murmured in my ear. “They are just spirits. They cannot interact. They cannot touch you. They just stand there without any negativity in them,” he explained, possibly because they were not even from the north. He added that part, and I gave him a nod.
“Now may I?” Ian asked as he held his arm up for me.
Getting a blessing from my mother changed everything for me. I wrapped my arm around Ian’s arm, and we began to step down the aisle, reaching the stage.
My knees felt weak for a moment. It was really happening. Ian stood beside me, his arm brushing mine.
I looked around in confusion because there was no officiant at first. However, a spirit formed in front of us. I gasped a little, but then Ian tightened his hold on my hand as he adjusted in front of me, and I let out a small breath and smiled.
The spirit nodded for me to speak. I swallowed and lifted my chin.
“My life was boring before you arrived,” I said, my voice shaking at first because I was being watched by so many people who were no longer alive, and then there was my mother.
She had walked to the podium with us. She was standing right on the other side of the officiant, so close to me.
“I still remember you sitting in that prison with me, watching me. It started with hatred, but then something changed. It became something I needed. You were always there for me, Ian. Even when I was dying in the North, all I missed was you and your touch. I was upset that I never got to talk to you, and if I had died, it would have been without fixing things with you p>
As I spoke, I noticed Ian’s expression softened. His eyebrows pulled together, and he looked worried and a little guilty. His thumb rubbed the back of my hand, as if reassuring me that everything was fine now.
“You may speak now,” the officiant said to Ian, who nodded.
“My entire life, I felt like I did not belong anywhere,” he started, his voice showing a lot of emotion.
“There were moments when I did not even know what my purpose was. But then you arrived. At first, I wanted your attention, so I behaved like a child who picks fights. I never understood when it changed. You became the only person I wanted close to me. My entire purpose became wanting you and keeping you by my side p>
Ian took a brief pause, and then he added, “Oh, Clementine.” That was all he said, and it gave me goosebumps on the back of my neck.
“Do you accept each other?” the spirit asked. He was an old man with a long white beard and mustache and a bald head. He wore a white suit.
Ian looked at me, waiting. Alphas usually tried to take charge first. They would be the first to accept or reject their mate.
So when Ian gestured for me to go ahead, I felt comfortable and happy that he respected me.
“I, Clementine Stark, accept Ian Hunt as my mate and as my husband p>
As soon as I said that, strength spread through my arms and legs, and Ian squeezed my hand, giving me support.
Ian then straightened his posture, and a smirk formed on his lips.
“I, Ian Hunt, accept Clementine Stark as my only forever, my wife, my mate, and my everything p>
He said the words confidently, his tone heard by everyone. His voice did not shake at all.
Cheers filled the hall. Lights shimmered in the air as if the spirits approved. I began to feel so happy looking at the small, glowing butterflies that appeared out of nowhere.
The whole scene looked bright and full of life. It was very pretty.
The spirit spoke up again.
“Please mark each other p>
Once again, we faced each other. The hall fell silent. Ian leaned forward. His hand cupped my cheek, and he brushed his lips against my skin before he bit gently on my neck.
The pain was light. He kissed the mark a few times, and I let out a giggle. I felt shy even though I knew everyone around me was just a spirit. I still felt their eyes on me.
He pulled away, and I reached over to the bottom of his lip, rubbing my thumb over it to clean the blood from him. He kept smiling.
Then he quickly reached out and took the blood from my thumb with his own. While staring at me, he gently licked his thumb. Once again, goosebumps covered my skin.
Then he knelt down and lowered his head for me. I placed my hand on his chest and leaned in. As soon as my lips touched his neck, my body reacted strongly to him.
Heat rushed through me, and I closed my eyes, piercing my canines through his skin. As I marked him and pulled away, I watched both of us stand there with a new strength inside us.
Before the spirit could speak again, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against him, one hand resting behind my head.
His lips pressed against mine with force. The crowd cheered louder this time, but I closed my eyes, letting the moment settle inside me.
I had never felt so happy before.
After kissing me, he broke the kiss, and I watched everyone throw flower petals at us.
After a few more minutes, everything began to fade, and the spirits slowly disappeared. I instantly turned to my mother, and she gave me a head nod.
“I’ll be watching over you. Live a very long and happy life. Do not cry again,” my mother said before she disappeared.
Ian quickly hugged me, and I rested my forehead against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat, and then he uttered,
“May I have a dance with you p>
I lifted my head from his chest and gave him a smile. He held my hand and walked me out of the venue. Once we were on the road, he placed one hand behind him and knelt slightly, holding his other hand out to me, waiting for me to accept and dance with him.