The Assassin’s Mate
Rehearsal

We walked out of his office and went back upstairs to take a shower and get dressed. Since I got here I've only worn Tanner's clothes so I had no clue what to wear tonight. But of course my mate had thought of everything and as soon as I walked into the closet I saw an entire wardrobe full of clothes just for me. I ran my hands over the multiple shirts and dresses that were hanging on the bar, letting the material slip through my fingers, when Tanner walked in and pulled one off the hanger.

"I think this one will look beautiful on you."

He handed it to me and went to his side where he put on a pair of khaki dress pants and a navy blue shirt with brown slip on dress shoes. He looked handsome as ever and it wasn't long before the heat returned to my core and my cheeks turned a pink tinged color.

He smiled at me and said "Get dressed, we have our whole lives to fuck in this closet but tonight is not an option."

I huffed in frustration and slipped the shiny silver dress over my head. It was adorned with thousands of sequins and beads making it sparkle every time I moved and it brought out my eye color perfectly. I twirled around in front of the mirror like a princess watching as it cast tiny specks of light all around the room. After I inspected myself I slipped on some black platform pumps and pulled my hair back out of my face. I splashed a little color on my cheeks and lips then met Tanner downstairs along with Rory, Olivia and Finn.

We walked out the front door where five black SUVs were waiting for us. Tanner and I got into the first one and the others got in the second one. Once we were secured and ready we were escorted across the forest to an abandoned castle where the ceremony would be taking place, as it would happen at night under the moons supervision. The castle contained a courtyard that was surrounded by brick arches and completely open at the roof. There was an aisle with chairs on each side and flowers placed at the beginning and the end of the white carpet lining the middle. It was spectacular and I truly felt special just getting to be here let alone actually being the one to walk down it.

"I hope you like everything. They forced me to make all the decisions about the decorations so I picked the most simple things I could find. The gold was all they gave me to work with. I can't match things like this to save my life so the coordinator guided me." He said as he placed his hand on the small of my back.

A sudden rush of guilt hit me like a tornado and I felt like the most horrible person for running away without an explanation but my only goal was to save his life, I wasn't thinking straight and plus I'd just learned that he was my mate and I was going to be a Queen. It's not like everyday a trained killer turns out to me such a majestic person.

We were the last ones to show up and once we did we were ushered straight to the room where I would be getting ready. We were told about what to expect when we arrived that morning and what would take place. The attendant was very understanding of our lack of knowledge with the ceremony and she made sure to let us know there was no way we could mess up. We didn't have to do anything but stand there and the officiants would take care of everything. She then showed us where the reception would take place and what was expected of us there. Tanner had to recite a speech for his new kingdom then we would be free to mingle.

It was a lot of information to handle but I knew he wouldn't let me fail. She let us go back outside and had everyone seated while she made us run through the entire thing. She had me walk down the aisle and meet Tanner. From there it was extremely informative until we got to the part where we repeated the oath.

"Ok this part of the ceremony is when you will exchange your rings." She said as she smiled at us both.

My heart stopped, with everything going on I never even realized that Tanner never asked me to be his Queen or even gave me a ring.

I turned to her quickly with panic written all over my face and said "We don't have rings!"

She smiled as she said "Are you sure about that?" Then pointed behind me.

I turned around to find Tanner down on one knee with a beautiful ring sitting in a black velvet box and the biggest grin on his face. I was speechless and frozen in my spot.

"Elise Baxter, the moment I met you I knew there was something amazing about you but I didn't realize how special you were until the Moon Goddess revealed her plan for me. I made a lot of mistakes when it came to you but I promise I will spend eternity making it up to you. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife, my Queen, and stand by my side as we rule our kingdom?"

Hot streams of tears flowed down my face as I stood there with my mouth wide open unable to breathe or speak. He didn't move an inch but instead waited patiently as I finally found my voice and squeeked out "yes."

He smiled and grabbed my hand then placed the ring on my finger and stood up wiping my tears from my eyes with his thumbs then leaned in and kissed me. Everyone started cheering and clapping as we stood there holding each other tight.

"Ok now that we have exchanged rings it's time for the blessing. Once that's over you will walk to the ceremonial bowl and place your blood in the cup then you will mark each other."

"Like in front of everyone?" I whispered to her.

She gave me an embarrassed smile and said "Goddess no, I'm sorry I'm going through these instructions too fast. You will go to your bed chambers and mark each other but it doesn't have to be immediately after. You just have to seal your courtship with completing the mate bond fully before dawn."

Tanner smirked and I blushed. I couldn't wait until our ceremonial night and the plans I had for him! Warm heat pooled in my belly and before I knew it my insides were burning. I needed to be with him now but I knew we had a lot of things left to discuss.

"Queen? Have you gotten someone to walk you down the aisle?"

She asked, snapping me out of my lustful daydream. I hadn't even thought of that and now that I had to I knew there was only one person who I would ever want to complete this task. I walked over where everyone was standing and pulled him away from the crowd.

"Li, you look so...grown up. I'm extremely proud of the woman you've become." He kissed my cheek and my eyes started to water.

"I owe it all to you, Damon. You are one of the most important people in my life, so I would like to know if you would walked me down the aisle next week."

His face lit up and he pulled me into a hug. I think I knew his answer!

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A picture of her ring is on my wattpad app. If you want to see it, follow me at @mombear911.

How cute, Li asked Damon to walk her down the aisle!!!

What do you think Li has planned for their ceremonial night????

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