Chapter 75 Theon looked at himself in the mirror for the twentieth time. He just didn't feel like this damn bowtie looked straight no matter how many times he fiddled with it. As his nerves kept climbing and his irritation with the bow tie grew he wondered whose stupid idea it was to keep mates apart before the marking ceremony. The time when they need each other's ability to calm each other the most. Though he reflected, most people probably didn't have the nerves of he and Naomi today. Between out-of-town guests, some of whom were powerful people, the possibility of witches being anywhere, Naomi having untested magical abilities and then the normal worries of hoping she shows up or he doesn't trip and faceplant on the stage it was stressful. Then his saving grace of the morning appeared. Alex on his little tuxedo dressed identical to his father. Theon felt his chest swell with pride seeing his little miniature replica running into the room grinning from ear to ear throwing himself around his father's legs. "Daddy are you almost ready?" Alex asked "I can't wait to see mummy." "Yes I am all done" Then said realising he had to give up on the battle of the bow tie. "Are you excited?" he asked Alex "yes" Alex exclaimed "Will mummy be happy?" he asked Theon laughed "I hope so. We are going to be a team now and we will look after her and maker her happy right little man?" he put out his hand for a little fist bump and laughed at Alex's awkward attempt to reciprocate. Theon wondered why he was so worried. Today he was bonding with the woman of his dreams and their perfect child and completing his pack. Smiling at the sight of the two of them in the mirror he left the room to head to the pack grounds. At the same time Naomi was dressed and ready in the kitchen cottage but pacing like she was trying to wear out the hardwood floors. "You really need to chill" said Rhys "You're starting to make me dizzy and stressed" he'd been wathing her like this for the last two hours. She'd go get her hair or makup done and then return to the kitchen and start paving muttering to herself. "I can't Rhys." She said slightly higher than normal. "This isn't anxiety. This is a message, maybe a partial vision or something but its definitely some kind of warning trying to come through. I cant seem to coax it out." "Look" said Rhys "We have plenty if security, extra guards, Molly said there is nothing to worry about from the witches. Theon has confirmed he is definitely going and you are definitely who he is waiting for this time" he said trying to make a bit of a joke to lighten the mood but it only earned him a glare from Naomi. "Okay" she said letting out a dee breath. "Maybe the problem is I am trying to hard." "Here" said Rhys as he handed her a glass of champagne "have a few sips of this, Lucy is just getting her shoes on then we can all get moving. In half hour it will all be over and then you can relax and enjoy the rest of the day okay?" Naomi looked at her brother with relief in her eyes. "Thank you she said taking the drink and downing it in one." Rhys looked at her wide eyes. "I said a few sips" Naomi shrugged. AT that moment Lucy came into the kitchen fully ready to go. "Come on kiddos. It go time. What are we all waiting around for." In another 15 minutes Theon finds himself stood on the stage in the middle of the pack grounds. It's decorated tastefully with shades of green and gold and creams. Bunting drifts from pole to pole above the guest and the front of the stage is draped in a cream and gold cloth. On the left of the stage is Theon and Alex, smiling out at the crowd around them. In the middle of the stage are two microphones so the pack can hear the ceremony and behind them stands an Elder, Rico Gomez, with a beaming grin, showing his excitement to be the chosen officiant for today's ceremony. Before Theon heard anyone, he smelt the delicious scent of Naomi and looked to the right of the stage to see her and Rhys climbing the steps. She was in a floor length dark blue silk dress with thick straps and a sweetheart neckline. Her white blonde hair spiled down in soft waves and a crown of flowers lay on top of her head. She literally took his breath away. 1/3 Naomi's eyes never left Theon's as she climbed the stage. He was so handsome in his suit and she couldn't look away or focus on anything but him right now. They walked towards each other and met in the middle of the stage in front of Elder Gomez. Each of them barely heard the words of the rite and repeated when they were told to, absolutely transfixed with each other. And then Theon heard the words he had longed to hear since he was 18 years old. "You may now mark Naomi Clarke as your mate and Luna" 2/3