Jose was about to issue a warning to both his dragon and his female when Cris appeared at the doorway. "It's time."
Taking Victoria's hand, he followed Cris out of the room and down a small hallway that lead to the main stage. Cris peeked out a second and then motioned for them to follow.
They exited to a deadly quiet room. All eyes followed both his and Victoria's movements, until Cris had them stop next to Wes, who stood next to a microphone stand.
Cris retreated a few feet, crossed her arms, and Wes finally spoke. "As I mentioned, tonight is a night for celebrations. Everyone here has signed a contract, stating they won't cause harm to any humans that come to our land. As such, you're to witness the first mating ceremony on PineRock between a human and a dragon-shifter in years."
Jose resisted frowning. Wes had them sign a contract? Surely there had to b
e more to the story, as dragon halves weren't keen on paperwork.
However, as Victoria lightly tugged his hand, he remembered that he was about to mate the female he loved, and she was the only thing that deserved his attention right now.
Wes held up a large wooden box and spoke again. "Inside this are the gifts we give to every newly mated pair, including a set of rings engraved with a unique message written in the old dragon language." He opened the box and held out the rings to Jose. "May your mating be happy, full of laughter, and fruitful."
He took the rings but barely paid them a glance. Jose studied his human, taking in everything about her.
Instead of being afraid or uncertain, despite the fact the crowd inside the great hall had to be one of the biggest she'd faced, she merely smiled at him with love in her eyes.
Needing to make her officially his, he began the ceremony, saying the necessary words. "Victoria Lewis, it's not enough that I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. You complete me in a way I never thought possible. When I stood inside that ballroom in South Lake Tahoe, I dreaded trying to pick one female out of the rest. But you stood out immediately, drawing my curiosity and never losing it. You're intelligent, open-minded, kind, and more accepting of my family than I could've ever hoped for." He picked up the small gold band and held it out. "With this ring, I stake my claim, binding us as mates for all time. Do you accept it?"
Without hesitation, she put her finger into the ring and took his hand. "I do."
Releasing his fingers, she picked up the other ring and cleared her throat. While he could hear her heart pounding, her voice was strong and carried as she said, "I entered the dragon lottery on a whim, merely wanting the chance to learn more about dragon-shifters. I never expected to be selected to participate, let alone have a dragonman pick me out of everyone else. And yet, putting in my application turned out to be the best impulsive decision of my life. You understand me in a way I never thought possible, and I suspect you will continue to surprise me for the rest of my life. And for that, and so much more, I love you, Jose Santos. With this ring, I stake my claim on you. Do you accept?"
He couldn't put the ring on fast enough. "I do."
Wes stepped in, per the custom. "Then, as clan leader, I proclaim you two mates, bound by both human and dragon law, and under PineRock's eternal protection. You may kiss your mate."
Jose pulled Victoria up against his body, loving how she sucked in a breath at the contact, and took her lips with his.
He ignored the cheers and whistles as he licked, explored, and claimed his mate's mouth.
Victoria was his, now and forever.
And once he finally let her up for air, he hugged her even tighter against him and murmured, "I love you, Tori."
She smiled, the sight making him lose his breath. "I love you, too, Jose."
Wes and Cris cleared their throats, breaking the moment, and Jose growled. "I know, I know, the night's not over yet."
Wes slapped his back and kept his voice low enough that no one else should hear it. "Everyone here is legally bound to accept her, and Protectors are everywhere. I know she doesn't like strangers, but I would highly suggest using tonight to introduce her to as many people as possible, maybe even a few you think she might bond with."
He replied just as quietly, "Still won't tell me your bargain?"
"No. But Tori is safe, and that's all that matters."
His mate leaned forward. "Care to share what all the whisper is about?"
He looked back at his beautiful mate, the curiosity in her brown eyes calming him a fraction. "You remember how I explain the custom, for the newly mated pair to mingle with the rest of the clan, right, and accept their felicitations and/or gifts?"
She sighed. "I do."
He cupped her cheek. "Can you handle it tonight?"
Somewhere in the crowd, his cousin Luna shouted, "Come on, Tori! I want to be the first one to give you a present!"
His mate smiled and murmured to him, "I hope it's not a new playlist."