We are one

Lucinda sat in her dark office pondering on what happened to Marie. She spoke to Genevieve who had told her about a young man named Vale. That Marie said she was going on a long vacation last time they talked over the phone. She hadn't even told her best friend where she was going. Lucinda's concern has grown exponentially since she couldn't track her with a location spell. To top it all off she could sense that the spell she had put on Marie was no more. Lucinda wondered if she should just let Marie go, but she had grown quite attached to that girl. With a deep sigh she wonders as an outcast in her community, if the other witches would help her. Had she been reunited with her wolf? Had she discovered her powers? Even if she had, she couldn't be much trouble to her plans. Perhaps the girl would just go live a quiet life. "I guess I'll just deal with it if she comes back. For now I have other things to worry about."

Helen was overjoyed as she decorated the apple orchard. Her son was finally going to get married! She hoped that grandchildren would soon follow. She had been watching those two for some time and could see they had grown quite attached. Maybe it wasn't madly in love as she had hoped, but they were content together. She hoped the madly in love bit would follow soon. "Mother" Max pulled her from her thoughts.

"Ah my boy! Are you ready for tomorrow?" Helen asks with joy.

"Yes, do you need any help?" Max smiles at his mother.

"How dare you ask me that! Go and hang with the boys! Marie will be staying at my place tonight!" She wages him away as he chuckles at his mothers excitement.

"See you tomorrow then." Max turns and smiles at Marie as they walk past each other.

"See you tomorrow" Marie smiles at Max and walks over to Helen.

Marie takes a basket to Helen. "Helen, you need to eat." Marie taps her shoulder.

"Call me mother dear!" Helen takes Maries hand and pulls her to sit at a table. "I hope you will be eating with me?" Helen raises her eyebrow at Marie.

"Yes mom, I brought food for everyone." Marie smiles as she pulls food from the basket.

"Ooo. What did you bring Marie?" Angel appears in the empty seat next to Marie.

"Pulled pork." Marie hands Angel a plate.

"Yum!!!!!" Angel helps herself. Marie smiles as she watches everyone else join them. Good thing she brought a large bowl of food. Helen has had Marie start taking over some of her responsibilities. She is now in charge of coordinating the bonfires and has put her in charge of feeding the elders. Marie knew that as the alphas mate she would have responsibilities to the pack and has happily accepted them. Helen seems so happy as she chats away with Angel. Marie never knew how content she could feel in a place, she had always felt a little out of place everywhere she had lived, but here she was just Marie. No one was waiting for her to change anymore and simply accepted her just as she was. She knew her wolf was happily running free and that was good enough for her and Max. Tomorrow she was getting married and she was happy with her new life.

"What are you thinking about dear? Not getting cold feet are you?" Helen waves her hand in front of Maries face.

"No ma. I'm just thinking how happy I am that I found my family." Marie smiles at Helen and the others.

Helen holds Maries hand and smiles. "We are happy you are found as well dear."

The next morning Max wakes early. His excitement is keeping him up. Soon he will have his mate. The guys slowly start to wake up and banter. "Max, you are about to get that old ball and chain!" One of them teases.

Max laughs "when will you be getting yours Charlie?" Max teases back.

"As soon as I get Ruby to say yes...."

Max nods his acknowledgment and begins to get dressed in the suit his mother gave him.

Helen shakes Marie gently to wake her. "Time to get ready!" She says excitedly. Marie stretches and eats the food Helen gives her. Helen shows her the dress she picked out and Marie smiles. The dress is white with large red flowers and a thin, soft lace over top that sparkles in the light. Soon Marie is dressed ready to go to the orchard. Helen has left to check if they are ready to start when Ruby walks in. "Hello Marie." She says quietly.

"Ruby, are you ok?" Marie notices she doesn't look herself.

"Do you care?" Ruby responds tightly.

"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?" Marie looks at Ruby seriously.

"Because I have been after your mate." Ruby looks Marie directly in the eye. "You know as alpha he can have more than one mate."

"I have a feeling that is not what Max wants." Marie smiles. "Why are you really here?"

"I tried to see Max last night and he lashed out at me. I have been ordered to mate with Charlie. I wanted to apologize to you, my scars will always remind me who my alphas mate is." Ruby says bitterly.

"Scars?" Marie asks confused. Ruby turns her back to Marie to show her large deep gashes, Marie could see that they were healing quickly. "What did you think you would accomplish? Ruby I hope Charlie makes you happy. Don't cross Max again please."

Ruby nods and heads for the door. "I hope you make him happy." She whispers as she slips out.

Marie shakes her head at how vicious her cuts looked. Marie knows that the pack has its own set of rules and they can sometimes get bloody. What did Ruby think she would do about it?

"What did Ruby want?" Helen asks as she walks in.

"Max apparently reprimanded her for approaching him last night." Marie replies quietly.

"That dumb girl!" Helen spits.

"She is to mate with Charlie as well."

"Ah, that boy has be smitten with her for some time." Helen smiles at Marie. "Are you ok? I know it maybe seemed harsh.."

"I'm fine ma. Are they ready?" Marie interrupts helens train of thought.

"Yes!" She jumps up and claps. Taking Maries hand she brings her outside. "There is someone special here to walk you down the aisle"

Marie looks up from the ground to see Vale smiling at her. "You look good."

"Vale!" Marie gives him a big hug. "Where have you been?" She looks at him curiously.

"All over, but I wouldn't miss this for the world." He smiles.

"You didn't have to come. I know it might be a lot to deal with." Marie takes his hand.

"Who would walk you down the aisle if I hadn't come?" He puts her hand in his elbow as they walk towards the orchard.

Marie smiles widely with happiness when she sees Max waiting for her. He felt a little worried at first when he invited Vale to walk her down the aisle. He wasn't sure if it would upset her, but she looked very happy and didn't appear to have cold feet. They had their ceremony and enjoyed the party all afternoon. Marie danced with Max all afternoon. Vale asked for a dance and Marie danced with him.

"I'm glad you came." She smiled.

"Me too." Vale smiles and walks her back to Max. "I wish you both a happy life."

"Thanks man." Max gives Vale a hug. "Don't be a stranger."

"I won't." He smiles as he steps back. He can see Marie still wearing the ring he gave her on her necklace. "See you around. The spell is almost worn out."

"Bye." Marie and Max wave as they sit together.

At the end of the night Max takes Marie to the waterfall. They swim for a while as they cool off from the hot summer night, splashing and laughing. Max pins Marie in the shallow area behind the waterfall and gives Marie a light kiss on the neck as she catches her breath. She looks at Max quietly and pulls him to kiss his lips. "Should we start working on those grandchildren?" Max teases Marie in a deep, husky voice. Marie laughs a little before Max takes her breath away with another kiss.

They spend the next three days in the woods alone, sealing their bond, when Marie feels a presence deep within her. Suddenly her wolf spirit is with her and she shifts into her wolf form.

Max shifts and howls with joy as Marie looks slightly confused. "Your wolf is one with you!" He licks Maries face.

"What?" Marie looks at herself in the water. She is now a wolf with mahogany fur. She looks at Max and they howl together as they run through the forest as wolves for the first time.