Rory stirred inside me, her happiness bubbling as she anticipated our formal mating ceremony.”We’re finally doing this. Becoming his, officially, before everyone.”
After breakfast with my friends, my mother Lena, and Clara, we headed to the pack house.
Eleanor, true to her perfectionist nature, had transformed Draven’s office into a full-service beauty salon, complete with professional stylists who arrived carrying cases filled with cosmetics, hair tools, and everything needed to prepare a bride.
“You’ve outdone yourself, Elle,” I said, watching the team set up stations around the room.
Eleanor smiled. “Only the best for my best friend. Now sit down and let these professionals work their magic.”
Amidst the whirring of hair dryers and the gentle strokes of makeup brushes, a waitress circulated with champagne and finger foods. My mother sipped her drink, watching me with teary eyes as the stylist worked on my hair.
“I can’t believe my little girl is becoming a Luna today,” she whispered.
Hours later, after my makeup was perfected and my hair styled in elegant waves with tiny pearl pins, it was time for the dress. Eleanor and my mother helped me into the ivory gown, carefully arranging the delicate lace overlay that hugged my curves before flaring slightly at my hips.
When everyone else left the room, leaving just my mother and me, she took my hands in hers.
“Caroline,” she said, tears already forming in her eyes, “you look absolutely radiant.”
“Mom, please don’t cry,” I begged, feeling my own eyes well up. “You’ll start me off too.”
“I just need to say this,” she insisted, squeezing my hands. “Marriage between wolves is even more sacred than human unions. Remember that for your bond to thrive, you must know when to assert yourself and when to compromise. Choose your battles wisely, my sweet girl.”
“I will, Mom.I love you so much,” I whispered, embracing her.”Thank you for standing by me through everything,even when I showed up pregnant and alone.”
“My love for you is unbreakable,” she said firmly.
A knock on the door interrupted our emotional moment. My father, Beta Robert, entered, his eyes widening at the sight of me.
“Caroline,” he breathed, emotion making his voice rough. “My beautiful daughter…”
He wiped at his eyes, not bothering to hide his tears. “Seeing you this happy, building a life with an Alpha worthy of you… it fills me with such pride to be your father.”
“Dad,” I whispered, moving to hug him. The moment was brief but perfect – a slice of eternity I knew I’d carry forever in my heart.
“Your mother and I have something for you,” he said, revealing two velvet boxes I hadn’t noticed before. “Family heirlooms for your special day.”
The first box contained stunning pearl drop earrings suspended from gold hoops inlaid with three perfect diamonds. My mother helped me put them on, her fingers trembling slightly.
The second box held a beautiful rosary with mother-of-pearl beads that gleamed in the light.
“This belonged to my mother,” my father explained. “She carried it on her wedding day. It would honor me if you’d incorporate it into your bouquet.”
“The honor is mine,” I said firmly, new tears threatening my waterproof makeup.
Another knock sounded, and Ryan poked his head in, grinning widely.
“The nervous Alpha wants to know if his bride is crying,” he announced, then turned to yell over his shoulder. “She’s shedding enough tears to fill storm Valley, but give me two minutes with her!”
He stepped inside, whistling low as he took in my appearance. “Damn, Caroline. I don’t even have words for how gorgeous you look right now.”
I laughed, grateful for his levity.
“I come bearing gifts,” Ryan continued, holding out a box and envelope. “From your very anxious soon-to-be husband who’s practically wearing a path in the grass pacing outside.”
With trembling fingers, I opened the card first.
“Don’t feel obligated to wear this. I simply wanted to share a piece of my parents with you. If they were here, they would have loved you like a daughter and would be overjoyed that I found my true mate. This was my mother’s, and now it’s yours. With all my love, your Draven.”
My heart ached with bittersweet joy as I opened the box to reveal an exquisite tiara. Crafted from gold to resemble a rose bush, it featured perfectly sculpted roses adorned with tiny diamonds, while pearls nestled among golden leaves. It wasn’t just beautiful ,it was a piece of Draven’s heart, a connection to the parents he’d lost.
After Ryan escorted my mother out, the makeup artist returned to touch up my tear-streaked face before carefully placing the tiara on my head.
My father offered his arm, and my heart pounded wildly as we approached the French doors leading to the garden ceremony. Eleanor had drawn the curtains to keep me hidden until the perfect moment.
“You look like a goddess!” Eleanor exclaimed, rushing back in. “Let me tell you, Draven walked in with Clara, Ava, even though she was upset, walked in with Joseph, and little Nina is making the detective sigh. I had already walked in with my prince, but I came running because I wanted to give you your bouquet!” “
She handed me a stunning arrangement of white and red tulips bound with white satin ribbon. I’d noticed her being secretive about the flowers, insisting it was a special surprise she was preparing.
“It’s perfect,” I whispered, fingering the delicate petals.
“The time has come,” Eleanor said, embracing me quickly. “When those curtains open, all eyes will be on you, and your Alpha will be waiting. He might actually faint – he’s that nervous, and you’re that beautiful.” She squeezed my hand. “I’ll be by your side today and always, sister.”
After she left, I took my father’s arm again. He looked down at me, eyes full of love.
“Ready, sweetheart?”
I nodded, taking a deep breath.He signaled the attendants, and the white curtains parted as music filled the air.My eyes immediately sought and found Draven, standing tall and handsome at the altar, his violet eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made Rory howl with joy inside me.
I stepped forward on my father’s arm, my heart full and my future clear. I was walking toward my mate, my Alpha, my forever.
Draven’s POV
As I walked down the aisle with Clara on my arm, I couldn’t help but marvel at how Caroline had planned every detail of our ceremony with such careful precision. The garden of the pack house had been transformed into a wedding paradise, with wooden benches decorated with ivory silk ribbons arranged in perfect rows. Large crystal vases filled with white and red tulips, which symbolized our eternal love and devotion, lined the entrance path.
At the altar stood an ancient wooden table carved with the symbols of our pack, and behind it, an elegant wooden arch draped with flowing white fabric and covered with fresh tulips. When I reached my place, my eyes fell on the front bench where two empty spaces had been reserved. There, sitting on the bench, were silver framed portraits of my parents, each with a white tulip placed before them.
My throat tightened. Caroline had found a way to make my parents present on this most important day, ensuring everyone knew they were here in spirit. Clara took her seat beside the photos, and I felt my wolf Alaric surge with emotion within me.
“She honors our family,” Alaric growled with approval. “A true Luna.”
When our pack members and friends began their procession, I couldn’t help but admire the bridesmaids’ dresses. Each one was colored to match a different tulip in shades of deep purple, vibrant red, sunny yellow, warm orange, and delicate pink. They created a living garden as they walked, taking their places in the ten chairs arranged on either side of the altar, facing our gathered guests.
When the white curtains opened, showing Caroline on her father’s arm, my world stopped. My mate, my soon to be Luna, looked beautiful in white. Her dress was simple and elegant with a halter top held by long tulle straps that went around her neck and fell from a bow at her back, leaving her smooth skin bare. Layers of tulle made the skirt, with pretty lace details on the bodice and throughout the flowing fabric. As she walked, she seemed to float toward me like a dream.
In her hair, which was styled in a low bun, she wore my mother’s tiara that I’d sent to her this morning. Seeing my mother’s crown on my mate’s head broke something inside me, and I felt tears running down my face before I could stop them.
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