Staring at myself in the mirror I admire my chestnut hair that falls in loose curls, half of it shaped into a bow at the back upper-half of my head. It’s been just over two—almost three—years since I returned home, and news about the fight at Pine Paw has spread all over the world. Due to the incident with Sam and Ross, the Elders visited every single pack for three months making sure everyone knew the new laws of Breeders being illegal.
Many packs were abolished for breaking the laws, Tate being asked to help with punishing those that continued the illigal Breeders even after learning about Pine Paw and Sam’s demise while I was left to lead our pack with him and some warriors gone. The last I heard about Pine Paw is that Sam’s younger brother Eric and his mate took over, freeing all the Breeders and reuniting them with their pups. All in all, my story is widely known now. I have a strong reputation of being a kind Luna but a brutal fighter when it comes to protecting my pack and family – a reputation that matches my mate’s Blood Alpha title perfectly.
"Are you almost ready?" Eeva's voice fills my ears and I turn to stare at my maid of honour, smiling when I notice the look of awe on her face as Julia toddles around us in her lavender flower girl dress.
"Yes, is everyone here?" I ask, smoothing the front of my dress gently. Today is my wedding day, and I am wearing a Pnina Tornai strapless ball gown with a bejewelled, sweetheart neckline. My veil – one that used to belong to my mother and what she wore at her wedding - hangs down just inches above the floor attached to a tiara situated on the top of my head. For the time being, the veil is flipped back away from my face as I wait for the time to come. I really can’t wait to see my mate. The night alone in my cousin's house with Julia was excruciating and even though I knew it would only be a few hours, I still missed Tate and yearn to be curled beside him in our bed.
"They are all seated and waiting for the three of us. You look beautiful by the way, sis." She gushes, and my already pink cheeks turn a deeper shade while Eeva picks up my daughter. Eeva had started calling me sis or little sis just a few months after my return home. It made me happy but it irritated Tate to no end. About two years ago, she had given birth to my niece Lora and worked hard to fit into her lavender bridesmaid gown. I couldn’t help but chuckle as she twirls around the room with a giggling Julia, who squeals out a “Mommy, help me” before escaping her aunt to hide behind my leg.
"Your Aunty wont hurt you.” I chuckle out, looking down at my little girl who has grown so much. Eeva just chuckles, looking at Julia before the door to the guest room opens and Chris walks in, stoping dead in his tracks as he takes in my appearance.
"Wow, Lainy, your parents would be so proud." He whispers, using his childish nickname for me as tears threatening to spill from both our eyes. I sniffle a bit, holding back the tears that threaten to spoil my makeup and walk towards Chris, giving him a tight hug. I take in his lavender suit as he will be walking on my side of the ceremony as my bride’s man. I smile at the man who raised me most of my life and thank the Goddess for giving me such a supportive cousin. I don’t think I would have made it to today if he hadn’t had stepped up to raise me.
"I know they would, but having you here is just as important." I agree sniffling as I try to keep the tears at bay. I see tears slip from Chris’s eyes as he dabs a handkerchief at the drops, causing me to laugh at his emotional state. My cousin can be such a cry baby at times.
"Look, both of you need to hurry up before we’re late for a very important date." Eeva huffs with a glare, pushing us towards the door with Julia situated on her right hip.
"Really, Alice in Wonderland quotes?" I laugh out, my mood lightening.
"Yes.” She answers with a smirk as she continues to push me and Chris towards the door.
“Now move, or else my brother will storm up here and grab you himself if you don't get out there." She adds, and I know she is right. As quickly as I could in three-inch heels, I make my way down the stairs and out the house with my bouquet of fall flowers in hand. Chris sets my veil over my face before I step outside, a look of happiness and pride in his eyes as he gives me one more hug.
Tate and I had decided to marry each other on the day we met instead of the spring wedding I always dreamed of, but I wouldn't change this date for anything else. It was the day my life changed for the better. The day I stopped running as the runaway breeder and became the mate to the scary Blood Alpha. I found my freedom and regained my life that day so it made sense to make this day the day we marry to always remind us to keep moving forward.
Luckily my cousin’s house is close to mine and Tate’s, helping us decide on a backyard wedding and all I have to do was walk through the forest. The steady march of “Here Comes the Bride” plays as I near the edge of the trees, the guests stand from their chairs while Julia makes her way towards her father in her flower girl outfit. I have a feeling that I am the blushing bride, but as soon as my eyes meets Tate's stare full of love, everything stops and it is just him and I. No one else matters as I stand in front of him.