Epilogue
~ 1 Year Later ~
"Ready to get married?" I asked Charlotte.
We were currently in the new and improved packhouse. We built it bigger and better than how it was before. That included a long ceremony hall where the wedding was going to be.
I walked up behind her to help with her veil as she huffed, "Do you think everything's perfect outside? What about my dress? Do you think it's too pink? Maybe I should of worn white? And Max? Do you think he'll cry? If he doesn't cry I'll strangle him."
I smirked behind her before placing my hands on her shoulder and looking at her from the mirror reflection, "Char, just breathe. In and out, slowly."
She nodded and took a few deep breaths and calmed down.
"Everything is perfect, just the way you wanted it. Your dress is perfectly you and if Max doesn't start crying when you start walking then I'll pepper spray him."
She giggled and lightened up instantly.
Her mom, Caroline, approached us with a smile, "My beautiful daughter. You'll be fine Charlotte, it's just the nerves."
"Has dad stopped crying yet? He can't be sobbing while walking me down the aisle," Char expressed nervously.
"Beau is fine. Everything is fine." Her mom tried to reassure her.
"Your mom's right Charlotte, everything is perfect. I ran through everything for you," My mom said as she joined us.
"Thank you, Aunt Emery," Char smiled appreciatively before turning to me. "One last question, are you sure you got the minister licenses to officiate the wedding?"
I smiled, "I bought it online so I hope it's real. But also, it doesn't matter because your wedding isn't being registered under human laws."
"Right," She nodded.
Even though I was Char's maid of honor, she also asked me to officiate her wedding. I, of course, said yes since it seemed fun. Max also wanted Cal to be his best man as they've both gotten close over the last year.
Their bromance was oddly endearing.
As Charlotte went to slip on her heels, my mom leaned closer to me and whispered, "I can't wait to help you on your big day. The dress, the ceremony. It will all be so beautiful."
She started tearing up and I wrapped my arms around her, "Don't cry or you'll make me cry."
She sniffled and brushed her tears away, "You're right, you're right. I'll save it for your wedding. By the way, this dress looks amazing on you."
I gave her a little spin in my long, plunging v-neck and clinched waist dusty blue bridesmaid dress. The waist had an embroidered floral pattern and I thanked the Moon Goddess that Char had impeccable taste.
"Beautiful," She commented just before June walked in with six-year-old Gracie who was our flower girl.
Everyone immediately awed at how adorable she looked with a flower crown and a princess dress in the same blue that matched us, bridesmaids.
Penelope, who was another bridesmaid, picked up Gracie and twirled her around.
"Look at you sweetpea, you look like you belong in a fairytale."
She blushed and laid her head down on Pen's shoulder, "Thanks, mommy."
Olly and Gracie have both adapted to their new life and started calling June and Penelope 'mom' or 'mommy'. You bet they both cried when their kids called them that.
They've had their hands full with those two but there was nothing but joy on their expressions at the end of every day. They finally got the family they've been dreaming of.
As everyone bustled around the room to get their last-minute touch-ups, Charlotte's dad, Uncle Beau knocked on the door with a smile, "It's time ladies."
I could see the panic set in Charlotte's eyes but we all cleared the room as her dad stayed to calm her down.
Aunt Bailey was outside coordinating everyone as lined us up with our partners to walk down the aisle.
I took my place next to Cal whose eyes raked over me from head to toe. I was doing the same because he was hot on a regular day but in a suit, he was breathtaking. Curly hair, green eyes, blue tie that matched my dress and a bespoke suit that molded around his muscular frame.
He let out a long whistle as he pulled me into him.
"Damn, Princess, you look beautiful in that dress. A little too fairytale for me but I can always dirty you up," He smirked as his eyes twinkled with desire.
Before I could respond, June hit him over the head from behind.
"Ouch, Juney, that hurt," He pouted.
She wasn't fazed as she pointed to her kids running around, "Keep your horndog self quiet, there are kids and werewolves around."
"Fine mom," He grumbled.
Olly approached June just then with a question in his eyes, "Mom? What's a horndog?"
June froze as Penelope laughed beside her before lowering to Olly's height, "It's a dog with a unicorn horn. Your Uncle Callum here has been reading too many fairytales."
Olly twisted his nose up before turning to my mate, "That's stupid."
I gave the kid a high five before he returned to his spot as ring bearer.
"The kid's not wrong," I shrugged and Cal grumbled under his breath before entwining his arm with my own. "By the way," I leaned closer to him, "you look rather spiffy yourself."
I watched as the corners of his lips rose into a smile before the music started playing as an indication to start walking.
As we walked through the large archway, I marveled at how Char had the room decorated. The ceiling was covered in hanging flowers and chandeliers. Dusty pink curtains were elegantly hung across the walls. Candles in glass jars lined the aisle. The background of the alter were large wooden branches that lined up to create a silhouette of a tree.
The inner girly girl in me screamed to have my own wedding.
Especially with the feeling of having my arm in Cal's as we walked down the aisle.
As we stopped at the alter, I gave Max a thumbs up as I took my place behind the podium and Callum went to stand behind Max and gave his shoulder a squeeze.
I watched as the other bridesmaids, Penelope, June, and a pregnant Daisy all walked down the aisle followed by Olly with the rings.
As the pianist of our pack started playing a beautiful melody that Charlotte picked out, Gracie started walking and throwing white rose petals onto the ground as a dazzling Charlotte appeared with her dad beside her.
She looked stunning in her blush pink dress that had a train a few feet long and embroidered floral patterns on the bodice and the ends of the dress.
Also, I can confirm, Max did cry without me having to pepper spray him.
The ceremony was beautiful and went on without a hitch. Their vows to each other were beautiful and the room was filled with love and excitement for the couple's next chapter.
It was definitely the type of ceremony we needed to celebrate life after last year's tragedy.
Throughout the ceremony, Callum also kept his eyes on me. I could feel his eyes piercing into me as the ceremony went on and every time I looked his way, he simply gave me a wink.
The room was converted into the reception area as tables were hauled in and the chairs were rearranged with a large dance floor in the middle.
Callum and Sam joined together and gave the best man speech as Penelope and I did our speech for Charlotte.
Of course, we snuck some innuendos in there than had the new Mr. and Mrs. blushing.
After they had their first dance, everyone joined them on the dancefloor as Callum grabbed my hand and hauled me up to dance with him.
"You know, I can do pretty much everything but dance," I informed him as I looked down at my heels.
He chuckled as he placed my hands around his neck and he wrapped his arms around my waist, "The great Alpha can't dance?"
"I'm afraid not... you may end up with a few bruised toes after I step on them though," I informed him.
"Just go with the flow because I don't know how to dance either," He winked at me.
"So what you're saying is let's both look like fools?"
"Once you're with me, I don't care," He kissed my forehead as we swayed to the slow song.
I locked my hands around him and placed my head over his heart, "Neither do I."
"Is this the first time we're dancing together?"
"I think so," I answered.
"Well, I like it. You in my arms."
I looked up at him to see the sincerity on his face, "So do I. Promise to have spontaneous dances with me every now and again?"
"I'll dance with you and only you for the rest of my life," He gave me a chaste kiss on my lips.
"This wedding's making you extra sweet, did they put something in the cake they just shared?" I teased and he shook his head with a secretive smile.
"No, I'm just head over heels in love with you," He shrugged.
"Well, I love you too," I grinned.
As the slow songs faded into more upbeat tracks, Cal and I did what we promised to do, made fools of ourselves.
We danced like crazy people but everyone seemed to enjoy it as they joined in with us.
Charlotte then threw her bouquet which landed in Nina's hand. Nina was the dressmaker and also Bert's girlfriend. From the blush he was sporting, I could tell he wanted nothing more than to marry her right there and then.
Max did the garter belt thing and it landed in Uncle Teddy's lap and he laughed as he chucked the fabric across the room.
A year ago he would have stormed out of the room but he's changed since. He's gotten better, all thanks to her.
As the music started back up, Callum nudged me with his elbow and motioned towards the exit.
"What is it?" I asked him on alert.
"Come on, I wanna show you something," I placed my hand in his as he pulled us through the room and out the door.
When we walked outside Mitch was standing next to Callum's bike and tossed his keys to him.
After the war, when we went into Fairbairn to get Mitch, Cal made sure and brought his motorcycle with him.
I'm not kidding, he drove it all the here.
Mitch went back inside as Cal handed me a helmet before putting his own on. He got on his bike and started it up, "Hop on, Princess."
I hiked up my dress and sat behind Cal before ensuring my dress was secured before placing my hands around his waist.
The bike did have its perks and that included feeling him up.
"Ready?" He asked.
"I guess," I laughed since I don't even know where we're headed.
He kicked back the stand and took off.
The evening air felt wonderful against my skin contrasting with the heat of Callum. I didn't know what he was up to, but I wasn't worried.
As we got closer to the dirt road that led to the top of the hill, I knew exactly where we were headed but I didn't know why.
Ever since Finn died and Cal brought me when I couldn't sleep, we've been making our thing to come up here frequently. Most of our dates included just sitting here and talking or just wrapping each other in our arms and looking at the stars.
He stopped at the stop where the lookout was I hopped off the bike before taking off my heels and sinking my feet into the grass.
The sun was about to set and the sky looked absolutely breathtaking as pinks, yellows and oranges blended together in the sky.
"Not that I'm complaining, but why take us out of the wedding to come here?" I asked as I walked over to our spot.
He chuckled nervously behind me, "Because I've been planing this for a while now. With everyone celebrating back home, I thought it was a perfect time to sneak away."
I turned back towards him as he pulled out a shoebox from the compartment on his bike.
I looked at him suspiciously, "And what exactly have you been planning?"
He smiled, "Just a little something."
"As in?" I rose a brow as he stopped right before me.
He sank down to one knee and I froze like a statue.
Was he? Did he? Is he proposing?
Wait, he has a shoebox... maybe he has an extra pair since I took off my heels?
Oh my goodness! Concrete Everette, I yelled at myself as I focused on a very nervous Callum.
He set the box aside and reached out for my hands.
I don't even think I was breathing at that point.
"The first time we met, I tried to shoot you," he started and I started hyperventilating. "Not a wise decision on my part but when you knocked my gun away and punched me... well heck, I think I fell in love with you right there and then."
He smiled up at me, "I may be a Cain and you may be a Blackwood, but would you do me the greatest honor and let this hunter become your husband? Would you marry me, Everette Blackwood? Let me be the Prince to your Princess? The person who stands by your side for every fight?"
My heart was beating up all sorts of wild rhythms as he picked up the shoe box and opened it up to reveal a half pair of a black converse in his size and a half pair of a white converse in my size.
He took it out of the box and showed me the back of the shoe. The black one said 'Husband' in white letters and the white one said 'Wifey' in black letters.
I grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket and hauled him to his feet.
Pressing my lips to his, I felt him chuckle against me as he wrapped his arms around me. I licked his bottom lip until he opened up and I wasted no time in brushing my tongue against the inside of his mouth as I tasted him.
He let me lead as I poured how much I love him into the kiss. The heat of his skin soaked into my own and I revealed in the feeling of knowing that I was going to have him by my side for the rest of our lives.
Not just mates but husband and wife as well.
He dragged my bottom lip between his teeth as he pulled away and smiled at me, "Was that a yes?"
I grinned, "That was a heck yes!"
He handed my shoe over to me, "The other half is home along with my own."
"I'm wearing these to walk down the aisle and no one is going to stop me."
"No one will," He said before reaching into his pocket and producing a ring box.
"You got a ring?" I asked in excitement.
"I proposed, of course, I got you a ring," He chuckled as he opened it up and slide the ring onto my finger.
There was an oval emerald stone that matched the color of Callum's eyes. It was set in a white gold band and it was simple yet so elegant.
"What if I lose it?" Was the first thing I asked.
"I'll make sure you don't," He promised with a wink.
I placed my palm over his heart and then looked up at him, "It's beautiful Cal, thank you."
"Thank you for saying yes," He breathing me in before sighing contently.
"I love you, Callum Cain," I kissed his chest where his heart laid.
"I love you, Everette Blackwood," He replied as he squeezed me to him.
"We're getting married!" I squeal. "Wait, this is going to be a long engagement right? We're only twenty."
He smirked, "I know we discussed it but I had to ask. I don't care if we get married in a day, a year or five years...I just had to ask you. Make me yours and all that."
"You definitely are all mine," I hugged him.
He explained how he'd ordered the shoe custom made over two months now and asked my parents for their blessings before buying the ring.
Cal really did plan it all and it was perfect. My juniper berry scented idiot.
"Hey, Princess?" He asked.
"Yeah, Cal?"
"Wanna go get some ice-cream?"
I smirked as he pulled me towards his bike, "I thought you'd never ask."
~ THE END ~
A/N
And that's a wrap ððððð
Thank you everyone that has been here from day 1 back in August! And every one that joined the story along the way! You all made this entire story what it is. Callum and Everette wouldn't be here if it hadn't been for all your support!â¤ðª
So thank you, guys! Each and every one of you. The readers, commentors, and voters. â¤â¤â¤ I know my voters and you all rock! I love reading each and every comment even if I don't always reply
You all rock! Keep dreaming! Keep aspiring! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all the continuous support!
I may return with bonus chapters in the future so make sure the story's in your library ð
I'm off for a little break before I start my next story up. It's going to be Tate's story and so far, it's an epic adventure with all sorts of different elements you all would love!
Until then, I say goodbye for now.
If you're don't know what to read now then I highly recommend KimberlyTanithMarie
new werewolf novel Mine At First Sight. She's incredibly talented and the world she created is phenomenal!
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goodbye (for now), ðº
-Shania. ð¾