One Year Later...
I never thought that I would be excited to return to a place that I once hated, but for the first time I was excited to be back at the Redbridge pack. I was minutes away and running late. I knew this day would come, but I never expected it to be so soon. I clasped the piece of card in my hand. It was dainty, elegant and timeless all at the same time.
My brother was finally marrying the love of his life, his mate, his partner in crime. I knew that Benji would be having a fit because I was late but alas traffic and flight delays was not something I was expecting to encounter. For this Saturday, Benji being human wanted to hold a marriage ceremony. I had been helping from afar, getting vendors for his big day. I didn't want him to stress but equally I wanted to give him the day of his dreams.
A lot has changed in the last year. My business succeeded beyond measures, I became a fortune 500 company, I was still the most eligible bachelorette of New York City. Many had tried to capture my heart only to fail, but unlike the last time I didn't hold back. No longer was I hiding away behind mountains of work, I became bold and I took a long deserved break. I travelled the world, I spent months in Europe, sightseeing and experiencing different cultures. I visited all the places my heart desires.
No longer did I look at people in love and snuff my nose at them. For when I looked at couples, I would appreciate the fondness that lingered in their gaze, the nervousness of a date or proposal. I smiled at people's happiness. For the first time ever, my heart was at ease. No longer did I feel the burden of a mate, holding me back. Even though I hadn't found my special someone, I was no longer hopeless. Even though I was single, I created my own happiness. I created good memories. No longer did I hold back when I met new people, I became confident in a new sense.
I didn't break my promise to Benji either, we spoke everyday. He would joke with me that I was making my own eat, pray, love journey while he kept me up to date with business. He opened an office near the Redbridge Pack and liaised with the Elders. The programme that they developed had been successfully rolled out to over thirty packs. It was a success and I knew that Benji was capable of running it. There were times he would call and seek advice but generally he ran the project on his own and I couldn't be prouder.
Even though it was Benji's Wedding none of his biological family were attending. Benji had tried to reach out and build bridges but they could not accept his lifestyle chlives. I knew Lewis was worried about how he would take their rejection, but Benji simply shrugged it off. He said he had all the family that was important to him. He had built a home with Lewis and in all my years of knowing him, he never looked happier.
My taxi had pulled up at the Redbridge pack and in the last year so much as changed. The grass is certainly greener this time round. The flowers were blooming, the sun was shining in the sky. The houses were no longer derelict or decrepit, they had been restored to their former glory. There stood in front of the Redbridge Hall was Tyler, he was pacing backwards and forwards, running a hand through his auburn hair. I pulled the door open and strutted out in my tailored suit which.
I was Benji's 'Best Man' and I was also walking him down the aisle. My outfit was designer and the suit was tailored to my feminine curves. My hair was pushed back in a high ponytail and my black Louboutins gave me the height I needed to confidently walk my brother down the aisle. It was then that Tyler's eyes widened as he saw me.
"Your late." He taunted as he pursed his lips. "My mate and Benji have been going nuts thinking you weren't going to make it in time." He shook his head.
I let out a loud laugh. "Traffic and flights were not in my favour, but nothing could stop me from getting here on time."
"Well Benji is coming down now. Lewis is already at the Altar. I will see you there." Tyler gave me a quick hug and made his way into the hall.
Before I knew it Jean was coming down in her long maxi dress. I could see the small bump formed as she cradled her hands on her waiste. She made her way towards me with a giant smile on her face. "Thank God you are here, hopefully groomzilla will calm down. Then maybe this little peanut will stop kicking my bladder." She shook her head with a smile.
"It's good to see you Jean! Pregnancy suits you!" I say as I pull her into my arms. She responds my tightly squeezing my arms as we manoeuvre around her baby bump.
"Yeah well it may look good but it doesn't mean it feels good." She murmurs in my ear. "Honestly all I want is a large glass of wine." She shakes her head and laughs. "You look fabulous in your tux! Who knew it could make you look more feminine! Well if anyone was gonna pull it off it was you. Is Tyler inside?" She asks as she peers over my shoulder.
"Just went in. Go on see your handsome man before someone steals him." I say with a wink.
She laughs. "Hmmm. Maybe I'll trade him in." She strokes her chin. "Man is driving me crazy with his protective instincts. I better go before he shouts through my mind link. Boy is he giving me a headache." She toddles over into the hall in the same direction as Tyler went.
Over the last year, Jean had come to know about my involvement in helping packs across the country. Benji and her had become close and during my travels when I spoke to Benji she would be with him. It was like she was an additional member to our small family. I grew to love Jean like a sister and was thankful for the times she was present during my calls with Benji. My relationship with her was something I always wished I would have had with my own sister.
It wasn't before long that my thoughts were interrupted by the Groom of the hour. A large smile graced my lips. It had been months since I had any physical contact with Benji as I had been busy catching up with work after my travels. He looked so handsome and dashing in his tux. His bow tie wrapped around his neck and his hair slicked back. I couldn't wait to see Lewis react to his mate.
"You bitch! I thought you weren't going to make it!" Benji shouted at me as he walked in my direction.
"Not my fault, unforeseen circumstances!" I held my hands up in defeat.
"You were meant to be here yesterday!" He exclaimed!
"My flight was delayed and then there was a pile up on the motorway! I tried!" I replied. I gave him a pout and widened my eyes hoping that he would relent and forgive me.
"Your lucky I love you!" He huffed as he came and hugged me tightly. I sighed in relief and it was that moment that I realised home was where the heart is. Benji was a part of my heart that I missed. Sometimes just speaking over the phone was not enough.
"I promised to be here and nothing could stop me from getting here." I sighed.
"Thank you." His voice cracked. "I missed you so much sis."
"I missed you too." I sniffled. "Enough about me, this is your day." I pulled back and wiped my eyes. "You ready to marry that sexy man of yours?" I smirked.
"I have never been more certain." He smiled.
"No cold feet?" I joked.
"They are toasty and warm." He responded.
"Perfect. Then let's get you married!" I exclaimed as I grabbed his arm and hooked it through mine and walked to the entrance of the Pack Hall.
Last time I was in here, it was filled with pain and secrets. This time, it was filled with love and excitement. The wedding march was played and the room was decorated with white flowers that were placed across the walls. Candles were placed perfectly around the hall, letting off a soft glow and warm ambiance.
There at the end of the aisle stood Lewis. His face was filled with joy, his eyes were watering at the sight of his mate, his fiancé, his true love. I had never seen a man look so happy to see someone, the glint in his eye was nothing but adoration for Benji as we walked down the aisle. I was truly happy and thankful for the man in front of me, for he became another brother to me. He cherished and cared for the most important person in my life. I placed Benji's hands in Lewis' and it was then that I gasped in surprise at the man who was officiating the Wedding.
Xavier stood there in his suit, his dashing looks, his hair parted to the side. He had gotten more muscular since I had seen him a year ago. His jaw was still as chiseled as before, except he had shaved recently, making it more prominent. His eyes glinted as he took in my appearance. I quickly shook my head and took my place by Benji's side.
It was then that I watched my brother, my best friend, marry the man of his dreams. My ice cold heart melted and I shed tears of happiness at the love shared between Benji and Lewis.
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The wedding was beautiful, the food was delicious, the speeches were heart-warming. The reception was now fully in spring. The groom's were dancing together, holding onto each other like there life depended on it. The look of love and adoration in their eyes would make anyone cry. It wasn't before long that other couples started to join the newly weds that were lost in each other's eyes on the dance floor.
The room was filled with passion, love and lust. So many people were just in love with each other. I may not have found happiness with my mate, but there were so many people who had found their other half. I stood on the sidelines sipping from my champagne flute while I watched couples dance. I let out a large sigh, hoping that someday, someone would look at me the same way.
"May I have this dance?" A deep voice from behind interrupted my thoughts.
I jumped in surprise as I placed a hand on my chest and looked at where the familiar voice came from. My gaze caught hold of a pair of eyes that had haunted my dreams in the past year. His hand was gracefully stretched out. Even though I hadn't seen him for over a year, I couldn't help but think about him. My thoughts would linger on the man who made my heart flutter, the man who I couldn't escape in my dreams. He was still as handsome as the day I last saw him.
"It would be my pleasure Alpha." I replied as I placed my hand in his and followed him onto the dance floor.
He placed his other hand on my waist and pulled me closely to his body. My breasts gently grazed his body as he began to sway to the soft sounds of music that echoed through the hall. I was used to people staring at me because of the business functions I would attend, I would often feel self-conscious or worried about what the latest gossip tabloid would say. But in this moment, I got lost in Xavier's eyes and forgot about everyone else in the room.
"You know not many woman can look as ravishing as you do in a tux." Xavier's husky voice stated.
"Well you have always called me Beauty for a reason." I chuckled as I sunk into his embrace.
"That's not why I call you Beauty Loretta." He replied.
My eyebrows perked at his response. "Please do tell me the reason for that nickname then." I flirted.
"I call you Beauty because from the moment you spoke, I could tell that you were just as beautiful inside as you were on the outside." He replied. He lifted his hand and pushed a small tendril of hair behind my ear. He moved his lips closely to my ear and I could feel his warm breath caress my skin. "For the last year you have haunted my dreams and from the moment I met you, I can't escape you."Â I pulled myself back and looked into his eyes, searching for something, anything that indicated that he was lying. However, as I looked into his eyes all I could see was this genuine affection. It lingered heavily.
"That's quite the admission Alpha Xavier, but I am human. How does your wolf feel about this?" I whispered.
"My wolf is besotted with you, just as much as I am. We didn't want to let you go when you last left. He was tempted to take you there and then. He wanted me to chase you, to hunt you, to take you. He too is haunted by your presence." Alpha Xavier replied.
"Very interesting." I responded as we continued to sway to the music.
"Indeed. I'm afraid I can't let you go again. I am afraid that someone will steal you away." He admitted with a sullen look on his face. "I don't want to let you go."
"Then don't let go."