Wedding

RORY

Even Martha wasn’t going to try and defy the ruling of all the gods. She and her Red Moon Pack slunk off from their failed attack, and this time I’m sure they won’t be coming back.

After their big display, the gods and goddesses returned to their plane. I assumed that meant my parents would go back to being distant figures in my life, like they always had been.

Instead, they’ve been coming to visit and play with Jay and Lucy! I’m thrilled to be getting to know them, though I do feel a little sad that, thanks to Nemesis, they couldn’t do this for me.

I wasn’t the only one with complicated feelings—Mama didn’t say anything, but I could see in her eyes that she was worried about being replaced. It didn’t matter what I said.

Helena grabbed Mama in a hug and said, “Thank you for taking good care of her.”

Whenever they show up, the nearby wolves jump. They mutter about how it’s rude to scare people like that, though never where my parents can hear. It’s honestly a little funny.

None of them seem to quite know how to treat them—or me, for that matter.

The regular reminders that I’m a goddess, not just a human, have some members of the pack bowing to me, even though nothing’s really changed.

I’ve cried almost every day for the last week, but for once, it’s been because I’ve been so incredibly happy. I feel surrounded by love and family.

It is a bit stressful for Everett. I know it frustrates him that he couldn’t protect our children with his own strength. He hates to rely on others.

I try to snag Jason’s foot as he waves his legs around, grumpy at being restrained. “Come on, honey, just let me put on your shoes. We’ll be late for Freya’s wedding,” I coo at him.

Lucy and Jay are almost six months old now, which means they’re crawling and generally getting into everything. They’re adorable, but also destructive.

Thank the goddess for Mariah’s spell. I don’t know what I’d do if Lucy could still pull her disappearing trick on me now.

The twins are adorable in their little wedding outfits. Lucy has a yellow dress and blue tights with shiny black Mary Janes. Jay has a blue suit and the tiniest dress shoes—once I get them on him.

I manage to clip a little flower barrette into Lucy’s hair, the last finishing touch. Hers is curling as it grows in, though it’s still the same dark red as her brother’s.

Everett comes in, dressed in his tuxedo, hair brushed and gelled back. He smiles softly at me. “Hey, little mate. Looking good.”

“You look good yourself, handsome,” I say. He stops to give Lucy and Jay both a cuddle and a kiss before sweeping me into his arms and kissing me silly.

He touches his forehead to mine, careful not to mess up my hair and makeup. “You’re as beautiful as on our mating day. I love you.”

“I love you,” I say, standing on tiptoe to kiss him. No way am I risking heels with how clumsy I am. “Now, grab a baby; the wedding’s in half an hour!”

Freya and Ace opted for an outdoor wedding in a stone gazebo usually used for festivals. As we drive up, I gasp at how beautiful it looks.

There are streamers and flowers in Freya’s carefully chosen colors: blue, black, and gold. But even more beautiful are the lanterns and candles adorning the tables and pillars.

“I totally see why Freya insisted on a dusk wedding,” I say dreamily. All that hard work is really paying off tonight, and I’m so glad. “Everything looks perfect.”

Mama watches the babies since Everett and I are both in the wedding—me as Freya’s best woman, him performing the ceremony, one of his favorite alpha duties.

Freya and I walk together down the aisle to the music of a violin quartet. She’s holding a bouquet of black roses, while I have yellow marigolds.

Her dress is beautiful, deep blue with a golden sash. Mine’s the inverse, and Ace wears a deep blue vest with a golden tie. Everett’s in simple black and white, of course.

As the music stops, Everett speaks. “We stand here tonight under a full Harvest Moon to wed Ace Nettles, beta of the Shadow Blood Pack, and Freya Wallace.”

“The Moon Goddess has smiled upon these two and brought their lives together, as was always meant to be. After tonight, they will be officially recognized as mates.” He takes both their hands in his.

I get to stand next to my best friend as she and Ace say their vows. My handkerchief is already soaked, and my cheeks hurt from smiling.

The end of the ceremony flows right into the reception, celebratory music striking up as Freya and Ace lead the way to the tables and dance floor.

Freya and I spent hours picking out the food and drink, and I am more than ready to get to eat it finally. I’ve been thinking about the cedar-grilled salmon for weeks.

It’s hard to get a moment alone with Freya. She and Ace are hanging off each other, starry-eyed, like they’re the only people in the world. I understand. I feel the same way about Everett.

I do finally get her to myself when Ace gets called up for an alpha, beta, gamma photoshoot. Freya and I already took our turns posing with our bouquets.

I pull her down to sit with me. “You did it; you’re married! Next, babies,” I say giggling and wiggling my eyebrows to show that I’m joking.

“Actually…” she says, a blush rising up along her neck. “Ace and I have been talking about it, and we are going to be trying. Soon. Like, now.”

My mouth drops open. “No way! What about school? I thought you were starting next week?” I’ve been steeling myself to go in as luna and prevent Freya from being bullied by the werewolves there.

“I can take online classes when I need to. We already talked to the Headmaster.” She grins at me. “Hopefully it’ll happen soon and our kids will get to play together.”

“Maybe they’ll even be mates!” I squeal, giddy with joy. My kids will grow up with friends, with loving aunts and uncles and grandparents. It’s everything I dreamed of when I was young and alone.

The DJ takes a break and people abandon the dance floor for the tables. Everyone’s eating and having a good time. A voice cuts across the party chatter. “My congratulations to the happy couple.”

There are gasps and some feral growls as we all turn to look at the speaker. My stomach drops. Martha stands at the edge of the crowd, chin lifted, defiant.