“Two boys and a girl,” Rachel said.
“I cannot wait. I’ll design-“
“What? Their onesies?” Cali cut in.
“Well, no,” Anthony frowned, “That sounds horrible. Something when they’re older then,” he amended.
“You’re looking great, too,” Anthony looked at Cali’s swollen stomach.
“A bit easier to manage with one.” She looked at her stomach, and Rachel groaned.
“I am so insanely jealous.”
“You’ll probably go first. A few more days.” Cali tried to sound reassuring.
Cali was a few weeks later, but the doctor predicted an early birth for Rachel. He recommended bed rest after this week, and Rachel reluctantly agreed to start only once the wedding was over.
“Let’s turn you into a bride,” Anthony walked back up to me and led me to the pedestal in front of the mirrors before making sure my dress was perfect.
Another knock sounded on the door, and Lola squealed. She raced to it, almost tripping over herself and spilling some of her champagne in the process. I didn’t have to guess who it was. By her reaction, it was her mate, Navi. Navi graciously offered to round out the bridal party and wear a fitted black suit that showed off her incredible figure.
She twirled Lola around; Lola’s girlish giggles pierced the room before Navi set her down.
“Come hang with us.” I offered for the millionth time. Navi made herself useful, helped our parents set up, and ensured we and the guys had everything we needed.
Lola met her here. She had been living in the older village in the forest and was visiting from a trip abroad when they met by chance in the packhouse.
Lola dated a few guys and had been with a few girls but insisted she didn’t have a preference. Until Navi. Navi was her preference in every way, and I knew that feeling well. I was overjoyed that they found each other, and even though I had only known Navi for a week, it was obvious why they were paired.
She was Lola’s rock. Patient, encouraging, and never tired of Lola’s endless energy and enthusiasm. She listened to Lola’s long-winded stories, even after I got bored. After the wedding, they planned a long trip to travel the world. I was grateful they stayed for this, even if it wasn’t a werewolf tradition.
“We’re ready now.” Anthony came up holding the mound of fabric with such reverence as if it were his only child. He requested the help of Lola and Nora and yelled at them to be careful before they even touched the fabric.
The fabric slipped over me, and I held my breath. The details were stunning. I didn’t even want to know how long it took Anthony to do this, and he insisted that he do most of the details by hand.
The dress was everything I didn’t know I wanted. It was a gown fit for a princess. Strapless, with flower details on the bodice and petals trailing down the skirt with gold details woven into the petals and bodice. It wasn’t too puffy, with light gauzy material making up the skirt. I felt like a princess.
“How do you feel?” Anthony came up behind me, his eyes twinkling.
“Like royalty.”
“You are fucking royalty,” Cali said with a dazzling smile, “Your Highness,” she pointed to my golden tiara intertwined with my hair.
“That’s not really a thing anymore-“
“You’re royalty, fucking own it.” Cali cut me off with a blazing stare.
(Caspien)
I couldn’t stop pacing, and I kept checking the gold watch that Willa got me as a wedding present. Why was it going so slowly?
“Stop pacing; you’re stressing me out.” Holden rubbed his temples, “Have a drink or something. It’s not like she’s not going to show up.”
I paused. I hadn’t thought of that, “Do you think she won’t?” I asked.
“What? No, you literally have marked her, and she gave birth to another child.” Holden said matter-of-factly.
“What are you worried about?” Griffen asked.
“I have absolutely no idea. I want to give her everything. What if it isn’t enough?”
What if I wasn’t enough? I still had this nagging feeling that she was too good for me; I knew she was. She was kind and pure, yet strong and sure. She made me a better person in every way, but what did I give her? I didn’t want to drag her down into the dark that she pulled me out of.
Stop being so self-deprecating. She was made for us, and we were made for her – Atlas pushed in.
“You gave her a penthouse castle and a kingdom,” Holden shrugged.
“She doesn’t care about that stuff,” I said, my voice flat.
“She cares about you,” Griffen offered. “You might not be the most talkative person in the world-“
“Or even the most interesting.” Holden cut in, and Griffen scowled at him.
“But you’re a good person; she can see that more than anyone,” Griffen continued.
“I feel like I have to say something because I’m sitting here,” Jack interjected, “She’s come alive with you. She’s a new person. She’s herself completely. With Nola- well, in the past, she was great. We clicked immediately, but she was more nervous, shy, and subdued. You let her be herself, and she has grown into the person she was always meant to be. Don’t be so hard on yourself, man.” Jack gave me a smile, and his words took me back a bit. I wasn’t expecting that.
I thought I had gotten past these fears. Willa did nothing but reassure me, and I knew how much she cared and loved me. Today, though, they were unwillingly back. How could someone so perfect be destined for me? “Thanks,” I muttered, remembering myself.
A soft knock on the door, and Jack went to get it.
“Dad, it’s almost time.” Emmett rushed in, and I scooped him up.
“I need the rings,” he whispered into my ear as if it were some great secret.
“Okay,” I whispered back, smiling down at him.
I adjusted him so I could get the rings from my inner jacket pocket and placed them in Emmett’s hands. He wrapped his fingers around the pouch and nodded at me once, a solemn look on his face.
“You know what to do?” I asked.
“Yes, Dad.” He sighed, “I’ve practiced a thousand million times.”
“Okay then,” I couldn’t help smiling at him. I fought the urge to ruffle his hair, knowing it would upset him. My mom helped him do it this morning, and he has been checking himself out on every slightly-reflective surface since. “Go find Grandma and Grandpa, and can you do one more thing for me?” I asked him.
“Of course,” His green eyes widened.
“Can you make sure that Lilith is happy during the ceremony?”
“I can do that. She won’t even cry once,” He looked so sure of himself that I almost believed him. My mom was going to walk Lilith down the aisle while Willa’s mom minded Emmett and Loreli, our flower girl. “You boys ready?” I asked.
“And girls, well, girl,” Navi, Lola’s mate, entered the room.
“Are you?” Griffen looked at me, seeming nervous.
“Yes.” I was ready to marry the love of my life.
(Willa)
My dad wrapped my arm in his and squeezed me tight, taking shallow breaths.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.