He was affectionate and caring. Not just for me, but for our baby. He was, in short, everything that I dreamed of, everything that both of my children, our children, deserved. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better, I didn’t think anyone this perfect for me existed. “What?” Caspien’s brows furrowed, looking into my eyes.
“I’m just happy you’re here,” I said. I knew I couldn’t put into words what I felt, not at this moment anyway. Sleep tugged at me and my body ached.
“I’ll have our parents wait to meet her until you get some rest,” he said, stroking the side of my face. My eyes fluttered shut, surrounded by the warmth that was Caspien and our new baby sleeping soundly on my chest.
(Caspien)
My parents brought Emmett down to meet his little sister. I convinced them to hold off for almost two hours. Willa’s parents were coming later this evening. I think they understood boundaries better, or maybe it was because they already got to do the infant- grandchild phase.
“Where is she?” My mom burst into the room, tugging Emmett behind her.
“Where do you think, love?” My dad said, shaking his head, “Probably with mom or dad.” he motioned to us, picking up Emmett.
“May I?” My mom asked, and Willa handed her over with a smile.
Emmett peered down from my dad’s arms, and my mom held my daughter up to meet my son.
“Why is she so squished?” Emmett laughed, frowning.
“You looked like that too,” Willa said with a smile, “She will look more like a baby in a day or two.”
“I like her,” Emmett said, reaching a gentle hand towards her. Our daughter wrapped her fingers around one of Emmett’s. I always thought Emmett was so small, but seeing this, I couldn’t comprehend just how tiny thing little thing was. “Absolute perfection,” my dad breathed, his eyes widened in awe. I had rarely seen that expression on him, even though he showed a much softer side when it was just our family away from his previous Alpha duties.
“Did you decide on a name?” My mom asked, not taking her eyes away from our little bundle. “Yes,” I said.
“Lilith Grace Dracos.” Willa looked at my mom, who finally tore her eyes away from the baby. “Really?” Her lip wavered, “Grace?”
“Emmett got my dad’s middle name. It’s only fair.” Willa shrugged, “And if we have more, I’m sure my mom and Rendell can get some names in there,” She gave my dad a tired smile.
“I’m just honored to be here,” My dad shook his head, tears pooled in his eyes.
“Thank you,” My mom whispered, stroking a finger down Lilith’s cheek, “It’s an honor, I can’t even-“
“You don’t have to,” I cut in, “We wanted her to have you as her namesake or part of it,” I said.
I knew my mom was still a bit touchy about the subject. She was adopted, and even though she was accepted into her new family and, of course, Luna of Crescent Moon, I think there was always a small part of her that felt like she didn’t belong. “Family is stronger than blood,” I repeated words I had heard from her ever since I could remember.
My mom grabbed Emmett’s hand and gave him a kiss on his cheek, looking back at her first granddaughter.
“It is,” She said, tears finally spilling down her cheek.
Epilogue 1
(Cali)
The day that I had been dreaming of was finally here. Well, everything I wanted I already had, but this felt significant in a way; binding in a way that I could comprehend as a human.
Even though I had been a werewolf for months, it didn’t negate what I felt was true my entire life. Holden’s mark that I wore meant so much to me; being welcomed into this pack changed me in a way that was imprinted on my blood.
Marriage, though, was something that felt even more foreign to me than mixing blood with a werewolf prince into a chalice. It made me more uneasy than changing into a wolf and feeling the wind in my fur being pulled by the moonlight itself.
I never thought that I would get this. I deserved it, h.ell did I know that I deserved it after the s.hit that I had been through. But this being a reality, having my golden prince charming literally handed to me through some mate bond, you couldn’t write this s.hit. Cold feet? Holden linked me
Never, you?
I’ve been waiting for your for years, now you’re making me wait down this long a.ss aisle
I laughed – You said you’ve been waiting for years, a few more minutes is nothing.
“Ready?” Willa walked back into the bathroom carrying a fresh glass of champagne.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I looked at my reflection.
My hair was in perfect curls; I let Rachel drag me to a salon that helped tame my unruly locks. Willa found some golden headpiece that wrapped around the back of my head and met in the front adorned with golden leaves.
“I never thought I would be a bride,” I studied myself over the glasss
“The big white wedding wasn’t for you?” Willa leaned over the counter in the hotel room and studied me.
“I wanted it but never thought I would have it,” I admitted, “Mostly focused on the day-to-day, trying to make enough so that my child didn’t starve.”
Willa frowned, “I know,” She said, and she did know, to some extent. I was glad that she didn’t have to live like that longer, and even happier that she did have amazing parents she could have fallen back on. There was nothing like having no safety net to burn you out and make you lose sight of building any future.
Risks weren’t something that I took once I had Loreli. Going to community college was the boldest thing I’d done since having her. That did pay off, though, in more ways than one. I learned I was great at it, loved it, and I found my mate, my perfect counterpart. I liked the idea of someone made for me, even though I never believed in that c.rap, but the idea was nice for others. But I got practically handed everything I ever wanted: security, a father for Loreli, a loving devoted partner.
“Ready for this?” Willa asked, studying me under her thick lashes. I knew she was worried I would back out and run like I almost did the first night I met Holden.
“I am,” My voice didn’t waver, “My nerves aren’t for marrying, and forgive me for saying this, the love of my life.” Willa laughed, “My nerves are because I never envisioned myself as a bride. This feels weird,” I motioned to my white lace bodice and gown. “White suits you,” Willa smiled.
“Don’t lie,” I shook my head but let her help me up, “Shoes, I forgot to put on shoes.” Willa knelt down and helped me slip on the white heels. “Thank you.”
She took my glass and set it on the counter, taking my hands in hers. I swallowed fighting the urge to look away. “I am so happy for you. You deserve and have earned everything that has come and will come to you,” She breathed, her green eyes sparkled, “I’m not going to cry. Don’t look at me like that,” her dark brow shot up; I couldn’t help laugh.
“I’ll cry if you cry.” I tried to smile, but it wavered, “It doesn’t matter, I already have the mark, so,” I tried to play it off, but this mattered more than I would even admit to myself.
“Cas is linking me again,” Willa rolled her eyes, “You look perfect, one last thing.” She tugged me gently out of the bathroom and in front of the floor-length mirror of our hotel room.
I studied the white dress that was tailored to fit me perfectly. I still felt like something would feel off, but it didn’t.
I ended up with a tight bodice covered in intricate lace and detailed beading that flared out at my knees. A mermaid fit, I think Rachel called it. I was grateful that she flew back to go dress shopping with us, but I knew she had also started missing home more since she found Jack. I think she was more than ready to settle down.
She went to the closet and pulled out a long black box, “I know you didn’t want a traditional veil, but we had something made just in case,” I looked at her curiously. There was no way I would hide my flawless makeup or let anything cover my hair. I was the d.amed star of the show, Holden too, but I think today was about the bride or whatever.
I took it from her and, as gently as my curiosity allowed, pulled out a long sheer white piece of fabric, “You wouldn’t,” I looked at her.
“I didn’t. Turn around.”
I did what she said, and she fastened two golden leaf clips that matched my crown to my shoulders. Behind me hung the sheer fabric that I now noticed had the same lace and bead detailing on my dress on the bottom of it.
“A cape,” Willa said, and my mouth hung open before turning into a broad smile, “If you don’t want it, we can just-“
“I love it,” I pulled it around the side of me, it completed the look, but I didn’t realize I was missing anything, “Let’s go get me married, make an honest woman out of me or something,” I had to move, or I would shed the tears that pricked my eyes, “Holden is already waiting apparently.”
“They haven’t even walked in yet,” Willa shook her head, “Cas said they’re still waiting to go in, but most of the guests are there.”
“He started our wedding day lying to me?” I gasped, joking.
“I think he’s just excited to see you,” She grabbed my hand, “We can call it off if you want, run into the wilderness.”
“You had me running off and lost me at wilderness.”
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.