Chapter 99

Sienna’s POV

It was my wedding day. Again.

But this time, it was real. There was a whole ceremony planned, all of my decor ideas and themes implemented, with a glamorous reception to follow.

I stood, gazing at my reflection in the mirror, pretty choked up that I was standing in the most beautiful wedding dress I’d ever seen. One I’d imagined only in my wildest dreams.

In barely ten minutes, I would walk down the aisle to Alaric. The King.

He’d had his official coronation, so the title was very much real now. And very soon, I’d be his queen.

Me. A queen.

It was almost laughable.

Mother, father, I made it! I wanted to scream, wishing so badly that they could hear me. They really would be so proud.

Simon peeked his head in, a smile beaming on his face. “You look amazing. Ready?”

My heart was pounding at an almost uncomfortable level, but it was only from the excitement. It was all I could do not to burst into a sprint to Alaric, having been apart from him for way too long now.

“I couldn’t be more ready,” I grinned, taking his hand as he led me out and down the hall, stopping outside the door to the plaza, which had been so beautifully decorated at my request.

All I cared about was Alaric at the end of that aisle. As my music started, cueing me, the curtains parted, and there he was.

Staring right at me, his eyes lighting up like he had the whole world.

Because you are his world, my wolf murmured, my stomach doing flips as I strode down the aisle, oblivious to all the people around me.

All I could see was Alaric. My future.

“Hi,” I whispered as I reached the altar, my fingers twisting in his.

“You are a vision,” he murmured shakily, kissing my forehead, his smile practically splitting his face in two.

“All yours,” I winked, his hands squeezing mine.

I glanced briefly to the crowd, seeing Lucius and Mia towards the front row, Simon next to them too. I could almost imagine my parents there, right in the front, cheering me on.

My eyes were back on Alaric in a flash, just drinking him in. His tux fit every part of him perfectly, like he was designed just for her.

The black of his hair matched the tux so perfectly, making his eyes pop in a painfully attractive way, one she’d be able to see forever and ever.

Our rings slipped onto our fingers, and my heart skipped a beat as the officiator announced it was time for our vows.

“Sienna,” Alaric began, my fingers tightening in his, our eyes locked. “You have changed my life for the better in every single way. Despite our ups and downs, you never stopped being the light of my life.”

Oh no, I was choking up.

“I’m ready to have you as mine forever, to lead this nation with you at my side. Our forever starts today, my love.”

The tears were brimming in my eyes. His words were so full of love, overflowing with it, really, and part of me couldn’t believe we’d made it this far after everything.

“Alaric,” I started, forcing my voice to steady. “There was always something special about you, from the very first day, the first second.”

He smiled, leaning in just a little closer to me, his scent comforting me immediately.

“We walked a long, rugged path to get to where we are right now, so many obstacles in our way again and again. But we braved through it, because we both knew we were meant to be.”

I squeezed his hands, my own smile spreading.

“Forever starts today, my love,” I winked, tears really threatening to spill down my cheeks as we were announced husband and wife for the second time…but forever, for real.

When his lips met mine, I was absolutely and unequivocally complete.

“And I also announce your new queen!” Alaric shouted with glee, raising our entwined hands up in celebration. The officiant reached up, placing a crown on my head, my stomach doing another thousand flips as the crowd cheered so loudly it rang in my ears.

“To the reception!” Lucius clapped along with the rest of the crowd, Alaric grabbing my hand tighter and leading us down the aisle, people throwing rose petals as we went.

The reception passed by in a blur, our first dance making me cry, then laugh, then cry again. Alaric held me so lovingly, our trust restored in the most profound way.

We were going to be inseparable.

For hours, we talked to different people of the city, most of them just there to congratulate us and take advantage of the free food and alcohol, and I found myself growing more and more exhausted.

Alaric and I hadn’t had a single real moment of privacy all day, and I craved it. Even if it was just a few seconds, I wanted him alone, so I could marvel him in all his glory.

The dance floor was packed, Alaric and I lingering at the edge of it, and I was surprised to see Lucius and Mia dancing pretty closely in the center, their eyes locked together.

I couldn’t help but smile for them, happy that they might be finding something in each other. Alaric saw them too, giving me a subtle nod before grabbing my hand and stepping outside, the balcony facing out towards the ocean.

A cool breeze brushed against my cheek, and I let out a heavy sigh, leaning my head on Alaric’s shoulder.

“Hi, husband,” I whispered in relief. “Finally, a moment alone.”

“I know,” Alaric sighed back, his chin resting on the top of my head. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me to his chest. “Are you ready for our honeymoon?”

My eyes darted up to his, a smirk on my face. “Oh, I’m more than ready.”

His lips met mine, so warm and soft, and I honestly melted in his arms, desperate for so much more.

Too soon, he pulled back, nipping at my lower lip. “Soon. And it’s a surprise.”

Heat swelled in my center, my teeth digging into the place of my lip that he’d bitten. “A surprise, hmm?”

“Oh yes, my beautiful wife.” His lips brushed against my forehead, sending a chill down my spine. “My queen.”

A tear trickled down my face, just one, and it was one that stemmed only from a deep gratitude for where I was.

I glanced out over the ocean, the baby shifting in excitement, too, knowing it was in the best hands it could possibly be in. My fingers brushed over my stomach, my gaze landing on a mid-sized yacht that was docked down below.

“Is that for us?” I asked, raising a brow excitedly.

“Shhhh,” Alaric chuckled, pressing a finger to my lips. “Don’t ask questions. Let’s go say goodbye to our guests and then get the hell out of here, why don’t we?”

“Please,” I breathed out, glancing back once more at the gorgeous yacht I knew was waiting for us down there.

This was going to be quite the honeymoon.