Chapter 65

Three Months Later

Viviane

“Viv, are you ready?” Kiera asks, appearing in the doorway.

I’m standing in front of a huge, floor length mirror, my wedding gown flowing around my body in graceful waves. It’s a delicate concoction of sea colored silk that ripples over my curves like water, and brings out the color of my turquoise eyes.

I honestly can’t believe this day has finally come. I never thought I’d get married at all, and here I am preparing to walk down the aisle to join myself with the first Alpha in shifter history to rule two packs. After my rescue, Caspian tried to find another candidate to lead the Bloodstones, but none of the wolves in the pack were willing to do away with Damien’s mermaid program completely. Luckily for us, none of them were strong enough to challenge Caspian either, so he stayed in control by default.

When we got home he finally sat down with his father and aired out all of the secrets and unspoken traumas of Caspian’s childhood, and his father willingly stepped down when he realized just how negligent he’d been towards his family and his pack.

The months since have been nothing short of chaotic. The pack still doesn’t know I’m a mermaid and I’m not sure when – or if – we’ll ever make the information public. It’s been time-consuming enough just adjusting to the transfer of power and getting through all the ceremonies and traditions that go along with someone taking over as Alpha.

At first I thought Caspian was crazy for suggesting that we hold a wedding on top of everything else, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer, and I didn’t really want to deny him anyway. I can’t ever remember being this happy, even if I don’t really know how to handle so much peace. I don’t trust that things could really be this wonderful and keep waiting for something to go wrong – James to break out of prison, my mother’s illness to grow worse, my secret identity to be revealed. Despite my unease, Caspian has been working hard to convince me that even if one of my fears comes true, we’ve already proven we can survive the worst.

It wasn’t easy to move past what happened in Sangville, and I suspect part of me will always be haunted by those horrific events. Still, every day it gets a little easier to get out of bed and take up my old routine. I’ll be starting college soon, and if nothing else, my experiences have taught me to simply be grateful that the people I love are safe and well.

Returning to the present, I give myself one final once over. “I think so.” I confirm, turning towards my friend. “How do I look?”

“Like a dream.” Kiera beams, “Caspian’s going to lose his mind.”

“You’re one to talk.” I tease, looking the lynx up and down. Her scintillating bridesmaid’s dress seems like it was designed to torture Chase – which I’m sure is exactly what she intended when she picked it out. She still hasn’t caved to her mate, having thoroughly dug in her heels after he locked her up in the Bloodstone territory to keep her out of danger.

They fight like cats and dogs – which is fitting – but the heat between them is so palpable that I don’t think my friend is going to be able to hold out much longer. I know for a fact she’s come close to letting him claim her a few times, and the harder she resists, the more determined he becomes.

Kiera offers me a saucy grin, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure,” I laugh, retrieving my bouquet from the vanity.

As we exit the bridal suite, I find my mother waiting for me and on the verge of tears for the dozenth time today. “Oh my beautiful girl,” She sighs, stroking my cheek, “I’m so proud of you.”

“Mom you’re going to make me cry and then I’ll ruin my makeup.” I complain, only half joking. Part of why I agreed to get married so soon is because I wasn’t sure how much time my mother has left. We’re both elated that she’s getting to walk me down the aisle, especially because we can both sense that she’s nearing the end. I’d like to think I can bribe her into hanging on longer with the prospect of grandchildren or some other special occasion, but deep down I think that’s more selfishness on my part. She’s fought every day of her life and sacrificed everything for me, and I don’t know anyone who deserves to finally be allowed to rest more than her.

“I love you so much, Mom.” I sniffle, hugging her gingerly.

“I love you too, angelfish.” She professes, kissing my forehead. “Now let’s get you down that aisle. Your mate is getting impatient.”

Laughing softly, I swipe at my eyes as the first strains of a string quartet play on the other side of the closed double doors guarding the wedding hall. After a few notes the doors swing wide, and hundreds of shifters from across the continent rise to watch the procession. Despite the huge audience, our wedding party is a small one.

Kiera proceeds Mom and I down the aisle, and I can see Chase’s jaw go slack when he sees her approaching. I’m not sure what face Kiera made or words she mouthed, but I know she’s up to some sort of mischief when his expression transforms to one of grumpy disapproval. I can only focus on him for a moment though, because as soon as Mom and I start walking my gaze goes to Caspian and stays.

We’ve been together long enough now that I know all his expressions and moods. I’ve learned how to read him like a book and I even think I might know him better than I know myself. But when he sees me walking down the aisle towards him, a look I’ve never seen before transforms his handsome features. At once, his face is overcome with tenderness, desire and pride, as if he’s just as disbelieving as I am that this is really happening, and overjoyed to realize it is.

When we reach the end of the aisle, my mother places my small hand in his huge paw, and he leans down to steal a kiss from my lips. The officiant clears his throat pointedly, “Alpha, you kiss after the ceremony, not before.”

That was a mistake.

Caspian arches his brow at the man, “who’s going to stop me?” He challenges, kissing me again. He’s more fierce this time, dipping me backwards and making me flush scarlet. Even so, when he finally releases me, he cups my cheek in his hand and says, “I’m the luckiest man in the world, you know that?”

“Well, I don’t know about that.” I demure.

“I do.” Caspian insists, grinning at me warmly.

The officiant clears his throat again. “Well, since the happy couple seems eager to be married sooner rather than later, why don’t we go ahead with the vows.”

Caspian nods, and takes both of my hands in his, staring deep into my eyes. “Viviane. When we met I didn’t know the first thing about love. The only thing I did know was that I could never deserve someone as sweet, pure and wonderful as you. You’re brilliant and talented, you have more compassion in your little finger than I have in my whole body – and you’re the strongest person I’ve ever met, hands down. Anyone else who survived what you did would have given up a long time ago, or become so jaded they’d no longer be capable of seeing any good in the world.”

I have to fight the urge to argue with him as he continues to lavish on the praise, making me positively squirm with embarrassment. “Being with you has made me a better man and Alpha. It has opened my eyes to worlds I never knew existed, and I’m so excited to continue learning from you, every day for the rest of our lives. I couldn’t ask for a better mate, or one I love more. You are my entire world, and I’m so excited to begin our life together. I can’t wait to go on new adventures with you, to start a family with you, and to continue growing together on our journey. I vow never to forsake you, and always to love you with every fiber of my being, in this life and the next.”

Rising up onto my tiptoes, I sneak another kiss to the officiant’s exasperation, then wipe the tears from my eyes as I prepare to give Caspian my own pledge. “When you talk about me, I always think you’re talking about someone else, someone I wish I could be. But you believing in me has helped me embrace all those possibilities and wishes, because with you I’m finally safe. Before we met I never knew how much I needed a big bossy wolf in my life to push me out of my comfort zone and teach me to embrace the unknown. But I don’t just need you, Caspian – I want you, more than anyone I’ve ever wanted before.”

“I would want you even if the Goddess hadn’t fated us, because as little as you say you knew about love, you deserve it more than any man I’ve ever known. You’re as affectionate as you are strong, you are just and fair, and you would give anything for the people you care about. I’m so happy that you came into my life, and that you didn’t give up on me when I ran. I promise to love and cherish you for the rest of our lives and beyond, and I’m so proud to call you my own.”

The officiant is almost smiling by now. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Grinning wolfishly, Caspian pulls me close and lowers his mouth to mine, claiming my lips in the first kiss of the rest of our lives. It’s long, and luscious and deep – and I’ve never been happier or more excited to see what comes next for us: whatever comes to pass, I know that as long as I have Caspian, it will be worth it.

The End