Chapter 188

Chapter 188

Leo's POV

I adjusted the cuffs of my suit for what felt like the hundredth time. My reflection stared back at me from the full-length mirror, almost unrecognizable in formal wear. The tailored black jacket felt restrictive across my shoulders. But today wasn't about comfort. Today was about doing right by Aria.

A soft knock at the door broke my reverie.

"Come in," I called, turning from the mirror.

Aria stepped through the doorway, and my breath caught in my throat. She was radiant in her wedding dress, its silver-white fabric catching the light with every movement. The fitted bodice gave way to flowing layers that seemed to float around her as she moved. Her amber eyes, lined with subtle makeup, found mine immediately.

"Well?" she asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice as she did a small twirl. "What do you think?"

What did I think? I thought she was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen. I thought that Ethan was the luckiest wolf alive. I thought that a piece of my heart would always belong to this extraordinary woman, even as I prepared to give her away.

"You look..." I searched for words that wouldn't betray the ache in my chest. "Absolutely stunning."

Her smile was like sunrise breaking through clouds. "You clean up pretty well yourself," she teased, crossing the room to straighten my already-straight tie. Her fingers brushed against my collar, the familiar scent of her enveloping me. "I still can't believe you're leaving after the ceremony."

I covered her hands with mine, gently stopping their nervous adjustments to my tie. "We've been over this," I said softly. "It's time for me to find my own path."

Her eyes searched mine, a mixture of understanding and sadness clouding their amber depths. "I know. I just..." She swallowed hard. "I can't imagine not having you around. You've been my rock through everything."

"And now you have Ethan," I reminded her gently. "And the twins. And both packs. You don't need me anymore, Aria."

She opened her mouth to protest, but I shook my head. "That's a good thing," I insisted. "It means I did my job right."

A single tear escaped, trailing down her cheek. I caught it with my thumb, careful not to smudge her makeup. "Hey, no crying. You'll ruin all that fancy face paint."

That earned me a watery laugh and a light punch to the shoulder. "It's called makeup, you barbarian."

"See? You're already talking like a proper Luna," I teased, grateful for the moment of lightness.

Her expression sobered quickly. "Promise me something?"

"Anything."

"Promise you'll find happiness," she said, her eyes intense. "Real happiness, not just... existing. You deserve that, Leo. More than anyone I know."

The sincerity in her voice made my throat tighten. For years, I'd convinced myself that being near Aria was enough. That watching her build a life with someone else was bearable as long as I could still be in her orbit. But seeing her truly happy with Ethan had slowly shifted something inside me. Maybe it was time to believe I deserved my own version of what they had found.

"I promise," I said, meaning it for perhaps the first time.

A commotion outside the door broke our moment. Lucas burst in, his small form barely contained in his formal suit, energy radiating from him like heat from a furnace.

"Uncle Leo! Mom! Everyone's waiting! Grandma says it's time!" He bounced from foot to foot, tie already askew despite the ceremony not having started yet.

I couldn't help but laugh at his excitement. "Slow down, little Alpha."

Lucas insisted, grabbing both our hands and trying to pull us toward the door. "And I need to practice throwing the petals!"

Aria and I exchanged amused glances before she stepped back, adjusting her dress one final time. "I guess that's our cue."

I offered my arm, just as I'd practiced in the rehearsal. "Ready?"

She slipped her hand into the crook of my elbow, her touch warm through the fabric of my jacket. "More than ready."

As we made our way through the corridors of the main house toward the ceremonial grounds behind the property, I tried to memorize everything about this moment. The weight of Aria's hand on my arm. The sweet scent of the flowers woven into her hair. The feeling of being trusted with something precious, even if only briefly.

The back doors opened to reveal a transformed landscape. Paper lanterns hung from tree branches, casting a warm glow over the gathering. Rows of chairs lined either side of a central aisle, filled with members from both packs. At the far end stood a flower-covered arch, beneath which Ethan waited, his tall frame commanding even from this distance.

My eyes caught sight of Marcus sitting slightly apart from the main gathering, his face etched with regret and something like longing. Despite everything he'd done, I felt a flicker of sympathy for the man. He'd lost the right to walk his daughter down the aisle through his own poor choices, forced to watch from the sidelines as someone else took his place.

Zoe and David sat near the front, their hands clasped together with the easy intimacy of a couple deeply in love. Ethan's mother and godmother sat in the front row, each cradling one of the twins. Little Olivia was gnawing determinedly on her fist, while Cassie watched the proceedings.

The musicians began to play, the haunting melody of traditional wedding music filling the evening air. Lucas appeared at the beginning of the aisle, his face a study in concentration as he carefully scattered silver petals with each measured step. The crowd smiled indulgently at his serious expression.

As we began our procession down the aisle, I felt hundreds of eyes turn toward us. But all I could focus on was Ethan's face as he caught sight of his bride. The raw emotion there—love, wonder, gratitude—was so powerful it almost knocked the breath from my lungs.

Each step brought us closer to the moment I'd been both dreading and anticipating. The walk seemed both impossibly long and far too short. I gazed straight ahead, determined to complete this final act of service with dignity. This was Aria's day, not the time for my own conflicted feelings.

When we reached the arch, Ethan stepped forward. I turned to Aria, taking both her hands in mine. This wasn't strictly part of the ceremony, but there were things I needed to say.

"You have been my best friend, my family, and my home for longer than I can remember," I said quietly, my voice steady despite the emotion threatening to overwhelm me. "And now I give you to a man who will cherish you as much as I have. Be happy, Aria. That's all I've ever wanted for you."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she squeezed my hands. "Thank you for everything," she whispered. "For standing by me when no one else would. For helping me raise Lucas. For being the brother I needed."

I lifted her hand and placed it in Ethan's, the symbolic gesture of giving her away. Their fingers intertwined immediately, instinctively, as if completing a circuit. The rightness of it struck me with unexpected force.

"Take care of her," I told Ethan, my voice low enough that only he could hear. "She deserves everything."