Chapter211 Wedding

Chapter211 Wedding
Aliya POV
Before I could say anything else, the bedroom door burst open and a parade of people flooded in. Makeup artists, hair stylists, photographers, and wardrobe assistants filled the space with their chatter and equipment.
For the next several hours, I was transformed. They styled my hair in an elaborate updo with delicate pearl pins, applied makeup that made my skin glow and my eyes look luminous, and helped me into my wedding dress—a stunning creation of ivory silk and French lace that fit like it had been made by angels.
When Ava, Nova, and my bridesmaids finally came in to see the finished result, their gasps of amazement made tears spring to my eyes.
"You look absolutely stunning," Nova breathed, her little hands pressed to her cheeks in wonder.
"Nikolai's going to be speechless," Ava grinned, adjusting my veil one final time. "You’re going to charm the life out of him."
Walking toward the great doors of the cathedral, bouquet in hand and surrounded by my bridesmaids, I felt like I was floating. The massive oak doors opened slowly, revealing the breathtaking interior filled with hundreds of guests and thousands of white roses.
But I only had eyes for one person.
Nikolai stood at the altar next to the officiant, and when he saw me, his expression transformed into something that took my breath away. Pure awe mixed with overwhelming love, as if he was seeing something divine.
I smiled at him, and he smiled back, and in that moment, nothing else in the world mattered.
My father took my arm with tears in his eyes, and together we began the long walk down the petal-strewn aisle. Nova, adorable in her flower girl dress, scattered white rose petals in our path, beaming at all the guests who smiled and waved at her.
My gaze swept over all the guests, one by one.
They were my friends, my family,everyone was there, everyone except Patrick.
Patrick, if you can see me now, I believe you would be happy for my happiness too.
When we reached the altar, my father gently placed my hand in Nikolai's, and I felt the rightness of it settle into my bones.
The officiant began the ceremony, but I was lost in Nikolai's eyes until it came time for our vows.
Nikolai spoke first, his voice strong and clear as it carried throughout the cathedral. "I'm not here today to marry a bride. I'm here because I met a beautiful woman whom I love deeply, and I had to make her my wife. "
His voice grew softer, more intimate, though it still reached every corner of the cathedral. "Aliya, you are not just beautiful on the outside. Your courage , your kindness , your fierce protection of those you love , these things made me fall so deeply that I knew I would never recover."
"You disappeared from my life once, and those three years felt like a lifetime of winter. When you came back, I realized that you're not just someone I chose to love. You're someone I can't live without, someone I was incomplete without."
His hand tightened around mine. "Today, I'm not just taking you as my wife. I'm promising to spend every day proving that you made the right choice in trusting me with your heart again. I promise to be worthy of the love you're giving me, to protect our family, and to rule beside you with the same strength and grace you've shown me."
When it was my turn, I felt the baby's presence like a warm glow in my chest. "Today, I'm not standing here alone. There's someone else with me, someone growing inside me, and together we accept this happiness you're offering us."
The words had barely left my mouth when Nikolai's eyes went wide with shock and joy. "Are you pregnant?" he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.
I nodded, and his face broke into the brightest smile I'd ever seen.
We exchanged rings.
When the officiant asked the traditional questions about sickness and health, poverty and riches, we answered with voices full of certainty.
And then, finally, we kissed as husband and wife while rose petals rained down from the cathedral ceiling like blessings from above.
But Nikolai surprised me by taking my hand and leading me not toward the reception, but outside where a massive hot air balloon waited, decorated with ribbons and flowers.
"What is this?" I gasped, staring up at the beautiful sight.
"We're going to ride this balloon to receive blessings from all our pack members," he explained, helping me gather my dress. "The route planning alone took weeks to figure out, but I wanted our people to be part of this moment."
He gestured toward the basket with a formal bow. "My Luna, please step aboard."
So this is what he has been preparing all this time!
As the balloon rose gently into the sky, I could see our pack members gathered below, their faces turned up toward us in joy and celebration. Someone had arranged our names in massive letters made of flowers in the town square, and everywhere we floated, people waved and cheered.
The balloon's final destination was the Alpha King's castle, where it landed smoothly on the highest tower. Nikolai helped me down onto the stone platform, where hundreds of pack members waited with excited faces.
"I present to you my Luna Queen," Nikolai announced, his voice carrying across the gathering. "The woman who will rule beside me and lead our people with wisdom and strength."
The pack elder stepped forward, carrying an exquisite crown of silver and diamonds that caught the afternoon sunlight like captured stars. As he placed it carefully on my head, I felt the weight of responsibility and honor settle on my shoulders.
The crowd erupted in cheers and howls of joy as Nikolai pulled me into his arms and kissed me deeply, passionately, in front of our entire pack.
In that moment, I was certain I had found my happiness.
Author’s Note:
With this, the story has come to an end. Of course, Aliya and Nikolai’s happy life together still goes on. Here, I want to thank all my readers who have stayed with me, and thank you for accompanying me in witnessing Aliya’s growth and happiness.