Everlasting Peace - Sam's POV
Halley goes silent after her evasive comment, and I want to know what it means, but I know better than to push her when she has that particular look. She’s wide-eyed, thoughtful, and vaguely horrified, which confuses me.
I raise one brow. “Halley, I’m your mate and you should tell me if there’s something–”
“Nope,” she cuts me off quickly, tugging at my hand. “We need to go plan our ceremony. Dad has been pestering me. Come on and move.”
She marches toward the house like a woman on a mission, which only makes my wolf perk up with suspicion. I follow her, regardless, because I’ve learned two very important things in the last while.
She will tell me what she’s hiding eventually and pushing early makes her dig a hole, then she throws herself into it.
Inside the main room of the alpha house, Reed is at the table with maps spread out with his father half‑asleep in the armchair nearby. The older man stirs when we enter, blinking groggily but smiling when he sees Halley.
“You two were out longer than usual,” he says, his voice still a little thin but stronger than days ago. “Is everything okay out there?”
Halley brightens instantly, which is another sign she’s avoiding the previous topic. “Yes. The younger wolves listened today, and no one started a sparring match they couldn’t finish. It’s a miracle.”
Reed snorts. “The miracle is that you didn’t get dragged into five fights and Sam didn’t break his hand again trying to get you out of them.”
Halley smirks at me. “That was one time.”
“Three,” Reed corrects without looking up from his maps. “Three times, Sam, but it healed up nicely.”
I open my mouth to argue, but Halley stops me cold.
“We’re here to talk about the ceremony,” she says proudly. “Dad said we should have one, and Sam’s over here talking about expanding.” She pauses, her cheeks turning pink. “So yes, it’s time. I want to make sure he’s better first, but I think we should on the next full moon.”
Reed groans, dragging a hand down his face. “Spirits save me. Please tell me I don’t have to plan anything. Can I stay out of it?”
“No,” Halley says cheerfully. “But you’re walking me down the aisle with Dad.”
He freezes. Just… stops breathing entirely. His gaze flicks from her to their father, who nods once, pride and pain flickering across his features.
“I can’t… Halley…” Reed pushes away from the table and stands abruptly. “I’m not…are you sure? After everything? I thought you’d want—”
“I want you,” she interrupts softly. “You’ve always been the one who protected me. You’re still the one who protects me.” Her voice wavers just a little. “So yes. It’s you. And dad has always been my dad. He may not be my biological father, but that doesn’t mean anything. He’s still family. You both are.”
Reed’s throat works, and for a second I think he might bolt out of pure emotional overload, but instead he steps forward, pulls her into a one‑armed hug, and mutters, “Fine, but if you cry, I’m leaving. You know I’ve never been able to stand seeing you cry.”
She laughs and shoves him away. “I’ll cry if I want. It’s my wedding day and I may be a bit emotional.”
Their father watches with glassy eyes. When Halley looks over, he gestures at us to come closer.
“If you two are planning a ceremony,” he says slowly, “there are things you should discuss.Your brother needs time to prepare. And… your mother would have wanted this.”
Halley’s breath catches. “I wish she were here.”
“She is,” he murmurs, touching his chest lightly. “You carry all her best qualities.”
My wolf hums in approval at the sincerity in the room.. Halley kneels beside her father’s chair, taking his hand gently.
“What about you?” she asks. “Are you going to be able to walk comfortably by the full moon?”
“I’ll be there,” he interrupts firmly. “If I have to be carried, I will be there. Then I’ll walk you down the aisle in one form or another on the other side.”
Halley’s eyes glisten. “Okay,” she whispers. “Then it’s settled.”
I step closer, placing a hand on her back. “We can take our time. It doesn’t have to be next week. We can wait until the next full moon if we need to.”
Her father shakes her head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. “No, do it on this one. The packs need this and so do you. A ceremony shows we are moving forward and will solidify things.”
Reed nods. “He’s not wrong. The last of the council’s supporters are clinging on, but barely. A public bonding might tip them right over.”
I glance at Halley. “Are you alright with that? A public ceremony?”
“I think…” She pauses, then smiles softly. “I think I want the whole world to know you're mine and that I’m yours. So a public one is fine. We’ll do it here while everyone is still around. We need to tell Rook and Cale. They’ve been distant lately.”
Something deep in my chest snaps into place at those words. My wolf surges forward, satisfied, and possessive in the softest way. She feels it through the bond and nudges me with her shoulder.
“Then let’s pick a place,” I say, trying not to sound too eager. “Where do you want to have it? The woods? That old building where I saved you?”
Reed grabs a marker and circles a clearing on the map. “Here. Let’s do it where we always announce the new alphas. Are we inviting the packs that aren’t here?”
Halley nods. “Yes. Invite them all. We may be packed and I have to hope that fights won’t break out.”
When she says that, all the peace and warmth is sucked out of me. What if they come and start a riot? Things could go wrong, but I know when I look at her, things could also go right. We have to hope that the feeling of change spreads deeper into the packs and creates an everlasting peace.
That has been our goal and we’re going to see to it.