Epilogue

“My hands are so sweaty it’s not even funny.” I rubbed my palms together anxiously, waiting for Rose to come back around with my dress in hand. I was getting married in less than an hour and I didn’t feel ready at all.

“Just chill out, everything’s fine. Let’s get this on you and then we can worry about the small details, okay?” She walked over and slipped the dress over my head gently, doing her best not to touch my hair or my makeup which was already done this morning.

“Okay...” I muttered, standing up and letting her lace up the back. “This is good, this is a good thing”

“Yes, this is a good thing” Her hands tied the bow of the dress and she stood back, looking at me. “Wow, you look really beautiful Isabella”

“You think so?” I turned from side to side looking at myself in the giant mirror.

This morning had been so hectic and insane with lots of different people rushing in to do makeup, hair, shoes, and hovering about. I was glad that it was finally just the two of us left to do the final touches and get me down the aisle with as little interruption as possible.

Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to get married to Theo, but it wasn’t the most important thing in my life.

“Yes, I promise. Now let’s get the finishing touches done so that you can be the most gorgeous bride!” She walked over and picked up the headpiece that I chose a few days before and placed it over my head, securing it with pins. “I’m jealous”

“Why are you jealous?” I looked at her in the mirror and smiled. “You look just as amazing” Which was true, she was dressed in the most gorgeous baby blue bridesmaids dress that complimented the flowers and corsages in the giant church hall we were due to be married in.

“Thank you” She nodded. “Now, let’s get you ready to go down the aisle! Have you seen Theo at all today?”

“No, I haven’t seen him since last night. I suppose it’s tradition for a bride and groom not to see each other on the day of their wedding until they meet at the altar. It’s kind of cute” I looked at her in the mirror and she placed her hands on my shoulders, screwing up her face in joy.

“You guys are so cute! Seriously, if I ever meet someone, I want our relationship to be just like yours.”

“Well you never know” I winked. “Theo has lots of brothers, and if they look anything like he does...”

“Okay girl, I see you!” She picked up perfume and sprayed it on my pulse points, nodding her head. “Maybe I’ll scope out these brothers of his. That will be nice.”

“Nice indeed”

Looking at her watch, she drew me a shocked look. “Oh god, look at the time! We need to get you out of here!”

Standing up and looking at myself one last time in the mirror, I nodded at her and took off out the room. Smaller heels we’re definitely the best option. “Do I look alright?”

“Yes!” We tore down the stairs towards the venue and I could faintly hear organ music and the murmurs of the crowd. “Here she is!”

A group of people looked me over, nodding and straightening up a few things before I was told to get into position to walk down the aisle. My heart beat fast in my chest and I honestly felt like running away and leaving this all.

“Dad!” I yelled and pulled him into a hug. The last time I saw him was the night before I was taken from my bed, and now here he was, seeing me on my wedding day.

Tears welling up in his eyes, he placed comforting hands on my shoulders. “You look beautiful”

“Thanks dad, I’m so happy to see you again. Sorry it’s such a short meeting, but I promise that after this I’ll spend all the time in the world with you.” He nodded at me as I was pulled to the side by a guard, getting into position.

He stood beside me and I placed my head on his shoulder before straightening my back up and taking a deep breath.

Rose’s hand reached past and gripped my own tightly, giving it a gentle squeeze of encouragement. “You’ll do fine, it will be alright” I squeezed her back and she let go, taking her place in front of me as the giant wooden doors opened and guests stood to their feet, marvelling at me.

Cameras were set up all around the huge hall, guards dressed in black suits and sunglasses lined the walls for our protection.

The typical wedding march started, and all eyes were on us. Rose started to walk slowly towards the front, and I couldn’t bear to look up just yet. After a few paces I was next, my legs were shaking with every stride, my father being the only thing keeping me going. Everyone looked so smart and dressed well.

“This is terrifying” I muttered to him and he chuckled next to me, clearly feeling the nerves too.

We neared the front of the hall and my fists were balled, stomach clenching; sweat fell down my back. But all of that melted away when I saw him. He stood at the end of the isle, sending me a warm smile as we approached him.

My father kissed me on the cheek, turning around to shake Theo’s hand before taking a seat at the side of us.

“Are you alright?” Theo took my hand and I nodded gently, very much aware of the hundreds of eyes watching us. He looked gorgeous, of course, dressed up to the nines in a sexy suit. “Good” He smiled. “We just have to get through this shit, and then I’m all yours”

“Glad to hear it” My finger poked his chest playfully as those around us sat back down and the room fell silent.

“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you all for joining us today to witness the marriage of Isabella Short and High Alpha Theo, and to oversee our new Luna get instated.” You could have heard a pin drop in the room. “Have the couple prepared some vows?”

Shit. Vows. I literally only had thing I had to prepare for this, and I failed.

Clearing his throat, Theo nodded and took both of my hands, staring deep into my eyes. “Words cannot explain how much you mean to me. Without you, I would be incomplete. I was not proud of the man that I was before, he’s a different person to who I am now, thanks to you. You are beautiful, kind, caring and everything I could have ever wished for and I cannot wait to start a family with you, I love you Isabella”

Tears brimmed in my eyes and those around us spoke in hushed whispers, finally hearing Alpha Theo speak in public for the first time in what seems like years.

“And you, Isabella?” The priest turned to me and I nodded, squeezing Theo’s hands tight with nerves. Something about him made those worries fade away, he made me calm and no longer think about what others would say.

“Theo, I don’t know where to start” I trailed off. “If it wasn’t for you, I would be a shy, timid girl who didn’t believe in herself. You’ve made me into the strong, independent person that I am today: a leader. You constantly push me to be a better version of myself which, I think, is the best thing that partners can do for each other. My love for you is infinite, yet each day you give me more ways to love you. Please never change, you are perfect just the way you are and I hope one day you can realise that. I love you very much”

He closed his eyes for a second, seemingly pushing back tears before opening them again.

Turning to Theo, the priest bowed his head. “Repeat after me please. I, Alpha Theo, take you, Isabella Short to be my wife, my lifelong partner, and my Luna” Theo repeated him after every sentence and the priest turned to me, asking me the same thing.

Looking to the side, he held out his hands. “May I have the rings, please?” Taking the rings in his hand, he handed us them one by one. “I give you this ring, as a daily reminder of my love for you”

Sliding the ring on Theo’s fingers, I looked into his eyes, smiling. “I give you this ring, as a daily reminder of my love for you”

Theo placed the ring on my finger and repeated him, we both looked back once it was done and the priest held his hands up to the crowd. “By the power of your love and commitment, and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife!” My gaze fell back to Theo as the priest looked at him. “You may now kiss the bride!”

Closing my eyes and leaning in, our lips pecked for a moment and we pulled away, looking at each other and then kissing again, more passionately.

Holding hands and facing the crowd, everyone erupted into cheers and cries of glee, throwing confetti at us as we walked back down the aisle hand in hand.

“Did I do well?” I looked up at him and rested my head on his shoulder.

“Perfect, my love. Now we can enjoy the rest of the night’s festivities and finally start the rest of our lives as man and wife”

“Man and wife.” I laughed in disbelief. “That’s insane. I love you so much.”

He stopped and faced me, taking my hands in his. “I love you too princess”

Taking a deep breath, I pulled our hands to my stomach, letting him feel. “And I cannot wait to have many more adventures with you,” I stopped, letting him hear the faint heartbeat that came from within me, “and our little one—whatever may come of it.”

Pulling me up and into a tight hug, he kissed my cheek. “I cannot wait.”

“This is perfect.” I nodded into his chest.

It was perfect.

He was perfect. We were perfect. Everything had fallen into place, and I was happier than I had ever been in my entire life. I was finally getting my happy ending.

And with that ending, came a new beginning.

As they say in the movies, the rest was history…