Chapter 186: Forever Begins

Chapter 186: Forever Begins
Sierra's POV

The morning sun woke me up. Today was my wedding day. I touched the empty space beside me. Adrian spent the night at Lena's house. Tradition, she said. The groom shouldn't see the bride before the ceremony. 

My stomach flipped with butterflies.

Maria knocked softly on my door. "Luna, it's time to get ready." She came in carrying a tray. Coffee and toast. "You need to eat something. Big day ahead." 

I tried to swallow a bite but my throat was tight. "I'm too nervous." Maria sat beside me on the bed. "That's normal. But remember, this is your day. Your choice. Nothing can ruin it."

Two hours later my room was full of women. Lena, Patricia, Sarah, and Claire from the bridal shop. They moved around me like bees. Doing my hair, my makeup, adjusting my dress. 

"You're glowing," Patricia said. She pinned a flower in my hair. "Like an angel." Lena stood back and looked at me. Her eyes got watery. "Don't you dare cry," I warned. "You'll make me cry too."

Someone knocked. Maria opened the door. A delivery man stood there holding a white box. "For Sierra Hale." Inside was a note in Adrian's handwriting. 

"For my bride. Wear this and know that I love you more than words can say." Under the note was a bracelet. Silver with tiny wolves carved into it. My hands shook as I put it on. "He really loves you," Sarah whispered. 

I blinked back tears. "I love him too. So much it scares me sometimes."

At three o'clock we drove to the cliff. Cars lined the road. Pack members walked toward the ceremony site. 

The arch stood tall against the blue sky. White flowers covered every inch of it. Chairs filled with people. Everyone I cared about was here. My heart pounded so hard I heard it in my ears.

"Ready?" Lena asked. She looked beautiful in her pink dress. I nodded even though I wasn't sure I could walk. 

"Ready." 

Music started playing. Soft and sweet. The guests stood up. 

I stepped out from behind the trees. Adrian stood at the altar. He wore a dark suit. His hair was brushed back but his eyes found mine and didn't look away. They were wet with tears. He was crying. 

My feet moved on their own. One step then another.

When I reached Adrian he took my hands. His hands were shaking. "You're beautiful," he whispered. 

"I can't breathe." The officiant, an older pack member, smiled at us. "We gather here today to witness the union of Adrian Hale and Sierra Cruz. Not because duty demands it but because love chose it."

He looked at Adrian. "Do you have vows?" 

Adrian nodded. He pulled out a folded paper from his pocket. His voice cracked when he started reading. 

"Sierra, I was lost before you. I was angry and broken and didn't know how to love. You taught me. You showed me that strength isn't about control, it’s about letting go and trusting someone else with your heart. I promise to love you every day. In the easy moments and the hard ones. I promise to choose you over and over again. To be the man you deserve. The father Alexander needs. The mate who never gives up. You saved me, Sierra. Now let me spend forever saving you back."

I was crying. Everyone was crying. "Sierra," The Officiant said gently. "Your vows?" I didn't have paper. I didn't write anything down. The words came from somewhere deep inside. 

"Adrian, a year ago I remembered everything. The pain, the rejection and the loss. I could have run but I stayed because even through all that hurt, I saw you. The real you. You're not perfect. Neither am I but together we're something beautiful and real. I promise to stand beside you. To be your partner not your follower. To raise our son with love and teach him what real strength looks like. I promise to choose you every morning and every night. To build a life that's ours. You're my home, Adrian. My safe place, my forever."

The officiant smiled wide. "By the power given to me and witnessed by this pack, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Adrian, you may kiss your bride." 

Adrian pulled me close. His kiss was soft at first then it went deeper full of promise, hope and everything we'd survived. 

The crowd cheered. Someone whistled. The children laughed. 

When we pulled apart Adrian rested his forehead against mine. "My wife," he said. "Finally my wife."

I smiled through my tears. "My husband."

The reception was perfect. Tables covered in white cloth. Food that smelled amazing. Music playing while people danced. 

Adrian's hand never left mine. He kept looking at me like I might disappear. "What?" I asked. He shook his head. "Just memorizing this moment. I want to remember every detail."

We danced under the stars slowly and closely. His hand on my waist. Mine on his shoulder. 

"Happy?" he asked. I looked up at him. "More than I knew was possible." 

Lena gave a speech that made everyone laugh and cry. "Sierra is the bravest person I know. She's been through hell and came out stronger. Adrian, you better take care of her or you'll answer to me." 

Adrian raised his glass. "I will. I promise."

The night got late. Guests started leaving. Hugging us and wishing us well. 

Maria took Alexander home to sleep. "You two enjoy your night," she said with a knowing smile. 

Finally, it was just us. Adrian and me standing under the stars. "I have a surprise," Adrian said. 

He led me to his car. "Where are we going?" He opened the door for me. "You'll see."

We drove for an hour. The city disappeared behind us. Trees got thicker. Then I saw it. A small cabin by a lake. Lights glowed in the windows. 

"What is this?" I asked. Adrian carried me over the threshold. Inside was cozy. A fireplace crackled, rose petals covered the bed. Candles lit every surface. 

"Our honeymoon that we never had. Just for three days. No pack business, no responsibilities just us." 

My eyes filled with tears. "Adrian." He set me down gently. "I know we can't leave Alexander for long but Maria insisted. She said we deserved this. Three days to be husband and wife. To remember why we chose this."

I kissed him. Poured everything I felt into it. 

"Thank you for all of this. For loving me, giving me the wedding I dreamed of." Adrian smiled. "Thank you for saying yes, for choosing me back." 

We spent the night talking and laughing. Lying in bed watching the fire dance. "What are you thinking about?" I asked. He was quiet for a long moment. 

"About how lucky I am. How close I came to losing this. Losing you." I turned to face him. "You didn't lose me. We found each other."

The next morning I woke up to Adrian making breakfast. Pancakes and eggs. We ate on the porch watching the lake. 

"I could stay here forever," I said. Adrian nodded. "Me too but we have a son waiting. A pack that needs us." He reached across the table and took my hand. "Every moment with you is mine, Sierra. My forever moment."

On our last day we walked by the lake. Held hands like teenagers. Adrian picked a flower and tucked it behind my ear. "I'm ready to go home," I said. "To see Alexander. To start our real life as husband and wife." 

When we walked through the door Maria was waiting. Alexander in her arms. "Dada! Mama!" he squealed. I took him and held him tight. 

"We missed you so much." Adrian wrapped his arms around both of us. "My family. My whole world." That night after Alexander fell asleep we stood on our balcony. 

"Ready for forever?" he asked. 

I nodded. "With you? Always ready."