Chapter 221 - Wildflowers, Drapes & Fairy Lights

Chapter 221 - Wildflowers, Drapes & Fairy Lights
Amaia's POV
"I'll get it," I chirped, lifting my dress to quickly get to the door.
My heart was racing as I grabbed the door handle. I was secretly hoping it was Roland. I wanted to thank him for this huge surprise.
I readied myself to leap into his arms, but as soon as I opened the door, I froze.
It wasn't Roland at all...
"Goddess!" I gasped as my gaze traveled over the features of my unexpected guest. His striking eyes sparkled with mischief, and a playful smile danced on her lips.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything too serious," he teased, stepping into the light. His presence filled the room with an electric energy that was impossible to ignore.
I struggled to find my voice, caught between surprise and a rush of excitement at seeing him again. I slowly raised my hand and reached out to touch his face. I needed to know if he was real!
My brain didn't want to register that what I was seeing was surreal!
"Luna," his voice chimed in my ears. My heart screamed it was him, but my mind refused to listen. "Hugo said you're done. Are you ready? Everyone is waiting."
"Everyone?" I flinched.
What was he saying? The weight of his words settled heavily in the air between us, stirring a mix of confusion and dread within me. I had no idea what "everyone" meant or why they were waiting, but the urgency in his tone pulled at something deep inside me, urging me to face whatever was coming next.
"Well, yes..." he continued. "It's your mating ceremony after all. I was hoping you'd let me escort..."
"Are you real?" I interrupted, unable to process more than what I was seeing at the time.
"I assure you I am real," he chuckled, watching me closely.
"I'm... I'm not losing my mind, am I?" I stuttered, looking back at Rosemary. "Tell me. He. He is real." I pointed at the figure standing in the doorway. "I. I am seeing Barrett standing at the door."
"No. You are perfectly sane," Rosemary laughed, coming closer. "And yes, you are seeing Beta Barrett. He's awake..."
"But..." I muttered in disbelief. "I… I saw him this morning still lying in the hospital bed...."
His eyes soften as he carefully reaches out and takes my hand.
"Luna, I was conscious when you visited this morning. I heard every word you told me," he said. "I know Alpha is worried sick about me and that you all can't survive without my seriousness."
He chuckled softly before he continued, his eyes never leaving mine as if he was trying to convince me that I was really seeing him awake.
"I also know what is going on below," he went on. "Hugo and Charles visited me just before the trial. They came together. Then I heard them discussing Alpha Roland's plans."
He shrugged.
"I couldn't miss it," he chirped, his smile widening. "I couldn't miss seeing my best friend, my Alpha, my blood brother, getting married to my Luna without me. I couldn't bear missing the opportunity to see you walk down the aisle...."
A wave of emotion washed over me, and my eyes filled with tears.
Barrette paused for a second, as if searching for the last part of his confession.
"You are Alpha Lennox's fated mate and only love..." he said. "And I am glad you two found each other again. You make my Alpha happy. You are his heart and soul."
Warm tears spilled over as his kind words touched my heart and stirred my soul.
I couldn't find the words to respond, overwhelmed by the depth of his sincerity. In that moment, I knew that my journey had led me to a place of acceptance, not just for my bond with Roland, but also for the friendships that had formed along the way.
"So what do you say?" He said, holding out his hand for me to take. "Can I have the honor of being the one who gives you away to my best friend today...?"
"I don't see anyone else qualified," Rosemary chirped from behind me.
"You knew?" I whispered, feeling overwhelmed.
Rosemary chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"I did," she confessed. "Beta Barrett called me from the infirmary. I had to sign him out—against the doctor's wishes—and I brought him here. Hugo and Charles know..."
"Only because they caught us sneaking in by the back door," Barrett laughed.
"We will never hear the end of it," Rosemary said.
"But it was worth it," Barrett said.
"So does this mean Roland doesn't know?" I asked.
Barrett shook his head, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Not a clue," he said. "He's been sulking the whole afternoon in his room."
A smile appeared on my lips.
"It's going to be one hell of a surprise for your Alpha," I chirped.
Barrett's eyes sparkled with excitement as he leaned in closer. "Just wait until he finds out; the look on his face will be priceless!"
Rosemary chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief at our antics.
"Then we better go and surprise him," I said, and Barrett held his arm out to me, while Rosemary grabbed my train.
Together we started to the stairs. My nerves were killing me, and I had to suppress a nervous giggle.
Barrett looked down at me; a smile tickled at the corners of his lips.
"Thank you," he said as we reached the stairs.
"For what?" I asked.
"She told me," he said. "She told me you explained to her how Taylor was conceived...."
"Oh," I flinched. "I... sorry. It wasn't my place—"
He patted my hand to stop me.
"You helped us more than you'll ever know," he said. "And I'm grateful for that."
The sincerity in his voice betrayed his feelings, and he had to wipe a stray tear from his face.
"All rise!" Charles announced, and my attention shifted back to the task at hand.
"Ready?" Barrett asked.
I nodded and said, "As ready as can be..."
We slowly descended the stairs.
Roland's scent hit my nostrils first, then I felt his aura, strong, powerful, and soothing. It enveloped me like a warm blanket, easing my nerves as we approached the gathering.
Gasps sounded as I came into view, and more gasps once they noticed Barrett. They fixed their curious gazes on us.
I caught sight of Roland standing on the small stage among wildflower arrangements, with white drapes hanging from the ceilings and fairy lights lighting up the room.
Roland's gaze was frozen in shock as he watched Barrett and me come down the aisle. His lips parted. His eyes were wide in shock.
"That's something I could get used to," Barrett mused next to me. "I have never seen my Alpha looking that bewildered."
My gaze calmly moved over him. He looked so handsome in his tailored suit.
Charles and Hugo stood beside him, both of them with a wide grin on their lips.
As we neared the small stage, Barrett's smile grew wider. He seemed to enjoy Roland's little predicament and would tease him about it for years to come.
Barrett closely watched Roland's expression when we stopped at the bottom of the stage and waited for him to respond....