Chapter 36
The next nine months had whizzed past in a blur of wedding dresses, flowers, cake tasting and other preparations. Finally, the day was upon us, and the packhouse buzzed with activity.
I thought back to the day when Xavier had proposed. The whole pack had gasped in shock. It was uncommon for Alpha’s and Luna’s to become married, but it wasn’t unheard of. In the eyes of the werewolf world, becoming Mated and bonded was just as good as getting married. When I finally got over my shock and replied yes, our entire pack cheered and clapped so loudly, that I’m surprised no one in the city heard us. We all partied long into the night that night and drunk copious amounts of wine, gin, and beer.
And now, here I was getting ready to walk down the aisle to marry the man I loved. We had decided to use the clearing in the forest as our place of marriage and use the lawn as an outside alfresco dining area. Due to the number of people we had in our pack, we decided that we would only have the crucial members and family and friends over for dinner and then a massive party in the evening for everyone else. I had my Dad giving me away, and I choose Hannah and Cierra as bridesmaids and my little brother Lucas as a pageboy.
Standing in my bedroom, I looked around and saw everything boxed up and ready to be transferred to Xavier’s bedroom, which I realised, I’d never actually stepped for into. My bedroom had been quickly transformed into a dressing room so that me and my bridal party could get ready in peace.
I looked a bit out of place, standing in an empty bedroom in my white princess wedding dress holding a red rose bouquet. I had a white and silver manicure done, and my hair was styled into an elegant bun with loose tendrils hanging around my face. The neckline of my wedding dress framed my shoulders, while a corseted bodice detailed with little crystals hugged my body. A large puffy skirt, consisting of many layers of taffeta, silk, and netting, soon followed and it rustled around noisily. My bodice wasn’t done up to tightly because of one tiny minor detail. My hands instantly cradled a small hard bump, and I smiled fondly.
Yes, me and Xavier were expecting our first child any day now. I was looking forward to meeting my daughter, but I had missed my wolf terribly. It was extremely dangerous for an unborn child and a pregnant woman to shift. So, for the last nine months, I have had to cage in my wolf. She wasn’t happy, but she understood. I know she couldn’t wait to stretch her legs finally.
A noise of a squeaking door signalled to me that my bridesmaids were finally ready, and I watched them as they graciously excited out from the closet. They both had the same elegant hairstyles as me and matching bouquets, albeit smaller and they wore floor-length burgundy strapless dresses made from silk.
“Oh girls, you look absolutely stunning!” I gasped happily.
“No! You look stunning. That dress is perfect for you!” Cierra smiled, looking down lovingly at my bump.
“I can't wait to meet her. You and Xavier are so perfect for one another. That baby is going to be so loved by many!” gushed Hannah, beaming widely at Cierra and me.
“Agreed. And protected. I’ve already told my pack that their protection applies to this little one too!” Cierra informed, resting her hand gently on my stomach.
A gentle knocking sound came from my bedroom door, and as we spun around, we saw my Dad quickly open the door and slip inside, shutting it carefully behind him.
“Oh, girls! You all look amazing. Leah, look at you! My baby girl is getting married!”
I watched as his bottom lip started to quiver, and I noticed that he was beginning to well up with emotions.
“Oh, Dad, don’t cry on me big man. It’s me that is supposed to be crying today,” I joked and wrapping my arms around him lovingly.
“Don’t you dare ruin our make up!” Cierra protested loudly, and we all burst into laughter.
“Right, well I came up to say that everyone is ready and seated and Lucas is downstairs in the lobby waiting for you. It’s time to get the show on the road. I’ll be with you every step of the way,” Dad said confidently.
I nodded and held out my arm, which my dad dutifully took. I glanced back behind me and saw Cierra and Hannah standing behind me, smiling happily. Carefully, we all squeezed out onto the landing and down the staircase to where Lucas was waiting in the lobby. He also wore a matching black tuxedo with a burgundy tie on, to match our Dad.
He looked so grown up!
“Are you ready little dude?” I asked him, winking at him cheekily.
Lucas nodded and walked behind me, grasping hold of Cierra’s outstretched hand. Slowly we made our way out into the garden and down on to the lawn. There were three long tables covered with white tablecloths, surrounded by chairs, all wrapped in fancy silk covers with burgundy bows on the back. There were burgundy and white balloons everywhere and a massive balloon arch at the head of one of the tables. Tall glass vases holding red and white roses decorated the tables along with large wine glasses and matching napkins.
We continued walking a little further to the edge of the forest, and from out of nowhere, loud music began to play, signalling my arrival. I looked down and noticed a white aisle runner embedded with crystals marking out the route to walk. I glanced over at my Dad and nodded, signalling that I was ready.
Slowly, we walked in time to the music, following the aisle runner. After what seemed an eternity, the clearing came into view, and I saw Xavier standing up next to Beta Adam on a makeshift stage. The priest was already there, dressed in all his glory, looking down upon rows and rows of our guests. Xavier turned around slowly, along with Beta Adam and watched me walk towards him. His face broke into an enormous grin, and his eyes twinkled like stars. Like my Dad, he was wearing a black tuxedo with a burgundy tie. When I finally made it to the altar and stood next to Xavier, my Dad placed my hands in Xavier’s gently.
“You best look after her!” he growled, sarcastically, smiling at us both.
“Oh, I will Rick. Don’t you worry about that!” Xavier beamed, looking down at me lovingly.
We watched Dad turn around and take a seat next to my Mum and Rachel, who was beaming at us wildly. We both turned back to face the priest who coughed loudly to get everyone’s attention.
“Welcome everybody. Please be seated. First, I’d like to begin by welcoming everyone and thanking each and every one of you for being here on this happiest of days. It’s no accident that each of you are here today, and each of you was invited to be here because you represent someone important in the individual and collective lives of Xavier and Leah.
I honestly can’t think of a better venue than Bluemoon Forest for an occasion that I know is not only monumental for the wedded-couple-to-be but for all of us who are lucky to know and love them as individuals but even more so as a perfect pairing.
The most remarkable moment in life is when you meet the person who makes you feel complete. The person who makes the world a beautiful and magical place. The person with whom you share a bond so special that it transcends normal relationships and becomes something so pure and so beautiful, that you can’t imagine spending another day of your life without them. I know how deeply these two cares for and loves one another, and I feel privileged to be here today among all of you as a witness of their commitment to a lifetime of love for one another.
So, without further ado:
Dearly beloved and honoured guests:
We are gathered here to join Xavier and Leah in the union of marriage.
Xavier, do you take Leah to be your wife?
Do you promise to love, honour, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others, and holding only unto her forever?
[“I do.”]
And Leah, do you take Xavier to be your husband?
Do you promise to love, honour, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him forever?
[“I do.”]
Xavier and Leah will now exchange rings as a symbol of love and commitment to each other. Rings are a precious metal. They are also made precious by you wearing them. Your wedding rings are special, and they enhance who you are. They mark the beginning of your long journey together. Your wedding ring is a circle - a symbol of love, never-ending. It is the seal of the vows you have just taken to love each other without end.
Xavier, please place the ring on Leah’s left hand and repeat after me:
As a sign of my love
[“As a sign of my love”]
That I have chosen you
[That I have chosen you”]
Above all else
[“Above all else”]
With this ring, I thee wed.
[“With this ring, I thee wed.”]
I, Xavier Black, take you, Leah Norwood, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law, and this is my solemn vow.
[I, Xavier Black, take you, Leah Norwood, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law, and this is my solemn vow.]
And Leah, please place the ring on Xavier’s left hand and repeat after me:
As a sign of my love
[“As a sign of my love”]
That I have chosen you
[That I have chosen you”]
Above all else
[“Above all else”]
With this ring, I thee wed.
[“With this ring, I thee wed.”]
I, Leah Norwood, take you, Xavier Black, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law, and this is my solemn vow.
[I, Leah Norwood, take you, Xavier Black, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law, and this is my solemn vow.]
And now by the power vested in me, it is my honour and delight to declare you both married. Go forth and live each day to the fullest. You may seal this declaration with a kiss. You may now kiss the bride!”
Xavier leaned in and proudly kissed me longingly on the lips in front of everyone. Lovingly, I kissed him back, never wanting to let him go. The forest was filled with the tremendous racket of people cheering clapping and stomping their feet in celebrations.
Happily, I turned around to face my new family, no longer known as Leah Norwood but as Leah Black.