Sixty-six.

Sixty-six.
Calum was standing, waiting impatiently under the arbour, his great grandmother first designed, which stood at the very end of the garden grounds, acting as a gateway to the sea beyond. The wide arched frame had long ago been swallowed up by the masses of honeysuckle that was currently in full bloom, and emitting its delicate scent in a strangely potent manner, dispersed as it was by the light breeze from the water beyond. Maybe it was simply his pre wedding nerves causing his anxiety, but Colt had been on edge for weeks, and there was a small part of him that had allowed doubt to trickle in that she wouldn't show up.

He shook the thoughts away, and concentrated on his breathing, ignoring the smirk that came from Maeve as she stood in front of him waiting to perform the ceremony, clearly reading how nervous he was. Alasdair, his best man and only groomsman was standing with him as well, although slightly back from him and just outside of the arbour, and unlike Calum, Alasdair's excitement was palpable, but that may he to do with his mate being the only bridesmaid.

The crowds that had gathered to be part of this day were huge, and not at all what he and Colt had wanted. It shocked him slightly when he arrived, and he had a sudden inkling that this was one of the things Colt had been so worked up over. He knew his mother was responsible, and had to swallow the urge to call her out for it. Reminding himself, this was supposed to be a happy day, and trying to find an understanding in his heart for his Mum, who was looking forward to today as well.

Colt's family were stood smiling in the front row, enclosed by a hedge of lavender which grew down both sides ide of the park they were in, while her wolf brothers were seeming to intimidate most of the people around them, if you were to go by all the wary glances they kept receiving.

Although, Calum himself no longer seen them as a threat, especially after watching how they played with their children, and how soft they became around their mates. The sight gave him a pang of longing he didn't expect. Not just a desire to be a father, but a desire to be part of a comfortable relaxed family. It made him happy to see a glimpse of the world Colt had been raised in, her family was solid even as they had grown up and went their separate ways. They still very much had one another's backs, laughing and joking while supporting one another. He smiled when Scott caught his eye, nodding his head as it fully clicked in his head, they were a pack. Even the non wolf members, they were all a pack, and he suddenly felt very humbled to be joining it.

Suddenly, he was torn from his sentimentality when the soft music of a violin began, and in the exact same moment Calum's spine stiffened.

This was it.

He was stood with his back to the sea, in one of the cottage style garden parks. It seemed to be Colt's favourite, especially with the fragrant herbs that were growing here, and in another life he could envision her pottering out here to her hearts content till the sun went down on a day. She would only come back to him, when the sun had pinkened her skin completely, and the mud was so deeply engrained under her nails, that there would be no getting rid of it before she was out pottering again.

Unfortunately this part of the garden was about a mile from the main house, and hidden behind the estate orchard, so he would have to wait for her to appear between the gathered crowds to get a glimpse of her. A fact he internally cursed while waiting, and feeling as though he couldn't breathe.

His stomach was twisting like mad, as he waited on her and the soft melodic music, was now just killing him. Calum swallowed hard and closed his eyes, trying to breathe deeply enough to calm himself while clenching his sweaty palms, then trying to subtly rub them dry on his kilt without anyone noticing.

The sound of Maeve clearing her throat made his eyes open, and when she nodded behind him, he turned.

There she was.

Everyone else disappeared, there was only Colt, his beautiful mate as she slowly closed the distance between them and Calum had to stop himself from running towards her.

Colt was gracefully gliding towards him, her arm looped through her father's, or the blurred figure of a man that Calum had decided must belong to Kalvin. Calum had stopped breathing altogether now, as he watched her. The image of her beauty had stolen his last sense, as he studied every detail, trying to memorize every single part of her.

Colt's hair was pinned up, underneath itself, lying softly against her neck with soft tendrils framing her face; her eyes were glassy, but judging by the creases, Calum decided they must be happy tears, and allowed his eyes to wander over the rest of her without worrying, as she made her way to him.

Her gown looked like it was a very pale pink colour, and it highlighted the gentle blush on her cheeks beautifully. Calum had watched his mum sewing enough times growing up to recognise the fabric was tulle, however the A line silhouetted fabric looked finer than any he had ever seen before and ihad the most delicate shine. There were elegantly placed lace flower motifs, and the deep v neckline dropped till it met the second of two narrow velvet bands, which were placed widely to cinch the dress in around her waist. From the tulle straps on her shoulders, to the wispy fabric of the skirt at her fshe was perfect, and Calum's heart was bursting with pride as he watched his future wife walk towards him, carrying a simple bouquet of deep red fresias.

Kalvin stopped two feet from Calum, and Colt looked expectantly at her father. But, he didn't release her as expected, instead he frowned, his jaw tense and he clamped his arm on her own, holding her tight beside him.

"Dad, what are you doing?" Colt whispered incredulously.

Calum stepped up in front of them, looking questioningly at Kalvin, as he tried to figure out what the problem was.

"I don't think I can do it, Princess." The older wolf stated, ignoring the snorts of laughter from his sons in the crowd.

Colt smiled, leaning up to kiss her Dad on the cheek, while embracing him with her bouquet upon his back, "You aren't actually giving me away, Dad. It's symbolic, that's all. I will still he your daughter, nothing will ever change that."

"I will take care of her," Calum gently offered, trying to convince Kalvin to let go.

But Kalvin still held firm, refusing to let her go, even when Colt herself tried to remove her arm from his grip.

"I can't give you away, not to anyone," Kalvin stated, softening slightly when Colt wrapped her arm higher about his neck and held him tighter for a second.

"I know, Daddy," she said, "And I will always love you, but this isn't you giving me away. This is me, marrying the love of my life, with your blessing."

Kalvin squeezed her tighter, as his eyes filled with tears. "I love you too, Princess." He whispered in her ear, before pulling back to see how happy she was.

Isla discreetly came and stood beside her struggling mate, "Come on, Kal, let our daughter be happy," she stated softly, prying his arms from around Colt and leading him away.

Calum reached out his hand, as Colt turned and automatically slipped hers into it.

"You look beautiful, Love." He stated, solemnly as he led them to stand under the honeysuckle together infront of Maeve, waiting patiently while Colt handed her flowers to Iona, and briefly wondering how he had missed the bridesmaid's entrance.

"Thank you," Colt spoke softly, a joyous stray tear slipping from her eye, "You look rather dashing yourself, Casanova."

Both, Colt and Calum stood hand in hand, before Maeve as she began the ceremony, welcoming everyone and lightly teasing a flustered Kalvin about acting like his daughter was being sold into a sultan's harem instead of marrying her soulmate; which the entire crowd thoroughly enjoyed, before she proceeded on to the more intimate and binding parts of their ceremony.

"Before you complete your vows to one another, we will begin your hand fasting ritual. I believe I have two pieces of tartan here, one the Macgregor, and the other?" Maeve asked, holding up two long strips of woven fabric.

The first was obviously the Macgregor, with it's predominant red, and interwoven greens, matching Calum's kilt and feileadh mòr which was formally draped up over his shoulder, and the second was a piece Colt hadn't seen yet. Her parents had asked to organise this as a surprise for the day, so it was to them she looked for an answer.

"It is the brand new, and now officially registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority, Merrier tartan," Isla smiled, "We had it made and then registered in Glasgow last week. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to kit everyone out in it. But, plenty of time to perfect the most important piece for the day. Each of the nine colours, represents one of us; from your father and myself, down to Ross," Isla's voice wavered, "who was taken too soon." Before she pushed through, determined to be happy today, "You my girl, are the purple, because you compose yourself like a queen, no matter what you face, and we couldn't be more proud of you."

"Yes, we were told you refused to be a daughter of the Campbell clan, because you are a Merrier, so of course we thought it fitting you were represented by it today as well," Kalvin added, his voice booming with enough pride, that more tears cascaded down Colt's face, at her parents kind words.

Colt could only nod in thanks as she turned back to her very almost husband, not trusting her own voice as her emotions wobbled for the umpteenth time that day.

"Right," clapped Maeve, matter of factly, "Let's continue, before even I am a blubbering mess at all this sentimentality," she spoke in her thick Irish accent, while smiling at the couple in front of her.

Whispering a prayer, she wrapped the lengths around their joined arms, ending with each of them holding an end of fabric.

"Calum, please recite your oath to Colt," Maeve stated, once she had finished tying them together.

"Colt Merrier, I never actually believed I would want to settle down. I valued my freedom more than anything else, until you. Family duty had clipped my wings when I first encountered you, but from then on, you were my duty. No words can describe the depths of my love for you. They are endless, timeless and completely limitless. I would spend my every lifetime searching for you again, just to hold you for a single second; because that single second of being with you is worth it all. My heart, my life and my soul are yours for eternity. On this day I pledge myself to you, my mate and my wife, with all that I am, and with all that I have. I will love you forever." Calum spoke, with such emotional strength and honesty, that the surrounding crowds were completely awed.

"Achem," Maeve spluttered, forcing a cough to cover her own wobbling voice, "And, Colt, will you make your oath to Calum."

Colt smiled widely, her eyes shining with love, "Calum, you surprised me," she laughed happily, "I didn't believe that life would turn out this way, I used to be so adamant, all throughout my life that I wouldn't mate. That I wouldn't settle down, it wasn't a life I wanted, nor one I envisioned. I built up so many walls around myself, and I actually thought I was in control. Then, you came along, and you obliterated my defenses. You latched on, and refused not to be let in, and I love you all the more for it. Calum, you healed my heart in more ways than I recognised it needed to heal. You are my safety, my love, my joy, my wonder, and I am so thankful you never gave up. Everything I am, is yours and I pledge myself and my future to you, and I promise I will always let you in, and I will always be there for you in return. I promise to love you with my whole self, forever."

Throughout their vows, Colt and Calum didn't break eye contact, their love reverberating back and forth between them as they made their eternal commitments to one another.

Maeve smiled broadly at the two, "Then please, pull your hands apart, and tie the knot of your lives together."

They both gripped the tartan strips in their hands, and letting go of one another, they pulled their hands back; all while Maeve held the other ends in place. The fabric tightened, when their hands separated, forming a knot between the two strips, and Maeve let it go, allowing both of them to hold it high above their heads.

"This knot is sacred, it is a physical manifestation of your union and your connection to one another. You are tied, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually in the bonds of love and partnership. Calum and Colt, by the power bestowed on me by the mother goddess, Dana, I now pronounce you husband and wife," Maeve spoke, her lilting accent breaking under her own happy tears, "Calum Macgregor, you may now kiss your bride."

The crowds erupted in a frenzy of hollers and cheers, when Calum pulled Colt flush against himself. She went willingly, allowing him to dominate her in his most searing and claiming kiss to date. Colt felt like she was encased by magic, her skin was dancing with light tingles all over as they sealed their vows with a kiss.

She has never been this happy in her life, and when the kiss ended, with Calum stooped over her, and her own body bent backwards, as she was held up in his strong arms, a second cheer rang out, because Colt wrapped her hands around Calum's head, and pulled him straight back for another kiss, only allowing it to end when they were both gasping for air.

Author's Note: I hope I have done this ceremony justice for you. In the next chapter, we will he saying a goodbye to someone special for a while, as his journey here has come to an end.