Chapter 184: One Year Later

Chapter 184: One Year Later
Sierra's POV

I heard noise downstairs. Alexander was babbling. Maria's soft voice answered him. A year ago I didn't even know who I was. Now I had everything. A son, a mate and a life I chose.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. A text from Adrian. "Don't make plans for tonight. I'm taking you somewhere." 

I smiled. He was planning something. I could feel it. Adrian never texted like that unless he had a surprise. I texted back. "What should I wear?" Three dots appeared then disappeared. Then it appeared again. "Something that makes you feel beautiful. I'll pick you up at seven."

The day moved slowly. I tried to focus on work calls but my mind kept wandering. What was Adrian planning? Where were we going? At noon Lena video called me.

"So tonight's the night," she said. Her smile was too big. "What are you talking about?" I asked. She laughed. "Nothing. Just wear something nice and do your hair."

I hung up frustrated. Everyone knew something I didn't. Even Maria was acting strange. When I came downstairs for lunch she was humming. "You're in a good mood," I said. She just smiled. "It's a beautiful day, Luna. Beautiful things happen on beautiful days."

At six o'clock I started getting ready. I chose a deep blue dress. It was simple but elegant. The fabric felt like water against my skin. I curled my hair the way Adrian liked it. Loose waves that fell past my shoulders. I put on the necklace he gave me. The one with the silver wolf. My hands were shaking. Why was I so nervous? 

Adrian arrived exactly at seven. He wore a dark suit. No tie. The top button of his shirt was open. He looked at me like it was the first time he was seeing me.

"You're stunning," he said. His voice was rough. I felt my cheeks get hot. "Where are we going?" He held out his hand. "You'll see."

We drove for thirty minutes. The city lights faded behind us. We headed toward the forest and toward the pack territory. My stomach flipped. 

"Adrian, what are we doing?" He didn't answer. He just kept driving. 

Adrian parked the car. "Close your eyes," he said. "Adrian…" "Please. Trust me." I closed my eyes. I felt him come around and open my door. His hand took mine and led me forward. I could smell pine trees. "Okay," he said. "Open them."

I opened my eyes and stopped breathing. We were in a clearing. The same clearing where he’d rejected me, the night everything changed between us. 

But now it has been transformed. White lights hung everywhere. A table sat in the middle covered in white cloth. Candles flickered in glass jars. Plates of food waited. Wine glasses caught the light. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

"Adrian," I whispered. "How did you…" He pulled out my chair. "Sit. Please." I sat down. My legs felt weak. 

He sat across from me. "One year ago you remembered everything. The good and the bad. You could have left but you stayed." His eyes were bright. "You chose me even after everything I did."

Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't stop them. "I chose you because I love you," I said. "Because you're my mate, my home." Adrian stood up. He walked around the table then he got down on one knee. My heart stopped. "What are you doing?" I whispered.

He pulled out a small box. Black velvet and held my hand. "Sierra Hale. Mother of my son. Luna of my pack. The only love of my life. Will you marry me? Not because you have to but because you want to."

The word came out broken. "Yes." Then louder. "Yes. Yes. Yes." He slid the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly like it was made for me. He stood and pulled me up. He kissed me deeply, desperately, passionately and full of everything we'd survived, lost and found.

When we finally pulled apart I was crying. 

"I want a real wedding," I said. And I want Lena as my maid of honor. I want Alexander to be there." 

Adrian smiled. That rare full smile that made my knees weak. "Then that's what you'll have. Whatever you want. However you want it."

We sat down and ate. The food was perfect. Steak and vegetables and bread that melted in my mouth. We talked about the wedding. Where it would be, when. What colors I wanted. Adrian listened to everything. He didn't try to control it. Didn't suggest pack traditions or proper ceremony. He just let me dream out loud.

"I want it in the spring," I said. "When the flowers are blooming. I want it outside, maybe in the pack territory but somewhere beautiful that feels like us." Adrian nodded. "The cliff overlooking the valley. Where we took Alexander after he was born. It's perfect there."

The night got colder. Adrian pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders. It smelled like him. Pine, leather and something wild. "I have something else for you," he said. He pulled out a folded piece of paper. "What is it?"

"Open it." I unfolded the paper carefully. It was a sketch. A beautiful detailed drawing of a wedding arch. Flowers woven through wood. 

"I drew this last week," Adrian said quietly. "I wanted you to see what I imagined but if you don't like it we can change everything."

I looked at the drawing. It was perfect. Exactly what I would have chosen. "How did you know?" He touched my face. "Because I know you. I've always known you even when you didn't know yourself." 

My phone buzzed. A text from Lena. "DID HE DO IT? DID YOU SAY YES?" I laughed and showed Adrian. He grinned. "She's been texting me all week asking if I needed help. If I was sure about the ring and if I've practiced what to say."

"And did you? Practice?" 

He shook his head. "No. I wanted it to be real from the heart, not rehearsed." I kissed him again. "It was perfect."

We drove home late. Alexander was already asleep. Maria smiled when she saw my ring. "Congratulations, Luna," she whispered. "It's about time." I laughed quietly. "Did everyone know about this except me?"

That night in bed Adrian held me close. His hand rested on my stomach. "What are you thinking about?" he asked. I looked at my ring. It caught the moonlight coming through the window. "I'm thinking about how far we've come. How much has changed. A year ago I was lost and now I'm found."

We made love like it was the first time. Adrian handled me with care, love and hunger. I felt him inside me and I shivered. We don’t know what the future holds but tonight I’m in the arms of the man I love most in the world.