Chapter 346

Chapter 346
Isabella's POV

The waves gently lapped against the shore, the air filled with a salty dampness. Gabriel and I drove side by side along the coastal highway.

After that passionate night in the forest, we decided to extend our time alone together before returning to our parental roles. The children were still safely being looked after by Sarah and Ryan, giving us this rare freedom.

In truth, I had been secretly planning this trip for a long time—I wanted Gabriel to see me in a wedding dress. Although we were already soul mates, the traditional human sentiment deep in my heart still yearned for my own bridal moment. Before meeting Gabriel, I had lived completely as a human, cherishing all those dreams of a wedding.

"We're almost there." With barely contained excitement, I turned onto a small path leading to the shore. Ahead, a quaint wooden cabin sat nestled between wind-bent pine trees, its weathered exterior blending perfectly with the surrounding natural environment.

I parked the car and turned expectantly to Gabriel, "What do you think of this seaside cabin?"

Gabriel looked around, his gaze finally settling on me, the corners of his mouth lifting in a warm smile, "It's perfect."

Hand in hand, we walked up the wooden steps to the cabin. I unlocked the door and pushed it open, warm amber light immediately illuminated the entire space, casting a golden glow over the rustic wooden furniture.

The main room was spacious and airy, with a soft carpet in the center and a stone fireplace already set with logs and kindling. But what most attracted our attention was the enormous bed in the center of the room—covered in pristine white linens, facing an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the sea.

Gabriel and I exchanged glances, as if drawn by an invisible magnetic force, our gazes falling on the bed.

"You know what this reminds me of?" Gabriel asked softly.

I nodded in understanding, "The bed from the dream." In our shared dream, that large bed had been placed in the center of a forest clearing. Though the setting here was different, the sense of secluded intimacy was identical.

We explored the cabin together, admiring the handcrafted furniture and the small but well-equipped kitchen in the corner. I walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the ocean and pushed against the glass. To my delight, these glass doors could be completely folded open, leading directly to a wooden deck and the beach beyond.

The salt-laden breeze rushed in immediately, bringing the rhythm of the waves and the fresh scent of the ocean. I stepped onto the deck, immersed in the magnificent view of the endless blue horizon.

Gabriel quietly approached from behind, his arms encircling my waist, pulling me into his embrace. His warmth enveloped me, making me almost oblivious to the cool sea breeze.

"You like it here, don't you?" he whispered in my ear.

I leaned back into his embrace, sighing contentedly, "Of course I do."

Gabriel bent down to lift me up, clearly intending to carry me back to that inviting large bed. But I placed my hand against his chest, gently stopping him.

"Wait," I said with a smile, "there's something I want to do first."

He raised an eyebrow but obediently set me down. I walked over to a large white box I had brought from the car, carefully cradling it in my arms.

"Give me a few minutes." I backed toward the bathroom door, unable to contain my smile, "Wait here for me."

Inside the bathroom, I opened the box and took out the wedding dress I had secretly purchased long ago. It was simple yet elegant—a sleeveless white gown with delicate lace details on the bodice and a soft, layered skirt. There were no excessive beads or embellishments, just clean lines that captured my unique style.

Putting on the dress and carefully adjusting every fold, I suddenly felt nervous. I had faced rogue werewolves and hostile Alphas, had given birth to children, but now walking out to Gabriel in a wedding dress made my heart race as if falling in love for the first time.

I took a deep breath, feeling the connection between us. His curiosity and anticipation transmitted through that bond. I couldn't wait to see his expression when he first saw me in a wedding dress.

With slightly trembling fingers, I pulled open the bathroom door. My eyes immediately locked onto Gabriel, who still stood where I had left him, his gaze fixed on the door as if he hadn't moved since I went in.

The moment he saw me, his expression completely changed. His lips parted slightly, his eyes revealing undisguised amazement and deep affection. He didn't speak, didn't move, just quietly gazed at me as if wanting to engrave every detail into his heart.

Encouraged by his reaction, I couldn't help but smile brightly, slowly turning in a circle to let him appreciate the dress from all angles. The soft skirt swirled around my legs, shimmering in the cabin's light.

It seemed like forever before Gabriel finally moved. He crossed to me in a few steps, holding me tightly in his arms, expressing all the emotions that words couldn't convey with a deep kiss.

When we finally separated, his voice was full of tenderness, "This dress... it's like it was tailored specifically for you. It's beautiful."

I was content with his reaction; it was exactly what I had hoped for. "I tried on many wedding dresses," I confessed, "but only this one felt 'right.'"

Gabriel's gaze lingered on me again, growing more intense. "It's just a shame," he said softly, his fingers already gently toying with my shoulder strap, "such a beautiful dress will soon be torn to pieces by me."

I immediately stepped back, my hands protectively covering the bodice of the dress, pretending to be serious: "No!"

He growled softly, approaching step by step with playful threat, "I really find it hard to control myself. I don't have the patience to undo all these little buttons."

"You need to respect this dress," I insisted, keeping my distance from him, "it's important to me. I—" I suddenly felt shy, unsure whether to reveal what was truly in my heart.

Gabriel's expression softened, showing concern and curiosity. "What is it?" he asked gently. When I hesitated, he stepped closer, using his fingertip to lift my chin, "Tell me, please?"

I looked into his eyes and finally found the courage, "I never had a mother to leave me a wedding dress. Now that we have a daughter, I want to save this dress for her."

Gabriel made a low exclamation in his throat, and I knew that just like me, the same image had appeared in his mind: our daughter Olivia, grown up, wearing this dress at her own wedding. This thought deepened the emotional bond between us and filled our future with tender anticipation.

No words were needed as we held each other tightly, surrounded by the same emotion. Our kiss moved from gentle to passionate.