Page 77 of Hunted

Abigail

Ifshestoppedtothink about it—and she did every so often—she would never have believed her life would have worked out like this. It was just over a year since she left Crimson Claw pack, beaten, terrified and vulnerable, yet she had found the one place she truly belonged.

Today she would walk down the aisle, accompanied by Esme and Bert, where she would find Luke and Dominic waiting for her. Though nervousness tingled through her body, the excitement was stronger. She couldn’t be happier or more grateful.

Abigail took one last look in the mirror before it was time to get in the car and leave for the ceremony. Her dress was simple and strapless, made perfectly for her small frame, the ivory of the bohemian style lace complementing her skin tone. Her striking brown bobbed hair sat just above her shoulder, sleek and shiny and a white rose was tucked behind one ear.

“You look absolutely perfect,” said Esme, tears welling in her eyes. “In fact, better than perfect if that’s even possible.”

Abby smiled. “Thanks, Esme,” she said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you and Bert since I arrived here. I’m so unbelievably happy, and it’s all down to you.”

“Nonsense,” replied Esme. “You’re happy because it’s who you are and what you deserve. But thank you, too. Because ever since we stumbled across you that day our lives have been all the better.”

“She’s not wrong,” said Bert, appearing from behind the door.

“Am I ever?” teased Esme.

“No, dear.”

They laughed, breaking some of the nerves and the high emotion. Abby knew none of them wanted to think about the state she was in when they found her and the trauma she had suffered both physically and emotionally. Today was a day for happy memories—remembering them and creating them.

“About time we got going,” said Bert as the laughter settled down. “Everyone is at the venue.”Venuewas somewhat of a misnomer compared to where they were actually heading. As soon as she knew there was a wedding to plan, Abby had known the only place she wanted to have the ceremony was in the heart of the forest, where she and her kind truly belonged.

“Okay, let’s do this,” said Abby, taking a deep breath. She took Bert’s arm, and he led her out to the car that was waiting to take her to her mates. She took a seat inside, careful not to crush her dress but eager to get to Luke and Dom, despite her nerves and the fact she was to become the center of attention—not something that came naturally to her.

By the end of the day, she would be married and mate-bonded, and her life would become even more complete than it already was. Over the last year, the two packs had merged well, something that had come as a fantastic surprise to all of them, especially Luke and Dominic, and was a testament to what great men and leaders they were.

Not only had they managed to achieve success with the pack, but both of their careers were thriving and so was hers. Finally, she had a full-time teaching position for the pack children and got to be with Rowan, Poppy, and Ethan again. She had also become godmother to them. She was surrounded by everything and everyone she loved and held dear. Life couldn’t get much better than that.

The car made its way along the narrow road, pulling up when it came to the small track that would lead her to the ceremony and its guests. Her heart pounded as she reached for Bert’s hand, and he helped her out of the vehicle.

In the distance, she could hear music playing, and the path was lined with decorations that the children had made for her especially, all from items gathered from the forest, of course. The painted pinecones and garlands made from foliage made her smile, she couldn’t have asked for more thoughtful contributions.

She heard the children coming up the path, their faces beaming as they made their way to her, telling her how beautiful she looked. “You look pretty good, yourselves,” she said, admiring the fact they’d managed to stay clean and tidy despite being out in the woods.

“No way I’m getting this dress messed up,” said Poppy.

“I thought you wanted to climb that big tree after the wedding,” Rowan said.

“Yes, but—”

“Okay, okay,” said Esme. “Plenty of time for that sort of stuff later. Now you have a job to do. You sure you’re up to it?”

“Yes,” they said in unison.

“Good because being flower girls and ring bearers are vital to this going well,” she said, trying to make them feel important.

“Boys, off you go to Luke and Dominic, Poppy, here is your basket.”

They did as they were told, with Poppy now leading the way, scattering wildflowers and petals over the path until they got to the clearing. The guests sitting on benches rose and turned to Abby as she appeared from the trees.

“This is it,” whispered Bert as they approached the wooden arch that was wrapped with ivory drapes and foliage. And there stood Luke and Dominic, the most beautiful men she had ever seen, both inside and out, dressed in matching gray suits with white roses pinned to their lapels.

They smiled, both of them tracing their eyes up and down in obvious appreciation as she stepped toward them. Bert and Esme now fell back as she took her place with her mates.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here on this very special day, where these three people will join in matrimony and mate-bond. But it’s not just that we celebrate today. It’s the official joining of two packs,” declared the celebrant, and the service was officially underway.

It was a day full of love, hope, and belonging, a day that would mark the future not just for her, Luke, and Dominic but for the two packs that they had successfully managed to merge.

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