Page 114 of Awakening

“This is from the groom,” Nick says, handing me an unmistakable little blue bag from Tiffany’s.

“Thank you,” I say, taking the bag with a smile, excited to see what he’s chosen. I open the first box to find a diamond pendant with a large solitaire in the center, and smaller diamonds surrounding it. “It’s gorgeous,” I whisper, doing my best not to cry.

“I’ll put this on you while you open the second box,” Chloe says, taking the necklace from me.

I open the second box to find a matching pair of drop earrings. “These are stunning,” I say, putting them in immediately. “These had to cost a fortune. I can’t believe he did this.”

“Yes, you can,” Chloe says with a laugh. “He has good taste.” She gives me a playful elbow in the side. “You look gorgeous.”

“Totally stunning,” Vanessa agrees, and then pulls me into a hug. “Thank you for making my brother so tolerable,” she says, and we all laugh.

Holly pokes her head in the door. “Alright, ladies. It’s time,” she says, tapping her watch, keeping us on schedule.

“Let’s get you married,” Nick says, holding out his arm for me. I take his arm and we proceed to follow Vanessa and Chloe down the hall and around the corner to the smaller of the two pack house ballrooms. The reception will be held in the grand ballroom later. As the doors open, my breath catches and my heart beats hard in my chest. The guests are seated in rows of gold chivari chairs. Pastel pink roses and white hydrangeas adorn the large candelabras which provide most of the lighting for our 7:00 p.m. wedding. It’s more beautiful than I ever imagined.

Then I see him. To say Ethan looks handsome in his custom black suit and tie wouldn’t come close to doing him justice. His eyes meet mine and hold me captive. My heart swells knowing he’s standing there waiting for me. Just me. His heart belongs to only me, and my heart only to him.

Lance stands next to Ethan with a space between them for Nick, as well as Max, who was ordained to perform the ceremony today. The string quartet begins to play “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran, and Holly cues Vanessa to begin to walk down the aisle, followed by Chloe. Ethan gives both of them a smile and nod. My eyes meet his again, and there’s nothing but a short walk between us. He beams as he looks at me, and I’m overcome with emotion. My breath catches a little, and I realize my eyes have filled with tears. Nick notices and hands me a handkerchief to dab my eyes.

“Just breathe,” he whispers. “Chloe will kill me if I let you cry and ruin your makeup.” Nick chuckles, and I laugh because it’s true. I take a deep breath and focus on the love I feel for this man at the end of the aisle, and I smile at the thought of reaching him soon.

At the signal from Holly, our guests stand and turn to see me walk down the aisle. My eyes lock with Ethan’s and he holds my gaze until I’m standing before him. I pass my bouquet to Chloe, while Nick shakes Ethan’s hand and takes his position.

“You look unbelievable,” he whispers in my ear as he takes my hands and leans down to kiss my cheek.

“Thank you. So do you,” I reply, as our guests take their seats.

“I’d like to welcome everyone here today to celebrate the love and marriage of Ethan and Olivia,” Max begins. “I’ve known Ethan and Olivia separately for a long time, so it is with great pleasure that I have the honor of performing this ceremony today. I’ve known Ethan since the day he was born. Ethan has always been a young man focused on a goal. From a young age, he has been determined, disciplined, focused, and purposeful. When we say someone was born to be a leader, and in our case, Alpha, this rings true with Ethan. He’s a good, strong man. We’ve seen this young man set goal after goal and reach them with little to no obstacles. He’s just that good. Until he met Olivia, that is,” Max says, with that last line with a bit of humor and everyone chuckles, including Ethan.

“I’ve known Olivia for several years as well. I met her during an exciting time in her life, just starting college with a bright future ahead of her. She is warm, kind, and loving, and she quickly became a permanent fixture in my daughter’s life, as well as our family. Olivia’s life has not been without obstacles, some of them devastating. It is through that devastation, that Olivia has shown how resilient she is. Her light is strong and bright, and she has a genuine love for life, and this man before us.” Ethan squeezes my hand as he sees tears building in my eyes.

“And now we come to today,” Max begins again. “We are here today because of patience, understanding, respect, and love. Ethan and Olivia have prepared vows they would like to share with one another, so I’ll ask you both to do that now. Olivia, you may begin.”

“Ethan, I never could have predicted my life would be where it is today, but now that I’m here, I couldn’t imagine it in any other way. I am meant to be here with you, always and forever. I’m thankful for your patience and persistence to show me two people of very different worlds could come together and fall in love, and then for never losing faith in us when that love was challenged. Giving up on us was never an option for you, and I’m so grateful for that. I promise you my eternal love, loyalty, and devotion. I choose you as my husband, my Alpha, and my one and only mate and love in this life. I will love you and only you. We may be destined to be together, but I know in my heart, in any situation or lifetime, I’d always choose you. It will always be you, Ethan. I love you.” Ethan squeezes my hands, and I think I see a little glassiness in his eyes as he grins.

“Ethan, you may speak to Olivia now,” Max says with a nod.

“Olivia, I knew from the moment I saw you we were meant to be together, forever mates in this life. The happiness your love brings me can’t possibly be put into words. It’s hard to even remember who I was before you. My life without you in it, isn’t living. You make me the man I’m meant to be, Olivia.

“There is no amount of distance or time that could ever diminish my love for you. I believe our souls will exist forever in oneness and I promise you my eternal love, loyalty and devotion. I’ve only ever loved you, and it will always only be you. You’re my everything. I love you.” Ethan takes a handkerchief out of his pocket and dabs away the tears that have begun trickling down my cheek as he smiles at me.

“What wonderful expressions of love,” Max says. “Could we have the rings, please?” Nick hands each of us the other’s ring.

“Olivia, you may give Ethan his ring,” Max says.

“Ethan, I give you this ring as I pledge to give you and only you my life and my heart.”

“And now, Ethan, you may give Olivia her ring.”

“Olivia, I give you this ring as I pledge to give you and only you my life and my heart,” Ethan says, sliding the ring on my finger.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Max begins, “It is with great privilege, that I present to you, husband and wife, our Alpha and Luna, Mr. and Mrs. Ethan and Olivia Sullivan. Ethan, you may kiss your bride.”

Ethan smiles wide and cups my face in his hands as I wrap my arms around him, and we kiss as everyone applauds. Lost in Ethan’s kiss, I wish this moment could last forever. We look at each other, smiling with pure joy as we begin to take our first steps back down the aisle as the string quartet begins to play “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran again. Everything is perfect.

Until it isn’t.

Looking down the aisle as we proceed to take our first steps into our life as husband and wife, our elation comes to an abrupt halt. Austin stands at the end of the aisle looking like someone has nearly beaten the life out of him. That’s because someone did…Ethan. Austin’s nostrils flare and his arms shake as he grips a gun in his hand.

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