Page 69 of Alpha's Hidden Gem

Threats & Wedding Bells

Lila

I stand in front of the full-length mirror in the Crescent Moon Manor's luxurious bridal suite, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The delicate lace of my wedding gown brushes against my skin as my mother fusses with the veil, adjusting it to cascade perfectly down my back.

"Oh, Lila, you look absolutely stunning," Mom gushes, her eyes glistening with tears of joy. "I can't believe my little girl is getting married today."

I smile at her reflection in the mirror, feeling a surge of emotion. "Thanks, Mom. Without your love and guidance, I wouldn't be where I am today.”

Sophie, my ever-faithful friend, kneels at my feet, ensuring that the hem of the dress falls just right. She looks up at me with a mischievous grin. "Girl, Axel is going to lose his mind when he sees you walking down that aisle."

I laugh, feeling a blush creep onto my cheeks. "I hope so. I want this day to be perfect for both of us."

Sophie stands up and puts her hands on my shoulders, looking me directly in the eye. "Lila, you two are made for each other.I've never seen a couple more in love than you and Axel. This day is going to be magical."

I nod, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. I can't believe I'm finally marrying the love of my life. After all we've been through, all the obstacles we've faced, we're finally going to be husband and wife.

As I stare at myself in the mirror, my mind swirls with thoughts of what this day truly means. On the surface, it appears to be a typical wedding, filled with love, laughter, and the joining of two hearts in matrimony. That's what my parents and our human guests will experience. But for Axel, the pack, and me, there's a deeper significance bubbling beneath. This ceremony merely serves as the opening act to the main event - our sacred mating ritual, which will take place tonight under the glow of the full moon. It's then that we'll forge an unbreakable bond, forever entwining our souls in the eyes of our fellow wolves. For the moment, however, I bring my focus back to the present, to this human tradition that pays tribute to my upbringing and the family I cherish so dearly.

I feel my wolf stirring inside me, her anticipation palpable. She paces back and forth, a caged animal yearning to be set free.

Easy, girl,I mentally soothe her.I know you're eager for tonight, but we have to get through this first.

She huffs impatiently in response, her desire to claim Axel as our mate in the ancient ways of our kind nearly overwhelming. I take a deep breath, trying to reign in her intensity.

Sophie, sensing my inner turmoil, catches my mother's attention with a question about the bouquet. It's a subtle distraction, but it gives me a moment to center myself, to take a deep breath and calm my wolf. We are one, human and wolf, and today we celebrate both sides of ourselves.

We will have our moment under the moon soon enough. But this, today, is about honoring my family, my human life. They're a part of me too.

She settles slightly at that, understanding the need for this human ritual, the wedding that will join Axel and I in the eyes of the human world. My mom, my friends, they all know me as Lila Taylor, the human. Not Lila of the Crescent Moon Pack.

I smooth my hands down the silk of my wedding gown, taking comfort in the cool, sleek fabric. This dress, this ceremony, it represents the path that led me to Axel, to my destiny as Luna. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

A knock at the door startles me from my thoughts. "Lila, sweetheart, it's time," my father's voice carries through the wood, warm and filled with emotion. I take one last look in the mirror, marveling at the woman staring back at me - aperfect blend of strength and softness, human and wolf, ready to embark on this new chapter of her life.

I take another deep breath, preparing myself for the long day ahead - a human wedding now, followed by hours of celebration, and then finally the sacred mating ritual under the moon.

As I take my father's arm, a sense of calm washes over me, momentarily quieting the restless wolf inside.

I stand at the top of the grand staircase, my enhanced hearing picking up the distinct voices of my pack members in the manor's grand foyer below. It's a skill that comes naturally to us wolves, the ability to detect the subtle nuances in each other's tones and inflections.

Can you believe how many humans are here?I overhear one of the younger wolves whisper.I feel like I have to watch every move I make.

An older pack member chuckles softly.Just act natural. They won't suspect a thing.

And he's right. To the human guests milling about and admiring the opulent decor, my pack appears no different from anyone else. Perhaps a bit more graceful in their movements, their senses slightly more alert, but overall, they blend in seamlessly.

We walk among them, live and work alongside them, all while hiding our true nature.

My gaze locks onto Axel, standing tall and handsome at the end of the aisle. His deep blue suit complements my crisp white gown, a perfect balance. As we get closer, I notice the subtle twitches of his nostrils, his wolf undoubtedly catching my scent, filled with the warring emotions of excitement and nervousness.

Around us, I sense the pack members, their postures slightly straighter, their gazes a touch more intense than the average wedding guest. They're on high alert, ensuring the safety of their Alpha and his soon-to-be mate on this monumental day.

As I reach Axel's side, my wolf surges forward, recognizing her mate. I take a steadying breath, focusing on the warmth of my father's hand as he places mine in Axel's. The officiant begins the ceremony, her words washing over me as I lose myself in Axel's eyes.

We exchange vows, the words carefully chosen to resonate with both our human and wolf natures. Axel's deep voice washes over me as he promises, "I vow to love you fiercely, protect you always, and stand by your side through every challenge we may face. My heart, my soul, and my body are forever yours."

Tears prick at my eyes as I repeat the words back to him, my voice trembling with emotion. "I promise to be your partner, your confidant, and your soulmate. I will cherish our bond,support your leadership, and love you with every fiber of my being, in this life and the next."

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