Page 57 of Rejected By the Alpha

Killian had been hands-on with every step of the planning. He seemed hell-bent on making our wedding the most magical and perfect event our packs had ever seen. The only snag we had met so far was with the guest list.

“You’re kidding, aren’t you?” Killian asked.

“I wish I was, but Alpha Lex said they refused to attend, even with our express invite to come back to Pinedale,” I answered.

“I assumed they would realize that we could make amends if their behavior changed, not that they would cut off contact with you forever,” he said angrily. “I’m so sorry.”

I shrugged. There wasn’t much that either Killian or I could do to make my parents into better people. Still, I wished my parents were invested in my future as much as they had been interested in what I had done in the past.

“I’ll be alright,” I answered him. “Besides, we only have a little while left until the ceremony. Guests should be arriving soon, and I still need to get ready.”

We had been setting up at the community center, where I had asked for our ceremony and reception to take place. The fight between us and Franco’s pack had left scars in the minds of many of the Pinedale wolves. I felt that a happy event was just what was needed to wipe the slate clean for everyone.

“There should be a gift waiting for you when you get home,” Killian told me. “If you don’t see it, message me so I can check where it is. I want to make sure you get it before the ceremony.”

“Mysterious,” I commented. “Will I like this gift?”

“I think it might be the best gift you’ve ever received.”

I headed home and unlocked the door, looking around for a package of some sort from my mate. Everything looked exactly as it had when we had left this morning, but I did notice a pair of shoes by the front door.

“Hello?” I called out.

A head of red hair popped her head around the door to the hallway as someone screeched loudly in excitement.

“Leah!”

“Sienna?” I asked. “You came!”

“Of course I did, silly goose,” she replied. “Your parents didn’t let me come to your first wedding, but there’s no way in hell I was going to miss this one.”

“I can’t believe Killian kept this a surprise from me,” I said, still in shock at seeing my best friend.

“Foryou,” Sienna pointed out. “You got yourself a good one there.”

I agreed with her wholeheartedly, and we moved to the bedroom so we could both get ready for the wedding. As we did each other’s makeup, we caught up on the parts of life that we had missed.

“That dress is amazing,” Sienna gushed as I put on my gown.

When Killian and I had said our vows to each other at the civil ceremony, I hadn’t worn anything fancy. In fact, I couldn’t remember what I had been wearing because so many other things had been going through my mind. But today, in my floor-length, strapless silk dress with lace detailing, I was the epitome of “bridal.”

“Time to go. It’s nearly dusk,” I pointed out, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves.

“Why are you so nervous?” Sienna asked with a laugh. “You’re already married to the guy.”

“I’m not sure,” I replied. “This time, we’re choosing each other. It’s about love, not duty. We’ve seen each other’s flaws and issues and are making a commitment to stick together, anyway—to become a new version of ourselves, together. It means more this time around.”

Sienna nodded in understanding as she drove us toward the community center. We arrived just as the last guests went inside. She opened the door for me.

“My lady,” she teased, giving a gallant bow as she helped me to my feet.

We walked inside and waited by the door leading to the backyard, where the guests were being seated. Light, classical music drifted through the speakers as everyone sat in white chairs decorated with tulle and greenery.

At the head of the group, waiting on the other end of the aisle, I could see Killian shifting nervously from foot to foot next to Jasper. I was pleased that he had asked Jasper to be his best man, as well as to officiate our wedding. There was no one better suited to either task than his true brother.

“I should get up there,” Sienna said. “Can’t get married without your maid of honor!”

I giggled as she winked at me before striding confidently down the aisle. It didn’t surprise me that all the young men in the pack eyed her as she walked past, but as usual, she paid them no mind.

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