Page 129 of Vengeful Mates
Alaric replaced the flower in the bunch, taking care not to disturb or spoil the rest. “Is Mia ready to walk down the aisle?”
I glanced over my shoulder at Zethan poking our daughter’s belly and making her giggle. She looked adorable in her white flower girl dress, gold leaf crow headdress, and cupid wings on her back. I took about a hundred photos before we left, and Zethan transported us to Greece. Proud Mama Bear moment.
“Yeah, she’s really excited.” I fell in line beside Alaric as he took me back to the wedding guests.
I felt so honored Locke chose Mia to represent her as a flower girl on her big day. Being the eldest and the only one to walk, Mia had the responsibility to lead the procession of flower girls, consisting of Locke’s twins, Ash and Rowan, and Autumn’s daughter, Serena. Girl power, Autumn told me. Girl power, all right. Locke and I only met once and weren’t close. Although Autumn invited me for morning tea and cakes, and I intended to take her up on the offer after she and her men returned from their honeymoon.
I needed to celebrate. Get out of the house. Hermit became my middle name after the incident with Colton. Cupboards and the fridge went bare since I hadn’t bought groceries in over two weeks. My mates brought items home or I had them delivered.
Slade permitted Alaric to guard me and collect himself from the stressful events of the charity ride. After a week at home, Alaric itched to get back to the club, and I went with him. On my way back from the bathroom, I’d sneak into the medic office, picking through the supplies, scoffing at the low stock of bandages, syringes, sutures, and saline rinses. The messy pile of disinfectant swabs had me swearing aloud, alerting Slade to my presence.
He caught me mid-cleaning of the cupboards, leaning in the doorway, his frame taking up most of the space. “You know, if you want to get your kicks tidying the nursing cupboard, you can always come back as our medic.”
I snorted and laughed, reminded of when he took me on our first date to his restaurant and teased me about that very thing. Organizing was my idea of fun on a quiet night in the ER to take some time out and get a break.
“I’ve got part-time work marking nursing papers for Charles Sturt University and that’s enough for now,” I told him to get him off my back while filling out a new stock order form.
I might have won that round but Slade would be back for battle number two, three, and four.
My mind snapped back to the present. Apollo’s temple atop Mount Parnassus. The ancient Greek vines and flowers Autumn grew along the columns and countless mirrors hung on the walls to reflect and enhance the natural light. Flowers everywhere, covering statues of heroes, nymphs, and mythological creatures along the length of the hall.
Locke’s beaus waited for her at the aisle, Slade and Castor chatting to them. Byron, in his classic three-piece black suit, ballet pink vest and fuchsia rose poking from his breast pocket. Rane, handsome and matching, minus the vest… someone refused to wear pink. And last but not least, Mads breaking trend with his vintage gothic punk suit, crimson with black accents, with a pink rose dangling in his toggle.
Behind them, Autumn established an ever-crazier flower arrangement as a backdrop for the ceremony. Looming over that, the statue of Apollo, god of the Sun, presiding over the ceremony, arms stretched taut as he prepared to unleash an arrow.
Locke and her men were late to the party, their wedding happening almost fifteen months after they had their twins.
I laughed inside, thinking of Slade’s impatience getting the better of him and confronting me with a shotgun wedding.
Plucked harp strings heralded the commencement of the ceremony, and Alaric tugged me to my seat.
Zethan ushered Mia to the procession and kissed her good luck. I waved at her and gave her two thumbs up, earning an excited smile.
Slade and Castor came to sit with us, followed by Zethan at the end, his camera out, capturing every moment of Mia. Proud daddy moment.
The music picked up its pace and Mia tottered down the aisle, tossing red and pink rose petals on the ground. Autumn carried Serena in her arms, a bubble of sunshine, cute black curls and the odd green one like her mother’s hair. Hades’ palace servants carried Ash and Rowan, Locke’s twins, and they waved as the servants whispered instructions to them.
Goddess.My heart swelled to twice its size. Adorable with a capital A.
Slade’s chest rumbled so hard we all felt it on the bond. My fiery tempest of a mate loved blood, devastation, and a good old battle, but right now, his Love god was in charge, basking in the atmosphere of family, love, and friendship.
Locke strolled down the aisle next, a vision in her pink, sparkly dress, smile glowing as she clutched Hades’ arm. The stiff, guarded, and serious god-man beamed with pride at the honor of walking the bride down the aisle to give her away to her three waiting men.
Locke threw a palm up at Slade in passing. “Not one word about the sparkles, War god.”
Slade chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare, Love goddess.”
Locke’s eyes slanted at the corners. “When did you learn to admit defeat, War god?”
Goddess.Those two. Always going on about love and war. A little squabble between them. Locke thought problems were solved with a splash of love and understanding. Slade thought problems were solved with a fist, blade, guns, and a lot of violence.
Although, recent events changed that. He laid down his weapons to save me and my mates from Colton. A huge sacrifice from the man born in blood witnessing his mother’s murder. I was so damn proud of him, and hadn’t stopped telling him how grateful I was that he forfeited his desire for vengeance. If it wasn’t for him, we might not be here today.
Slade clasped my hand tighter and glanced at me with a wry smile.
Alaric wrapped his arm around my waist, keeping me close.
Castor reached over the seat behind Slade to tickle my upper arm and I smiled at them all wanting to touch me.
