Page 156 of Slick Handling

“Oh.” It’s the simplest response and that lets me know that we have her right where we want her.

Her eyes stare at Apollo, his knot still in her as we both cuddle her.

“Close your eyes, cherub. You’re safe. Let your Alpha’s take care of you.” He purrs so gently to her that I smile. Watching her fight the sleep for a second before her eyes close.

The weight of her between us is everything.

This is it.

This is happiness.

This is family.

This is my forever.

MCKINLEY’S EPILOGUE

Apollo is probably going to faint.

The good news is that he is so overly prepared for our bonding ceremony today that he has a plan for if he faints. Vaughn is supposed to catch him and Griffin is supposed to slap him awake. This is all to be done in a way that doesn’t draw attention.

Of course that banks on no one seeing a 6’5 man faint.

We’re outside in the snow of a Christmas tree farm about an hour from where we live. The crowd is filled with our friends and family, some teammates and council people we had to invite because of who Apollo’s mother is.

We’re standing on a raised platform, decorated with pine garland that has peach and white roses mixed in and some glittery stuff that sparkles in the afternoon sun. A burlap aisle runner is waiting for Clover to walk down it. It’s lined with lanterns that are glowing softly with the candles inside.

It’s cold enough outside that our guests are making use of the throw blankets that were placed on the back of their chairs but our girl wanted an outdoor ceremony. After we officially bond with her we can all go inside the greenhouse that was decorated for the reception.

This whole thing has probably cost us a chance of getting a home but Apollo was so serious about making every dream come true for Clover that he didn’t bat an eyelash when he swiped his card.

Who needs a house when you have your forever mate?

The string quartet starts playing and we all turn, hearts thundering wildly as we finally get our first sight of Clover.

There has never been a time that I haven’t thought our Omega was the most beautiful thing in the world.

She outshines the sun on summer days.

Today, however, I’m slack jawed. In awe of the perfect woman that we’re getting to marry.

Her blonde hair is in a low bun at the back of her neck. A few pieces of hair hang in her face. A tiara is in her hair, shining out with each step that she takes. Her veil dragging behind her to make her grand entrance. Clover doesn’t love makeup but I notice a bit of mascara making her eyelashes darker and a soft pink lipstick on her kissable lips. Her cheeks are pink from the cold and her eyes are focused on us.

“Oh, fuck.” Griffin curses and I smirk.

“Stick to the plan.” Apollo says and I risk a glance at him to make sure that he really isn’t going to faint.

He looks good in his tuxedo. I think we all look good in our tuxedos. Except Griffin who refused to wear socks with his dress shoes, but that’s an entirely different issue. Can’t change all of his fuck boy ways.

My eyes are back on our Omega.

Her wedding dress is lace and fuller at the bottom. It has long lace sleeves and a deep V carved out in the front. She’s wearing the bracelets we got her as a courting gift as her something old and a necklace that Apollo’s Mama wore on her wedding day for her something borrowed. Her something new is the lingerie that is under that dress. Her something blue is the shoes she has on.

The shoes that we all have fucked her in at least twice this week because there is something about the way she ties them that just does it for all of us.

Who knew a pair of shoes could be so sexy?

Vaughn steps off the platform as Clover gets closer. She hands her bouquet to Gracie before taking his hand and letting him help her up the few stairs.

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