Page 34 of Billy and Cord

Had he? Cord glanced at his wrist again, then caught himself and scowled. “I just want everything to be perfect for him. Him and his friends have worked so hard for this day to be right.”

Bullet’s expression softened. “It will be awesome. Just remember, Billy doesn’t need fancy. He just needs you.”

A knock on the door interrupted them, and Blade stuck his head in. “Razor’s got the rings, the caterer’s all set up in the backyard, and Mr. Brown just arrived. We’re good to go in twenty.”

Twenty minutes. In twenty minutes, Cord would be marrying his mate. The thought sent a fresh wave of anticipation through him, his wolf practically vibrating with excitement beneath his skin. They were already mated, already bonded, but this - this was for the world to see. This was Billy taking his name, becoming part of his pack officially, even though Cord had considered him pack from the moment they’d met.

“How’s Billy doing?” Cord asked, trying to sound casual. They’d decided to get ready separately, Billy insisting on some traditions even if they were ignoring others. Cece had practically squealed with delight when Billy had asked him to help get ready, and Cord knew Tristan was probably there too, the three omegas turning a simple getting dressed mission into an event.

“Razor checked in with Tristan about ten minutes ago,” Blade reported with a grin. “Apparently, there was a minor crisis involving hair gel, but it’s been resolved. Oh, and Cece’s mom keeps trying to feed everyone. She brought enough food to feed an army.”

That sounded about right. Cord had met Cece’s parents a few weeks before, and despite his size, Mrs. Rawlings had immediately decided he was too thin and needed feeding up. The fact that he was a full head taller than her and built like a linebacker hadn’t deterred her in the slightest.

“The photographer’s here too,” Blade added. “She wants to get some shots of you guys getting ready.”

Cord nodded. Billy had been adamant about having a photographer - not for some fancy album, but because he wanted to remember every moment.“I never thought I’d havethis,”he’d said quietly one night, curled against Cord’s side.“A mate, a wedding, a family who accepts me. I want to remember it all.”

The memory made Cord’s chest tight. His sweet mate, who’d been through so much, who’d been told he wasn’t worthy of love by the very people who should have protected him. Cord knew from the moment he met him that he would spend the rest of his life making sure Billy knew exactly how loved and cherished he was.

“Cord?” Bullet’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “You good?”

“Yeah.” Cord cleared his throat. “Yeah, I’m good. Let’s do this.”

They made their way downstairs, where the photographer - a perky beta raccoon shifter named Amy - immediately started positioning them for shots. Cord endured it with as much grace as he could muster, though his mind kept drifting to Billy. Was he nervous, too? Happy? Cord could feel contentment and excitement through their bond, along with little bursts of affection that made his wolf preen.

The backyard had been transformed. They’d strung lights through the trees, creating a canopy of soft illumination even though the ceremony would be during the day. White chairs were arranged in neat rows on either side of a makeshift aisle, and at the end, beneath an arch woven with greenery and white flowers, Mr. Brown waited with a gentle smile.

It was simple, elegant, and perfect - just the way Billy had wanted.

“There you are, Cord!” Mrs. Rawlings appeared at his elbow, beaming up at him. She was a tiny omega otter shifter with graying hair and Cece’s mischievous eyes. “You look so handsome! Here, you need to eat something. You can’t get married on an empty stomach.”

She pressed a small plate of finger sandwiches into his hands before he could protest. Mr. Rawlings, a tall, dignified alpha who worked as a pediatrician, shook his head fondly at his mate.

“Let the man breathe, love. He’s got enough to worry about without you trying to stuff him full of food.”

“Nonsense. He needs his strength.” Mrs. Rawlings patted Cord’s arm. “Our Cece is so happy for Billy. He talks about you two all the time. It’s wonderful to see Billy with someone who treasures him properly.”

Cord’s throat tightened. “He’s easy to treasure, ma’am.”

“Oh, none of that ma’am business. You call me Mom like all of Cece’s friends.” She winked at him. “Besides, we’ll probably be seeing a lot of each other. Cece loves the double dates you all go on.”

The dates were fun, and Cord realized he’d been accepted as family well before he’d met Cece’s parents. Cece and Tristan had been with Billy well before he even knew his mate existed, and Cord would be forever thankful for that.

More guests began arriving. Anthony, Tristan’s older brother, nodded at Cord with the respect one alpha gave another. Cord still wasn’t sure what Anthony did, but he knew the man was respected in town and he clearly cared for Tristan. Several townspeople Billy had befriended showed up - Mrs. Johnson from the yarn shop, even though Billy didn’t knit, Joe from the hardware store who’d helped them with house repairs, and, surprisingly, Patricia, an ex-server from the Paradox restaurant who’d witnessed their first meeting.

“Five minutes,” Razor announced, appearing at Cord’s side. “You ready for this?”

Cord nodded, his heart racing. He took his position at the front, Bullet, Blade, and Razor arranging themselves to his left as hisgroomsmen. The small gathering of guests settled into their seats, voices dropping to excited whispers.

Then the back door opened, and Cord forgot how to breathe.

Billy stepped out onto the deck, and even from across the yard, Cord could see the shy smile on his face. He wore a navy blue suit that brought out the warm tones in his skin, his dark hair styled but still maintaining those waves Cord loved to run his fingers through. His glasses caught the light as he descended the deck stairs, Cece on one side and Tristan on the other.

But it was the expression on Billy’s face that nearly brought Cord to his knees. Wonder, joy, and love radiated from him, their bond singing with his happiness. When their eyes met across the distance, Billy’s smile widened, and Cord felt his own face split into an answering grin.

Mine,his wolf rumbled with satisfaction.Our mate. Our omega. Ours.

Cece and Tristan walked Billy down the aisle – proudly taking their place as Billy’s family before everyone. Cece wore a stunning emerald suit that somehow worked perfectly with his pink-streaked hair, while Tristan looked like sunshine itself in a suit of pale gold.

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