Page 35 of Billy and Cord

As they drew closer, Cord caught Billy’s scent - he smelled ofhome. His wolf wanted to rush forward, to pull their mate close, but Cord forced himself to wait. They had the rest of their lives for that.

When they reached the front, Cece squeezed Billy’s hand before stepping to the right, taking his place as Billy’s best man alongside Tristan. Billy stepped forward, and Cord immediately reached for him, unable to resist touching him any longer.

“Hi,” Billy whispered, his cheeks pink.

“Hi yourself, gorgeous,” Cord murmured back, drinking in the sight of him. “You look incredible.”

“You clean up pretty good yourself, mate.”

Mr. Brown cleared his throat gently, though his eyes twinkled with amusement. “Shall we begin?”

The ceremony was simple and heartfelt. Mr. Brown spoke about the bond between alphas and omegas, about choosing to build a life together, about the strength found in partnership. Cord barely heard any of it, too focused on Billy’s face, on the way his eyes shimmered with unshed tears, on how his hand felt perfect in Cord’s.

When it came time for the vows, Cord had to clear his throat twice before he could speak.

“Billy,” he began, his voice rough. “It was almost three months ago, when I walked into that Omega Hearts event thinking it was just another obligation. Then I caught your scent, and my whole world shifted. You’ve made me laugh, made me think, and made me want to be a better alpha and a better man. You’ve shown me that strength comes in many forms - in standing up for yourself, in choosing to trust after being hurt, in the quiet determination you bring to everything you do.”

He squeezed Billy’s hands, feeling them tremble slightly in his grip. “You are brilliant, kind, brave, and absolutely perfect exactly as you are. I promise to protect you, to support your dreams, to make sure you never doubt for a single moment how loved and wanted you are. I promise to bring you hot chocolate on cold nights and to pretend I don’t notice when you steal my hoodies. I promise to be your partner, your mate, your family, for the rest of our lives. I love you, Billy. My mate. My heart.”

Billy was openly crying now, not bothering to hide it. When he spoke, his voice was thick with emotion but strong with certainty.

“Cord, I spent years thinking I’d never have this. That I wasn’t worthy of a mate, of love, of a real home. Then you crashed into my life like some kind of action hero, all growly and protective and absolutely perfect, even when you fell on the floor the first time we saw each other.” A watery laugh escaped him. “You’ve shown me that I deserve to be cherished, that my past doesn’t define my future, that it’s okay to lean on someone else sometimes. You make me feel safe and loved andseenin a way I never thought possible.”

He lifted one hand to touch Cord’s cheek, and Cord leaned into the touch without thought. “I promise to stand by your side, to support your work even when it takes you away, to be your soft place to land after hard missions. I promise to trust you with my heart, to build our life together one day at a time, to love you fiercely and completely. You are my mate, my alpha, my home. I love you, Cord. Always.”

“The rings?” Mr. Brown prompted gently.

Razor stepped forward, producing two simple platinum bands from his pocket. Cord had wanted to get Billy something elaborate, but Billy had insisted on simple bands.“I don’t need fancy,”he’d said.“I just need something that says I’m yours.”

They exchanged rings with hands that shook slightly, emotion making them both clumsy. But then the cool metal was settling against Cord’s finger, and Billy wore his mark in yet another way, and Cord’s wolf was rumbling with satisfaction.

“By the power vested in me by the Omega Hearts Foundation and the state laws governing our kind,” Mr. Brown said, his voicecarrying across the yard, “I now pronounce you married. Alpha Cord, you may kiss your omega.”

Cord didn’t need to be told twice. He cupped Billy’s face in his hands and kissed him deeply, pouring all his love and promise into the contact. Billy made a soft sound and pressed closer, his hands fisting in Cord’s jacket.

The gathered crowd erupted in cheers and applause, but Cord barely heard them. His whole world had narrowed to the man in his arms - his husband, his mate, his everything.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Billy’s glasses were fogged, and his lips were swollen. He looked thoroughly kissed and absolutely radiant.

“I love you,” Cord said, needing to say it again.

“Love you too,” Billy replied, then grinned. “Husband.”

The word sent a thrill through Cord. Husband. Billy was his husband.

“Come on,” Billy tugged at his hand. “Our guests are waiting to eat. Cece’s mom made enough food to feed the entire town, and Tristan’s been planning the cake cutting for weeks.”

They walked back down the aisle together, hands linked, wedding rings catching the light. Friends called out congratulations, someone threw flower petals, and through it all, Billy never let go of his hand.

The reception was held on the deck and throughout the backyard, casual and comfortable, just like they’d wanted. Cece’s mother had indeed cooked enough for an army - tables groaned under the weight of dishes both familiar and exotic. The wedding cake, bought by Tristan’s brother as a gift, was a simple two-tier creation decorated with delicate sugar flowers.

“Speech!” Bullet called out once everyone had food and drinks. “Best man speech time!”

Cece bounced to his feet, champagne glass in hand, as he grinned at the assembled guests.

“I’ve known Billy since we were in school together,” he began. “And in all that time, I watched him convince himself he didn’t need an alpha, that he was fine on his own. Which he was - Billy’s one of the strongest people I know. But being strong doesn’t mean you don’t deserve love.” He turned to look at Billy directly. “Watching you with Cord these past months, seeing you blossom and grow and just be so damnhappy -it’s everything I wanted for you and more.”

He raised his glass toward Cord. “And you. You better know how lucky you are. Billy’s not just gorgeous and brilliant - he’s loyal and loving and will stand by you through anything. You hurt him, and you’ll have me and Tristan to deal with.”

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