Page 61 of Stripe for the Picking
"You mean when you stalked me online before ambushing me in that coffee shop?" Wren teased as she turned and gave the matchmaker a hug.
"Stalked is such an ugly word, darling. I prefer 'strategically researched.'" Gerri's eyes turned that telltale golden hue. "The moment I saw you in person that day, sitting there complaining about your boring life, I knew exactly what you needed. And more importantly, I knew exactly who needed you."
Mallory paused in her primping to stare at Gerri with undisguised fascination. "So you really do have some kind of supernatural matchmaking ability? This whole thing wasn't just coincidence?"
"Coincidence?" Gerri scoffed. "Honey, I've been doing this for longer than you can imagine. When you've successfully matched as many fated pairs as I have, you develop certain... instincts."
Wren noted the way the older woman's entire presence seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly energy. "You knew about Arvox too, didn't you? You suspected he was behind those cyber attacks."
"I had my suspicions," Gerri admitted, her expression growing serious. "That man had a darkness about him that set my teeth on edge. But I trusted that you would uncover the truth—though I'll admit, you figured it out faster than even I expected. Two days? That's practically a record."
"Well, when someone's trying to destroy your new home and threaten the man you're falling for, it tends to sharpen the focus," Wren replied, remembering those intense early days when everything had felt chaotic.
But now, six months later, life had settled into something she'd never experienced before—pure contentment mixed with daily adventure. Her official termination of her Earth cybersecurity business had been surprisingly easy, especially since she'd found something infinitely better—a permanent position as Head Cybersecurity Officer at Defense Nexus, working alongside Rylan every single day.
"I still can't believe what you said. That General Kael offered you that job the day after Rylan's promotion," Mallory said, securing the final bobby pin in Wren's elegant updo. "Talk about perfect timing."
"General Kael has always had excellent instincts about people," Wren replied.
The truth was, she loved every minute of working at Defense Nexus. Her workstation remained right next to Rylan's, their professional partnership as seamless as their personal one. Without Arvox's constant sabotage, the past six months had been blissfully quiet—no cyber attacks, no political conspiracies, just the satisfying work of protecting Nova Aurora's citizens and the daily joy of building a life with her mate.
"Speaking of General Kael," Gerri said, checking her diamond-encrusted watch, "he should be here shortly to escort you down the aisle. Such a sweet man, stepping in when your parents..." She trailed off delicately.
"When they decided to send a card instead of attending their only daughter's wedding," Wren finished with a shrug. "Honestly, I'm not surprised. A card acknowledging my marriage is actually more support than I expected from them."
Mallory's face darkened. "I still think they're idiots for missing this. But their loss is everyone else's gain—especially General Kael's. He's been practically vibrating with excitement about walking you down the aisle."
"He's been more of a father figure to me in six months than my actual father was in thirty-two years," Wren said softly. The thought of General Kael's paternal pride and unwavering support brought tears to her eyes.
"Don't you dare cry and ruin my masterpiece," Mallory warned, waving a tissue near Wren's face. "Save the waterworks for the ceremony."
A soft knock at the door interrupted them, and General Kael appeared in the doorway. His dress uniform was immaculate, his gray hair perfectly styled, and his eyes bright with unshed tears as he took in the sight of her.
"Well, I'll be damned," he said, his voice husky with emotion. "Rylan's going to take one look at you and forget how to breathe."
"That's the plan," Wren replied, smoothing down the silk fabric of her bodice. Her dress fit like a dream, hugging her curves before flowing out in an elegant train that would trail behind her as she walked down the aisle.
"Ready to go claim your tiger, darling?" Gerri asked, her entire face glowing with satisfaction.
Wren took a deep breath, absorbing the weight and wonder of this moment. In a few minutes, she would walk down that flower-strewn aisle and pledge her life to the most extraordinary man she'd ever known. The adventure that had begun with a mysterious woman in a coffee shop was about to transforminto something even more unbelievable—a lifetime of love, partnership, and shared dreams on a planet that had become her true home.
"More than ready," she said, linking her arm through General Kael's.
The flower-strewn aisle stretched before Wren like a pathway to destiny, purple petals from Nova Aurora's native blooms creating an ethereal carpet beneath her silk train. General Kael's steady presence beside her anchored her racing heart as they approached the ceremonial arch where Rylan waited.
God, he's absolutely perfect,Wren thought, her breath catching as their eyes met across the distance. Rylan stood with that familiar commanding stillness, his broad shoulders filling out his ceremonial dress uniform perfectly. The golden afternoon light caught the amber flecks in his blue eyes, and through their strong mate bond, she felt the wave of awe and possessive love that crashed through him the moment he saw her.
"Easy there, sweetheart," General Kael murmured, patting her hand where it rested on his arm. "Save some of that trembling for the honeymoon."
"Very funny," she whispered back, though her lips curved upward despite her nerves.
As they drew closer, Wren could see Rylan's jaw tighten with barely restrained emotion. His tiger was so close to the surface that she could practically feel the predator's satisfaction purring through their bond.
Council Leader Baron stood beside the arch draped in shimmering fabric that caught the twin suns' light, his weathered face creased with genuine warmth. The ceremonial space overlooked the pink ocean, crystalline formations jutting from the ground while alien flora glowed softly in the background.
"Who gives this woman to be bonded in eternal union?" Baron's voice carried across the gathering.
"I do, with the greatest honor and deepest affection," General Kael replied, his voice thick with paternal pride. He squeezed Wren's hand before placing it in Rylan's much larger one.
