Page 188 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
“First off, you’ve always dreamt of a big, fancy wedding in a garden. If anyone is stomping on your dreams, fuck them. Also, how long had your sister been bonded before her giant wedding?” Jonas continued lacing up the back of my dress.
“More than a year,” I admitted. Of course, Grace’s mates had bought a wedding venue with a garden and done it up, and that took time, especially since she wanted the rose garden to be in bloom.
Jonas finished lacing me up and touched my face. My hair hung down in waves.
“You love this dress. You look perfect in this dress. Every single one of us can’t wait to strip it off you.” Jonas kissed my neck, careful of my makeup, which was perfect and smokey, with a hint of shimmer.
My core tightened, going molten. “You’re such a tease.”
He lookedso goodin his white tux, an omega lily pinned to his tux jacket.
“I do love this dress,” I admitted, swishing the skirt back and forth. Plenty of alpha females wore gold wedding dresses, though they were usually sleeker, sexier. Still, there was no good reason not to wear the gold poofy princess dress of my dreams, other than my own anxiety.
Okay, and Mumsy making an offhand comment.
“You look like a princess–and there’s been plenty of alpha princesses in history.” Jonas fluffed up the skirt. “If you need me to appeal to your practical side, I’m pretty sure the fancy fashion shop didn’t give you the dress purely out of kindness. They’re hoping the internet will be flooded with photos.”
“True.” My lips twitched.
Things had been busy. The Knights won the PHL championship finals against the Sasquatches. The Maimers had gone far but not all the way, so their season wrapped about the same time.
After, we’d made a trip to thepoon palaceso Dean and Grif could have their heats.
Then we’d traveled to London to visit Dad and the littles. After that, I hadfourrunway shows during the Paris Fashion Festival, which included one of Vecci’s, and the bridal showcase for the renowned House of Dubois. Where Mercy and Riley sat in the front row, and no one fell in their laps.
The House of Duboishadlet me keep the dress I’d worn. This beautiful, ethereal,expensivewedding dress–with a coordinating crutch.
“You’re right, it would be a shame not to wear it.” My hand flew to my necklace, which was the diamond heart with the matching earrings that Grif had given me.
We’d then had Mercy’s excellent eighteenth party, where she’d rented out a club, had a DJ, hired a tattoo artist, and brought in a ton of food.
Now, here we were. In the freakingcastleGrace had found for me,on the island I’d been to as a child. The one where I’d first heard the stories behind omega lilies as we picnicked in a field.
Giddiness shot through me. I was about to have my wedding.
My giant wedding. Everyone was assembling in the garden. Knights, Maimers, friends, all my siblings, all the parents but Mom. Grif’s, AJ’s, and Dean’s entire family, Jonas’ sister, Hana, and best friend, Charlie also came.
While I wasn’t sure I wanted all the parents there, I’d wanted my younger siblings to attend, which had been the tradeoff.
The castle had an elaborate garden full of omega lilies and other fragrant flowers–the perfect place for a summer wedding. I’d fallen in love with it when I’d visited over spring break when I’d come on my flower-buying expedition for my research. Research that was going scarily well.
“Knock knock,” Grace’s voice went sing-song, as the door opened. “Oh, Verity. You look radiant.”
“Thank you for making my dream wedding happen.” I kissed her on the cheek. We’d paid for some, but she’d covered part, so that I didn’t feel like I had to accept any money from the parents.
“You deserve the wedding ofyourdreams, not what anyone deems appropriate.” Grace wore a long baby pink designer dress. Her blonde hair had grown out and brushed her shoulders.
“You look fantastic.” Mercy checked the laces on the back of my dress. “Wow, Jonas, you laced it up right.”
My little sister wore a seafoam green one. The dress code was pastels. Her brown hair was down in waves with the top braided.
Jonas bowed. “I aim to please.”
“Here. You need something blue. Wear this for the wedding.” Grace put a delicate gold cuff bracelet with very pale blue stones around my wrist.
“It’s exquisite. Thank you.”
“I’m coming in. I want to see,” a French-accented voice said as Mama walked in. She was tall for a beta, almost five-foot-ten, and wore baby blue, which brought out her blue-green eyes. Her light brown hair hung down her back.
