“So can I go see Bronx now?”
Cora laughed. “When you walk me back to the clearing.”
“Okay.” Samuel’s mouth twisted, and he sighed gustily, obviously bored with the waiting.
Mila led the other women to a tree where three garment bags hung from a tree branch. Cora unzipped her bag and held out her beautiful wedding dress, its fabric shimmering in the moonlight.
She stepped into the dress, its softness enveloping her like a promise. As Ivy carefully laced up the back, Cora closed her eyes and thought of Bronx.
Then Cora helped Mila fasten her dress, and Mila helped Ivy.
When they were all ready, the three women stood together, clad in their stunning wedding dresses, united in their excitement and anticipation.
“Let’s do this,” said Cora.
“Yes,” Mila said fiercely, and Ivy grinned, reaching out to clasp the other women’s hands.
And so, hand in hand, they left the grove, ready to face their futures and embrace the love that awaited them.
As they made their way down to the clearing, Cora marveled at the transformation that had taken place while she and Ivy had been absent. The once-empty space was now a mesmerizing sea of flowers, their petals glowing softly in the flickering torchlight. The scent of blossoms mixed with the comforting aroma of burning wood, creating an enchanting ambiance.
“Wow,” Ivy whispered, her breath catching in awe. “It’s so beautiful.”
Cora agreed. As she took in the ethereal surroundings, she felt a stirring within her soul. This was where she would bind herself to Bronx, the wolf who had captured her heart and shown her that love could transcend boundaries. Some worry still lingered, like a shadow on the fringes of her mind, but it was tempered by the bravery that had brought her to this moment.
“Ready?” Mila asked.
“I am,” Samuel announced, and the three women grinned at him.
“Let’s do this,” Cora whispered to Ivy and Mila, her voice steady and sure.
“Ready,” Ivy echoed, and then they stepped into the flower-strewn clearing.
Bronx stood at the center stone, his gaze focused intently on Cora as if she was the only thing that mattered in the world. The love radiating from him enveloped her like a protective shield, banishing the last remnants of her fear.
Together, they took their first steps toward their mates, toward their destiny, and toward the life that awaited them.
The torchlight flickered across the faces of Steele, Ryker, and Bronx as they waited patiently by the center stone. The anticipation swirled in the air, each man’s eyes fixed on his mate.
“Here they come,” Steele murmured, a smile playing on his lips as Mila, Ivy, and Cora emerged from the shadows, their wedding dresses shimmering, making them look like mystical creatures in the moonlight.
Bronx could hardly breathe as Cora approached, her features framed by a wreath of flowers nestled in her dark hair. His hands trembled as he waited, both anxious and exhilarated at the thought of binding himself to this incredible woman forever.
Then he grinned as Samuel pulled away from Cora and raced toward him, throwing himself at Bronx, who scooped him up in a hug, then handed the boy off to a packmate standing nearby.
“Are you ready?” Cora asked Bronx softly when she reached him, her voice barely audible above the hushed whispers of the gathered pack.
“More than ready,” he replied, his eyes never leaving hers. He sensed her lingering fear but also the bravery that had sustained her through so much turmoil.
“Good,” she said, offering him a tremulous smile before turning her attention to the ceremony.
Cora’s surprise was evident when Clarissa, Justine, and Amelia stepped forward, clad in the traditional white robes of Moonstone Pack elders—outfits that had rarely been used in recent years. It was an honor to have these matriarchs preside over the ceremonies, and Cora felt a surge of gratitude for their support.
“Welcome, everyone,” Clarissa began, her striking gray eyes, so like her son’s, sweeping over the assembled shifters. “Tonight, we gather to witness and celebrate the union of three couples whose love transcends boundaries and defies expectations.”
Justine and Amelia chimed in, their voices melding into a harmonious chorus. “We come together as a united pack, stronger than ever, to bear witness to these bonds and to share in the joy of their love.”
“Let us begin,” Amelia concluded, stepping closer to the couples.