“Hey, Ni. Come back.” Goldie laughed. “I’ll have a design for you by the end of the night. Now your wedding dress.” Ni’s eyes lost their faraway look and brightened at the thought of her wedding.
“Ok, so I want to use my mom’s beads. What about all over the bodice, and if there’s leftovers, maybe lines of them or long triangles that go from the waist to the hem?”
“Uh, May? How many beads are on your dress?” Goldie asked.
May replied. Well, I had puff sleeves that had them on them. Back and front bodice that came to a point.”
“Ok. So, we may need to get more beads. Not a problem. Do you want sleeves?”
“No. I liked the sweetheart neckline, but no straps. I want to show my waist off, a little flare at the hips, and then down, I don’t want it to touch the floor, but I want a little flare to it so when I twirl…”
“Got it, you want a twirl flare, as I like to call it. We’ll do the bead points as that will be beautiful and add simple decorations to the dress.” Goldie drew it out. “How do you want the back? Bare, even with your bust line.”
Ni looked down at Danny, who was in deep conversation with Chris, and said, “Bare.” When she looked back at Goldie, she asked, “I want your opinion. Should I do a veil? Like a long illusion lace that will show the back but still be pretty?”
There’s lace out there that you can see, but still see what’s under it. We can do that. How about we connect it to a tiara? I’ll let you borrow my veilless one. Then you already have Old, New, Borrowed, and we’ll find something blue. Maybe jewelry. We’ll see what we come up with.”
“I was thinking rubies for jewelry to go with my ring. Maybe a blue ribbon around my flowers? But that dress is perfect. Are you ready for Chris yet?”
That’s when it dawned on her that he probably heard her complaining to Juniper about him, and she said, “Oh s**t, Ni. I think I hurt him. I was complaining to Momma Juniper about thinking Chris had his s**t together, but doubted it since that night I had to remind him he hadn’t proposed. I knew that it might hurt him, but I was frustrated. We were making plans, and he hadn’t even proposed yet. By the look on his face and the way his dad carted him off, I knew his parents were pissed he hadn’t done it yet. Then Danny did it the day you guys growled at each other. The day you and your wolf accepted him. s**t, s**t, Shit.”
“Hey, he loves you, and I know you love him, or you wouldn’t have reminded him and continued to plan the wedding. Just ask for his forgiveness. It’ll be ok. Promise. Do you want me to make your topper? If so, just bring me a Stone or Rock that speaks to you, and I’ll see what the rock has to give.”
“I would love that. Can you get it done in time?”
“Yes, I’m almost done with the one I’m working on. Find the rock, and I’ll have yours ready when it’s time.” With that, Ni got up and walked over to where Chris was sitting, asking for her mate back.
But while Ni and Goldie were talking. Danny and Chris were deep in conversation. “Danny, she doesn’t believe in me anymore. She actually said to Momma Juniper that she used to think I had my s**t together, and now she wondered ever since that night. I don’t think she understood the pain that caused. I have been thinking about a house. Trying to decide if I should ask Alpha for one close to the shop so she doesn’t have to go far. But if she gets a car, some place somewhat secluded would be sweet. I have a problem knowing when to do things. My mom is always telling me to stop putting things off. Sometimes it’s how to ask. Sometimes I’m not so good at words but better at showing.” Do you want me to go with you to speak to Alpha for support, and if you get lost in how to say something, I can give you a word that reminds you?”
“Yeah. Can we do it now before I lose my nerve?”
“Sure, buddy,” Danny said as they stood up. NI came back. “Hey, babe, Chris has asked me to help him with something. I’ll be right back, then you can tell me whatever it is you're dying to tell me.’ Ni nodded and continued eating.
With that, Chris and Danny walked up to Ben. “Al…” but Ben gave him a look. “Ben, I need to talk about housing. My mate seems to have lost her faith that I have my s**t together.”
“Chris, they do that sometimes. So, what were you thinking?”
“Well, I was trying to decide what to ask for. Someplace close to work. Or something secluded to escape and relax. I wanted to surprise her. If we go to the secluded one, I want to make sure there’s a fire pit and a hot tub. Things to help her to relax. Places for books.”
“You are very thoughtful, just indecisive,” Ben said. “There’s nothing wrong with that. You may have all the things you want for your secluded house. In fact, there is one empty. I’ll have someone show the house to you tomorrow during the day ok. You can start doing whatever you need. There’s already a back porch, and if I remember right, I believe there is a fire pit as well. So all you need is the Hot tub. Here’s a card. Go to the place that sells them, get one, and pay for it to be installed. If it’s a part of the house. The pack pays for it. Then you can take her there one evening after the hot tub is installed with something to eat. Talk to Marley, she will take good care of you. Tell her you need a romantic dinner. Build a fire. Ya get me?”
“Yes, Alpha. Thank you.”
As they walked away, Danny said, “See. Alpha is good at seeing what we want and adding what we need. He’s a good man and a good Alpha.”
“Thank you, Danny, for going with me. Would you be the one next to me at my wedding? I know both Felicia and Ni are standing up at the wedding. So, the three of us are going to end up in each other’s weddings.”
“Any time. I’m here for you, Chris.”
“Thanks, man. I’m going to go make it right with my mate.”
Danny returned to his mate. “Did you get the sign figured out?”
“Sort of? We talked about the elements. Told her the name, she gave me the weirdest look, asked me why Hawker.” Ni laughed. “I told her that it was part of your business and our whole conversation. So, she said she’d figure something out and get it to me by the end of the night. She also realized that she had hurt Chris and felt bad about it.”
“Chris felt equally bad. He thought she’d lost faith in him. I think secretly he thought he’d lost her. When all it was…his indecision in choosing a house for them. So, I took him to see Alpha, and he did great. You’ll be next to Goldie. Because he asked me to be next to him. If Goldie insists on having Felicia. Don’t be jealous, ok?”
“I won’t. You either. You are my one true love.” Ni said, putting her hands on either side of his face and giving him a deep kiss.
As they were kissing, the Alpha stood up. Ok, tonight is a special night for two reasons. One night is the rehearsal of Felicia and Joe’s wedding, which is on Sunday. I want to remind you all that you are all welcome to each wedding, according to the brides’ requests.” The whole pack cheered at the news. “Also, we had another student who took the GED. I also want to say that I will not let all high school students just take the test to get out of school. It is on a case-by-case basis. I will say no.” At that point, there were a bunch of groans and boos. Which were all lighthearted anyway. They all knew that their Alpha was fair and honest. Ben continued. The student is being recognized because of her score. She received ninety-seven percent. If you just plain pass. Congrats, you get your certificate. BUT if you get a high score, then you will be publicly recognized in front of the pack. Niomi Sterling, will you please stand?” Once Niomi had stood. “This student is being recognized as she received a ninety-seven percent on her GED. Congratulations!” At that, everyone clapped for her. “If Danny Blackmore would stand.” He stood next to his mate. “Danny has enrolled in online classes to get his MBA. I recognize Danny because he has chosen to do more schoolwork. He’s doing it to help his mate. That is one of the greatest forms of love. Besides taking care of your mate and making sure she is ok and taken care of. Thank you. You may sit.”
Goldie looked at Chris, took his hands, “Babe, I need to say I’m sorry. When I was talking to Momma Jupiter, I said something very hurtful about you. It was wrong. I love you with all my heart.”
“Goldie, I love you too. You wouldn’t have had to say those things if I weren’t the way I am.” Goldie started to speak, but he put his hand up and then took her hand again. “It’s not that I don’t have my s**t together. It’s just that I can’t decide. Like, I couldn’t decide when to propose. I had that ring for weeks and just couldn’t decide. As for a house…I know you've been thinking about it. But again, I couldn’t decide on which house to ask for. But Alpha knew what to ask and helped me decide. He said that it wasn’t that I didn’t have my s**t together, I was just indecisive, and there was nothing wrong with that. He also told me all mates lose faith in their mate; he kind of got a glare from Luna. I chuckled inwardly. I’m not going to tell you any more about the house, because I want to surprise you. Ok?”
“Ok. I will try to remember, but if I forget, please remind me?”
“I will.”
Next thing the table knew, Felicia and Joe were standing. I want to thank my best friends. Goldie and Niomi. We have been through thick and thin together. Heck, we even shifted together on our birthdays. We even found mates around the same time, too. Good thing they like each other.” Everyone laughed. First, she looked at Goldie. “Goldie, you were the first to accept me unconditionally, and I love you for that. I got this for you as a thank you for always being there and being in my wedding.”
Goldie got up and took it. She unwrapped it, finding a jewelry set all in gold. “Thank you. It’s beautiful. You will be seeing this a lot.”
Next, she looked over at Niomi. “You were the friend I never expected but wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. We’ve now become more than friends, but fellow healers. I look forward to working with you more. Thank you for helping me and becoming my best friend. This one is for you. Ni looked at her friend and bonded healer. Opening her gift, she found a set of jewelry that was sterling silver with rubies. The Goddess brought us together for reasons we now know. I love you too. Then she looked at both friends. I love you girls; you’re not just my friends but sisters.”
Then it was Joe’s turn. “So, fella’s, our mates are friends and sisters. That has made us at least friends over the last couple of months, and we’re stuck with each other. So, I too got you both a little something.” He handed the guys their gifts. In them, he had given personal gifts. He had thought hard about what to get them. He knew Danny had good business sense. So, he got himself a couple of programs. One on how to be a dad. And a box of programs called Smart Business Pack.
Danny laughed. “Thanks, Joe. But we’re not having pups yet! But the other software will help me in school and in the business.”
Chris opened his gift, and it was a book on how to build a proper sewing room. He laughed so hard that he almost fell out of his chair. After he could stop laughing, he said, “Thanks Joe. This should help and he showed Goldie, who also started laughing. Joe and Felicia then sat.
Alpha’s turn to speak. There is a dessert tonight. I’m not sure what it is exactly. It was all Marley’s idea. But I hear it is something different that we’ve been having. Outcome: Apple spice cake with apple slices and crumble topping. First, the Head Table got pieces, then the wedding party. Then the rest of the pack. Once everyone had eaten, the pack left. Ben said, “OK, everyone else, if I can get the parents of the groom and bride, the four people standing with them out to the back garden, I’d appreciate it. Everyone else, thank you for coming. We will see a variety of you tomorrow. But all of you on Sunday.” It made sense; only the people who had parts needed to be there. Plus, everyone at that table would get their chance. The wedding party needed to know the steps. Because for some this would be their first ever experiencing a werewolf wedding and needed to know what to do.
“Ok who is taking the mothers down?” Ben asked. Like he had forgotten what he was supposed to do.
“Oh Benjermin. I’ll take care of this. The mother of the bride and I walk together, behind us are the Grooms parents. After that the groom and Alpha Ben. Now let’s not all run down there. Measured steps like this. And she showed them all. Ben and Joe you come down when we all get halfway down the aisle. Then Niomi and Danny it’s your turn. After that it’s Goldie and Chris. Once we are all in our places Mick and Felicia you will appear in the doorway and the music will start. Your dad and you will start down the step, be careful. Then take normal steps but slowly. Let’s try it. Joy and I in the doorway, one step behind us are the Quinns…and so on. Someone asked what music. Lissa didn’t mean to, but she rolled her eyes. The DJ we have on Sunday is going to be doing the music for the wedding too. Ok, here we go. The parents and Lissa started down the stairs. As they got to the bottom of the stairs Joe and Ben stepped into the doorway and went down at their time. Once they were halfway down the aisle Danny and Niomi went, and it continued. Once Alpha and Joe got there Ben stood next to his Luna (this part he knew) and Joe stood to the side but still in front of Ben. When Danny and Niomi got to the dais Luna instructed them to stand on the lowest tier. By that time, they got there Chris and Goldie were in the middle of the aisle Felicia and Mick stepped up so they could see but could not be seen. Once Goldie and Chris reached the dais they stepped up to the empty step. Lissa was already thinking something wasn’t quite right. At that point mick and Felicia stepped out and walked down the stairs. When they got to the bottom. The walked slower than they normally would down the aisle. When they got to the bottom. Lissa said, “this is where Joe will go down and get his mate from her father. As you pass Goldie, hand her the bouquet and continue up the stairs to stand in front of us.. Then, Ben you know what to do.
“Thanks Lissa it’s been awhile I can always count on you. So, once everyone gets here, I start and it’s a little different.” Out of his pocket he pulls a green, white, and red braided ribbon. Holding it in his hands he says, “Felicia Winters and Joe Quinn will you please step forward and face each other. Then after you’ve done so I will ask you to bring your left hand up…”
Lissa interjects, “palms up dears.”
“Right. With your palms up. Because as I lay the ribbon across your hand, place your thumb over an edge. So, it doesn’t fall off. Then I will start wrapping which I won’t do now. But I will explain each color green being our pack as we are the Forest pack. White standing for the Moon Goddess and Red being the mate bond and love you have for each other. After I’ve wrapped your wrists and that this is a bond beyond all other bonds. Your body and souls are connected. Your connection to each other is different than others. And if you are choosing to marry as most do. I also find out ahead of time if you have written vows or not. Have you?”
“Yes I have.” Felicia answers.
“Ok then, you don’t have to have something prepared don’t panic Joe. Just speaking from your heart is usually your best bet. So then you’ll say your vows or a repeat after me thing. And this is all happening while your hands are wrapped. Um. Lissa if they’re holding it palms up…”
Aksara