Epilogue （Piper）
I’m walking down the aisle for the second time. But this wedding is very different.
This time Otis is walking me down the aisle, resplendent in a new pin-striped suit. He’s been designated the Official Palace Spirit Guide Mediator.
I’m not exactly sure what his duties entail, but he certainly strides importantly about the palace, consulting with all the Alphas.
All Rook’s doing of course. Even though Pack Skystone did not win the election, in fact, went down to a resounding defeat, Rook still has more money than any other Alpha, and Alphas are encouraged to consult with the spirits now and again, to make sure they’re in line.
Rook is no longer a politician. Instead, he’s a forester, roaming throughout the woods outside the Capitol to check for fallen trees and measure the health of the ecosystem. He doesn’t have to talk to people he doesn’t like, and he’s much happier now.
Otis walks down the aisle at a leisurely pace. He is in absolutely no rush to be out of the center of attention, so he’s enjoying all eyes on us. He’s very proud of his new suit and he’s taking me down the flower-strewn aisle very slowly to show it off.
I’m fine with going slowly, though. I kind of like showing my little baby bump off.
Rook found my dress again. The one I had wanted in the first place. Long, lacey, white sleeves, the bodice of the gown a blaze of different colored leaves and flowers. It’s big and eye-catching and different and I love it.
This time, Erain arranged for gems to be sewn in all along the lines of the flower stems and vines, and I can feel each one as I move, little bursts of decadent wealth and riches flush against me.
God, he spoils me so much.
My eyes meet Erain’s as I walk up the aisle. His long sleek hair is pulled back into a tight braid and there are tears shimmering in his eyes. His hands are clasped in front of him, showing the lean strong lines of his body in his white tuxedo.
His lips twitch and I can tell he’s having a hard time controlling his emotions.
I know Erain is the last one to get over what he did. His betrayals don’t bother me anymore, because he’s paid them back a thousandfold in daily, constant devotion.
Now we paint together, we draw together, and Erain even volunteers teaching community art classes.
He’s harsh on himself, and I know he’s still wracked with guilt over the first wedding and how he behaved at it. One day at a time.
I smile reassuringly at him, sending my love like a whisper along our mate bond, and stick the tip of my tongue out, wiggling that piercing like he loves and I can see his eyes warm as he shifts his long legs, trying to be inconspicuous but I know he’s trying to adjust his hardening dick.
God, I love that man. From absolute loathing to the fiercest devotion.
My eyes shift to Teddy as Otis meanders down the aisle, my friend nodding his head to all the Alphas he’s on a first-name basis with now.
Teddy is wearing a navy-blue suit and an ear-splitting grin, both his dimples showing, and he raises both arms out to me when our eyes meet, so anxious for me to get closer that he’s stretching his massive wingspan out for me.
I can feel the energy pulsing between us, that absolutely electric current with my Alpha.
I mouth, do you have the ring? to tease him, because he looks nervous.
It’s not as if I need another ring. I’m constantly dripping with expensive jewelry now. But this one is special. It’s in a knot shape but represents our home now, with gems that make it look exactly like one of the leafy verdant vines twining around our cottage in the forest.
For a moment Teddy looks shocked and clutches his pocket. But then he remembers he doesn’t even have the ring in the first place. Erain does.
I grin at him and he grins back, Teddy clutching his heart and making a relieved motion like he’s wiping sweat from his brow.
Luckily for him, he was only benched until after my first heat. After that, he was back to his old superstar self for every practice, and he was soon the head quarterback again.
Hell, I’ve even become somewhat of a football fan. It makes all the difference sitting in a private box with Rook and Erain, bringing me course after course of gourmet snacks and then pleasuring me while I keep my eyes glued to the field.
And, then of course, there’s Teddy’s infectious glee after the game, the joy he takes in kissing me all sticky and hot and pulling me into our huge quadruple-sized shower at home.
Rook is shaking his head and I look over at my Head Alpha.
His face is stern, but the way his eyes are glued to my face gives him away. To anybody else, the sight of Rook would make them quake in their shoes, his face all harsh lines, his dark suit doing little to hide his massive size and strength.
But I know better.
His face is stern because he’s anxious, so anxious, that this day go off well. That I get the wedding day I’ve always dreamed of. That he blames himself for taking away from me.
But I never even dreamed of a wedding.
Never thought being mated to a Pack would ever be anything but a drudgery.
To find a Pack to truly love was beyond my wildest dreams.
I can’t help smiling at Rook too, ready to get up to the front and feel my Alpha’s touch.
Finally Otis has decided the expectant audience is ready to see his resplendent suit from a different angle, so he pats my arm reassuringly as we reach the front.
Then he bows deeply to Rook, Erain, and Teddy, just in case anyone has forgotten that he considers himself one of the Stars of the wedding.
“Take good care of her,” he admonishes. “Or you’ll have me to deal with.”
I can see Mary shaking her head in the audience, but Rook nods seriously. As one of my first friends in the palace Otis will always get the kid glove treatment and I love that for him.
“Thank you,” I whisper as I turn and hug Otis tightly around the neck. “For everything. You’re the best.”
My First Alpha is already holding me firmly by the elbow, putting an arm around my thickening waist to help me up the steps.
And then I feel Erain and Teddy, their arms around me, too, and the claiming marks on my throat throb and pulse with joy as they draw me lovingly up the stairs and we pledge our never-ending love to each other.
THANK YOU FOR READING!