Chapter 33
Wren
Two Months Later
“ W e look incredible,” Devon said as we both stood in front of the mirror. He chose this adorable sheer dress for me in the same dark plum we wore on our dinner date. He now called it our color .
My stomach had just started to round in a soft, subtle bump that most probably wouldn’t notice, but I did.
Honestly, I was happy that it was part of this day.
Devon’s suit was black, mixed with hints of the same plum. Of course, it was tailored like usual, another suit that he had made just for him. The omega had style.
Everything was set up, and now we just had to wait for our pack to get back.
Devon and I had put up a rented tent, one that was for cozy pack dates and just big enough to fit us all. Fairy lights were strung up around the ceiling of it, a cute table on the floor filled with his latest charcuterie board of desserts and sparkling cider since I couldn’t have wine.
There was an array of pillows and small stools for us, everything covered in blankets and small pillows. The entrance flap was pinned back, giving us a view even when we stood outside.
When they got here, they wouldn’t see the full ceremony setup. Our reception would be out at Whitaker Ranch, but our closest family and friends were hiding in the house waiting for them to arrive and for us to pop the question.
Maverick and Cameron went to go wrangle up our alphas after they got a fake call to come help with some loose pigs in town. A little white lie to give us time to work out our plan.
“Do you think it’ll be too much having us propose and get married on the same day?” I asked, glancing at my omega whose confident smile didn’t waver.
“Baby, when have we ever been subtle?” he said. “We’re about as subtle as a strike of lightning.”
I chuckled as I fussed with my dress. Keeping the bond shut tight was exhausting. They definitely knew something was up the moment they realized it was a fake call, which should have happened about ten minutes ago. I could almost picture Maverick and Cam driving them in loops around town just to fuck with them.
Devon was the type to go all out for his endeavors, but wanted full control. The fact that he recruited so many people to help us pull this off was a true testament to how much he wanted this to happen, and how quickly.
We’d waited far too long for bonding bites, and I wasn’t about to wait even longer to get married.
Pack marriage ceremonies had to be officiated to count. Sure, we could register as a bonded pack, but this would take it a little step further. It gave us a few more privileges and securities that you don’t get with simple bonding.
Not that any of that mattered.
I simply wanted to have my dream wedding, and Devon was here making it happen.
“What is going on?” I heard Shepherd’s voice echo out around the house. They couldn’t see us from the driveway, and we’d been so lost in each other that we hadn’t heard them drive up.
“We’ll wait here,” Cameron said. “Walk around the house. Go find your omegas.”
“Little dove, firecracker, what are you two up to?” I heard Shepherd call out, followed by Braxton laughing like this was just another fun adventure. He always embraced the crazy with us, and I loved that about him.
Then they were rounding the corner. Shepherd was in his usual faded jeans, boots, and flannel. Nash in a vintage tee, tight-fitting jeans, and a smirk on his face. Our adorable beta was still wearing his scrubs from having to run into work earlier.
“Oh, they’re going to kill us because we’re dressed up,” Devon muttered, laughing softly to himself.
“I’m glad you’re home,” I called out, moving closer to Devon so we were shoulder to shoulder. They stopped just before the rug he had laid out in front of the tent, giving us a questioning look.
Then we got down on one knee.
“You better not,” Shepherd warned as he took everything in, his eyes widening as realization filtered in.
Devon produced two of the ring boxes, and I had the other one. We opened them and held them out.
“You all took on two omegas who couldn’t be more different, but somehow fit together perfectly,” Devon started, his voice cracking slightly. “I had all but given up on anyone accepting me, and Wren had just as many shadows, if not more.”
“Yet you are all here for us. Before you even knew I was pack, every one of you chose me before you knew that I was yours. I can’t even tell you how much that meant to me,” I continued on.
“This life we’ve created here was not one that I expected, but it’s more than I could have ever dreamed of. I have four sexy packmates that keep me on my toes and let me love on them as much as they love on me. A sweet baby is on the way. This is the final thing that we could ever want. So, we have one question.”
“Will you marry us?”
Nash had tears running silently down his face. Braxton had a hand in front of his mouth as if he was unsure how to process it, but I could now feel his excitement since we dropped the barrier between our bond.
Shepherd was shaking his head, looking both exasperated and excited.
“Fuck yeah, I’ll marry you,” Nash said, in all the eloquence my alpha had.
“I would love nothing more,” Braxton said. “It would be my honor.”
“I’d marry you both over and over in every life I’m given in this universe.” Shepherd’s words rang with conviction.
With that, they helped us both to our feet. Shepherd kissed me, hard and possessive, before going to Devon.
Braxton’s was next. His smile was beaming, his face glowing. He looked radiant. It was humbling to know that your love and being part of his life is what caused that.
I didn’t think anybody would ever be able to deal with my issues after my past—that they’d take one look at my panic attacks and run. Yet, they embraced me.
Finally, Nash was there, his love stealing my breath away.
“Is this the point where I get to take you upstairs and ravish you?”
“Since we’re not trying to traumatize anyone, no. Go upstairs and change into your suits. We have a wedding to attend.”
“Today?” Nash gasped, looking around to find his brothers rounding the corner, his family right behind them.
“Don’t we need someone to marry us?” Braxton started, over his words.
“We have that covered,” I promised. “Everything is set up. Why don’t you go get ready? Everyone else is welcome to the snacks,” Devon said. We had a few more things to set up while they got ready. It was going to be a chaotic day, but one that I would never forget.
And when they stood at the end of the aisle, Devon and I walking down arm in arm to greet them, I couldn’t keep my own tears at bay.
There was so much love flowing through the bond, the depth of it, something I never could have imagined would be possible to have.
Everything was simple but beautiful. Devon, as usual, had mixed both of our styles. It was classy, elegant, and understated in the best way.
We each held a bouquet of white and purple roses, waiting until we got to the end of the aisle before handing them off to Avery and Grace, who stood on either side.
Charlie stood behind our mates, a book in his hand as he started the ceremony. I don’t think I registered a single thing he said until we were repeating vows, eyes locked on each other as if the rest of the world didn’t matter.
“You may now kiss your bride and groom,” Charlie announced, all three moving at once, kissing one of us soundly before passing us to the others. A move we were all familiar with.
Even though we had been a pack for several weeks now, bonded, we still couldn’t keep our hands off each other.
I hope this honeymoon phase never truly ends.
As soon as our family cheered, Shepherd was leaning down, whispering in my ear, a low rumble that promised that he’d be devouring us both later.
“Tell me this is the point that I get to take you upstairs.”
“Sorry, big guys,” Devon said. “We have a reception waiting at Whitaker Ranch. Tonight is the night for celebration, and then when you take us home, you can do whatever you’d like. In fact, we’ll have a whole week’s honeymoon to enjoy this. Don’t worry, we’ve been talking to Mindy, so the vet clinic will be covered, and we’ve been talking to your ranch hand, so our babies here will be safe, too.”
“You two thought of everything, didn’t you?” he said, shaking his head. I felt like he did that so often with us, as if he couldn’t quite believe that we were as crazy but as incredible as we were.
As soon as we were at Whitaker Ranch, music playing, a full catering buffet waiting, Avery moved up to me, pulling me into a hug.
“I told you that Rockwood Valley has magic, that you’d heal here,” she said, sounding a bit smug.
“You did,” I agreed, “and I’m so happy that I decided to stay.”
And as I looked around at all the people who came out to our reception, not just our close family, but friends as well. There were so many people that I had yet to meet, but I loved that they were all here for us. This was what a community should feel like.
Devon had made the place look beautiful. Each table in the long tent had centerpieces lined in photos of us in black and white, a mix of black and purple flowers and accents letting them stand out.
Of course, he couldn’t go simple. Our catering was insane. We also had an entire dessert bar as well. And of course, vegetarian options for yours truly.
“May I have this dance, wifey?” Devon asked, extending his hand. I didn’t hesitate to put mine in his, letting him drag me out to the dance floor. The song shifted to a slow dance as he twirled me across the stage.
The moment he pulled me back in, our pack was pushing in around us, swaying together in one unit, not caring that we were likely offbeat and looked crazy, just wanting to be close.
I breathed in their combined scent, the happiness radiating through the bonds, shifting it to something even sweeter.
“Well, omegas, are you happy?” Nash asked.
“Happier than I’ve ever been,” I promised.
“Truly,” Devon agreed, placing a kiss on my temple.
Then he was pulling away, gesturing for the DJ. “Now that the sappy part is over, let’s get this party started!”
The song switched to something upbeat, and the rest of the crowd joined us until we were all jumping and swaying, having the time of our lives.
I truly was lost before I met this pack, and now they were ensuring every single day that my omega would never have to go dormant again, that she was loved, cherished, and protected with them.
And our baby would be, too.