Chapter 14 #2
And at 6:45 PM, fifteen minutes before ceremony start, I took my position by the fireplace with Ro and Dex.
We were all wearing suits, me in navy, Ro in charcoal, Dex in black. Professional but personal. Formal but comfortable.
The streaming setup went live.
CozyFan22: OH MY GOD IT'S STARTING
HolidayVibes: 50,000 VIEWERS ALREADY
StreamSniper: WE'RE ALL HERE FOR THIS
RegularViewer: cozy crew representing
"Welcome, everyone," I said to the camera, my voice steadier than I felt.
"Thank you for being here, both in person and online, to celebrate with us.
Myself, Ro, Dex and, of course, Michelle wanted to share this moment with you because you've been part of our journey from the beginning. Your support has meant everything."
Through the bond, I felt Michelle upstairs, her nervousness spiking.
It was almost time.
"We're going to start in just a few minutes," I continued.
"But before we do, I want to thank you all for being the most supportive community any creator could ask for.
You've watched us fall in love. You've defended us when we needed it.
You've celebrated with us. And now you get to watch us make it permanent. "
CozyFan22: I'M CRYING ALREADY
HolidayVibes: LUCAS YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE US ALL CRY
CalliesCrossed: So proud of you all! This is beautiful!
Janet appeared at the top of the stairs.
Our signal.
Michelle was ready.
My heart started pounding.
"She's coming," I whispered to Ro and Dex. "This is real. This is actually happening."
"Breathe," Dex advised. "In through your nose, out through your mouth. Don't pass out on camera."
"Not helpful."
"Very helpful," Ro corrected. "Breathe, Lucas. You've got this."
Music started, something soft and instrumental that Janet had chosen. The guests quieted, turning toward the stairs.
And Michelle appeared.
The white dress was perfect. It was simple and elegant, flowing to the floor. Her dark hair was loose, the way I loved it. No veil, no excessive decoration. Just Michelle, beautiful and nervous and absolutely radiant.
Janet and Bill both walked beside her, giving her away, supporting her, and both beaming with pride.
And as Michelle descended the stairs, her eyes found mine before moving to Ro and Dex.
Through the bond, I felt everything she was feeling: fear, love, determination, joy, nervousness, absolute certainty.
She was mine.
I was hers.
This was happening.
She reached the bottom of the stairs, and Janet kissed her cheek before guiding her toward me.
"Take care of my daughter," Janet whispered to all three of us.
"Always," we said in unison.
Michelle took her place facing us, me in the center, Ro and Dex flanking. The cameras captured everything. Seventy-five thousand viewers watching live.
But all I could see was her.
My omega. My mate. My everything.
"Hi," she said softly, just for us.
"Hi," I breathed back. "You're beautiful."
"You're biased."
"Completely biased. Also completely correct."
She smiled, nervous but genuine, and I felt my own fear settle.
We could do this.
Together.
Bill stepped forward to officiate, because of course Bill was officiating. Who else would it be?
"Friends, family, and viewers around the world," he began, his voice warm and clear.
"We're gathered here on New Year's Eve to witness something special.
Not just a mating ceremony, but the celebration of a pack who found each other against all odds.
Who fought for each other when it would have been easier to give up.
Who chose love over fear, again and again. "
Through the bond, I felt Michelle's emotion rising.
"Lucas, Ro, Dex, and Michelle, you've already bonded. Already committed to each other in the ways that matter most. Today is about making that commitment public. Permanent. Celebrated." He smiled. "And about giving Janet the ceremony she's been planning since they arrived."
Laughter rippled through the guests, and even Michelle smiled.
"Lucas," Bill said. "Your vows."
This was it.
I took Michelle's hands, looking into her eyes, and let myself speak from the heart.
"Michelle," I started, and my voice cracked slightly with emotion.
"A year ago, I was lonely. Successful but lonely.
Building a community online while feeling disconnected from real life.
And then you became my manager. You were and are efficient, professional, and brilliant.
You fought for me like I mattered. Like my work mattered. Like I was worth defending."
Her eyes were bright with unshed tears.
"And then Pike Place Market. Mistletoe and scent-matching and the moment I knew you were mine. And you ran." I smiled. "And I followed. Because giving up was never an option. Not when I'd finally found home."
Through the bond, I felt her love overwhelming everything else.
"You've spent the last two weeks teaching me what real courage looks like. Fighting your fears. Choosing vulnerability. Standing your ground when the industry tried to make you choose between career and love. And every day, I've fallen more in love with you."
I squeezed her hands.
"So today, I promise you this, I promise to keep making you laugh when you're spiraling.
To defend you the way you've defended me.
To support your dreams and celebrate your victories.
To be patient when you're scared and steady when you're overwhelmed.
To make our home cozy and warm and full of love.
To be your alpha, your mate, your pack." I took a breath.
"I promise to love you forever, Michelle Rodriguez.
In all the ways you deserve to be loved. Starting right now."
She was crying, silent tears streaming down her face, and through the bond I felt her overwhelming emotion.
"Ro," Bill prompted. "Your vows."
Ro stepped forward, taking Michelle's hands when I released them.
"Michelle," he said, his voice quiet but intense.
"I've been getting to know you for six months.
Through emails and video calls and every professional interaction.
I watched you fight for your clients with fierce dedication.
I learned how you built something incredible from nothing.
And I watched you hide behind walls because you were scared of losing control. "
He smiled slightly.
"The moment we met at Pike Place Market, I knew those walls were coming down.
Maybe not immediately. Maybe not easily.
But inevitably. Because you can't hide from fate.
" He squeezed her hand. "You've taught me that vulnerability isn't weakness.
That letting someone in doesn't mean losing yourself.
That pack can make you stronger instead of diminishing you. "
Through the bond, I felt Michelle's gratitude flowing toward Ro.
"So I promise you this, I promise to see you clearly.
All of you. The brilliant manager and the scared omega and everything in between.
To capture your truth through my camera and reflect it back to you.
To be the observer who reminds you of your own strength when you forget.
To challenge you when you're hiding and celebrate you when you're brave.
To be your alpha, your mate, your pack." He met her eyes.
"I promise to love you with clear eyes and an open heart, Michelle. Forever."
She was sobbing now, and Dex stepped forward with tissues before returning to position.
"Dex," Bill said. "Your vows."
Dex took Michelle's non-tissue filled hand, his large frame somehow gentle despite his size.
"Michelle," he rumbled. "I'm not good with words.
I'm good with protection. With security.
With making sure threats can't reach the people I love.
" He paused. "But you don't need protection from physical threats.
You need someone who sees your fear and stands beside you anyway.
Someone who understands that the bravest thing you can do is keep moving forward when you're terrified. "
Through the bond, I felt Michelle's emotion intensify.
"You've shown me what real strength looks like.
Not the ability to fight. The ability to be vulnerable.
To admit you're scared and do it anyway.
To stand your ground when everything says run.
" He squeezed her hand. "So I promise you this, I promise to be your anchor.
To keep you grounded when you spiral. To monitor threats you can't see.
To protect your heart the way I protect your life.
To be steady when everything's chaos. To be your alpha, your mate, your pack. "
He met her eyes with absolute seriousness.
"I promise to protect you, Michelle. Not from challenges, you don't need that. From the voice that says you're not enough. From the fear that says you have to be perfect. From anything that tries to make you smaller. I promise to help you stay big. Forever."
Michelle was openly crying now, and through the bond I felt her love for all of us, overwhelming and absolute.
"Michelle," Bill said gently. "Your vows."
She took a shaky breath, wiping her eyes, trying to compose herself.
"I had beautiful vows written," she started, her voice thick with emotion.
"Perfectly structured. Professionally appropriate.
The kind of vows that could be quoted in wedding magazines.
" She laughed slightly. "And I'm throwing them all out.
Because you all just said the most beautiful things I've ever heard and I can't follow that with prepared remarks. "
Through the bond, I felt her decision to be completely authentic.
"Lucas, Ro, Dex," she said, looking at each of us. "Two weeks ago, I was convinced that a pack would destroy everything I'd built. That loving you meant losing myself. That I had to choose between career and happiness because having both was impossible."
She squeezed our hands.