29. Caleb
29
CALEB
C aleb adjusted his tie for the tenth time, staring at his reflection in the mirror of the community center's back room.
"If you keep fussing with that tie, you'll strangle yourself before the ceremony even starts," Wade said, leaning against the doorframe with an amused smirk.
"I just want everything to be perfect." Caleb dropped his hands and turned to face his best man. "Never thought I'd be here, you know? Alpha of both packs, about to marry a fire witch who just so happens to be the love of my life."
Wade crossed the room and straightened Caleb's tie himself. "Life's funny that way. One minute you're trying to protect the community center from vandals, the next you're getting married in it."
The familiar scents of pine and fresh flowers wafted through the building. Outside, Caleb could hear the bustling of pack members settling into their seats. His enhanced hearing picked up snippets of laughter and excited chatter.
A knock at the door interrupted them. Emmett poked his head in, his eyes twinkling. "The bride's arrived. Still time to make a run for it if you want."
"Not a chance," Caleb said, his heart skipping a beat at the thought of Fiona. "Though I'm pretty sure she'd just track me down with a ring of fire."
"Probably," Wade agreed. "And we'd help her."
Caleb smoothed down his jacket one last time, taking in a deep breath. The mix of emotions coursing through him - joy, anticipation, love - felt more powerful than any full moon. "Who would have thought that hiring a stubborn witch would lead to all of this?"
"Everyone," Wade and Emmett said in unison.
"Your pack saw it before you did," Emmett added. "The way you two argued like an old married couple from day one."
Caleb couldn't help but laugh. "Well, at least we're making it official now."
Sarah burst into the room, her dark hair matching Caleb's own bouncing with excitement. "She's almost ready, big brother. And before you ask - yes, she looks absolutely stunning."
Caleb's heart squeezed at the sight of his sister. Their parents would have loved to see this day, to see how far he'd come from the hot-headed young wolf who'd inherited the alpha position too early.
"Mom would have cried through the whole ceremony," Sarah said softly, reading his thoughts as she always did. She straightened his boutonnière, just like their mother used to fuss over his clothes. "And Dad would have pretended not to, but totally would have lost it during the vows."
"They really would have loved her," Caleb said, his voice rough. "Can you imagine Mom's face when Fiona set that first dinner on fire?"
Sarah laughed. "Dad would have called her 'spitfire' non-stop. Though honestly, they probably would have taken her side half the time you two argued."
"More than half," Wade chimed in. "Remember when she reorganized your entire filing system and you growled at her for a week straight?"
"And then admitted it worked better," Sarah added with a grin.
Caleb shook his head, but couldn't stop his own smile. "They would have been proud, wouldn't they? Of everything we've built here?"
"They already were proud, Cale." Sarah squeezed his arm. "But yes, they would have been over the moon about all of this. Now come on, alpha. Time to get you to the altar before your bride thinks you've changed your mind."
"As if she'd let me," Caleb muttered, but followed his sister out.
The community center had been completely transformed, strings of fairy lights casting a warm glow across the gathered pack members. The scent of roses mixed with the familiar smells of pack and home, creating something entirely new and perfect.
He took his place at the front, trying not to fidget as he waited for his fierce, beautiful bride to appear. Their parents might not be here physically, but he could almost feel their presence in the love surrounding him.
The first notes of music filled the community center, and Caleb's heart stuttered in his chest. The assembled pack members rose, turning toward the entrance where Emmett stood with Fiona on his arm. Caleb's enhanced vision caught every detail of her - the way her red hair caught the light like living flame, how the white dress hugged her curves before flowing out like water. Her green eyes sparkled with unshed tears that matched his own.
"Breathe, alpha," Wade whispered from behind him. "Though I guess technically passing out at the altar would be memorable."
Caleb barely heard him. His entire world had narrowed to Fiona's radiant smile as she walked toward him. The dress shimmered with tiny crystals that caught the light, and knowing her, they probably amplified her fire magic somehow. She'd always been practical that way, even on their wedding day.
Fiona's mother, looking exactly like an older version of her daughter minus the magical fire abilities, dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief as Emmett and Fiona reached the front. The elder wolf's eyes shone with pride as he turned to Fiona.
"You sure about this, little witch?" Emmett stage-whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "He's still a bit rough around the edges."
Fiona's laugh rang out like bells. "I think I can handle him."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Caleb said, his voice rough with emotion as he reached for her hand.
Emmett placed Fiona's hand in Caleb's, then turned to give her mother a quick hug before taking his seat. The touch of Fiona's skin against his grounded Caleb, made everything real.
"You look..." Caleb trailed off, searching for words.
"Speechless already?" Fiona squeezed his hand. "That's got to be some kind of record."
"Give me a break. I'm trying to be romantic here."
"You're doing great, love." She reached up to brush away a tear that had escaped down his cheek. "Though if you cry, I'm definitely going to cry, and then my makeup will run, and I'll look like a raccoon in all our wedding photos."
"You'd be the most beautiful raccoon I've ever seen."
"Smooth recovery." Her smile widened. "Ready to make this official?"
Caleb brought their joined hands to his lips. "More than anything."
Caleb's heart thundered in his chest as he faced Fiona, her hands warm in his. The officiant's words faded into background noise as he lost himself in her emerald eyes.
"Your vows," the officiant prompted softly.
Caleb cleared his throat. "Fiona, when you first walked into my community center, I thought you were either the most determined person I'd ever met or completely crazy." A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd. "Turns out you're both, and I wouldn't have it any other way. You challenged me when I needed challenging, supported me when I needed support, and somehow managed to organize both my life and my heart in the process."
His voice cracked slightly. "You make me want to be better - a better alpha, a better man. You're the fire that keeps me warm, the spark that lights up my darkest days. I promise to protect you, cherish you, and love you with everything I am. Even when you reorganize my office for the hundredth time."
Fiona's laugh came out half-sob. "That filing system was a disaster and you know it."
She squeezed his hands. "Caleb, you're the most stubborn, protective, wonderful wolf I've ever met. You gave me not just a job, but a home and a family when I needed them most. You trusted me with your pack, your secrets, and finally your heart. I promise to stand by your side through whatever challenges come our way, to love you fiercely and completely, and to only set things on fire when absolutely necessary."
Wade snorted behind them. "That's a lie."
"Okay, fine," Fiona amended. "I promise to try to only set things on fire when absolutely necessary."
Caleb couldn't hold back his smile as they exchanged rings, his hands trembling slightly as he slipped the band onto her finger. When they were pronounced husband and wife, he pulled her close, pouring every ounce of love and devotion into their kiss. Her lips were soft against his, tasting of joy and promises and forever.
Someone wolf-whistled - probably Wade - and Fiona laughed against his mouth. When they broke apart, her eyes sparkled with mischief and unshed tears.
"I love you," she whispered. "Even if you are a grumpy wolf sometimes."
"I love you too," he murmured back. "Even if you are a walking fire hazard."
Caleb couldn't take his eyes off Fiona as she twirled across the dance floor, her white dress catching the light from all angles. The community center buzzed with laughter and music, the scent of joy and pack bonds mixing with the aroma of wedding cake and champagne.
"You're staring again," Wade nudged him with an elbow. "Though I guess that's allowed on your wedding day."
"She's beautiful," Caleb said, watching as his new wife attempted to teach his sister some complicated dance move. "And she's mine."
"God help us all," Wade laughed. "A fire witch and an alpha wolf. Your kids are going to be terrors."
The thought of children with Fiona sent a warm flutter through Caleb's chest. Before he could respond, Fiona bounded over, her cheeks flushed from dancing.
"Come on, husband." She tugged at his hand. "You can't stand here brooding all night. It's our wedding."
"I don't brood," Caleb protested, but let her pull him onto the dance floor. "I contemplate. Thoughtfully."
The pack around them moved in practiced synchronization, couples spinning and laughing.
The music slowed, and Fiona pressed closer. Around them, his pack - their pack now - moved in perfect harmony, the bonds between them stronger than ever. The community center glowed with strings of fairy lights, transforming the space into something magical.
"Thank you," he whispered into her hair.
"For what?"
"For walking into my community center that day. For staying. For making everything better."