Chapter 30 Sharon
SHARON
It’s the morning of the wedding and the weather is perfect with clear skies, and mild temperature considering it is Christmas Eve, I would say that it is fantastic weather.
I'm standing at Riverside Ranch at five in the morning with my phone in one hand and my third coffee in the other, doing a final walkthrough before anyone else arrives.
The venue is transformed. White and blush roses mixed with eucalyptus are arranged in stunning displays throughout the space.
The arch where Tangle Peak and the Brownbox pack will exchange vows is absolutely breathtaking, with flowers cascading down the sides like nature itself is blessing their union.
String lights are hung between posts, ready to twinkle once the sun sets.
The tables are set with simple but elegant decorations that let the natural beauty of the venue shine through.
Jessica arrives at six with two coffees and approximately seventeen different clipboards. She looks like she's been awake for approximately three days, but her energy is incredible. She's running on the kind of adrenaline that only comes from knowing that something important is about to happen.
"Everything looks perfect," she says, doing her own walkthrough and making notes on her clipboard. "I'm honestly impressed with myself. We actually pulled this off."
"We absolutely did," I agree, walking through the ceremony space one more time. "The orchestra is arriving at nine. The photographer is here at ten. The caterers will be here by eleven. Everything is locked in and ready to go."
The orchestra. That's the part I'm most excited about.
Tangle Peak specifically requested a live orchestra instead of a traditional band, and I managed to coordinate with a group from Denver that specializes in weddings.
They're going to play a combination of classical pieces and modern interpretations of Tangle Peak's own songs, which is going to be absolutely incredible.
By eight o'clock, vendors are starting to arrive. The florist does a final check on the arrangements. The photographer sets up his equipment. The caterers begin their final preparations in the kitchen. The venue is buzzing with energy and anticipation.
At nine o'clock exactly, the orchestra arrives.
I watch as they set up their instruments on the small stage that's been prepared for them.
There's a violinist, a cellist, a pianist, a harpist, and a conductor who has the kind of serious expression that suggests she takes her job incredibly seriously.
The conductor introduces herself to me, and her name is Margot. She's a woman in her fifties with silver hair and the kind of bearing that comes from someone who's been making music her entire life.
"This is going to be beautiful," Margot says, looking out at the ceremony space with an artist's eye. "The mountains. The flowers. The light. It's the perfect setting for what we're about to create."
By ten o'clock, guests are starting to arrive.
They're seated in chairs arranged in rows facing the arch.
The Brownbox pack is in the groom's room, getting ready and apparently losing their collective minds because their omega is about to marry all of them at once.
Tangle Peak is in the bridal suite, and based on the one text I got from her, she's nervous and excited and absolutely ready to do this.
The photographer captures everything. The small details. The way guests are greeting each other. The way the late morning sun hits the arch exactly right to create the most beautiful lighting.
At noon, guests are settled. The orchestra has done a sound check. Everything is in place. I stand at the back of the ceremony space with Jessica, and we watch as the first notes of the prelude music begin to play.
The orchestra plays a hauntingly beautiful piece that sounds like hope mixed with anticipation. The string instruments carry the melody while the harp provides delicate accompaniment. The piano grounds everything in something solid and real.
Then the Brownbox pack emerges from the groom's room. They're all dressed in matching suits that are tailored to their specific builds, and they look absolutely stunning.
Rogue leads them forward. He's the pack alpha, and it shows in every step. His pack follows him like they're part of his body, moving together as one unit even though they're separate people walking down the aisle.
The guests lean forward, and I can see the phones coming out as people try to capture the moment. This is going to be all over social media before the ceremony is even over, but I don't care. This is a moment worth capturing.
The orchestra transitions into a new piece, and then Tangle Peak emerges.
She's wearing a dress that's modern and elegant, a flowing white gown with a neckline that dips low and a back that's completely open.
It's not a traditional wedding dress in any way, but it's absolutely perfect for her.
Her dark hair is pulled back in a sleek style that shows off her face.
She's wearing minimal makeup, just enough to highlight her features without detracting from her natural beauty.
She walks down the aisle alone because she doesn't need anyone to give her away. She's choosing her pack completely of her own volition, walking toward them with the kind of confidence that only comes from knowing exactly who you are and exactly what you want.
When she reaches the arch, all four alphas turn to look at her, and the expression on their faces is absolutely breathtaking. It's love and devotion and pride all mixed together. It's the expression of people who've found their person and are about to spend the rest of their lives with her.
Margot conducts the orchestra through the vows. Tangle Peak and the Brownbox pack exchange rings and promises while the orchestra plays. The music swells and rises, matching the emotional intensity of the moment. There's not a dry eye in the audience. Even Jessica has tears streaming down her face.
"With the power vested in me by the state of Colorado," the officiant says, his voice carrying across the ceremony space, "I now pronounce you bonded for life. You may kiss."
The orchestra launches into an absolutely incredible arrangement as all four alphas kiss their omega. It's a tangle of bodies and mouths, and it's passionate and beautiful and absolutely perfect. The guests stand up and applaud, and I can hear phones clicking as people capture the moment.
The orchestra plays as the newly bonded pack walks back down the aisle together, their hands intertwined. They're laughing and crying and absolutely radiating happiness.
The ceremony is over. The bonding is complete. What was two separate entities is now one cohesive unit.
The reception space has been transformed while the ceremony was happening. The tables are set with beautiful centerpieces. The champagne is chilling. The catering staff is ready to serve. The photographer positions himself to capture candid moments.
I watch as guests file into the reception space and settle at their tables. Tangle Peak and the Brownbox pack enter to music, and the applause is thunderous. They dance their first dance as a bonded unit while the orchestra plays something slow and beautiful.
Jessica handles the toasts. A friend of Tangle Peak's stands up and talks about watching her fall in love with a pack of alphas and how she's never seen anyone happier.
One of the alphas stands up and talks about how they knew the moment they met her that she was the one they'd been waiting for.
Tears are flowing freely throughout the room.
The food is served, and it's absolutely incredible. The caterers have outdone themselves. Every plate is a work of art. The flavors are perfect. The portions are generous but not excessive.
The first course is a light salad with candied walnuts and a balsamic vinaigrette.
The main course is filet mignon with roasted vegetables and a red wine reduction that's absolutely divine.
The sides are perfectly prepared potatoes and a seasonal vegetable medley.
Dessert is a selection of small cakes and pastries that are almost too beautiful to eat.
Almost.
The orchestra plays during dinner, soft background music that doesn't overwhelm conversation but adds to the ambiance. The lighting shifts as the sun starts to set, and the string lights that have been hung throughout the space begin to twinkle. It's absolutely magical.
By the time dessert is being served, the sun has completely set, and the venue is lit entirely by string lights and the soft glow of candles. The mountains are visible in silhouette against the darkening sky, providing a stunning backdrop for everything that's happening.
Tangle Peak and the Brownbox pack do their second dance, a more upbeat song that gets the entire room dancing.
Even the oldest guests are out on the dance floor, moving and laughing and celebrating.
The orchestra transitions seamlessly from classical pieces to more modern music, and somehow it all works perfectly together.
I stand at the back of the reception space with Jessica, watching everything unfold perfectly. Every detail is exactly as planned. Every moment is beautiful. Every second is exactly as it should be.
"We did it," Jessica says, squeezing my hand. "We actually pulled off the wedding of the year."
"We absolutely did," I agree.
By the time the reception is winding down and the last guests are saying goodbyes, I'm running on pure adrenaline and the kind of satisfaction that comes from knowing that you nailed something important. Tangle Peak finds me as she's heading out, and she pulls me into a hug.
"You're a genius," she says. "This wedding was absolutely perfect. Thank you for making my vision come to life."
"It was my honor," I say, and I mean it completely.