Chapter 26 The Wedding
Dean
Nevaeh is getting married today, and I’m freaking out a little.
It’s a mess of emotions… happiness, nostalgia, fear, sadness, excitement. It feels like every second brings out something new. But one thing stays constant… the love I have for my baby.
Seiji barrels toward me, yelling at someone to get their shit together. I sidestep just in time before he runs me over like a charging bull.
“This isn’t your mother’s wedding in the 1920s, Jared. Get that fucking vase out of my sight!”
Man’s fighting for his life over centerpieces.
Jackson appears out of nowhere, already used to the trainwreck Seiji becomes during events like this, and rubs his back while forcing a glass of water into his hand.
I pat his shoulder, shaking him out of event planner mode. “Relax, man. Everything is going great. Not every detail has to be perfect.”
Jackson winces the second the words leave my mouth. Seiji’s glare tells me I’ve said the wrong thing.
“Don’t test me, Reaper. I will kill everyone here if this wedding’s aesthetic is ruined.” He grits out through clenched teeth, and I take that as my cue to leave before I become part of the decor.
I make my rounds through the Conquer castle, greeting guests, shaking hands, forcing my way through conversations about politics that have no business being here.
Every time my patience starts to crack, Elijah swoops in and redirects the conversation, taking the spotlight off me.
Thank Fates for him. I’d rather not spill blood at my daughter’s wedding.
When Elijah saves me again, I take the chance to slip out of the ballroom and go check on Nevaeh.
Everything is running on schedule, so I’m not worried. And even if things are delayed, no one would care since half the guests are too busy polishing off the pixie alcohol we bought especially for today.
I take a steadying breath, trying to get my nerves in control before knocking on Nevaeh and Anxo’s door.
When I step inside, I’m met with my daughters bickering like children.
“You’re doing it wrong, Grace. Trust the science!”
“Oh, please, you didn’t even go to school.”
I blink, surprised at Grace’s quick comeback.
Nevaeh gasps. “Take that back.”
“I’m trying, but I don’t feel sorry.” Grace looks down, caressing her stomach. “I think this kid might be more Harvey than me.”
They burst into laughter, the sound filling the room, warming every corner of my heart.
“Hey, Trouble.” I didn’t expect to choke a little on the name I gave her when she was little.
Nevaeh turns at the sound of my voice, and I swear I stop breathing.
She’s dressed in a gold dress, the intricate beadwork shimmering over sheer fabric that falls in soft, airy layers, trailing behind her. The fabric catches light with every movement, sparkling in a way that makes Nevaeh look soft and ethereal.
Nevaeh looks at me, her eyes shining with so much excitement and happiness.
She’s a bride. The most beautiful one I’ve ever seen. Seeing her all dolled up makes this feel a little too real.
A sharp pain blooms in my chest, splitting straight through me.
I just got my daughter back, and now I have to watch her start her own family and build a life that doesn’t revolve around me.
I was her whole world once, and now… I’ll just be part of it.
This is the part of being a father that sneaks up on you and hits you right in the heart. You spend your whole life protecting that precious little girl, only to one day rely on someone else to be there for her when you can’t be.
I know my daughters are more than capable of protecting themselves, but if it were up to me, they’d never have to.
“Papa?” Nevaeh laughs. “This is where you compliment me.”
I step closer until I’m standing in front of my first baby, holding her face in my hands. “You look beautiful.”
I pull her into a hug, careful not to ruin her dress and makeup.
“You sure about this? Because if you’re not, we can still make a run for it. Elijah would hide us in hell.”
I’m only half joking.
Fuck, I’m not ready to lose my little girl.
Nevaeh sniffs, stepping back. “I’m sure. I love him, and you know how much he loves August and me.”
There’s no hesitation in her voice.
The way her eyes light up and a soft smile brightens her face when she thinks about Anxo makes this a little bearable.
If I’m going to lose her, I might as well lose her to the best man I know.
I turn to Grace and pull her into a side hug, mindful of her growing belly.
“I’m glad I only have to do this once. I couldn’t survive losing both my girls to idiots.”
“So, if Harvey and I got married again just so you could walk me down the aisle this time, you wouldn’t want that?” Grace asks, but she already knows the answer.
Of everything I missed, not being a part of her wedding is my biggest regret.
“Stop torturing me.” I groan, tipping my head.
“Come on, we don’t want to keep Anxo waiting, or he’ll come here to get you himself.”
August is waiting for us in the hallway, a flower basket clutched in his hands, a determination written all over his face. He’s taking his role as flower boy way too seriously… and it’s adorable as hell.
His guard dog—hellhound—sniffs the basket then sneezes at the scent and recoils like the flowers offended him.
The second he sees Nevaeh, August runs straight into her arms. His eyes go wide as he circles her, taking in every detail of her dress with awe.
“How do I look, kiddo?”
“So pretty! Papa looks pretty, too, but you win.”
The hellhound lets out a low growl like he agrees.
Nevaeh cups his cheeks and presses a loud kiss to his head.
“Thank you, baby. Are you ready?”
“Yes!”
Beyond the doors lies the waterfall where the ceremony is set to take place.
A flower-draped arch glows in the warmth of the setting sun, petals scattered across the ground. The sky melts into shades of gold and blush like the whole world has slowed for this moment.
Behind the arch, the waterfall spills like liquid gold, fireflies dotting the tree and flowers, their glow turning everything even more enchanting.
A soft melody fills the air as I walk Nevaeh down the aisle where Anxo waits for her at the altar, the sunset blazing behind him.
He stands tall in a black suit with golden embroidery tracing his sleeves and collar. He looks every bit the royal Horseman.
But it’s the way he looks at her that matters.
Anxo can’t take his eyes off Nevaeh. No one can deny that the man is in love.
The smile on his face, the tears in his eyes, the way Jackson has to stop him from running to his bride says everything about the man my daughter is marrying today.
Hazel, Grace, and Jackson stand behind him, adorned with eager smiles to get this union blessed by the Sisters of Fate.
Harvey and Seiji stand on the other side… where I’m supposed to walk Nevaeh and take a step back, both physically and mentally.
When Anxo steps forward to take Nevaeh’s hand, something in my chest splinters. But before I can feel it fully, they both turn to me, smiling, and pull me into a tight hug. Like they need it just as much as I do.
Nevaeh curls her hand around her mate’s arm as he helps her onto the stage, and that’s my cue to step back and take my seat.
August is waiting for me beside my chair in the front row, right next to Seiji’s parents, Akihiko and Yua. Elijah and his mate sit beside them, followed by Khatri, his mate, and their two daughters.
I sit and pull the little werewolf into my lap. His hellhound sneaks under the chair, hidden from sight but watching everything.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget the looks on everyone’s faces when August walked down the aisle, carefully scattering the petals while a hellhound shadowed his every step.
It was fucking hilarious watching grown men lean away from a five-year-old and a three-month-old pup.
Now everyone knows August is protected by one of the most dangerous creatures in existence. I have no doubt the news will spread like wildfire soon enough.
After the Crescent Moon Coven slaughtered his pack, a message needed to be sent. He’s not a target anymore. And anyone who tries to make him one will be ripped to shreds.
The tightness in my throat eases with every smile Nevaeh and Anxo share.
They look truly happy.
I’ve been sulking about losing my girls, but that’s not entirely true, is it?
Before I left, my castle was a ghost house of the family I wanted. And now I finally have it.
My eyes drift across the stage until they find my mate. Like they always do.
Hazel’s eyes lock with mine. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling softly. It’s so beautifully blinding that I forget where I am.
Usually her smiles feel restrained, like she’s afraid to jinx her own happiness, but not today. Today she’s glowing, beaming with joy, surrounded by our family.
Her teal gown flows like water, the soft light tracing every delicate detail as she moves. Effortless. Quietly captivating. Impossible to look away from.
The sheer fabric shows hints of smooth caramel skin beneath the shimmery waves printed on her dress. Thin straps rest on her shoulders, teasingly delicate, and when she turns toward Grace, I choke on my own spit at the glimpse of her bare back.
Two delicate straps crisscross her back, just above where the dress dips low at her hips. Fates, is she trying to ruin me?
Everything about Hazel in that dress is a personal form of torture. And I’d happily suffer.
Hazel turns back, and I realize I’m biting my knuckles, trying to stop my shadows from running to her.
Her head tilts to the side, brows dipping as she studies my expression.
Then she looks away, cheeks flushing pink when she realizes exactly what she’s doing to me.
Stunning. Distracting. Mine.
I rub a hand over my chest. Fates must be overcompensating for every ounce of misery they handed me because that woman right there feels like the greatest gift the universe could’ve given me.
They say love is blind, but I think it’s all-seeing. You aren’t in love with someone unless you’re acutely aware of their flaws, habits, insecurities, and their special form of crazy.
Only after you’ve carried them through the dark, dragged them toward the light, and cut yourself trying to piece them together, do you see beyond the exterior and fall in love with every broken piece, every crack, every edge.
Love comes from within. You have to give up a part of your soul to make room for theirs. And think I gave Hazel mine a long time ago.