Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Alfie adjusted the tie that matched Myla’s burgundy bridesmaid dress, his mind on the day ahead.
He’d dropped her off at her folks’ house that morning so she could get ready with Alice and her mom at the venue, an old mansion in the next town that was available for parties.
It was on a lake, and even though they weren’t going to be outside because of the cold temperatures, the view from the ceremony room would definitely be pretty.
He missed her, but he was glad she was able to spend such an important time with her family.
They’d gone out the night before to celebrate Valentine’s Day, going on a double date with Jess and Auden to an Italian restaurant with a special Valentine’s menu, and he’d given Myla a delicate, gold bracelet with hearts and sapphires, her birthstone.
He turned and stared at the top drawer of the dresser.
Then he moved to it and took out a small box, putting it in his breast pocket. Grabbing his suit coat, he put it on, checked his reflection once more, and then headed out to meet with his escort in the employee lot.
In the hallway outside the private living area, he saw alpha Caesar and his mate, Sera, who was carrying a baby in her arms.
“Hey,” Alfie said, as they all stopped. “Is this Jupiter and Celeste’s little girl? I haven’t met her yet.”
“It is,” Caesar said. “This is Elara Star.”
Sera gently pulled the pink blanket away from her face and Alfie smiled. “She’s beautiful. That’s a cool name too.”
“Elara is one of the small moons of Jupiter,” Sera said. “And Star is an homage to Celeste’s name.”
“Pretty dang creative,” Caesar said. “But I still maintain they could have called her Caesara. After her most handsome grandpa.”
Alfie grinned. “You’re watching her for them?”
“Yep, it was our Valentine’s gift to them. We’re keeping her tonight so they have a chance to reconnect as a couple,” Sera said. “You look very nice. Off to Myla’s family wedding?”
“Yep,” Alfie said.
“Have fun,” Caesar said.
“You too.”
He kept walking, taking the stairs up to the employee cafeteria. He was happy for Jupiter. One of his friends had not only found his soulmate, but now he had a baby. Alfie couldn’t wait to start a family with Myla.
Nathan, Amadeus, and Hyde were waiting for him in the parking lot and greeted him.
“The wedding and reception are supposed to go until ten. I’ll text when we’re ready to go, but it’ll be several hours.”
“There’s one of those adult gaming centers near the wedding,” Hyde said. “We’re meeting a few other males there, so we’ll be nearby no matter when you’re ready to leave.”
“Sounds good. Have fun.”
“You too,” Nathan said.
Alfie got behind the wheel of an SUV and sent a text to Myla that he was on the way.
I can’t wait to see you! I’ve missed you.
I miss you too! Text when you’re here, I’ll meet you in the foyer.
You got it.
He put on a playlist and tucked the small box in the console, then left the parking lot to meet up with his favorite girl.
He walked into the foyer of the grand mansion and found Myla, a vision in a curve-hugging burgundy dress, waiting for him.
She’d gotten her hair and makeup done along with the wedding party, and while she looked like an old-fashioned movie star, he thought she always looked mouth-wateringly incredible.
And tonight, she was just as beautiful as the night they’d met.
He kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”
She gave his tie a little tug. “You’re looking pretty amazing yourself. My dad and Milo are still in the bar. Dad said you could hang out with them until the ceremony.”
“Sounds good.”
He took her hand and they walked to the bar, where he greeted her dad and Milo, and was introduced to Alice’s father, Will, and several relatives and friends on both sides of the family.
“I have to get back,” Myla said. “I’ll see you after the ceremony.”
He kissed her cheek and watched her leave, his wolf letting out a silent sigh.
Joe pushed a crystal tumbler toward Alfie and lifted his own, while Milo and the others joined him. Alfie lifted the drink as Joe said, “To Milo and Alice, and happy times ahead. And to new members of the family.” He smiled at Alfie as they all cheered Milo.
He fell into easy conversation with Joe and Milo, about work and family and how intricate weddings could be. He’d always felt very welcomed with Myla’s family, and even more so now, as Joe and Milo included him in the conversation, and treated him like they were part of their family.
“Myla’s happy,” Joe said when it was time for them all to take their places. “And I’ve got you to thank for that.”
“She makes me happy too.”
Alfie stared at him for a long moment in silence that felt like it weighed a hundred pounds.
“Would you like to ask me something?” Joe asked.
“It’s Alice and Milo’s day,” Alfie said.
“But the time is coming, right?”
“Yes.”
“Ask me now, then. There is no time like the present.”
Milo wandered away with his best man and groomsmen, and other family members, leaving Joe and Alfie at the bar. “I’d like to ask Myla to marry me, and I would love your permission.”
Joe smiled and extended his hand. “You have my blessing, and Stacy’s too.”
“Thank you,” Alfie said, relief flooding through him. “I swear on my life that I’ll make her the happiest woman on the planet.”
“I know you will,” he said. He clapped him on the shoulder. “Time for me to go find my wife and escort her inside. You sit on the bridal side in the first row with us. You’re family.”
Alfie felt ten feet tall. “I will.”
He finished the drink and set the glass on the counter, then made his way to the ceremony room, sitting in the first row.
As the ceremony started a little while later, he turned to watch Myla walking down the aisle with one of Alice’s brothers, and he honestly forgot how to breathe, she looked so beautiful. When she took her place in line with Alice, she met Alfie’s gaze, and his wolf howled in his head happily.
She was theirs. Heart and soul and every inch between. And they were hers too, nose to tail, heart and soul. From the earth to the moon and back again.
Through the vows, to the rings, to the kiss that made everyone cheer, Alfie kept his gaze on Myla. By the time he made it through the reception line and to the head table where he and Myla were seated with the family, he was anxious to see her again.
She walked into the room with the male who’d escorted her, the two smiling and waving to the crowd, before taking their seats. She hugged Alfie and whispered, “I am so glad the ceremony is over, these shoes are killing my feet.” She toed them off under the table and wiggled her toes.
The reception got underway with the dances and toasts while the food was brought around, and then he and Myla danced with the guests as the DJ spun the couple’s favorite songs. Myla danced with her dad, and Alfie danced with her mom, and then they were back together again, circling the dance floor.
“I love your family,” Alfie said. “They make me feel like they’re my family too. I haven’t had that in a really long time.”
“They definitely think you’re family,” she said. “They love you too. But not as much as I do.”
“Not even close,” he said.
When she was pulled away for a group dance with the female side of her family, he stepped out into the foyer and texted his friends.
I need your help, can you meet me at eleven?
Sure thing, text us the details, Nathan said.
Alfie sent them his plan, and they were ecstatic. He turned back and found Myla breathing hard and laughing from the crazy group dance.
“I’m so happy,” she said, falling into his arms. “And I’m really glad you’re my plus-one.”
“Me too.” He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “Would you like to stop on the way home for a nightcap?”
“Sure! I’m not ready for the night to end, even though Milo and Alice are getting ready to go.”
“I’m not ready for it to end either.”
They were pulled back onto the dance floor by the newly married couple, the music pumping loudly through the speakers. Soon enough they’d be heading back toward the park, but not before one more stop. One more drink before the night ended, and one more important thing to take care of.