Chapter 22
The afternoon sun bathed the norms’ paddock in golds and oranges, highlighting the canopy of trees that had turned to the brilliant fall colors as November had come at them in all her natural glory.
There were no safari vehicles on the tour, no park patrons or VIPs; the whole safari was closed for the day for the wedding, while the rest of the park was open with security staffed by other shifters filling in for the lions.
Caesar adjusted his suit jacket and glanced at the arbor full of white roses and dark green ivy, which Sera and the pride females had decorated the day before. Rows of chairs in two sections were filled with the pride, the stallion herd, and the alphas and their mates.
Even the norms were watching from a distance.
This wasn’t just a wedding, it was a celebration of their survival and new beginnings.
The music started and the maintenance shed doors were drawn open by two pride members. Sera came into view, radiant in a champagne-colored dress that brushed her knees. On either side, Sunny and Fallon had linked arms with her, their faces glowing with happiness.
Caesar’s breath caught in his throat as he met Sera’s eyes.
They walked forward, stopping in front of him.
Joss, who was officiating the wedding, said, “Who gives this female to this male?”
Sunny and Fallon said, “We do.”
They kissed Sera’s cheeks and took their place nearby to stand as her bridesmaids.
She stepped up to Caesar and took his hands, tears glistening in her eyes.
Joss smiled at them. “Friends and family, today we gather to celebrate the joining of Caesar and Sera.” He spoke of love and promises, of the future that lay before them.
As the ceremony moved forward, Caesar hardly heard the words. He just saw Sera. The way the breeze lifted a few strands of dark hair from her face. The shimmer of unshed tears.
The way her hands squeezed his.
They exchanged rings, promising to love each other in this life and the next.
“You may kiss your bride,” Joss said.
Caesar didn’t wait. He pulled her gently to him and kissed her, and she kissed him back, both their beasts purring in happiness.
Cheers erupted from the crowd, and even Tank let out a bellow that sounded a lot like congratulations.
Caesar and Sera were husband and wife now.
Truly joined in every possible way.
* * *
Under twinkle lights and colorful fall leaves, the bears had set up tables of food, with rows of tables and chairs decorated with a fall theme. The bears had outdone themselves with the food.
As music played, Caesar and Sera danced together first, her hand in his, her cheek on his chest. They talked quietly, sharing their love and happiness, the world slowing down to just the two of them.
Then they parted, her dancing with his sons one by one and him dancing with her daughters.
After the cake, the party swirled around them, and he’d never seen so much happiness in one place.
There had been weddings before, but this was different because they’d had so much to celebrate. His mate was free of the chains of her past and the danger that had stalked her, and that alone was enough to cheer for. But getting married? Her having his last name? That was the icing on the cake.
When the sun set fully, and the party was still going strong, Caesar drew Sera to a bench and wrapped a blanket around them.
“This has been a magical day,” she said.
“It really has.”
They were quiet for a little while, watching the party and the mixture of shifters and the human soulmates who were enjoying themselves.
“So what happens now?” she asked.
“We build something amazing.”
The stars were out in force, shining down on their people.
He tilted Sera’s face toward his.
“This is the beginning of our forever, Sera.”
“I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”
They kissed and the world dropped away once more, so it was just the two of them, in the paddock under the stars, the future full of hope and magic, and lots of love.
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Thank you so much for reading Caesar!
I hope you loved returning to the Were Zoo and spending time with alpha lion Caesar.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Indio…
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