29. Claire
“Holy Cupid,” Riley breathed out as we walked through the halls of the high school. It was the biggest place to hold a dance, so now we got to walk down memory lane.
The entrance to the gymnasium was covered in a balloon arch and a curtain of streamers, so we couldn’t see inside.
“Welcome, welcome!” Janice sang out. She had her gray hair elegantly tied up into an updo. Her dress was long and flowing, the bright red fitting the theme perfectly. “Oh, you look amazing,” she gushed as she took us all in.
Riley had done an impeccable job picking out our outfits. I felt like an absolute queen in my burgundy dress and he’d even gotten me a corsage that matched the guys’ boutonnieres.
“So do you,” I told her. “I’m loving the makeup.”
“Having a new daughter came in handy this year,” she grinned as she did a cute little twirl. “Now, step through and go to the left. Pictures are mandatory!”
“See, this is why I always make sure we look fabulous,” Riley said as our alphas parted the curtain of streamers for us.
Riley and I had fun at prom. Well after we ditched our dates to hang out with each other. I just remember dancing and having fun dressing up. But this? It was so much better. We easily had the hottest escorts in the entire town.
The gym was gorgeous. They’d covered the walls in sheer fabric to block out all the athletic murals and awards. The tables were covered in white linens with red and pink rose centerpieces. Balloons, streamers, they’d spared no expense turning it into a perfectly cheesy adult prom.
A stage was set up in the back and a buffet line full of treats off to one side. Despite the event being in the high school, someone had managed to get us an open bar.
I loved it.
“Over here,” Adrien ushered us to the photo area. They’d set it up with a balcony backdrop and hired a professional photographer.
“Next!” The man called, ushering us into place. The alphas stood behind both me and Riley, hands around our waists, and I didn’t even have to see their faces to know they had proud smiles on their faces.
“Say cheese!” he called out.
“Gouda!” Riley said to pull a laugh out of us, it worked and I was barely able to hold my composure as he snapped the picture, then another.
“We have a good shot,” he called out. “Next!”
We left the photo area behind to find a table. The dance was just getting started, so random music was playing through the speakers. It had been Taylor Swift when we walked in and now Queen was playing. It had me wondering who was DJing the event.
“Claire!” Lindsay’s voice echoed out. I turned and grinned as my two friends hurried toward me. Autumn looked gorgeous in a black dress with a plunging neckline, with her smoky makeup look she looked like a model.
Lindsay had gone for a gold, tight fitting dress that hugged her curves. Her hair was down, flowing over her shoulders, and she had on heels I knew I’d break my neck if I attempted.
“You’re heartbreakers tonight,” I told them.
“You catch up. We’re going to grab some drinks,” Adrien said as he brushed a kiss over my temple. Vance and Riley followed him, leaving the girls to swoop in like vultures.
“How was your heat?” Autumn teased.
“I take it courting went well?” Lindsay asked, looking pointedly at my neckline.
“I’m a lucky omega,” I responded, being vague enough that I wasn’t giving details to the entire town that was inevitably listening in. “They’re amazing. I’m already spoiled.”
“Good,” Autumn said with a grin. “As you should be.”
“Speak of the devils,” she said. “Those suits are amazing. They outshine the rest of the men here.”
“Riley does have amazing taste,” I said as I took in all three of my mates. They were perfect and looked delicious in their tailored suits. If we hadn’t just gone through a heat and a bonding, I’d have said we should call it an early night.
“Stop looking at us like that, Peach,” Vance chastised playfully as he put a champagne glass in my hand. I didn’t miss the way his fingertips ghosted over the bite mark on my shoulder. Of course, the dress they chose showcased all three bites so the entire town could see. And I wore the bites like a badge of honor.
Mic feedback drew everyone’s attention to Janet, who was now standing on the stage.
“Thank you to everyone for your help putting this amazing event together. We’ve had some amazing people working tirelessly to make all this come together.” She paused as applause erupted. Eventually she put her hand up imperiously until they all quieted. “Now, we’ve found one of the best local bands to help start our night off right. They’ll be playing a mix of original songs and covers. Let’s hear it for Hollow Chords!”
The alphas who walked out all looked to be in their twenties and decked out in tattoos, leather, and more piercings than I could count. But when the singer took the mic, it was clear why they were chosen. His voice was a deep, smoky tone that had all the young omegas in the room hurrying to the dance floor. We had a girls night a while ago to see them at Holiday Brews and it had been the same reaction.
“Close your mouth, you’re drooling, Claire,” Riley teased. I laughed at him before taking a sip of my champagne.
“Oh, you know they aren’t my type. But someone better come dance with me,” I said as I downed the rest of my drink and started for the dance floor. When I finally found a good spot and turned around, every one of my mates was behind me.
“You’re not getting out of our sight,” Vance whispered huskily in my ear as he pressed his body against mine. Adrien moved between us as Riley squeezed in next to me. We were so close our scents melded together into a mix that left me breathless. Our love and attraction burned bright through the bond as we lost ourselves in song after song.
It was so nice to be able to let go and have fun, not caring about looking ridiculous and knowing that at the end of the day I had a pack who was proud to call me theirs.
After several dances, the music suddenly stopped. The pack separated enough that we could breathe and cool off as we watched the lead singer, seeing where this was going.
Spotlights shifted from him and right to the center of the dance floor, where we stood. I held up a hand shielding the light, confused at the tech malfunction.
Until I turned.
The pack was no longer directly behind me. The alphas had stepped aside, so only Riley remained. He looked nervous and anxious, but before I could question him, he knelt down on one knee.
“Riley… what,” I whispered in shock. Emotions slammed into me so forcefully as tears burned my eyes. Excitement, shock, love, confusion, and curiosity.
Janice hurried over and clipped a microphone to his shirt. His face reddened, and I bit back a laugh that helped keep the tears at bay. Leave it to Holiday Hollow to turn a proposal into a town-wide spectacle.
I saw movement behind him as our moms clasped hands and watched us, whispering excitedly.
Riley made sure our whole family was here for this. My chest tightened as I glanced around to see all of the excited faces for us.
“Claire. I know what most people are thinking right now. That I’m finally beta-ing up and making sure you know I love you. The truth is, I’ve always known we’d be together one day. Every day since I met you, my life has been brighter. You make me a better man, and I couldn’t imagine my life without you.”
“Oh, Ri,” I sobbed out as the emotions hit me. He’d always known it was me, just as I’ve always known it would be him.
“You even introduced me to these two fine alphas. If that’s not marriage material, I don’t know what is.”
Our alphas chuckled along with everyone else, but my beta wasn’t done.
“We grew up together. Went from best friends to hopelessly in love with each other but not admitting it. Now, finally, we get to spend forever together. I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d want to grow old with. Though we all know we will age like fine wine,” he quipped, smirking at me so I was laughing through my tears.
It was such a Riley speech. A mix of emotional, loving, and witty.
“I love you, Claire Dawkings. Will you marry me?”
Riley was finally done with his speech, and the minute he said the words I rushed forward and dropped to my knees in front of him. He slid the ring on my finger and it fit perfectly. I wasn’t even surprised he’d made sure he had the right size.
“Yes.” The answer was simple, yet the love and excitement in the bond said everything else for me.
Everyone gave us a moment as Riley kissed me senseless. The music started back up and the spotlight retreated. But it didn’t matter, my beta was all I could see.
“So you want to grow old with me, huh?”
“Come on, you know we’ll be a fabulous duo, walking around with canes and waving them at anyone in our way. Then we can gossip and drink coffee on our porch,” he mused.
“And our alphas?”
“Oh, they’ll be right there with us,” he promised as we both turned their way, smiling fondly at the two men who brought us together.
“Come here,” Riley ordered. Both of them moved without hesitation, scooping us up and admiring the ring that now rested on my finger.
“You know, I think the Sweetheart Dance might have just become my favorite Holiday Hollow event,” I shouted over the music as the guys led us over to our table.
“Congrats, guys!” Dawn called out as she passed by. She was just one of many stopping by to greet us. By the time the band took another break my voice was hoarse from talking. But I’d never felt happier. Just when I didn’t think things could get any better, Riley does something like this.
“At some point we’ll have to figure out the last courting puzzle piece. I’d say we’ve moved past the simple courting stage,” Adrien pointed out as he pulled Riley into his lap.
“True,” I agreed. “But no one has given us the last piece, and I’m not sure where else to go to find it.”
“It”ll come to us,” Vance reassured us. “The others have all been easy. Confusing, but easy to find.”
The music cut off again. This time it was Autumn and her pack taking the stage. Apparently, it was the time for proposals and announcements.
“Can I have Claire, Riley, Adrien, and Vance to the stage?”
“That wasn’t what I expected,” Riley said, putting words to my thoughts. We all walked forward, once again all attention on us, until we stood before her.
When we were close enough, Autumn continued.
“Now, I know you’re all overachievers, but we have a courting process to finish,” she said excitedly. “In fact, here we have the final part.”
“What?” I gasped, stepping forward and looking at what was in her hand. Turning over the rectangular paper I smiled at the picture in my hands. We were all smiling widely, barely containing our laughter. Each one of us looked truly happy together.
Autumn held up a paper similar to the list of clues we were given. “To go forward you must go back, learn each other and take a page from the rack. You took the time to learn everything you could about each other and earned the first piece. A frame.”
Boone stepped forward and held up a handmade frame. He’d taken the time to carve our pack name into it, a silhouette of downtown Holiday Hollow surrounding it.
“Next be careful, next be quick, open yourself, it’s just a nick. You earned a piece of glass to go in the frame by being vulnerable with each other, realizing that it’s okay to let the others in completely. Which is not an easy thing to do.”
“It wasn’t,” Riley agreed with a chuckle. All of us had our own reasons for resisting at first. Now it was second nature to trust my pack with my heart.
“Build the walls and seal the seams, fill thy Hollow up with teams. Now this one was a bit different than most. Some interesting visitors popped in, giving us the perfect way to show you that you aren’t alone here. All of Holiday Hollow has your back, especially your new family.”
“I’m grateful for that,” Adrien said, turning and bowing toward mine and Riley’s family’s, acknowledging publicly how much their support meant to him. Vance stood by his side, holding his hand and doing the same. My chest warmed as they all returned it.
“Is it just me, or is it getting misty in here,” Riley muttered. Autumn laughed and shook her head, not surprised in the least by his commentary.
“One or two, milk, no cream, straight black, or just a steam, it’s time to learn the little things. You not only chose to appreciate the little moments with your pack, but you went out of your way to include the things that mean the most to them, like family. That little gesture did not go unnoticed.”
She gestured behind her and I nearly choked on a cry as both mine and Riley’s family walked forward with a single flower in their hands, giving our alphas a gesture in return.
“Welcome to our family, mijos,” Riley’s mom said, giving them both a kiss before mom threw her arms around them and squeezed the life out of our alphas.
“And we love you two,” she promised, giving Riley and I both a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek before everyone went back to their seats and Autumn could continue. Now Jack and Hunter had joined her, each holding the pieces we’d given Boone along the way, only now they were cut down into something recognizable.
“And finally, the last piece. All that’s left is the heart, a moment in time, never to part. You’ve got your picture, now let’s put it all together.” Her pack came together to piece together the picture frame for us. It was handmade and incredibly thoughtful, but the meaning behind it all left me speechless.
They invited us over to add the photo Autumn had given us, the moment that had been captured by the photographer earlier, and I slid it into place before each of my mates took turns locking the hardware that held the backing together.
When it was done all I could do was hug it to my chest as my pack surrounded me. I’d never felt more loved than in that moment.
I’d forgotten about the courting gift with everything else going on today. I had my bonds and a ring on my finger. But in a way, that crazy list helped us come together just like the town we called home. Holiday Hollow magic always had an unexpected way of changing your life. I guess this time it was our turn.