Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Layla
Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the ceremony hall, casting colorful patterns on the marble floor.
I stood in the backstage prep room, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
The white gown was in classic werewolf style—off-the-shoulder, cinched at the waist, with the skirt cascading like a waterfall and the Silver Moon Pack emblem embroidered on the chest.
"Mommy looks so pretty!" Kai circled around me, dressed in his tiny tuxedo that Kayden had custom-made. "Like a princess!"
"Thanks, sweetie." I knelt down to fix his bow tie. "You look handsome too."
"I'm the flower boy!" Kai beamed, holding up his basket. "I'm gonna scatter petals everywhere!"
"Remember to do it gracefully," Anna reminded him from the side. She was my bridesmaid today. "Not just toss them."
"I know!" Kai stuck out his tongue.
Three months had passed since that bloody night.
In those three months, so much had changed.
The day after the battle, Kayden called a full pack meeting.
The sun was shining brightly that day. Every pack member gathered in the central square. I stood below the stage, cradling Kai who was still recovering, my heart pounding with anxiety.
Kayden stood tall on the platform, clad in his formal Alpha robe, commanding and solemn.
"I've called you all here to reveal something," his voice boomed through the amplification array across the square. "The truth about what happened seven years ago."
The crowd stirred.
"Seven years ago, Finn Blackwood died suddenly at his engagement ceremony," Kayden said. "Everyone thought his fiancée, Layla Gray, was the killer."
"She was framed, accused, and driven to despair, jumping into the sea."
"We all thought she was dead."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before settling on me.
"But the truth is..."
"Finn Blackwood used vampire secrets to fake his death, staging his own murder."
"He framed Layla Gray, pinning the blame on her."
"And his real goal..."
Kayden's voice turned icy.
"Was revenge against me and against the pack."
"All those mysterious attacks over the past seven years? He orchestrated them."
"Elder Drake was his inside man, and Victoria was manipulated by him too..."
"All the evidence is right here."
He held up a file.
"Layla Gray is innocent."
The square erupted in gasps.
"Oh my goddess..."
"So that's what happened..."
"We... we wronged her for seven years..."
I held Kai tight, tears streaming down my face.
Finally. I could live openly in the light, as Layla Gray.
Kayden stepped down from the platform and walked straight to me. Everyone watched as the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack knelt on one knee before me in front of them all.
"Layla Gray," he said, his eyes sincere, lips trembling slightly. "I owe you an apology."
"Seven years ago, I failed to protect you. I let you get framed, hurt, and pushed to the brink..."
"I..."
His voice choked up.
"I'm so sorry."
The square fell silent. Everyone held their breath, watching the scene unfold.
"Kayden..."
"Please forgive me," he said, his eyes reddening. "Give me a chance to make it up to you for the rest of my life."
"Let me..."
He took a deep breath.
"Let me be your fated mate again."
"Formally, with everyone as witness, your mate."
My tears fell, splashing onto the back of his hand.
"I forgive you," I said, gripping his hand. "Kayden, I forgive you."
"I'm willing... to have you as my mate."
Cheers exploded across the square. Kayden pulled me into his arms, holding me tight.
"Thank you," he whispered in my ear. "Thank you, Layla."
It was complete.
Our love, our lives—finally complete.
That night, Kayden formally announced at the Elder Council that Kai was the heir to the Silver Moon Pack. The elders who had doubted him before bowed their heads after seeing Kai demonstrate his powerful Alpha bloodline.
"I, Kayden Blackwood, Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, declare," Kayden said, holding Kai in the center of the council hall. "Kai Blackwood is my heir."
"The future Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack."
Kai buried his face shyly in Kayden's chest, but those silver eyes gleamed with light.
The next few months flew by in a whirlwind of wedding preparations.
A traditional werewolf mating ceremony had to take place on a full moon night, and the preparations were enough to give anyone a headache.
"Layla, what do you think of this garland?" Anna held up a white one. "Or this?"
She picked up a pink one.
"They're... both nice," I said, staring at the mountain of samples—garlands, candles, tablecloths, dishes...
Who knew a formal wedding required all this? It was way more than the engagement!
"No, you have to pick one," Anna insisted. "This is your once-in-a-lifetime wedding!"
"Fine... the white one."
"Great!" Anna checked it off her list. "Tablecloths—silver or gold?"
"Silver."
"Candles? Scented or plain?"
"Plain should be—"
"Miss Ross!" Martha burst in with armfuls of fabric. "Your gown needs a final fitting..."
"And the bridal bouquet—roses or lilies?"
"The kitchen's asking about the banquet menu..."
My head was spinning.
Why was getting married so complicated?
"Deep breaths," Anna said with a grin. "Enjoy the process, Ella—no, Layla."
"You're about to become Luna!"
Luna.
The word filled me with a sense of unreality.
Me?
The hybrid orphan once deemed the least worthy, becoming Luna of the Silver Moon Pack?
But seeing Anna's excitement, Martha's bustling energy, and out the window, Kayden playing with Kai in the yard...
It was all real.
Not a dream.
The night of the full moon finally arrived.
I stood in the prep room while Anna fixed my hair.
"Nervous?" she asked.
"A little," I admitted, my palms sweaty.
"Don't be," Anna smiled. "Kayden's even more nervous than you."
"Really?"
"Yep." She lowered her voice. "I passed by his room earlier—he was practicing his vows."
"At least twenty times."
I couldn't help but laugh, and my tension eased.
"All set!" Anna gave one last check. "Perfect!"
I looked in the mirror.
The white gown glowed softly in the candlelight, my hair swept into an elegant updo with silver pins. Around my neck hung the Rebirth Series jewelry I'd made myself.
"Time to go," Anna said, handing me the bouquet.
I took a deep breath and clutched it tightly.
Ready, Layla?
Ready to be his mate?
Ready... for a new life?
The door opened.
Kai ran in, basket in hand.
"Mommy! Let's go!" His little face was flushed with excitement. "Daddy's waiting!"
"Coming." I took his small hand. "Let's go."
The ceremony hall was packed.
Every pack member was there, along with representatives from friendly packs.
I stood at the entrance, peeking through the half-open door.
Kayden waited on the platform, dressed in black Alpha attire, the silver emblem gleaming on his chest. He looked tense, his fingers clenching and unclenching, eyes darting toward the entrance.
He was waiting for me.
The music started—the traditional wedding march, melodic and solemn.
"Let's go, Mommy," Kai tugged my hand.
We stepped into the hall.
Everyone stood and turned to watch.
Kai led the way, scattering petals from his basket onto the red carpet. He did it carefully, his little brows furrowed in concentration, striving for "graceful." I followed behind, step by step, toward the platform.
Toward Kayden.
He watched me approach, his eyes filled with awe, joy, and tears... he was crying again.
I reached him. Kai handed his basket to an attendant and ran to sit in the front row.
"Hi," I whispered.
"Hi," Kayden whispered back, his voice thick with emotion. "You... you're stunning."
"You look handsome, too."
We shared a smile.
The presiding elder began reciting the traditional vows.
"Under the witness of the Moon Goddess, two souls shall unite as one..."
"Alpha Kayden Blackwood, do you..."
"I do," Kayden interrupted before he could finish.
Light chuckles rippled through the crowd.
"Uh..." The elder blinked, cleared his throat. "Then... Layla Gray, do you..."
"I do," I jumped in too.
More laughter.
The elder shook his head, but with a smile. "Then, please exchange the tokens."
Kayden pulled a ring from his pocket—platinum, set with a moonstone, simple and elegant.
He took my hand, his fingers trembling slightly.
"Layla," he said, locking eyes with mine. "In this life, the next, and for all eternity..."
"I want only you."
He slid the ring onto my finger.
I took out the one I'd prepared—same style, but set with a sunstone.
"Kayden," I said, my voice shaking. "In this life, the next, and for all eternity..."
"We will be mates."
The moment the ring slipped on, I felt Diana howl in excitement—she could finally mark her mate.
"I declare..." the elder announced loudly. "Kayden Blackwood and Layla Gray are formally mated!"
Cheers filled the hall. Kayden pulled me into his arms, his lips crashing onto mine. The kiss lingered amid the blessings, Kai's excited squeals, and Anna's tearful sobs...
I closed my eyes and kissed him back.
Finally.
We had made it.
That night was the full moon.
The traditional mating ceremony concluded with the pack's blessings. Torches lit a path through the forest, leading to a bridal chamber adorned with flowers, surrounded by pack members offering their well-wishes.
I'd changed into a lighter gown. Kayden held my hand as we walked slowly along the path. The pack began chanting the ancient blessing song, its melodic tones echoing through the night sky.
"Nervous?" he whispered in my ear.
"A little," I admitted. "With everyone watching..."
"Then don't look at them," Kayden said. "Just look at me."
I lifted my gaze to meet his. Those silver eyes glowed softly in the moonlight.