Epilogue
ALENA
Later that May
I gaze around, mouth agape, and heart racing. I can’t believe Loch did this.
All of this? For me?
I practically stumble down the aisle.
“Careful there, sweetpea.” My dad catches me with his arm hooked in mine. “I got ya.”
Nadine steels my other arm. The one shaking with my bouquet of green Lenten roses, magnolia leaves, and eucalyptus.
“When… when did he do all this?” I whisper as my feet float barefoot over the grass of our new backyard, my ivory lace dress trailing behind me.
Our new luxury log cabin overlooks a mountain vista. With its soaring, wrap-around deck, two-story windows, and stone accent walls, it towers over a verdant yard blooming with pink azaleas, lilacs, and a rainbow of snapdragons.
And I haven’t even been inside.
All Loch has said for months about our wedding venue is that we would spend our honeymoon there too.
Then he told me last night, while he spun me around the glowing fire at a park’s campground with everyone there for our party—family, friends, campers like Sue and Juliana, and fellow rangers—that our honeymoon retreat will also be our new home.
But I can’t believe my eyes. They brim with overwhelmed tears. It’s not just our new home, it’s our dream.
My mom would’ve loved it. We’ll plant a birch tree for her in the yard, though I feel her everywhere with me.
“I made sure it has five bedrooms,” Dad teases, side-whispering. “Three for my grandkids and one for their grandpa.”
Grandpa? My dad’s only in his forties, but why do I suspect he’ll make a great one? Young enough to chase after them. Grumpy enough to be adorable.
“It’s perfect for you two.” Nadine sniffles, adding, “He had the kitchen remodeled with sage green cabinets, wooden beams, and elegant white tiles for you. Shh. Don’t tell him I spoiled the surprise, but what can I say? I raised sons every daughter deserves.”
She sure did.
Loch stands beneath a simple wooden wedding arch laced with ivy and magnolias. In his dark-blue suit, he’s a beautiful beast, swiping a tear away as he sees me walking toward him.
Why is that so sexy to me?
A man strong enough to show his emotions. They shimmer in my eyes as well.
We didn’t pick a best man or a maid of honor this time. All the kings are dressed in suits like his, and all my queens chose any shade of green that makes them feel beautiful.
Loch even knew I didn’t want formal rows of seats and lots of guests. It’s just our family and Wilder, Remi, and Bishop—my brewing bodyguards—seated on wooden farm chairs in a wide circle around our ceremony.
It warms my heart, watching Nadine take her seat beside Sasha, who’s beaming with her family. I get another warm fuzzy when Dad nestles in beside Vale, who proudly winks at me.
My, how far me and my bestie have come from nine-one-one eggplant.
I’m in a teary daze, love drunk with my hands clasped to Loch’s, our eyes anchored to each other as his brother, Sire, begins our service. His sermon going on.
And on.
And on.
It makes Loch start to smirk and me smile.
Sire booms, “For marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of two hearts, the union of two lives, and—”
A baby cries out.
We look over, laughing. It’s Sire’s daughter, Bluebell, ready to nurse.
“Don’t mind us,” Wren chirps, lowering the silky strap of her dress to feed their baby. It’s beautiful. Natural. And everything I want one day.
Until Grant groans at Sire. “Dude, even your daughter wants you to hurry up and marry them.”
“Dad, how much longer?” Axel’s son, Lev, is understandably losing his patience.
Axel wraps around him, whispering in his ear with a grin while Ruby also takes the moment to feed their newborn daughter, Lyona.
“Might as well join ’em.” Nick grins, reaching for a bottle from the baby bag under his seat. He preps it and hands it to Zar to feed to their newborn daughter, Zarina.
Yes, this family is full of young lionesses.
Sire takes the hint, speeding along. I say my vows. Praying I don’t snot cry and mess up my mascara because I’m so in love.
Loch says his. My beastly bear, blinking back tears when he adds to his vows…
“Alena”—he swallows—“sometimes we tell lies to protect the ones we love. But sometimes we love them even more and tell them the truth. And, now, Babygirl, there’s only one truth between us. Our love. Always.”
He leans down, kissing me, making me whimper over our lips.
“Hey!” Jace calls out. “Aren’t you skipping something?”
Skipping something? Jace is the one sitting beside his new, breathtaking queen-to-be. That’s a whole story. How Vivian walked in on my initiation.
But for now, my dad clears his throat, barking, “Yeah. You never asked if anyone objects to this wedding.”
My heart drops, my stare whipping his way as he rises beside Vale with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Uh, Dad…” I may always be his princess, and a blushing bride right now, but I’m also a badass queen who’s not going through this shit again.
“If you still have a problem with Loch being my husband, then that’s your little red wagon to pull, not mine.
Please, take a seat. We’re ten seconds from being married. ”
“No, you’re not,” Dad declares, voice stern. “Loch needs to prove his love if he wants my daughter’s hand.”
“Yeah.” Jace juts his chin.
“That’s right,” Grant bellows.
“He’s gotta.” Nick shrugs.
Axel nods. “Every king has to fight for his queen.”
I sweep my glare to Sire, who holds up his Bible. “It’s part of our vow,” he decrees.
Turning to Loch, I gasp, desperate for an answer. “What kind of Bratva bullshit is this?”
But he kisses my cheek, resigned. “It’s Fate, Babygirl.”
In three strides, he meets my father, who presents to him a ukulele from behind his back.
Loch strums it, turning to me, launching into Robbie’s song from The Wedding Singer.
And he does make me smile.
Every day.
For the rest of my life.
NOT THE END