Chapter 23
One week later.
In the art room, I gazed at my resplendent reflection in the standing mirror.
I’d wanted a simple dress for the mating ceremony and had asked Melody to help.
She didn’t disappoint and worked day and night to fashion the most exquisite gown.
While it appeared simple at first glance, the details and off-white fabric felt like magic on my body.
The only thing I’d asked was that it didn’t itch or have beads that would pop off.
The A-line style made my narrow hips appear fuller, the chiffon pure magic. She knew how much I loved a V-neckline, and because of the chilly weather, she found a white shawl to cross over my shoulders that was sheer enough not to hide my dress.
After brushing at my hem, Melody stood up with a sheepish grin. “I forgot a pin. How does it feel? It’s a little late for any major alterations.” She examined the waist. “I could cinch this in a little more…”
I threw my arms around her. “Oh, I love it so much. Don’t be a perfectionist. This is the most beautiful gown I’ve ever worn.”
She sniffled. “You’re not supposed to make me cry on your wedding day.”
I drew back and smiled at how we were roughly the same height. On a normal day, Melody stood about three inches taller, but I had on stacked sneakers.
I pulled up the dress in the front and showed off my white shoes. Melody had designed them, so they had sparkly stones all over. “These are fun. I was worried everyone would expect me in high heels.”
She scoffed. “Nobody can see what’s going on under there. Besides, on your mating day, you can wear whatever you want.”
“Normally I’d go barefoot, but it’s too cold.” I admired my oval turquoise hair clips that pinned my wavy hair.
Hope had gifted me a short chain for my locket that reached the perfect length for the cut of my dress. I touched it, feeling my parents with me. My mom was happy yet apprehensive about the wedding but couldn’t make it. She loved me, and that’s all that mattered.
“It’s only missing one thing,” Hope said from behind.
I turned around and admired her red dress. One request I’d made for my ceremony was that everyone wear a different color. Melody chose a midnight-blue blouse and matching pants with flared legs, Joy picked out a yellow dress, and Mercy of course was in pale blue.
Hope handed me a crown made of peach-colored roses and green stems. “If you don’t like it, that’s fine. I thought it might look pretty.”
“Not like it?” I snatched the crown and immediately put it on. “It’s gorgeous!”
She sputtered with laughter. “You didn’t even look in the mirror.”
“I don’t have to.”
While she adjusted its position on my head, I discreetly touched her arm and felt nothing but anticipation and excitement.
I should’ve kept my hands to myself, but I was curious if my future packmates had any hidden reservations about this coupling.
We got along exceptionally well, but deep down, were they disappointed or sad that Salem had chosen a sick woman?
“I better join the others,” Melody said before jogging out the door.
Hope stood behind me while I gazed at my reflection. “Nervous?”
“Not even a little. I wish we could do this every day. Thanks for keeping up all the holiday lights after Christmas.”
We had shared a wonderful holiday together, and I learned about the different traditions in the house.
Hope and Tak didn’t share the same exact beliefs since they were raised differently and had different Native backgrounds.
Bear cooked a delicious dinner two days in a row, small gifts were exchanged, everyone took off work, and our bonds strengthened.
Salem and I slept in the heat house with plans for me to officially move in after the ceremony. Not only did I want to be respectful of Tak’s home, but I absolutely loved our private time. It was like having a honeymoon before the wedding.
“Tak’s waiting at the back door,” she informed me. “Whenever you’re ready.”
After Hope left, I stared at the girl in the mirror who would soon be married.
“Never did I imagine,” I murmured, thinking how different I felt from the woman who once ran scared from any relationship because I was so fixated on the ending that I didn’t want to put anyone through that pain.
What if my father had done the same? What if he had chosen not to give my mother years of laughter, happiness, and a child? Now I understood why he chose love.
I took the mosaic walking cane Robyn had ordered from a store in San Antonio and slowly made my way out, my right leg dragging because of the shoe.
When I entered the living room, I glanced up at the large papers draped over the window and smiled mischievously.
It took a lot of coordination, but when the entire Arrowhead pack went out to the Rabbit Lounge the previous night for a private dinner, Eden helped me sneak in a few professionals to install the window.
The pack stayed out all evening celebrating our upcoming ceremony, and no one was allowed to leave early.
But Salem could since he was always on call.
Instead of a medical emergency, he went home to let the workers in.
He claimed he didn’t look at the window so he would be surprised during the reveal, and I couldn’t wait to rip that paper down. I just wish I could’ve seen it first.
What if they put it in backward? No, that’s impossible. Oh my God, what if it’s upside down?
“Quinn?” Tak called out.
“Coming!” When I reached the back door, I smiled. “It takes me a little longer these days.”
His jaw dropped. “You look like a flower.”
“And you look like a rose. Where did you find a red jacket?”
He smiled down at his suit jacket, no shirt beneath in typical Tak fashion. “Red is good luck. You should wear it.”
“I don’t have to. My hair is close enough.”
He rocked with laughter.
“Why not red pants? Everyone is supposed to dress in one color.”
He sighed at his tan trousers. “Red didn’t come in my size. Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
From the deck, the oak trees near the fence obscured the pasture where everyone was gathered. I frowned at the length of the walk and wondered if I should have chosen the backyard instead. After carefully navigating the steps, Tak faced me when I reached the last one.
“It would be my honor to carry you,” he offered.
“Aren’t you supposed to walk me down the aisle?”
He searched for an answer, one where he likely wouldn’t insult me on my wedding day by suggesting I couldn’t walk. “I don’t have faith they cleared out all the horseshit. That white dress will never make it.”
“Good point.”
Being the giant he was, Tak lifted me with ease.
I stared at the tattooed side of his face and remembered the story he’d told me about his past and why he chose to mark himself.
He was an exemplary leader I was proud to call my Packmaster.
Packs always look for powerful and strong alphas, but Tak was also patient, fair, and willing to listen.
“Can I ask you something personal?”
He slowed his pace. “You can ask me anything.”
“Salem’s trying really hard to fix me, and I know if anyone can, it’s him. But if for some reason the fates have other plans, will you look after him? You know what it’s like to lose someone, and he’ll blame himself.”
Tak came to a grinding halt halfway across the yard. He searched my eyes before answering. “He’ll have my guidance and support, but I can’t promise to fix his pain any more than he can fix yours.”
“That’s all I want. When I couldn’t help my father, I blamed myself for not doing enough.
My mom knew what she was signing up for when they married, but she wasn’t prepared.
Nobody knows how hard the endings are. The burden of guilt, the pain, the work you have to put in, the sacrifice.
And then when it’s over, the loneliness. ”
Tak’s eyes shimmered, and he averted his gaze to the field. “I’ll watch over him, no matter how rough it may get. My word is my bond.”
I locked my arms around his neck. “I knew I liked you for a reason.”
He chuckled softly and continued his stride. “Nice shoes.”
Tak’s bittersweet sadness slowly dissipated until the only emotions I felt were pride and joy. With each step closer to my future husband, the stronger his emotions became until love was wrapped all around me.
Though I wanted to look away and keep it all a surprise, I couldn’t help but soak in the moment. On a beautiful sunny day, the sky as blue as an ocean, my new family gathered in a semicircle before an archway of flowers.
I gasped. “Who did that?”
Tak waggled his brows. “Lakota and I spent all night making it. Sneaking the flowers in was the hard part.”
Salem faced Eden, who stood just beyond the archway in a lovely orange dress with a wide black belt.
Tak set me down. When I turned in a circle to show off my dress, there were surprised expressions from those who hadn’t seen me.
I adjusted my crown and felt my heart racing in the most wonderful way.
Salem faced me, and when he did, my heart stopped. He looked so handsome. Not just because of his hair being down, but the suit! That black suit and colorful tie made him an absolute dream. When I blew a kiss at him, he caught it and pressed it to his heart.
I hooked my arm in Tak’s, birds chirping in nearby trees, when suddenly Virgil began singing “Let’s Stay Together” while doing a little dance in his purple suit and snapping his fingers to the beat.
It made me want to dance, so I gave Tak my cane and clapped my hands to the beat as I walked up the aisle.
Tak stayed by my side, his arm against my back for support.
The others clapped along, except Krys, who bobbed his head.
Cleo wasn’t dressed up but still honored the color rule by wearing a bright-pink hoodie.
The nearer I got to him, the more I realized his eyes were shimmering with tears.
When I reached the finish line, I snagged his tie and drew in close. “I like your tie.”
“You look—”