Chapter 56
Ariana
Ifeel younger than I have in years.
Of course, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve officially been alive for three decades. I simply don’t think I’ve ever had as much energy as I do today.
“You’re going to ruin your makeup if you keep tearing up every time you look at me,” I point out to my mom.
We see each other more than we ever have since I moved out. Especially now that I have my own license and can visit her whenever I want. She’s somehow only gotten more emotional.
She sniffles, raising her eyes to the ceiling so her eyes don’t drip. “I’m trying. I love you, and I love them, and I love that you love each other.”
Her repetition is the prelude to wailing. Rooted in place as I get my makeup done, I wave over Chelsea. A childhood friend I reconnected with, and one of my bridesmaids.
“Can you two go check if all the bouquets are there for me, please?” I plead with her through the mirror I’ve been parked in front of the entire morning.
“Of course. Let’s go!” She takes my mom’s arm gently, walking away. As she leaves, she turns around and gives me a thumbs up.
By the time they return, it’s almost time for the bonding ceremony to begin. It’s a small and intimate affair by most people’s standards. Well, as small as a bonding ceremony can be when one of the pack members alone has twenty siblings. It’s exactly what I wanted.
It took me over a year to plan. I think I gained a couple of gray strands from the process. My alphas didn’t complain, patiently helping me select napkin colors no matter how late the hour. They make things easy.
“You look so beautiful,” my mom whispers as the bridesmaids file in. “I’m thankful you found each other.”
“Me too.” I whisper back to her honestly. I’m beyond thankful. There isn’t a word strong enough to describe it. They saved me and taught me love.
The doors swing open, slow music playing. Arm in arm with my mom, clutching my bouquet, I slowly walk down the aisle. I can’t stop the smile from crossing onto my face as I make my way in. The sniffles from beside me tell me my mom’s lost her battle against her tears.
She isn’t the only one. Nico wipes his eyes as I approach. Not a single one of my pack takes their eyes off of me. When my mom and I arrive at the archway, they all hurry forward to offer me a hand.
“Miss me?” I ask teasingly, my own eyes starting to water.
“Always.” Jason answers quickly. “Every time you’re not around.”
“You look stunning,” Nico whispers.
Cheeks starting to hurt from how strongly I’m beaming, I shimmy from side to side excitedly. “So do all of you.”
They’re each in black suits, sleek and elegant. Their handkerchiefs are the same baby pink as my dress.
Evan plants a kiss to my head. “This is the best day of my life.”
Sebastian nods in agreement. “You make me the happiest man in the world.”
My mother in law, Meredith, smiles at us affectionately. She’s dressed in the same baby blue as the rest our family members are. Once we’ve all greeted each other, she begins officiating.
All that effort into planning today, only for half of it to register.
Evan says “I do” before Meredith finishes speaking, making our guests titter with laughter.
Each alpha kisses me in different ways, dipping or lifting me, light and gentle or passionately.
I definitely register being finally introduced as Ariana Coates.
It sends another rush of excitement down my spine.
Our reception is similar. My dancing skills are still lacking, but my pack doesn’t let me off the dance floor regardless. The photographer catches an adorable picture of my mom and Nico tearing up together. Sebastian makes a donation to omega charities in my name as a gift.
I almost spill cake on Jason’s suit when I try to feed it to him, and he has to hold my hand to save his outfit. A smudge of icing finds its way to my face like it did on my birthday all those years ago, making me whip around to my pack.
Evan, Sebastian and Nico all point to each other, making my eyes narrow. But they soften immediately, fondness warming my body. It’s not a bond that makes me swell with affection.
The bond will come later tonight, before we leave for our honeymoon. We’ll mark and claim each other away from our guests, private and intimately. I’ll have a mark born of love, not possession.
Even through hard times, we choose to be together. Today, we’ve sealed that we plan to do it for the rest of our lives.