Epilogue
The Bonding Ceremony
Beautiful flower arrangements from The Honeybee Haven farm are spread throughout the entire venue: tabletops, a photo backdrop, even along the pillars holding the roof above us up.
Following their placement, the grand lighting above steals my attention, making me recall my first time here, getting a tour of the venue.
I had been so astonished and impressed, imagining the events and weddings, and bonding ceremonies that would take place in such a lavish place, surrounded by such extreme natural beauty.
The evening is coming to a close, especially as the sun starts to set earlier and earlier. With that, the dramatic mountains that frame and cradle the resort reflect the orange glow of the sunset just beyond. A little over a year ago, I never would have thought this day would come.
The truth and well of happiness echoes through me, serenely.
I look around me. The joyous laughter from the smaller tables, smiling faces, all the people that I've grown to love so dearly.
Calder's bright laugh at a comment from Remi, at his side, makes my own grow.
Realizing who was on the receiving end is pretty clear, seeing Adrian's eye roll.
My lead's arm tightens around me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head, before whispering, "You want something else to drink, babygirl? More cake?"
"Mmm," I hum, "No, my love. I'm perfect.
Thank you." They all look so deliciously handsome, dressed to the nines and styled immaculately.
My own gown is silken against my skin, a glowing white and perfectly dreamy.
Based purely on the glances and top-to-bottom looks each of my mates keeps giving me, I'd say they love it, too.
Out of my peripheral, a shot of blue snags my attention.
A woman nervously lingering to the side of the venue makes eye contact immediately with a soft wave, stepping out of sight, clearly relieved to have gotten my attention.
Muting my end of the bond immediately to hide the nerves slicing through me, I reach over and dig for my phone in the small white, glittering bag, seeing I've missed several calls and texts. Shit. Shit. Shit.
Without making it overtly obvious, I squeeze Calder's big hand and make my way to her, around the corner, hidden away.
"Hey…" I smile, trying not to startle her, holding the sides of my dress. "I'm Opaline. Are you…"
"Julia." She smiles, albeit nervously, and extends her hand in a polite and open gesture. She's beautiful and serves as a striking resemblance to one of my alphas. Dark, black hair cascades over her shoulders in a beautiful blue dress.
"Julia." I smile. "I'm so sorry, I missed your calls."
"Oh my gosh are you kidding?" She laughs, genuinely and understandably. "Only one of the biggest and busiest days of your life, no big deal!"
My smile grows, immediately taken with the gentle beta woman before me. Truthfully, I had my doubts and continued to second-guess myself over the previous weeks, having been hiding this from my alphas. But, now, I know, I have the confirmation I had needed. "You ready?" I ask softly.
Sucking in a breath, she nods, blue eyes bright. "Yes. Yeah."
"I'll go grab him and be right back." Gripping her hand, I give her a little encouragement.
Sage is already halfway to me as I turn the corner, jumping with a hand to my chest. "Hey, what are you doing, princess? You okay?"
Smothering my flightiness from the surprise, I move closer, and silently place a soft kiss to his lips, nodding.
It's almost too easy to fall under the spell of his beauty.
He looks so handsome in his perfectly tailored tux.
Shaking the daze, I continue, "I um. I kind of did something to surprise you.
" His brows furrow, maybe confused as to why I don't sound more excited in my surprise plans.
"Okay…are you sure you're okay?" He peeks behind me as if searching for a source of what's causing my out of character nervousness.
"More than." I pull his attention back to me.
"I love you so much, Sage. And I know, especially with today and this evening, we've gotten our happy ending.
There isn't a single thing in this life I could think to ask for now that I have you.
" Thoughts of knowing I will never be alone again strike again.
I have my pack, I have my friends, and I even have Calder's parent's pack in loving support.
"But, there was something I just couldn't get past, baby.
Please please don't be mad. I probably should have asked y—"
"Sweetheart, you're kind of freaking me out a little bit. You don't seem okay." Holding me close, his hands frame my cheeks. "What's going on?"
"Shit. I'm sorry. I guess with everything else, this part of my speech, I never actually prepared for. Anyway—" I cut him off before he can speak again. "I have someone here for you to see again…"
"Again? Speech? What?"
"Just, trust me?"
"Of course I do…but…Opal…hey—”
Dragging his hand at my side, I guide him to the side of the venue, hidden mostly by trees.
The further we move, Julia finally appears, turning towards us after seemingly pacing.
Jaw-dropping, he shakes his head, looking back and forth between the woman across from us and me.
Seconds pass as they both take the other in.
"Hey Sagey…" She smiles, moisture lining her eyes with a watery laugh, hands in front of her, twining together with nervous energy.
He stutters and fails to find words, shock evident on his face and zipping through the bond enough that I can feel the others are leaning into the connection to check in with us. I do my best to send positive, reassuring vibes.
"…Sis?"
"It's me," she softly sobs.
"I—"He shakes his head. "Wha—I mean. Holy shit." Wiping a hand down his face, he finds steady ground. "You look…great, amazing…" he says, stepping closer.
"I could say the same for you. You really grew up, huh?" Her smile lowers slightly, seriousness taking over momentarily. "Don't be mad at your omega, Sagey. She just wanted to help."
"Mad? I could never, would never be mad…" He glances over to me. "Baby, I'm not—"
"I know, love," I reassure him.
He turns back to his sister, at a loss. "Um, how—" the urge to comfort and soothe and climb him like a baby koala is almost undeniable with the raging river of emotions flashing through his scent and via our bond.
At the same time, she starts, "I have this f—" With a soft smile, she waits until he smiles gently too, encouraging her to go first. "I have this for you." Reaching out her hand, she passes him a white envelope.
Confused, he opens it. "What is…what is this?"
"It's all of it. It's every cent I owe you.
Every time you paid for my bail, every time you got me out of trouble.
Every time you helped me. It's the least I could do.
" She cradles her center, as if soothing herself, while also confident and clearly proud of the money she's able to pay back to her brother.
"No, I can't accept this, Julia." He goes to hand it back to her but she steps back a step, shaking her head. "Here."
"No, please keep it, Sage. Please."
"Thank you, Jules." He nods his head, but I can already feel through our bond that he's scheming how to give it back to her. Something tells me he's going to win this one.
Seconds pass with the only sound that of the music playing from the DJ behind us, in the venue.
Eventually, I can't take it anymore and decide to be a buffer for their reunion.
"Julia, I've heard so many lovely stories about you two as kids.
" I smile, the ones of him being sweet and brushing her hair or them getting into mischief together claiming the forefront.
She looks between Sage and I, hopeful light building in her eyes at the very thought.
With a hand on his lower back, stroking soothing brushes against his dress shirt, he finds the courage to speak.
At his side, showering him with adoration and soft, supportive touches, I simply listen, smiling and happy to be here for both of them.
Finally, after chatting for so long, Julia shares her journey to sobriety, going back to school, and learning how she can use her own struggles to help others.
She has a supportive and loving partner for the first time, and shares a couple of their stories, too.
In exchange, Sage and I fill her in on our bigger moments together and details of his owning and running the Resort we're at.
The pride and happiness at his success is obvious with every smile, every stray tear, and every head nod.
Eventually, after embracing in a heartwarming hug, he asks her to join our bonding ceremony celebration and to come meet our pack.
Now, Sage holds me close, swaying on the dance floor, and every bit of his love shines through directly to my own heart. "Thank you, Opaline. For giving me my sister back."
"And hey, if those numbskulls ever piss you off, come to me. I'll put 'em in their place." Bennett winks and grins just as my love comes to my side.
"Well. I was going to be polite and ask if I could step in and dance with my wife.
But if that's an indication of how this chat's been going, I'm not sure it's necessary.
" Calder huffs, but I can feel through the bond that he's more than happy and just being a tease.
With a cheeky grin, Bennett turns to leave us, offering me a playful bow before heading straight for a certain someone.
"Mmm! Baby, princess, you gotta try this one!" Sage comes bounding over, dessert bowl in hand, smile wide.
"I guess our dance can wait…" Calder gives me a look full of exasperation at Sage's antics. This is probably the eighth time tonight that he's had me try a new flavor of ice cream. None of which are new to the menu at Ethyl's.
"Open." Bringing the spoon to my lips, I gather the small taste into my mouth and make sure to exaggerate the sounds to appease my sweet boy.
"Mmm! Oh, honey, that one might be the best one yet!"