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She slowly lowers herself down to the chair and props her ankles up on the ottoman. “I have cankles! How am I supposed to marry you today when I can’t even see past my belly? What if I knock over the cake trying to give you a bite?” She drops her head into her hands.

I walk over to her and lift her head, “My love, you are as beautiful to me today as you were the day that you walked into my life. You are more beautiful now that you are carrying our children. Your cankles, as you called them, will never be seen by me. I am too busy being blessed by your presence, graced by your beauty, and awestruck by my luck to even notice something such as that. Now, if you would be so kind as to stand up, I would like to kiss my mate before she becomes my wife.” I grab her hands and gently lift her to standing. I wipe the stray tears that are sliding down her cheeks before pulling her into a kiss.

It isn’t normal in wolf packs for there to be a wedding. We usually only mate and that is enough. I wanted to go over the top for Nova since she was experiencing so many changes at once. Pups grow up expecting to find their mate and bond with them. Humans, especially little girls, grow up dreaming of their wedding.

I wanted to make sure that she didn’t lose out on that just because she is a wolf now. The entire pack is beyond excited to do something like this. Everyone has pitched in to make this the dream wedding for Nova.

There is a knock at our bedroom door. That must be Gail and Nellie. I was shocked when I met Nellie. She couldn’t be any more different from Nova if you tried, but it works. Nellie has been giving Xavior a run for his money. He doesn’t like how loud and obnoxious she is. She doesn’t like how cold and detached he is. Super fun!

Opening the door, I find the two ladies with their arms loaded down with stuff. “Why are you still here,” Nellie screeches when she sees me.

Moving out of her way, she bustles into the room. Gail smiles at me as she pats my face on her way by. “You have to go Silas, it's bad enough you stayed together last night. Don’t you know it’s bad luck to see the bride on her wedding day?” Nellie is a ball of energy as she frantically moves around the room, setting everything up.

I lean my shoulder against the door frame. “Nellie, I know you are new to the whole wolf pack life and all that. But we don’t recognize those traditions and as such, I won’t miss out on a chance to wake up with my arms wrapped around my mate.”

Sighing, she nods her head. “Fair enough, but can we at least have some of the traditions? Like you not seeing her wedding gown until she is walking down the aisle?”

Gail lets out a soft giggle, “Silas, you won’t win this argument. Might as well let her have this one. I am sure you have a suit to put on and do something with that hair.”

Pushing off the door frame, I walk over and plant a kiss on Gail’s cheek. “You are right, I will see you guys downstairs in thirty?”

“Oh my gosh, I have thirty minutes to get her ready?” Nellie comes flying at me with her arms swinging around. I stumble out into the hallway right before she slams the door.

I shake my head as I head to the guest suite down the hall that is the “groom’s quarters” as Nellie put it.

Opening the door, I find Warrick already fixing his suit. He has been pretty quiet over the last few months. Something changed after that day when the Ghost River Pack left. I haven’t even seen or heard of any more women leaving his cabin at all hours of the night.

“You good,” I ask Warrick.

He turns around to face me. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know. You have just been different the last few months.”

He comes over and claps me on the shoulder. “I’m good man. Besides, today is all about you and your mate.” He looks down at what I am wearing. “Speaking of, don’t you need to be getting dressed? I know we don’t normally do weddings, but I think it’s frowned upon to get married in pajamas.”

Chuckling, I walk over to where my suit is hanging in the closet. “Fine, fair enough. You know you can talk to me whenever, right?”

“Yeah man, I know. I just have a lot on my mind lately. But this isn’t about me. Let’s get you out there to that beautiful bride of yours.” He straightens his coat before walking over to the wet bar.

I finished getting myself dressed, and I fixed my hair since Gail pointed it out. I am just finishing the last inspections of my appearance when Warrick leans his head into the bathroom.

“Hey, it’s time. Let’s go.”

With one last look in the mirror, I flip off the light and head to the door. Warrick holds the door open and gives me a bright smile.

“You ready for the future?”

I clap him on the shoulder, “More than ready.”

The End For Now….