Page 40 of A Luna's Revenge (Stone Mountain Shifters)
Asher
Michelle has been my chosen mate for 20 years now, and I am as happy as possible to be without our fated mate, but I am more than content. We sit here at our son’s wedding, the male I took to raise when she and I mated. When Michelle’s first husband died, he left her a pregnant widow. Xavier was a tiny pup at the time, but he is the closest I will ever be to having one of my own.
Xavier is standing at the front of the church, next to the officiant. You can tell he is nervous as he continues raking his hand through his hair and straightening his clothes. As the wedding march begins, he stills and slowly looks down the aisle at the opening double doors. On the other side is a vision in white that stops my breath. She is the spitting image of her mother with long silver hair.
Tears prick my eyes as Jenson, usually silent in the back of our mind, takes notice and pushes forward. “Charlie?” He whispers the only word I ever hear from him anymore.
“No, Jenson, that’s Charlie’s daughter, Lianna.”
“Lianna? No. It can’t be. She’s wearing the wedding dress she wore at our wedding.” That’s the most I’ve heard him say in years.
“Yes. Charlie’s daughter Lianna is marrying our stepson Xavier, and she is wearing her mother’s dress. Remember Michelle talking to you about this?”
“No. Maybe.” He sighs, his attention waning, andhe reverts to staring at the wall. Over the years, the barriers between Jenson and I have crumbled, and I can hear his thoughts again. His memories with Charlie play on a constant loop. It’s the only place he can find happiness now.
On the other hand, I’ve found a manner of happiness mated to Michelle and raising Xavier. It’s the best I can hope for in this lifeandit’s enough for me. I look at Michelle and smile as she wipes her eyes with a tissue and gives me a watery smile. I rest my arm across her shoulders, squeeze her to me, and kiss her forehead. Yes, It’s more than enough.
We turn back and watch as Xavier kisses his bride, and I hope he is smart enough to hang on to his fated mate tight because mates are precious, and happiness is fleeting if you squander it.