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There was no way for me to know what was in store for our future, or how things would go between Colson and Sparkle Hollow, but there was one thing I knew for sure: I loved Colson. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted more in the world than to be his wife.

“Yes,” I said. “I’ll marry you.”

He placed the ring on my finger. I admired the way it sparkled in the light, casting tiny rainbows over every surface when I moved it.

“This is beautiful,” I whispered as he got to his feet and took me in his arms.

“A beautiful ring for the most beautiful woman in the world,” Colson said.

“That’s the cheesiest thing you’ve ever said,” I laughed as I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.

His lips were soft against mine, as if I were a valuable and precious artifact he needed to protect.

“But it’s the truth,” he said against my lips.

“Mm,” I agreed happily. “So, when are we getting married?”

“Today,” Colson said.

“Today?!” I asked in surprise, pulling my face back so I could look at him.

“You seem surprised,” he chuckled. “I’ve waited long enough for you to be my wife. I’m not letting another day go by without claiming you to the world.”

“That doesn’t leave much time to plan,” I pointed out.

“Everything is planned,” Colson said, rubbing my arms comfortingly. “Reagan is getting everything set up right now.”

“What about Jenny?”

“I talked to Jenny about it last night during game night while you were out of the room,” Colson said. “She didn’t think she’d be able to keep it a secret from you for very long, so she helped me win, and I texted the Spencers to see if they could have her over for a sleepover.”

“You two are sneaky,” I laughed. “I never would have guessed.”

“Mrs. Spencer is getting your dress ready—she’s a seamstress—as well as Jenny’s,” Colson continued. “All you have to do today is relax and come with me to the pack house at noon for our ceremony.”

***

Two hours later, I was still in shock when Mrs. Spencer arrived with Jenny and two garment bags.

“I can’t thank you enough for your help,” Colson said, welcoming her into the house as Jenny bounded toward me and wrapped me in a giant hug.

“It was no trouble at all,” Mrs. Spencer beamed. “Christa, your daughter is a delight. She was a wonderful help last night, and we’re all so excited to be there for your vows this afternoon.”

“Thank you so much,” I told her sincerely. “And thank you for the dresses. I’m honored that you were willing to do this for us.”

She waved her hand in dismissal of my thanks and bid us goodbye, heading back home to get herself and her family ready for the event.

“You two should get dressed,” Colson told us.

Jenny and I grabbed the bags and headed to the guest room, which had slowly turned into Jenny’s room over the past week.

“Wow,” I said, unzipping the bag and revealing the gown inside. The floor-length ivory dress was sleeveless, with lace detailing on the top that flowed into a tulle skirt.

“Isn’t it pretty?” Jenny asked. “I love the lace. It’s going to be perfect on you, Mom. And mine matches!”

She unzipped her own bag and pulled out a dress in a similar style, although shorter and with cap sleeves. We donned our dresses and did each other’s hair before heading back into the living room where Colson was waiting for us, already wearing his suit and tie. A boutonniere of yellow roses and baby’s breath adorned his lapel as he handed matching bouquets to both Jenny and me.

“You look great, Jenny-bug,” he told her as she beamed with pride. “And you,” he turned to me. “Wow.”

Colson grabbed my hand and twirled me in a circle to admire my dress from all angles. He shook his head slightly as I turned back around to face him, and I knew he was feeling lucky that we had made it to this moment.

We climbed into his car and drove the short distance to the pack house, where a great many members of the pack had gathered for our ceremony.

“You didn’t invite everyone , did you?” I asked nervously.

“Don’t worry,” Colson replied as he helped me from the car. “Given the short notice, it’s going to be a small ceremony. I didn’t think you’d want everyone’s eyes on you, anyway.”

I squeezed his hand in appreciation, and we headed inside, where Reagan had outdone himself in getting the space ready for a wedding. The windows that lined the common area had been opened, letting in a gentle breeze that made the room smell like flowers and sunshine. Bouquets of yellow and white flowers adorned the ivory-clothed tables. Trays of food and drinks were being passed around to everyone in attendance.

As soon as we were spotted, everyone gathered around the wooden arch that had been decorated with yellow ribbons and ivy. Jenny walked in front of us, smiling at everyone, until we reached the arch. She stood off to one side, and I handed her my bouquet, kissing the top of her head.

“I love you, baby,” I told her.

“I love you more,” she said.

I turned to face Colson and joined hands with him as he began the ceremony.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming on such short notice,” he said. “We’re going to make this short and sweet and then get to the part where we celebrate our marriage.”

The room erupted into cheers and claps, and I grinned at Colson. I had been worried about being accepted by his pack, but I realized now that I had nothing to fear. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was home.

“Some of you may know that Christa and I have known each other for a long time,” Colson continued. “I made a lot of mistakes and thought she was lost to me. But the great wolf god granted me a second chance, and I’m so glad that I took it. Christa, I vow to love you every day and hold you above all others. I vow to be your champion and to be by your side until the end of my life.”

He paused so I could say my vows to him.

“Colson, I vow to be your best friend and the voice of reason when the world around us seems to be too much to bear. I vow to stick by your side through the good times and bad, and to remind you of your strength and kindness when you forget who you are,” I said.

Colson squeezed my hands with eyes full of emotion, and I squeezed them back. Behind me, I could hear a sniffle and knew that Jenny was tearing up as well.

“I, Alpha Colson Marsden, take you, Christa Lionel of Sparkle Hollow, to be my one true mate,” Colson said.

“I, Christa Lionel of the Sparkle Hollow pack, take you, Alpha Colson Marsden, to be my one true mate,” I repeated.

The crowd cheered as we kissed and sealed the bond between us. I looked out toward the crowd and smiled, only to have the smile fall from my face as an alarm rang out suddenly. Colson grabbed my hand and reached for Jenny before sprinting toward the front of the building.

“What is that?” I asked, fear filtering into my voice.

“It’s our perimeter alarm,” Colson explained. “It means a wolf from another pack has crossed our boundaries in their shifter form. Someone is coming.”

The room erupted into action as the assembled wolves filed outside, ready to confront whatever threat was heading our way.

“Should we take Jenny somewhere?” I asked.

“No time,” Colson replied. “They’re already here.”

He nodded down the road toward the forest, where a group of wolves barreled toward the pack house at full speed.

“That’s Alpha Lex,” I told him. “Sparkle Hollow knows where I am. I’m so sorry, Colson. I should have come up with a plan for this.”

“It’s not your fault. I hoped we had more time, but they were bound to find out eventually. We’ll figure this out,” he assured me.

“Together,” I promised, squeezing his hand.

The wolves slid to a stop in front of the pack house and shifted back into their human forms, with Alpha Lex at the front of the group. Beside him stood Franco, and I realized what must have happened. I had thought he had been thrown off my scent when I ran into him in the hardware store, but he must have figured out who I really was and passed the information to his allies back home.

“Colson Marsden!” Lex shouted from his spot twenty feet away. “You have some explaining to do.”