Page 56

Verity

Four months later

L ooking at my reflection in the ornately carved full-length standing mirror, I smoothed the delicate pale gold lace overlay of my voluminous wedding gown. The sweetheart neckline, accented with waterfalls of tiny golden beads, showed off the swell of my breasts and Jonas’ bond mark.

My pack tattoo and Jonas’ bond mark peaked out of the off-the-shoulder sleeves, my arms bare except for the tiny airplane-with-a-heart tattoo on my wrist that matched Grif. The dress pooled to the ground all around me in delicate pleats, with a trailing train.

“It’s too much, isn’t it? I mean, Grif and I have been bonded for months now. It’s silly enough to have a big wedding like this. Now, to wear this dress?” Oh, how I loved this dress. It was fit for an omega princess trapped in a tower about to be married off to an alpha king who turned into a dragon.

“ Sweetheart ,” Jonas warned as he leaned around me to give me a kiss.

AJ was with Grif. Grace and Mercy had gone off to get something. Creed was running interference with the parents. Dean was helping my little siblings pass out bread to our waiting guests.

“First off, you’ve always dreamt of a big, fancy wedding in a garden. If anyone is stomping on your dreams, fuck them. Also, how long had your sister been bonded before her giant wedding?” Jonas continued lacing up the back of my dress.

“More than a year,” I admitted. Of course, Grace’s mates had bought a wedding venue with a garden and done it up, and that took time, especially since she wanted the rose garden to be in bloom.

Jonas finished lacing me up and touched my face. My hair hung down in waves.

“You love this dress. You look perfect in this dress. Every single one of us can’t wait to strip it off you.” Jonas kissed my neck, careful of my makeup, which was perfect and smokey, with a hint of shimmer.

My core tightened, going molten. “You’re such a tease.”

He looked so good in his white tux, an omega lily pinned to his tux jacket.

“I do love this dress,” I admitted, swishing the skirt back and forth. Plenty of alpha females wore gold wedding dresses, though they were usually sleeker, sexier. Still, there was no good reason not to wear the gold poofy princess dress of my dreams, other than my own anxiety.

Okay, and Mumsy making an offhand comment.

“You look like a princess–and there’s been plenty of alpha princesses in history.” Jonas fluffed up the skirt. “If you need me to appeal to your practical side, I’m pretty sure the fancy fashion shop didn’t give you the dress purely out of kindness. They’re hoping the internet will be flooded with photos.”

“True.” My lips twitched.

Things had been busy. The Knights won the PHL championship finals against the Sasquatches. The Maimers had gone far but not all the way, so their season wrapped about the same time.

After, we’d made a trip to the poon palace so Dean and Grif could have their heats.

Then we’d traveled to London to visit Dad and the littles. After that, I had four runway shows during the Paris Fashion Festival, which included one of Vecci’s, and the bridal showcase for the renowned House of Dubois. Where Mercy and Riley sat in the front row, and no one fell in their laps.

The House of Dubois had let me keep the dress I’d worn. This beautiful, ethereal, expensive wedding dress–with a coordinating crutch.

“You’re right, it would be a shame not to wear it.” My hand flew to my necklace, which was the diamond heart with the matching earrings that Grif had given me.

We’d then had Mercy’s excellent eighteenth party, where she’d rented out a club, had a DJ, hired a tattoo artist, and brought in a ton of food.

Now, here we were. In the freaking castle Grace had found for me, on the island I’d been to as a child . The one where I’d first heard the stories behind omega lilies as we picnicked in a field.

Giddiness shot through me. I was about to have my wedding.

My giant wedding. Everyone was assembling in the garden. Knights, Maimers, friends, all my siblings, all the parents but Mom. Grif’s, AJ’s, and Dean’s entire family, Jonas’ sister, Hana, and best friend, Charlie also came.

While I wasn’t sure I wanted all the parents there, I’d wanted my younger siblings to attend, which had been the tradeoff.

The castle had an elaborate garden full of omega lilies and other fragrant flowers–the perfect place for a summer wedding. I’d fallen in love with it when I’d visited over spring break when I’d come on my flower-buying expedition for my research. Research that was going scarily well.

“Knock knock,” Grace’s voice went sing-song, as the door opened. “Oh, Verity. You look radiant.”

“Thank you for making my dream wedding happen.” I kissed her on the cheek. We’d paid for some, but she’d covered part, so that I didn’t feel like I had to accept any money from the parents.

“You deserve the wedding of your dreams, not what anyone deems appropriate.” Grace wore a long baby pink designer dress. Her blonde hair had grown out and brushed her shoulders.

“You look fantastic.” Mercy checked the laces on the back of my dress. “Wow, Jonas, you laced it up right.”

My little sister wore a seafoam green one. The dress code was pastels. Her brown hair was down in waves with the top braided.

Jonas bowed. “I aim to please.”

“Here. You need something blue. Wear this for the wedding.” Grace put a delicate gold cuff bracelet with very pale blue stones around my wrist.

“It’s exquisite. Thank you.”

“I’m coming in. I want to see,” a French-accented voice said as Mama walked in. She was tall for a beta, almost five-foot-ten, and wore baby blue, which brought out her blue-green eyes. Her light brown hair hung down her back.

“Mama.” I gave her a hug.

Things were pretty good between us. She’d been a tremendous help to Grace, Mercy, and me in the wedding planning processes and hadn’t said a single word against all the fanciful plans.

If anything, she kept suggesting things. I was glad she’d made it out from Bayside.

“Trés belle.” She air-kissed my cheek. Her makeup brought out her delicate but striking features. “Grace, everything is superb. Bravo.”

“Thank you.” Grace beamed. Their relationship had gotten better, too.

“Verity.” Baba stood in a black tux but with a baby blue tie and vest. He was a very tall alpha, as tall as Grif, though not quite as broad. Still, he was formidable. His golden skin was darker than mine, but I had his dark hair and many of his features.

“Baba.” My stomach twisted a little. Our relationship was still strained.

He gave my mother a fond look, then tilted his toward the door.

Mama laughed. “Come, the alphas need to talk.”

Grace squeezed my hand. “See you out there.”

“I’m an alpha. I’m eighteen now, and I’m staying,” Mercy said as Dare came into the room. She shot Baba a challenging look.

For a moment I wasn’t sure if Baba would allow it, but he just shrugged. Jonas helped me sit in a chair by the window because this might take a moment.

Baba launched into the traditional speech, making sure I fully understood my duties as an alpha taking an omega. Some of them were rather specific . Jonas kept smirking.

Ugh. I didn’t need my father telling me how often I needed to bone my omega. But I kept silent and tried not to giggle. The fact that he’d even offered to do this meant everything .

Toward the end of the speech, I realized he clutched a large, carved wooden box.

“Do you understand, Cupcake? Will you remember this and be a good alpha to your chosen omega? Having an omega is an esteemed privilege, not a right,” he asked me when he finished.

“I understand, Baba, and I’ll remember this and be a good alpha,” I replied.

Oh. He hadn’t called me Cupcake in a very long time.

“Your grandmother sent this for you to wear today.” Baba held out the box.

“She did?” I wasn’t expecting that. Grandma turned down my invitation, citing another commitment. But I also understood that not everyone could or wanted to travel to Greece.

He opened the box. “It is very special that she’s allowing you to wear this. Your favorite grandfather gave it to her when she joined their pack. It has been in his family for a very long time.”

I eyed the delicate gold tiara. “It’s beautiful.”

The fact she’d chosen something he’d given her meant everything.

“Wow. Can I wear it when I get a mate?” Dare grinned.

Baba shot him an unamused look as he took it and set it on my head. He stepped back and snapped a photo.

“I won’t tell her you had one of the necklaces made into cufflinks and tie tacks.” Baba grimaced.

“They’re guys. I thought maybe they’d like to actually wear their gifts sometimes.” I shrugged. AJ’s family’s jeweler had done an amazing job, too.

They all wore them today. It was nice to give them something special.

While I was making progress engineering a rose for Grif, it wasn’t ready yet.

Baba’s look softened in a way I hadn’t seen in a long time as his sandy scent surrounded me. He straightened the crown. “You have grown up so fast–and into an amazing alpha. Look at you. Joining a successful pack. Having two omegas. You’re working on your PhD at a prestigious university. You’re an alpha to be proud of.”

“She is,” Jonas told him, squeezing my hand.

The tears started to flow. I’d wanted to hear that for so long. I sniffed. “Thank you, Baba.”

“Don’t cry, you’ll ruin your makeup.” Mercy got a tissue and dabbed my tears.

“Can I have a moment?” Baba asked Jonas, Mercy, and Dare.

All three of them gave me looks. I nodded, and they slipped out. Jonas sent a shot of love and reassurance through the bond.

“I’m sorry for being a shitty father, Cupcake. I love you. I should’ve been different, and I understand if you never forgive me. It wasn’t you.” He cupped my chin with his large, golden hand as his brown eyes met mine. “You are enough. It was never you.”

Before I could ask for clarification, he kissed me on the forehead and left the room without a backward glance.

For a moment I couldn't breathe. What had just happened?

You are enough. It was never you. A tear rolled down my face. Those words healed a little part of me right there. Even if I didn’t know exactly what he meant.

Jonas rushed in and wiped away the tear on my cheek. “Are you okay? What did he say?”

“What I’ve needed to hear for a long time.” That was unexpected. Both him telling me he was proud of me and apologizing.

I’d take it.

“Baba is different since the pack broke up,” Dare said quietly, joining us, Mercy behind him.

“It… it seems that way,” I agreed. Mama had said he was now more like the man she fell in love with–and not the alpha he became.

But I hadn’t believed it until now. Huh.

“That was a very educational speech,” Mercy told me with a snort.

Jonas grinned at me. “It was. I think I should make sure Grif knows his coital rights.”

Mercy grimaced. “I’m positive he’s making active use of those. Also, I fully expect you to give that to me when I find an omega, Ver.”

“I’m not sure I ever want to hear that again, and if I’d realized what we were doing I would have declined,” Dare laughed.

“Is my makeup okay?” I sniffed again, turning to look at myself in the mirror.

“It’s good. Ooh, I need some photos. This is incredible with you in the chair and the window, the castle wall, and the mirror.” Mercy held up her good camera.

She moved a few things around and snapped some photos, positioning me here and there, and having me turn this way and look that way.

“Fuck, this is good.” She showed me a few of them.

They looked like the coronation paintings that hung in museums.

“You look like a queen. An alpha queen about to marry her love.” Jonas squeezed my hand.

“Is all the important alpha business done?” Dad popped his head in through the door.

“Dad.” I got up and gave my omega dad a big hug. He wore a baby blue suit, with suspenders and a bow tie, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

He beamed. “You look amazing. ” Dad turned to Mercy. “You look so grown up.”

Dare grinned. “What about me?”

He wasn’t wearing pastels. His black brocade waistcoat, black ruffled shirt, and pocket watch made him look like the antihero in a historical romance. Dare had let his hair grow, and it was pulled back in a tail. As usual, his eye makeup was better than mine.

“You look like you should be on a book cover with a title like Falling for the Alpha Rake. ” Dad grinned and hugged him, too. “Jonas, you look dashing.”

“Thank you, Nate.” Jonas tipped his head. His hair had been freshly dyed blue, and his eyebrow and tongue rings were sparkly for the occasion.

As was his armored cock.

And my bedazzled vag. A while back, I’d gotten the piercings that helped me take knots. It was well worth the recovery time.

“Nearly everyone is seated, and the littles are about done handing out bread under Dean and Harry’s supervision. Ready?” Dad offered me his arm.

He wanted to accompany me out to where we were having the ceremony, and I didn’t see any reason to say no .

“Ready.” I stood and turned and checked myself in the mirror. The tiara was stunning. “Thank you for being such an understanding and supportive little sister.”

I hugged Mercy tightly. Her support was everything.

My sister hugged me back. “Don’t make me cry. Kaiko worked hard-on my makeup.” She handed me my gold crutch.

“Thanks.”

Mercy looked at Jonas. “Let’s do this, Bub.”

“Oh good, you’re still here.” Creed appeared and gave me a huge hug. “Wow, Verity. It’s like you’re a model or something. Congratulations.”

I laughed as I tried not to get makeup on his suit. He’d been there for me a lot as I navigated being an alpha, being part of a pack, and my two omegas.

“Verity, are you ready?” the wedding coordinator asked from the other side of the door.

I gave myself one last look. “I am.”

Mercy got the train of my dress as I took Dad’s arm. We walked down the hall of the castle.

“Um, Ver.” Freddie stood there, in a light green suit.

“I don’t want to talk to you. It’s bad enough you’re here.” Somehow he’d convinced a mutual friend to bring him as their plus-one.

Dad frowned. “You should probably take a seat.”

“Go away, Fuckboy.” Mercy glared, still holding my train. “You were Derva’s character witness. I don’t think you fully understand how awful her having Verity’s research destroyed was.”

No, he didn’t. Even the judge didn’t. Derva had only gotten community service and had to pay the university for damages. Not that I expected more. Though Derva’s sentencing had kept the student who did her dirty work from being expelled, though she, too, faced community service.

“Someone has to help with Winnie’s kids. Mrs. Coach can’t do it all herself when the baby’s born,” Freddie shrugged.

It made sense, but I still felt like Derva got off easy considering I still was making up for what she destroyed, research-wise.

Winnie was in jail for shooting me. Her jail time wasn’t as long as Chet’s, but her jail wasn’t as nice as his. Yeah, Chet and Bertie were at the country club of prisons for their financial crimes, while his pregnant wife was at a pretty tough one.

“Why are you here, Freddie? You have a new team, a new girlfriend, and a new sponsor.” I leaned on my crutch. He always did land jelly-side up.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry.” Freddie shrugged.

“That’s how you got her onto the patio in the first place. You know, before she got shot.” Jonas glared at him then looked at me. “We can have him thrown out.”

“My pleasure.” Dare cracked his knuckles.

“We should call security,” Dad told them.

Freddie shook his head. “I’m not here to cause trouble. All I wanted to say was that I’m sorry for being a dick, and everything with Derva and Winnie and their dad. I’m sorry I harassed you. I’m sorry I let Derva and Chet drag me into things.”

Derva and Freddie were no longer together.

“Um, thank you?” It still seemed weird.

Jonas gave him a hard look. “You could say that literally any other time than at her wedding.”

“You look beautiful. I’ll go sit now.” Freddie went down the hall but in a different direction than the gardens.

“Fucker.” Mercy made a face.

“Pretty sure he’s here to network. He was really working the room last night,” Creed told me as we headed out to the lush gardens.

“Yeah, he tried to corner Stu earlier,” Jonas replied. “He has a new team and a new agent, what else could he want?”

“Everything. Freddie always wants more,” I shrugged. “As long as he doesn’t cause trouble or makes people uncomfortable he can stay.”

We left the castle and entered the lush gardens. Roses and omega lilies decorated the gazebo. Our guests sat in white chairs, and there were more lilies and roses everywhere, besides all the flowers in the garden. I could see the giant tent where the reception would be later.

The late June air was warm, but the late afternoon breeze kept it from being stifling. Classical music played softly.

Dad escorted me to the gazebo and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations.”

He, Creed, and Dare went to take their seats. Dad sat next to Mumsy, who wore a lilac dress and a matching hat. Harry wrangled the littles. Mama, Baba, Chance, and Hale were there with them. Grace and her pack sat right behind them. Riley waved at Mercy.

Jonas and Mercy stood behind me in the gazebo. The crowd was a sea of pastels with many epic wedding hats. Saphira waved at me, and so did Dr. Winters, whose bow tie and suit were green. So many people had come out to Greece, which I hadn’t been expecting. Though we had helped a number of people make it out, like Grif’s family.

Grif’s older sister, Sissy, took her place under the gazebo, wearing a floral dress. He’d wanted her to officiate. Her dark red hair was up. She was as pale as Grif but had many more freckles. One of her alphas held her little girl on his lap.

AJ, wearing a tux that matched Jonas’ and an omega lily boutonniere, took his place on the opposite side of the gazebo, but not before kissing me.

“You look breathtaking,” he whispered.

The wedding coordinator came up to us with her tablet and headset. “Everyone’s in place. Are you ready?”

My belly fluttered as I looked down at the empty aisle. Here I was. At my wedding. In a moment, Grif would walk down the aisle.

Love and reassurance flowed through the pack bond.

I glanced at Jonas and AJ, then nodded. “I’m ready.”

“Perfect.” The wedding coordinator nodded and left the gazebo.

A moment later, the string quartet played a song that Grif had selected. The littles walked down the aisle, throwing white rose petals from baskets. Hope wore a little gold dress, Tru and Pax had on little gold suits. Well, Pax spun around in circles, then dumped the rest of his basket on Hale. When they got to the gazebo, they waved at me. Harry motioned for them to join him. Pax took his seat. Tru ran over to Grace. Hope climbed on Dad’s lap.

I exhaled sharply as Grif, in his white tux, with his gold vest and tie, took his place, holding onto Dean’s arm. The music changed to Grif’s favorite classical song and everyone stood.

“Fuck, that’s sexy,” I muttered. My pussy gushed at the sight. His red beard, which had gotten bushy during playoffs, was now neatly trimmed, as was his hair.

“That’s my brother there,” Sissy laughed. “But yeah, he and Dean clean up well.”

Oh, I couldn’t wait to take that tux off him.

Did I have to wait until after the reception? Maybe we could sneak away for a moment after taking photos.

Grif’s eyes fell on me. Love and lust flowed through the bond from both him and Dean.

Sheer giddiness coated me as Dean walked Grif down the aisle. When they got to the gazebo, Dean gave him a kiss, then took his place next to AJ.

“Hi,” Grif mouthed as he gazed into my eyes.

“Hi,” I mouthed back, my shoulders wiggling in happiness.

The music stopped. His sister gestured for everyone to sit down.

“Welcome, family and friends, we are gathered here today, in this beautiful garden on this gorgeous island because my little brother found a woman of extraordinary taste,” Sissy joked.

She gave a short officiant speech, but I didn’t hear much of it. All I could see was Grif. My mate. My love.

Okay, I snuck looks at my other guys. The lust I kept getting from Dean didn’t help.

Finally, it was time for the vows.

Everyone chuckled as a little doll-sized pink sports car that looked a lot like mine, only it was a convertible, came down the aisle, stopping next to the gazebo. Dare grinned at me, a remote control in his hand.

Mercy walked over to the car and took out two boxes. “Why thank you, Lucky.”

The Maimers and Knights present started laughing. Pax picked up the car and ran back to his seat.

“Over here, Lucky. That’s a good cat,” Carlos called.

My sister returned to her spot, giving AJ one of the boxes.

I took Grif’s hands and gazed into his green eyes.

“I, Verity Thorne, take you as my omega. To care for and cherish, to love and hold, in good times and bad, for as long as we live. When we met on the airplane, I was drawn to you. The moment you climbed into a tub of ice in October because you didn’t want me to panic, I knew you were mine.”

Mercy came forward and gave me the ring I had for him, a gold band with our names and the date inscribed in it.

I sent him all my love through the bond as I put the ring on his finger on the hand opposite his tattooed ring. It was a pretty common practice to wear your rings on whatever fingers were available if you had multiple mates. AJ had given him a pinky ring he wore on his left hand, his pack ring on his right pinky.

“I, Griffin McGraff, take you as my alpha. To care for and cherish, to love and hold, in good times and bad, for as long as we live. When I first saw you on the airplane, all I wanted to do was hold you and make it all better. I promise to do that always.” He squeezed my hands.

Dean offered a ring, and Grif slid the pretty band onto my finger, which had been made to fit perfectly with the emerald one he and Dean had given me. My pack ring was on my right pinky.

Sissy turned to Jonas. “As head alpha, do you confirm this union?”

“Yes, as head alpha, I confirm this union and welcome Verity to the pack,” Jonas said.

She looked at Dean and AJ. “Do you confirm this union and welcome Verity to the pack?”

“Oh, you bet I do.” Dean waggled his eyebrows, and everyone laughed, including his parents, who were sitting with Grif’s family.

“Yes, I do,” AJ agreed.

“Yeah, I allow these dudes in my life. They’re okay.” Mercy smirked.

Sissy chuckled, then looked at the both of us. “I now pronounce this union confirmed. Alpha, you may now kiss your omega.”

I leaned in and kissed him long and sweet. “You’re mine.”

Grif sent me a smoldering look that set me on fire. “I am.”

Here was to our happily ever after.

THE END