Page 41 of Knottily Ever After (Crescent Lake Cozy Omegaverse #1)

Chapter Forty

Violet

Three Months Later

T he air is always clean in Crescent Lake. But today, it feels extra sweet.

Down by the lake, canopies of white and violet are strewn all around, providing shade for tables and even a big dance floor with a DJ booth and killer flashing lights.

Out on the grass in the open are rows of chairs with an aisle down the middle, friends and family filling the seats.

At the front of the aisle is an arch threaded with an array of gorgeous flowers, courtesy of Lilly’s Floral Shop.

Beneath it is Lloyd, not only the owner of the tattoo shop, backup bartender, and one of Lilly’s pack, but also the local officiant.

To one side of the arch are three of the most gorgeous men I’ve ever seen in my life, all of them in matching black tuxes: Vaughn with a white shirt, Quinn with a pale blue shirt, and Ben in solid black.

I stand at the other end of the aisle in my dress flats, small bouquet in hand, wearing a deep purple dress with one off-shoulder and an asymmetrical skirt that gives way to panels of white, pale blue, and black chiffon beneath.

At my side is Steve, dressed in a navy suit and matching tie.

It’s funny how, a year ago, I thought he would be waiting for me at the other end of the aisle.

There are tears in Steve’s eyes as he smiles down at me.

“Are you ready, Vi?”

I grin up at him, trying my damnedest not to let any tears fall and mess up the makeup Julie and Bec worked so hard on. And it is a tall order not to wail.

I’m about to be joined forever to my Alphas, my pack, my fate—and given away by my best friend, the brother I never knew I had, but the relationship we always deserved.

I’m grateful beyond measure to have someone I can consider family here with me today.

The music starts, and we walk arm-in-arm toward my destiny.

The ceremony is short and sweet, by the end of it, each of my Alphas has a matching band on their ring fingers, exactly like mine—only bigger.

I kiss each of my men, one at a time, and the crowd erupts in rapturous applause, mirroring the joy in my heart.

We’ve been a pack, living as one, for months already, but now it’s official to the whole world.

In the crowd, Bec sits up front, tears in her eyes, wearing a gorgeous pink sundress, her blond hair tied up elegantly behind her head. Beside her, Steve is seated with a weeping Sam.

Julie and her three Alphas are smiling and clapping in the next row back, and Lilly sits with two of her pack, a female Omega and a male Alpha, Lloyd, their fourth, still stands by us at the arch.

Vaughn’s and Quinn’s parents, who I only just met the day before, are seated right up front on the other side of the aisle. Vaughn’s family is a pack, too, while Quinn’s is a monogamous couple.

A lot of townsfolk are celebrating with us. Even Will sits quietly, looking up at us with a smile.

In the back is a young man who is a tattoo-less and piercing-less not-so-mini-me of Ben. The eighteen-year-old is only an inch shorter than Ben’s six feet four inches, and the way he watches his older brother’s every move, I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes on more of Ben’s traits soon.

We flew Adam in so he wouldn’t have to make the drive alone. He’s quiet and contemplative, and has the same killer smile as his brother—only with two dimples.

Gods preserve us. The kid is going to break so many hearts when he’s older.

After the ceremony, we all make out way to the reception tent and connected DJ tent.

The food is amazing—and also a bit of a business move for Vaughn, who decided he’d cater our event to show off some of the dishes Wildflower Brewing Co.

& Restaurant will be offering next year once all the renovations are completed.

We all wholeheartedly supported the idea.

After we eat dinner, Quinn takes my hand and nearly drags me to the dance floor, Ben and Vaughn in tow, where a fast song with booming bass blares over the enormous speakers.

The guy DJ-ing is one of Quinn’s employees, a nice young Alpha who’s lived in Crescent Lake all his life, and apparently also lives for the opportunity to entertain in several different ways.

Quinn shuffles around the three of us on the floor like a maniac. My Alphas’ jackets are all off, left back at our table, and Quinn’s arms flail about until he snaps one toward me and wiggles it like a wave.

With a laugh, I take his hand, and he spins me into his arms, holding me close and swaying much slower than the beat.

I dance with each of my Alphas, one after another, and then Adam taps Ben’s shoulder, shouting over the music, “Can I cut in?”

Ben’s brows rise before he grins, looks at me for input.

I smile and incline my head at Adam, who, in a move so unexpected I screech, pulls me to him and dips me low, sending one of my legs flying into the air. When he rights me, my heart is racing, but I stick my tongue out at my laughing pack behind Adam’s back.

“Sorry about that,” Adam says with a chuckle, just as the music changes to a slow song. He is amazingly coordinated, moving smoothly to the rhythm and leading me.

It doesn’t take long for me to realize that he’s a very good dancer.

“Were you taught to dance?”

He hums with thought, looks up at the tent above.

“Mom was a dancer,” he says. “I would watch her when I was little. Then I’d copy her moves until she started to teach me.

I think I was five.” He holds my hand in his, our elbows bent, his other hand resting on my upper back, mine on his shoulder.

I look up into his ice eyes, so familiar yet not.

“You’re very good,” I tell him with a smile, and he smiles down at me in return.

“My brother hit the jackpot,” he tells me with a raised eyebrow. “You ever get sick of him—”

“ Aaaand that’s enough of that.” Ben’s voice is a low growl as he pulls me away from Adam, who laughs like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever seen, hands slapping his knees and unable to catch his breath.

“The look on your face, bro!” He wipes what I think is a fake tear before winking at me.

When I laugh, Adam returns to the dining tent, and Ben grumbles to himself, holding me close and stepping to the beat. And I realize then that he’s just as good as his brother, all form along with style. I peer up at him with a smile. “Did your mom teach you, too?”

He startles, misses a step, blinks down at me. “Uh, yeah,” he breathes. “Did Adam tell you about that?”

I nod at him, then lean my head on his chest, let Ben lead as I close my eyes. I can feel his heartbeat against my ear, even above the music, and it soothes me just as much as his purr would.

“I love you more than anything in this universe, baby,” he says into my hair, lips moving against my scalp.

“I love you, too, Ben. So much.”

“Can we maybe get in on this love fest?” Quinn sidles up to us on one side, Vaughn on the other.

“It might be a little awkward, but we’d like to all dance together.”

I send Vaughn a bright smile and step back from Ben. Quinn and Vaughn step closer to us, and we close into a tight circle, arms around one another. It takes a few beats to catch our rhythm, but just like in the bedroom, we find it well enough, moving in sync.

Just as we will for the rest of our lives.