Page 41

I hiss in pain and yank my head away from the evil person behind me. "You do know my head is attached to hair, right?" I turn my head back just in time to see Cassie roll her eyes. Then hands are on my face, turning it to face the the wall I've been looking at for the past hour.

"Stop moving ya big baby. You're going to mess up my masterpiece." Krista goes back to applying makeup products to my face, like she has been for the past thirty minutes, after my facial, and all the while, Cassie has been doing my hair.

I take a deep breath and let it out through my nose, trying to focus on what's happening at hand and not what will be happening within the hour. The very thing that I have been dreading, yet yearning for since it became an path in my future.

Cries of a child fill the room, Cassie and I both turn tense and turn on instinct, only to find Mattathias fussing in bassinet next to his sister.

The nanny, Pietra, who also assisted in raising Ryder, heading over to care for him.

"Pietra, bring him to me please." She picks him up, walks to me, and places him in my arms. She bows her head before going back to her duties as the Royal Nursemaid.

I rock Mattathias gently side to side and shush him, "There, there, Matty. Momma's here." I pat his bottom and continue to rock him while Krista and Cassie return to their projects. Mattathias keeps fussing and I sigh, knowing I was lacking in my motherly skills, just like I feared I would.

"Try singing to him." I frown, "What?" I can basically see Cassie roll her eyes from where I sit. "Sing to him, like you did for Brayden."

I think back to the songs my mother used to sing for my brothers and I and one comes to mind.

"A dormir, a dormir

A dormir, me bebito

Que tus sue?os sean siempre

De amor, cari?o y paz

A dormir mi bebe

Que los ángeles van

A cantarte y cuidarte

Para que duermas en paz."

Mattathias is staring up at me when I finishing singing and he has stopped crying.

I smile down at him and place my finger in his little hand, which his automatically squeezes.

"That's my boy. Hi. I love you." I keep talking to him and playing with him until I hear a huge sigh of relief from Cassie and Krista at the same time.

"Done." They chorus. I raise an eyebrow and then we all laugh.

I stand with Mattathias in my arms and walk over to Pietra who is already getting Atarah ready.

I place him down next to his sister. I stroke his head that has black hair already dusting it and then peck Atarah's cheek.

"I'll see you soon, ni?os." I leave Pietra to it and walk back to Cassie and Krista, who are in charge of me. ..apparently.

Krista starts bouncing and clapping her hands together while smiling ear to ear, "You ready to put on your dress?" I smile softly, "As I'll ever be." Cassie unzips the bag and with careful precision, I step into my dress.

I wanted a simple dress. Something light and not over the top.

Cassie and Krista thought I was absolutely crazy and with the help of Ryder, nagged me until I gave in.

I stood strong on wanting a simple design, but Ryder insisted on have the finest fabric that money could buy.

To appease him and the girls, I agreed. Standing in it now, I am very glad I did, not that I would ever admit that to them.

The fabric is so soft, yet so light. It flows so gently over my skin. I absolutely loved it. I couldn't see what I looked like it in since Cassie had the mirrors covered before I even walked in the room. It was the Queen's preparation room just down the hall from the ceremonial throne room.

Krista finishes zipping me up while Cassie straightens out my sleeves. "Okay, shoes." I use their shoulders for support as the slip my white, open toed heels on. I stand up straight and look around the room, as do the girls. I focus back on them as the look back at me.

"I think that's everything." Cassie says. I take a deep breath and nod slowly. Only one more thing to do.

Become the Luna Queen of Werewolves and marry the love of my life. One huge thing to do.

Krista sniffs and fans her face, laughing at herself, "Wow, I'm crying already!" We all laugh with her. When we stop they walk over to the mirror which I stand in front of and each of them take a side of the sheet in hand. "You ready?" I nod and they pull the sheet from the mirror.

I look myself up and down. I see Cassie and Krista's beautiful work.

I see the amazing dress. I see the fabulous designer shoes.

I see my mark proudly on display. I also see the scars on my wrists from the silver cuffs.

They asked if I wanted to wear bracelets and I said no.

They are a reminder of what I went through and what I survived.

What I fought. I look at the person in the mirror and she's not the girl she used to be.

She's a strong, amazing woman with people who love her and people she loves. She's grown up and accepted the past. She's a mother of two beautiful children. She's going to be a wife. She's going to be Luna Queen. She's going to be an amazing one at that.

"Hey, hey! No crying for you! You'll mess up all my hard work!

" I throw my head back and laugh as Krista rushes at me with tissues to stop the tears that have welled up in my eyes.

We do a few last minute touch-ups and chatting about them and their mates watching the twins while Ryder and I are on honeymoon.

Suddenly the clocks are chiming throughout the Castle and an alert goes off on my phone. I pick it up and read it even though I know what it says. Ryder's and I One Year Anniversary. As I finish reading it, his voice is in my head.

'Happy one year, mea lux. I love you so much.

' I smile brightly and wish he was here with me, but it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, or so says Ryder.

'Happy one year to you as well. I love you more than you know.

I'll see you soon.' With that, I close our link and turn back to the girls.

They both look so beautiful in their royal blue bridesmaid dresses. I chose them both to be my maid of honor because they have both been there so much for me this past year. I look out the window and see the full moon at the 12 o'clock position. I smile at them, "Let's do this."

We grab our flowers and walk down the hall, Cassie and Krista in front of me, until we reach the doors that will open to the throne room filled with friends, family, and Alphas and Lunas from every pack in the world.

Also waiting at this door are Sean, Evan, Tyler, and my brothers.

Sean and Evan are wearing black suits with white shirts and royal blue ties.

Jason and Cameron are wearing black suits with white shirts and black ties.

I see them before they see me. "Don't you two just look adorable?

" I gush over them in their basically matching tuxes.

I see Jason turn to snap something back, but he stops when his eyes land on me.

Cameron notices this, but does the same thing.

I raise my eyebrows and frown as I look over myself. "What? Is there something on me?"

"Dude...you look-"Cameron starts, "like Mom." Jason finishes the sentence him. I tilt my head to the side, "What? I do not." Cameron nods his head quickly, "Yes you do, Jay. Just change the hair color and the eye color...you could practically be twins. How did I not see that before?"

I look over to a painting the hallway and see myself in the reflection of the frame. I try to picture what Cameron says and I see...well my mom. And I see my dad. I know that they are both here with me, even if they aren't here.

I shake my head and smile at Tyler. "Hey buddy.

Looking good. You trying flex on the ladies?

" I ask and straighten his tie. Tyler gives off a little smirk and wiggles his eyebrows, "Ya know it.

" I laugh and peck his cheek. I make sure he has the rings and place him in line.

Jason walks up to me, links one of my arms with his, and kisses my temple, "You look beautiful, Snow. "

Cameron follows suit and we move to the back of the line. Krista stands linked with Sean and Cassie stands linked with Evan. Tyler stands in front of me and my brothers. I hear the music starting up through the door.

"You sure you want to do this? Cause we can haul ass back home right now.

" Jason whispers to me. Though he whispered, everyone in the hall heard it, because Sean, Evan, and Cameron laugh while Krista and Cassie turn back to glare at Jason.

I roll my eyes, but can't help smiling. "I'm sure.

" Jason straightens back up and nods to himself, "Alright. "

The doors are pulled open and my heart starts beating faster.

I know Jason and Cameron feel it, but they say nothing, they only squeeze my hands tighter.

My brothers, my protectors. Krista and Sean start walking, but I keep my eyes down, not wanting to see anything until it was my turn.

Ten seconds go by. Cassie and Evan go. Tyler walks down after another ten seconds.

Now it's my turn. We wait twenty seconds and then the music changes. "We Found Love" by Rihanna, but by another artist starts playing. I found it on YouTube and enjoyed it. I thought the song fit Ryder and I, our love story.

I take a deep breath and finally look up.

We take paced and equal steps as we pass the doorway and step into the throne room.

The room is glorious on it's own, but it looks as though I've stepped into a fairyland.

The silver and royal blue decor laces the room beautifully.

Silver pews have been placed on either side of the aisle, each are filled to the brim with familiar and unfamiliar faces.

I grip my bouquet filled with blue and white orchids tighter. I let my eyes slowly travel up the aisle, showing that I am the only one left on it. They go higher and higher until they land upon their intended target.

The breath is pulled from my chest and I almost falter my steps, but thanks to my brothers, I remain in check.

Ryder stands tall and handsome at the alter, just in front of the King and Queen's Throne Chairs.

He wears his hair pushed back and his tux fitting.

I can just see the silver of his mark peeking over the white of his shirt.

Everything fades out and I focus on him and making it to him.

Ryder is look down at me when we reach the step.

I look at Cameron and he kisses my cheek.

I look at Jason and his kisses my cheek.

"I love you, guys." They both smile at me and take my hands and place them in Ryder's one.

I look into his eyes as he helps me up the step with the most magnificent smile on his face.

I'm sure my face is mimicking the same face-splitting smile.

I take my place across from him and as I go to take my hands from him, Ryder grips tighter, keeping me in my place.

My heart pulsates and I can feel the love I have for this man flowing in my body.

We never take our eyes off of each other, even as Ryder's father starts his rehearsed speak, "Dearly beloved. .."

Next, it is time for the vows. I go first.

I take a deep breath, anxiety creeping up my throat, but Ryder's thumb strokes my knuckles and it retreats back somewhere deep down.

"Ryder, mi amor, I never thought I could love someone so much, especially because we all know I have issues.

" Chuckles echo in the room, "When we met my life was in shambles and it was hard to get up in the morning and look at myself in the mirror.

Then you came in, picked up the pieces, and put them together one by one.

Goddess knows I could never thank you enough for that.

I know we have had some bumps, more than others, but I know that I can make it through anything as long as you are by my side.

You have given me everything that I could want.

A lifetime of love, Atarah and Mattathias, my brother, a home.

..I love you, Ryder Mathews and I will always love you.

Never will we part because even after I am long gone, you will still hold my heart.

" Tears have filled Ryder's eyes and I am choking on my words when I finish.

"Jade Collins...you are the love of my life, mea lux.

I would go through heaven and hell to make you as happy as you make me.

When I went searching for my soulmate, I never expected to get so lucky, and that day we touched.

..I felt my heart being completed. That piece of me that had been missing for so long was now in my grasp.

You have given me the greatest gift of life.

..your love and our children. I promise to spend our life together making you and them happy.

I promise to rule beside you with love in my heart.

I promise to never part from you. I love you so much, mea lux, more than you could ever know.

" Now it's my turn to cry, and I know Krista is cursing me from behind.

We say our "I Do's" and Ryder takes me into his arms and gives been a slow and passionate kiss.

I pour all my love into it and I feel that he does the same.

We don't pull away and I hear people, mainly the men, whooping and cheering.

I pull away and hide my beet red face from the crowd. Ryder hugs me to him and laughs.

"Now for the Coronation of our new King and Queen.

" Ryder and I turn to face his father who has been joined by his mother.

Both of them our wearing their crowns. His father speaks first. "Do you, Ryder Mathews, solemnly swear to fairly rule the Werewolf Kingdom and abide by our laws?

" Ryder's face remains serious, "I, Ryder Mathews, Alpha of the Royal Pack, do solemnly swear.

" His father produces a knife and cuts Ryder's pointer finger.

Ryder doesn't even flinch as he takes his bleeding finger and places the print onto the Kingdom's Rules of Law, which has the prints of all the Kings and Queens who have come before us.

His father doesn't smile, but I see how proud he is of his son brewing behind his eyes.

His mother turns to me, signally me turn.

She gives me a small and kind smile before her face turns serious, showing how much Ryder looks like her.

"Do you, Jade Mathews, solemnly swear to fairly rule the Werewolf Kingdom and abide by our laws?

" I nod and place out my finger, "I, Jade Mathews, Luna of the Royal Pack, do solemnly swear.

" She takes the knife to my finger and even though it stings, I stand firm.

I place my print next to Ryder's and it is official.

We are the King and Queen of the Werewolf Kingdom.

Finally, Ryder's parents smile at us. Ryder's father speaks loudly, "I hearby declare Ryder and Jade Mathews the new King and Queen!

" Cheers and whistles sound throughout the room.

Ryder and I bow our heads to his parents while they take off the crowns that used to belong to them and place them on our heads.

Ryder and I turn and take each other hand in hand, facing the crowd.

Everyone bows down to us. I hold my head up high, proud of what I have accomplished.

I look to Ryder who wears the same face.

Ryder turns us and leads me to my throne. I take a seat and he follows suit.

We sit on our thrones over the people of our Kingdom and I know I made the right choice. I know I can do anything put in front of me. I know this because I am mated to the Alpha King.