Page 32 of Ogre on Patrol (Monsters, PI #5)

ELLIE

Nine Months Later

S unlight trickled through the canopy of oak and willow trees, dappling the aisle ahead of me with gold. It was the kind of light that made everything feel magical, like the stars had melted into daytime just for Thain and I. The world felt as if it was leaning close to witness this moment between me and my love.

My heels were silent on the leaf-strewn path carefully etched through the woods behind our home. We'd wanted to marry close to nature, which seemed appropriate for a plant-loving hedge witch and her soon-to-be ogre husband.

After our years apart, I felt whole. Finally, completely whole.

Gratitude hummed through me for this second chance with the male I'd always love, and as I moved sedately along the path and into the clearing with Hannah, my maid-of-honor, behind me, those witnessing smiled with love.

The delicate lace of my dress skimmed my arms as I moved, the gentle sway of the flowing skirt light against my legs. My gown wasn’t flashy. Opulence had never been my style. But it was perfect, magicked just for me. The floral lace details winked in the sun, reminding me of the glowing, singing ordrids thriving in my small greenhouse.

As I stepped into the crowd’s view, my knees wobbled, not from nerves but from the happiness pressing against my chest. The lilting sound of a harp floated in the background, the melody threading through the air like a hug from a good friend. And as I let my gaze wander over the guests, it landed on Katar first.

Seated toward the back, the tall orc looked as relaxed as I’d ever seen him, his broad shoulders angled in a chair built to handle his size. But then, more than half the chairs here were monster-sized.

His pale green skin caught the sun, and his usually stern face softened with a smile. Bailey sat beside him, her long red hair catching light like fire. She stroked the back of their one-year-old daughter, Alyanna, who perched on Katar’s lap, her tiny fingers in her mouth as if the ribbon she held in her other hand wasn’t enough to chew on.

Bailey leaned into Katar's arm, brushing his thigh sweetly. Katar glanced at her, his smile turning impossibly tender. It was a quick, unspoken exchange, but the kind you felt down to your bones. A glance that said everything was perfect in their world.

Love heals and builds.

I smiled and bit my lip to keep the happy tears at bay. Not yet. Crying now would make a mess of the makeup Hannah had helped me put on back in my bedroom. Besides, I still had an aisle to finish walking, and at the end of it, Thain waited. My future waited.

Starting down the aisle, the soft rustle of leaves mixed in with the harp, creating a quiet, woodsy symphony. The path widened, giving me a clear view of Tuvid and Angie tucked toward the middle on the bride’s side. He sat stiffly, his wings folded tight on his back. His blue-gray skin was gorgeous against his dark suit. His strong hand rested on Angie’s belly, showing he was a protective and proud soon-to-be dad.

Angie looked gorgeous in a flowered green gown. The dress curved over her rounded belly, and her thick, blonde curls had been pinned back, though a few strands had gone rogue, framing her freckled face. She leaned into Tuvid, whispering something that made his serious face crack into the prettiest smile. A tilt of his head brought their faces closer, his features softening as he murmured back. They were in their own little bubble, utterly oblivious to the rest of us, but that only made my smile widen.

A light breeze tugged at my veil as I turned my eyes further down the aisle. Elrik caught my attention next, stiff and polished in formal clothing that looked amazing against his pale blue skin. He wore a tie to match, and his dark suit reflected his usual serious demeanor. He'd brushed his black hair back neatly. For a man who could be icy in more ways than one, he pretty much melted when he looked at Melly.

Melly wore a pink dress that was the perfect foil to his frosty air. Her skin glowed, and her long, dark hair cascaded over one shoulder. She leaned toward him, brushing her fingers over his pocket square in a small, comfortable way. Elrik leaned curled around her, giving her a sweet kiss. They complemented each other in a way that felt natural, like two puzzle pieces that slipped perfectly into place.

My heart fluttered. Thain was close. His presence seemed to radiate, even from where I walked partway down the aisle. I gave one last glance at my friends as I glided past them, holding tightly to the joy that bubbled inside me. Everything about today felt magical. Every step was a promise.

Hannah walked sedately behind me, her lavender dress a soft pop of color against the green woods. The auburn streaks in her blunt-cut hair gleamed when the sunlight hit them right, and I could already hear her teasing me later about how hard I was trying not to cry. She held her bouquet of pale purple flowers with one hand, like this whole maid-of-honor thing didn’t faze her at all. Classic Hannah—tiny but a force to be reckoned with.

But then her gaze flicked past me, landing on Reylor, her dragon shifter husband, standing at Thain’s side near the front. His gaze was only for her, and who could blame him? They loved each other so much. What really stood out was his grin. It wasn’t the polite smile you gave at a wedding. It was playful and full of pride, like he couldn’t believe his luck in finding Hannah. I was so happy for my friend.

As I drew closer to the front, my attention shifted to Wolfram. There was no missing him. The ancient vampire was a vision of formality, his black cape draped over his broad shoulders, his white shirt starched to perfection, and that red bow tie. Some might consider it quirky, but it worked for him. He looked like he belonged in a centuries-old portrait, but I'd already seen his soft side when it came to Reese.

She sat beside him, her curly brown hair pinned in a style that appeared as effortless as it was beautiful. Her aqua dress flowed around her like the waves in the bay a few short blocks away. She leaned closer to him, her lips moving in a whisper. Whatever she said made his lips twitch upward, the ghost of a smirk threatening to take over his stoic demeanor. His expression warmed, his dark eyes settling on her with a look of complete devotion.

Nana Bea sat in the front row, exactly where she belonged, with her perfect presence that could fill an entire forest. Even from several steps away, I caught the faint floral scent that hovered around her, mingling with earthy moss and sunbaked leaves. Her gray hair had been styled in a soft wave that framed her face. She looked every inch the matriarch with her hands folded neatly in her lap.

When her gaze caught mine, the smile she gave me was small but so full of love it made my chest ache. Bea wasn’t the kind of woman who doled out approval. You had to earn it. Until recently, I wasn’t sure where I stood. But now every doubt I’d ever carried about living up to her expectations melted away.

My breath hitched, and I gripped my bouquet tighter. Bea believed in me. She believed in Thain, in us.

Blinking against the sting of happy tears, I gave her a tiny nod back.

Joy swelled inside me, and it carried me the rest of the way down the aisle. These weren’t just my friends and family. They were living proof of how unexpectedly and fiercely love could transform lives. And at the end of this path, beneath a canopy of trees, Thain stood waiting for me—the love who’d transformed mine.

I stepped toward the arch, and there he was.

My Thain.

His broad frame towered beneath the arch we’d spent hours decorating together with greenery and bright flowers. The potted ordrids on either side of the arch swayed and sang, blending in with the harp.

The arch itself was exquisite, but it might as well be invisible.

All I saw was him .

His suit was simple, black with a crisp white shirt, but on him, that simplicity turned into something regal. His tusks gleamed, and the look on his face made my heart stumble. For once, that teasing smirk of his was gone, replaced with something raw and unguarded. He clasped his hands tightly in front of him like he was trying not to fidget, and his focus never wavered from me.

His golden-brown eyes locked onto mine, and I could tell he wasn’t only seeing me in my magicked dress. He was seeing me for who I was, who we were together, and who we’d worked hard to become.

The harp music softened, though the ordrids kept humming their hauntingly beautiful tune. The world narrowed into Thain and me, and the whispers of the past and our years apart drained away like water slipping through my fingers. All that mattered was what lay ahead.

Thain took a deep breath when I reached him, his shoulders rising and falling. Releasing his clasped hands, he held one out to me, palm up. It was a simple gesture, but the way his fingers flexed melted me to my core. I slid my hand into his, and he gently guided me to stand beside him.

As he leaned close, his voice was low, a rasp more than a whisper. "You are everything , sweet one."

If my heart wasn’t already a tangled mess of love, it would’ve unraveled right there.

“So are you,” I said, my voice cracking as emotion lodged in my throat. He made me forget how to breathe, how to be anything but his.

Thain's hand lifted, brushing my cheek like I was something precious. When he cupped my face, I stepped toward him. His eyes softened, and I didn’t think I could hold any more love for this male without bursting, but I’d sure try.

Bending forward, his lips brushed mine in a kiss that was tender and unhurried, a promise sealed.

The crowd cheered and clapped.

I barely heard them.

All I could see was us, bathed in sunlight and surrounded by the life we’d built together.

I hope you enjoyed Thain & Ellie’s story as much as I did writing it!