Page 37 of Rejected by My Shadow Alpha (Mate to the Fallen #1)
Ruby
Seven months.
That's how long it had been since the storm passed and the world settled into something I never believed I could have. Peace, love, joy, and the promise of a future that keeps unraveling goodness and commitment.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror, my hand resting gently on the curve of my belly, and for a moment, I simply breathed.
The woman who stared back at me had no fear.
She wasn't running anymore, and there were no more shadows clinging to her heels.
All she has now is just light, love, and life.
The silk of my white gown shimmered like moonlight, soft and flowing around my ankles.
The fabric hugged me gently, tailored for the small but undeniable swell beneath my palm, a tiny heartbeat pulsing within me, strong and steady.
A new Lunaris life, a future I once thought had died with the ashes of my past, but here I was. Whole, fulfilled, happy, and content.
Drew had become everything I once feared I'd never find again: my safe place, my joy, and my partner.
He was gentle when the world overwhelmed me, fierce when I needed strength, and always, always present.
I'd watched him with Liora every day, the way he carried her through early morning frost and danced with her barefoot through puddles.
The way he read her stories about magic and taught her that love was not something to fear.
He had become her father in every way that mattered.
And today…he will become my husband.
The thought made me smile. I touched my belly again, feeling the flutter inside like the baby already knew today was special. Just then, the door burst open.
"Mommy!" Liora squealed, racing in with bare feet and flower petals tangled in her hair. "You're gonna be late! Everyone's waiting!"
I laughed, turning to face her. "I'm the bride, sweetheart. They'll wait for me."
She huffed dramatically. "Daddy's already standing under the flower arch. He keeps checking the path like this…" She mimicked Drew, puffing out her chest and squinting into the distance. "You'd think you vanished!"
I bent down and kissed her forehead. "Well, I couldn't leave without my favorite flower girl."
Her grin lit up the whole room. "Come on!"
She took my hand and led me outside, the sun wrapping us in its golden warmth as it set down into dusk.
The garden had been transformed; floral arches blooming with soft pastels, petals lining the aisle, and lanterns swaying gently in the breeze.
Familiar faces filled the seats on either side: friends, pack members like Jay, survivors, and allies who had stood with us through fire and ruin.
At the end of the aisle stood Drew with Alex as his best man.
He turned as I stepped out, his eyes finding mine instantly.
I don't know what I expected, maybe awe or surprise, but what I saw in his gaze melted everything inside me: love, the kind that runs deep, the kind you build slowly, brick by brick, the kind that doesn't fade.
The crowd blurred around me. There was only Drew.
Each step felt like floating. My heart thudded against my ribs, my fingers tightening around the bouquet as emotions welled up faster than I could name them. When I reached him, he took my hand, eyes never leaving mine.
"You're breathtaking," he whispered.
"I am late," I teased softly.
He smirked. "Worthy things are worth waiting for."
Nia stood before us, dressed in a deep green robe embroidered with silver leaves, the healer's symbol shining on her chest. She beamed at us, her eyes misty.
"We are gathered under the blessing of the moon and the strength of the pack to witness a bond not just of hearts," she said, "but of souls that have been through fire and still chose each other."
Drew's fingers tightened around mine. He went first.
"Ruby," he began, his voice thick with emotion.
"When I first saw you, I thought fate was cruel.
I thought I didn't deserve what I felt, and I was right, I didn't, but you loved me anyway.
Through silence and through pain, you gave me a daughter I didn't know I needed, and a life I would die to protect.
You are my mate, my partner, my anchor. I vow to spend the rest of my life earning the love you give so freely. "
My chest ached, my throat burned. I took a breath and spoke.
"Drew… I used to believe love was something that took more than it gave, but then you came back.
You fought for me when I stopped fighting.
You held me when I fell apart. You looked at me like I wasn't broken, even when I was in pieces.
You are the calm to my storm. You are home.
I vow to stand with you, always, through joy, through sorrow, through whatever comes. "
Nia smiled through her tears. "By the laws of the packs, by the bond of the moon, and by the witness of all gathered here… I now pronounce you husband and wife."
A beat of silence. Then Liora piped up, loud and gleeful: "You can kiss now!"
Laughter broke through the crowd as Drew pulled me closer.
"I was going to do that anyway," he murmured, his eyes gleaming, and then he kissed me.
It was soft at first, but full of every promise, every vow, every silent wish we had dared to make in the dark. His hands cupped my face like I was something fragile, but his mouth told a different story. It was hungry, reverent, and alive.
When we finally pulled apart, the garden erupted into cheers. Liora danced around us, throwing petals in the air as if declaring to the world: They made it.
And we had. After fire and betrayal, after secrets and heartbreak, we stood in the light bound by love, sealed by fate, and finally, blessed with peace.
Dear precious reader,thank you for reading Rejected by My Shadow Alpha! When I finished writing the book, I couldn't put down my penyet...
PS: If you liked Rejected by My Shadow Alpha, I think you'll also like Knocked Up by My Fated Alpha ! Go to the next page for a sneak peek...