Page 32 of Stripe for the Picking (Paranormal Dating Agency #92)

Six months. Had it really only been six months since she'd stumbled through that wormhole with a desperate hunger for adventure? She could hardly believe that today she was about to marry the most magnificent man in the universe, in a place that felt more like home than Earth ever had.

"Well, if it is, don't wake up," Mallory said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "Because this place is paradise, and your husband-to-be is basically a walking Greek god."

"Now there's a sight that would make even the most cynical matchmaker weep with joy," Gerri declared, clasping her hands together. "Though I must say, I knew you two were perfect for each other the moment I saw your business website six months ago."

"Stalked is such an ugly word, darling. I prefer 'strategically researched.

'" Gerri's eyes turned that telltale golden hue.

"The moment I saw you in person that day, sitting there complaining about your boring life, I knew exactly what you needed.

And more importantly, I knew exactly who needed you. "

Mallory paused in her primping to stare at Gerri with undisguised fascination. "So you really do have some kind of supernatural matchmaking ability? This whole thing wasn't just coincidence?"

"Coincidence?" Gerri scoffed. "Honey, I've been doing this for longer than you can imagine. When you've successfully matched as many fated pairs as I have, you develop certain... instincts."

Wren noted the way the older woman's entire presence seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly energy. "You knew about Arvox too, didn't you? You suspected he was behind those cyber attacks."

"I had my suspicions," Gerri admitted, her expression growing serious. "That man had a darkness about him that set my teeth on edge. But I trusted that you would uncover the truth—though I'll admit, you figured it out faster than even I expected. Two days? That's practically a record."

"Well, when someone's trying to destroy your new home and threaten the man you're falling for, it tends to sharpen the focus," Wren replied, remembering those intense early days when everything had felt chaotic.

But now, six months later, life had settled into something she'd never experienced before—pure contentment mixed with daily adventure.

Her official termination of her Earth cybersecurity business had been surprisingly easy, especially since she'd found something infinitely better—a permanent position as Head Cybersecurity Officer at Defense Nexus, working alongside Rylan every single day.

"I still can't believe what you said. That General Kael offered you that job the day after Rylan's promotion," Mallory said, securing the final bobby pin in Wren's elegant updo. "Talk about perfect timing."

"General Kael has always had excellent instincts about people," Wren replied.

The truth was, she loved every minute of working at Defense Nexus.

Her workstation remained right next to Rylan's, their professional partnership as seamless as their personal one.

Without Arvox's constant sabotage, the past six months had been blissfully quiet—no cyber attacks, no political conspiracies, just the satisfying work of protecting Nova Aurora's citizens and the daily joy of building a life with her mate.

"Speaking of General Kael," Gerri said, checking her diamond-encrusted watch, "he should be here shortly to escort you down the aisle. Such a sweet man, stepping in when your parents..." She trailed off delicately.

"When they decided to send a card instead of attending their only daughter's wedding," Wren finished with a shrug. "Honestly, I'm not surprised. A card acknowledging my marriage is actually more support than I expected from them."

Mallory's face darkened. "I still think they're idiots for missing this. But their loss is everyone else's gain—especially General Kael's. He's been practically vibrating with excitement about walking you down the aisle."

"He's been more of a father figure to me in six months than my actual father was in thirty-two years," Wren said softly. The thought of General Kael's paternal pride and unwavering support brought tears to her eyes.

"Don't you dare cry and ruin my masterpiece," Mallory warned, waving a tissue near Wren's face. "Save the waterworks for the ceremony."

A soft knock at the door interrupted them, and General Kael appeared in the doorway. His dress uniform was immaculate, his gray hair perfectly styled, and his eyes bright with unshed tears as he took in the sight of her.

"Well, I'll be damned," he said, his voice husky with emotion. "Rylan's going to take one look at you and forget how to breathe."

"That's the plan," Wren replied, smoothing down the silk fabric of her bodice. Her dress fit like a dream, hugging her curves before flowing out in an elegant train that would trail behind her as she walked down the aisle.

"Ready to go claim your tiger, darling?" Gerri asked, her entire face glowing with satisfaction.

Wren took a deep breath, absorbing the weight and wonder of this moment.

In a few minutes, she would walk down that flower-strewn aisle and pledge her life to the most extraordinary man she'd ever known.

The adventure that had begun with a mysterious woman in a coffee shop was about to transform into something even more unbelievable—a lifetime of love, partnership, and shared dreams on a planet that had become her true home.

"More than ready," she said, linking her arm through General Kael's.

The flower-strewn aisle stretched before Wren like a pathway to destiny, purple petals from Nova Aurora's native blooms creating an ethereal carpet beneath her silk train. General Kael's steady presence beside her anchored her racing heart as they approached the ceremonial arch where Rylan waited.

God, he's absolutely perfect, Wren thought, her breath catching as their eyes met across the distance.

Rylan stood with that familiar commanding stillness, his broad shoulders filling out his ceremonial dress uniform perfectly.

The golden afternoon light caught the amber flecks in his blue eyes, and through their strong mate bond, she felt the wave of awe and possessive love that crashed through him the moment he saw her.

"Easy there, sweetheart," General Kael murmured, patting her hand where it rested on his arm. "Save some of that trembling for the honeymoon."

"Very funny," she whispered back, though her lips curved upward despite her nerves.

As they drew closer, Wren could see Rylan's jaw tighten with barely restrained emotion. His tiger was so close to the surface that she could practically feel the predator's satisfaction purring through their bond .

Council Leader Baron stood beside the arch draped in shimmering fabric that caught the twin suns' light, his weathered face creased with genuine warmth. The ceremonial space overlooked the pink ocean, crystalline formations jutting from the ground while alien flora glowed softly in the background.

"Who gives this woman to be bonded in eternal union?" Baron's voice carried across the gathering.

"I do, with the greatest honor and deepest affection," General Kael replied, his voice thick with paternal pride. He squeezed Wren's hand before placing it in Rylan's much larger one.

The moment their skin touched, electricity crackled between them. Rylan's fingers tightened possessively around hers, his thumb stroking across her knuckles in a gesture that was both tender and claiming.

"Beloved friends and family," Baron began, "we gather today under Nova Aurora's twin suns to witness the eternal bonding of Commander Rylan Kaedor and Wren Calder—two souls who have proven that fate's design is both mysterious and perfect."

Wren felt Rylan's emotions washing through their shared bond—fierce love, protective satisfaction, and an underlying current of barely leashed desire that made her pulse quicken. His eyes never left her face as Baron continued the opening ceremony, speaking of mate bonds and eternal commitment.

"Commander Kaedor, you may now speak your vows," Baron announced.

Rylan's voice was deep and steady, but Wren could hear the emotion threading through every word.

"Wren, six months ago, I was convinced that duty was enough, that control and discipline were all I needed.

Then a matchmaker brought me the most brilliant, fearless, beautiful woman I'd ever seen.

" His thumb continued that maddening stroke across her hand.

"You didn't just save our defense systems—you saved me from a life half-lived.

You are my partner in every battle, my equal in every challenge, and the other half of my soul.

I vow to protect you, cherish you, and stand beside you through whatever adventures await us.

You are my mate, my love, my everything. "

Wren's eyes misted as she felt the absolute truth of his words resonate through their eternal bond. When Baron nodded to her, she took a shaky breath.

"Rylan, I came to Nova Aurora looking for purpose and adventure, never dreaming I'd find my home in your arms. You saw my worth when others saw only complications.

You trusted my mind, celebrated my victories, and showed me what it means to be truly valued.

" Her voice grew stronger with each word.

"I vow to stand with you through cyber attacks and political conspiracies, Protocol Trials and quiet Sunday mornings.

I promise to challenge you, support you, and love you with everything I am.

You are my mate, my anchor, and my greatest adventure. "

The ring exchange was a blur of shimmering platinum and Nova Aurora crystals, the bands catching the light as they slipped them onto each other's fingers. Wren felt the tangible weight of the promise—eternal, unbreakable, and magnetic.

"By the power vested in me by the Council of Nova Aurora, I pronounce you bonded mates, husband and wife," Baron declared with a broad smile. "Commander, you may claim your mate."

Rylan's hands cupped her face with reverent possession, his thumbs brushing across her cheekbones. "Mine," he growled softly, just for her ears.

"Yours," she whispered back.

His kiss was everything—passionate enough to promise exactly what tonight would entail, yet tender enough to make her heart flutter. The crowd erupted in cheers, but Wren was lost in the sensation of Rylan's lips claiming hers.

When they finally broke apart, she was breathless and flushed, acutely aware of the predatory gleam in his eyes that promised thorough claiming later.

The reception at Defense Nexus's grand ballroom passed in a whirlwind of congratulations and laughter. The space had been transformed with floating lights and crystalline decorations that cast rainbow patterns across the polished floors.

"May I have this dance, Mrs. Kaedor?" Rylan asked with that devastating smile.

"I thought you'd never ask, Mr. Kaedor," she replied, taking his outstretched hand.

Their first dance as husband and wife was graceful intimacy personified—bodies moving in perfect synchronization, eyes locked in shared joy that echoed their very first dance six months ago. Wren marveled at how far they'd come from that tentative beginning to this moment of absolute certainty.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're devastatingly beautiful when you're thinking too hard?" Rylan murmured against her ear.

"Just you, and I'm not thinking too hard. I'm thinking exactly the right amount about how lucky I am."

Near the edge of the dance floor, she spotted General Kael leaning close to Gerri Wilder, the matchmaker's tinkling laughter adding a lighthearted note to the festivities. The sight of those two flirting made Wren grin.

As their dance ended, Gerri sashayed past with a glass of Sidaii wine, her blue eyes sparkling with golden satisfaction. "Tigers. Always so serious—until love bites," she said with a wink. "And might I say, this particular love story turned out exactly as I predicted."

"Thank you," Wren said sincerely. "For everything."

"Darling, seeing you two claim each other is thanks enough. Though I do expect updates on any cubs that might appear."

Before Wren could sputter a response, Rylan smoothly guided her toward the ballroom's terrace. The full moons were rising over Nova Aurora's landscape, casting silver light across the pink ocean in the distance.

"Need some air?" he asked, though his tone suggested he had other motivations.

"Always, when you look at me like that."

Outside in the moonlit privacy, Rylan backed her against the terrace railing, his hands bracketing her waist. "Like what?"

"Like you're planning exactly how you're going to claim me tonight."

His smile was pure sin. "That's because I am. And it's going to be very thorough."

He leaned down and crashed his full lips against hers.

This kiss was longer, deeper, and more magnetic in its intensity.

Wren felt their mate bond pulse with unbreakable certainty—whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them as they had everything else—together, united, and absolutely unstoppable.