He slows his pace as he licks to clean my bite. I lick his mark in return. He shifts to the side taking me with him. We wrap up in each other's arms. “I love you,” He whispers in my ear. I turn my head to look into his eyes, “I love you too.”
“I want you to marry me. I know you have goals, and I want to be there with you as you accomplish them. You are my life and future.” He pulls me in for a soft kiss. How do you say no to that? Hot sex, hot hubby, and supportive, a girl can’t go wrong.
“Yes, we can work out everything as we go along, but yes, I want to be with you for the rest of our lives.” I love him beyond words.
Epilogue
Layla
I can’t believe today’s the day. I look in the mirror, the white chiffon lays in a single layer over a charmeuse under layer. The dress has a high waist with diaphanous bell sleeves made with the same chiffon layer that fall to my hands. I have simple white ballet slippers with basic white delicate pearls decorating my neck and ears. I see Allie in the background reflection. She dressed in a simple high waisted cuffed sleeve pale pink bridesmaid dress. She is silently crying, hugging her slightly rounded waist. I smile at her, “I’m so glad that you can be here with me.” I turn to her and pull her in for a hug. “This has been one wild ride.”
She laughs through her tears, “You can say that again. With Tom in jail and out of our lives and school over with, we can finally just live.”
“I know right! It’s like a dream. It’s only been a couple of months. I’m working at the ranger station and you have your position at the hospital. It’s so exciting. Your wedding is next week. Has Lucas finally told you where you're going for honeymoon? I mean come on, a girl needs to know what to pack.” Turning back to the mirror and I fidget with my hair.
“Nope, but he did tell me to pack for the cold. Silly man thinks that is good enough.” She replies.
“Well, he can deal with the extra luggage.” I giggle, knowing Allie, she will pack for all things cold. Fancy, simple, outdoorsy, and everything in between.
A solid knock at the door distracts us. I turn to the door as Allie opens it. “It’s time,” comes Lucas’ voice from the doorway. A shiver of excitement runs down my spine. I’m marrying the man of my dreams today and I can’t be happier.
I take a deep breath. “Okay, I’m ready.” I’ve asked Lucas to walk me down the aisle. I have no family to speak of, and as my Alpha, it seemed the most reasonable choice.
He takes a discreet sniff and looks at me startled. “Does Evan Know?” Huh? I look up at him with a blank face.
“What do you mean?” I’m baffled.
Clearing his throat, “Well, um, so not sure if you noticed but we have different scents.” I nod my head yes, I have been working on distinguishing different scents. “Yours has changed. We can tell when,” clearing his throat again and looking a bit uncomfortable, “ya know when a woman is fertile, and when they are pregnant.” He looks at me with a knowing look. And then it clicks. Oh, shit! A wave of dizziness hits me. I’m overwhelmed with emotions. My bear huffs, really, the way Evan and I go at it, she believes it should have happened sooner.
Allie rushes up to me and grabs my shoulders to steady me. “Could you have waited until she got down the aisle? Lucas, your timing is impeccable.” She gives him a scolding look.
He looks sheepishly at her. “Couldn't you tell?”
“Well, of course, but I didn't want to spring it on her right before her wedding. Jeesh!” She looks at me in the eyes, “Snap out of it. You got this. It’ll be fine.” She gives me a small shake.
“Okay, yeah, I got this. Thanks.” I take Lucas’s arm as Allie leads the way down the stairs and out the back of the main house.
The deck is decorated in white tulle, pale pink tea roses, and lavender. There are rental folding chairs set in groups of rows and covered in white chair covers. At the end of the row is Evan in his tux standing with the justice of the peace. They are under a beautifully constructed wood archway with lavender and pink tea roses. The music is playing softly and the small group of guests all looks up at me. Allie walks slowly down the aisle. I take a gulping breath, I’m not too fond of people staring at me. I fidget wanting to get this part of the day over with. I wanted a quick courthouse wedding but Allie and Evan overruled me citing that I would be upset later if I didn't get a ‘fairy princess’ wedding. The last bit was Allie’s description.
Lucas pats my hand in an awkward attempt to put me at ease and begins walking me down the aisle to Evan. All I see is Evan, that’s all I want to see, feel, and love.
The walk is short but takes forever. I just want to be with Evan, my bear needs to touch him. And then we’re here, Lucas slips my hand into Evan’s before backing away. We stare into each others’ eyes. We say the right words at the right time but the ceremony is a blur. The next thing I hear is you may kiss the bride. Evan closes the small distance between us and gently kisses my mouth. I wrap my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss. I don't give a rat’s behind about the audience until there is wild whooping and hollering. Chuckling softly, Evan pulls away just enough to tuck me against his side.
The justice of the peace announces in a booming voice, “May I present Mister and Missus Evan Draken.”
Looking out at my new family, I can see the love shining in their eyes. I can’t feel more loved than I do right at this moment.
About the Author
Claire Ashlynn is an emerging author of Paranormal and Contemporary Romance. When she’s not reading about blue aliens or writing the next book in her series, you’ll find her exploring the outdoors with her family.
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Claire Ashlynn
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