Chapter 35 – Ready
Today was finally here!
Diesel and I slept in this morning, we had breakfast served in our room. I wasn’t really hungry and felt nauseous. Diesel rubbed circles on my back, and I waited for the nausea to pass.
“Should I ask Dr. Ross to come check on you? Maybe he can give you something for the nausea?” He asked.
“I’m okay, it should pass.”
“Would you like to sit in a warm bath?” He asked.
“Only if my favorite lifeguard joins me.” I smiled.
Diesel added more wood in the double sided fireplace and ran the bath. We slipped into the tub and I rested against his back. “This reminds me of the first night I spent here.” I said.
“The first night you almost drowned in this tub.” He chuckled. “I knew I wanted to slip this on your finger the moment I laid eyes on you.” Diesel said and held out an absolutely stunning blue sapphire and diamond ring.
“Oh Diesel!”
“Werewolves don’t traditionally exchange rings and wedding vows, but this ring belonged to my father’s mother and then to my mother, I would like you to have it as a reminder of my eternal love.” He said as he kissed my neck.
“It’s beautiful.” I managed to whisper as he slipped it on my finger.
“And a perfect fit.” He added.
It was almost time for lunch, and I was due to have lunch with the ladies, so we went down stairs. The castle was bustling. The ballroom was still being decorated, the stage and seats were being set up at the big clearing in the woods. More twinkle lights were being brought in and the bar was being stocked up in the ballroom. The band and DJ were wheeling in equipment, while the florist was bringing in beautiful flowers. Some of our guests had arrived and were resting in their guest rooms.
“Here come the love birds!” Payton called out.
“You are glowing.” Vannica added.
“And you
should be resting Vannica, that baby looks like it’s going to pop any minute now.” Payton told her and we all laughed.
“Why don’t you ladies go and have lynch, I need to go to the office and see if my new chair arrived.” Diesel kissed me goodbye.
Payton had arranged a luncheon for the ladies in the family dining room. “Right thi guests are already seated.” Tonia led the way.
y ladies, some of your
We entered the dining room and the ladies stood up to greet us. Payton began the introductions. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet our new Luna and my sister–in–law, Lucy Michaels, soon to be Lucy LaRue.”
“Thank you for coming.” I smiled at them.
<35
“Lucy, this is our cousin, princess Alexis, and her younger sister Ayana. Zeke’s sister Claudia and our dear friend Jacqueline” Payton said.
“Please, call me Jackie.”
“My grandmother’s ring looks lovely on you.” Payton noticed and everyone gushed at the ring.
huima
Lunch was served and I enjoyed getting to know everyone much better. Getting comfortable with some of the guests helped ease some of my anxiety. Zeke’s sister Claudia was a music major and played the harp and piano. Ayana was traveling the world, visiting other packs in search of her mate. And Jackie, was recently mated to Tyler Ross our pack Doctor. As we were finishing lunch, Alexis stood in her chair and the brown pupils of her eyes became white. She looked like she was in a trance and she when she spoke her voice
sounded eerie.
“There is a war coming and a lost wolf. Only the one born from Gods can set the course. In a hundred years, a descendant will possess the power of all four and save us in the Great War to come.”
Alexis’s eyes turned back to their brown color and she sat down looking exhausted. “Sister, are you ok?” Ayana asked.
“Yes, I need to go lay down. Please excuse me Luna, prophecies take a great deal of energy and there’s no controlling when I see them or not.” Alexis said and left the room.
“Did you understand what she said?” Jackie asked Payton.
I replayed what she said over and over in my head so I could share it with Diesel. After lunch I made my way to my room to rest before I had to start getting ready. The pups were taking a lot of energy from Lia and I. The sun was setting when Payton knocked on the door and woke me up. The guard at the door was still there, with Ranger and Athena on the loose, Diesel wasn’t taking any chances.
Payton started rolling my hair with a big curling iron in long ringlets. She used hairspray to help hold the curls and braided a beautiful crown on the top. The rest of my hair draped down my back. She finished it with small flowers in the braid and pulled a few loose ringlets to frame my face. Megan came into the room dressed in a beautiful blue gown carrying the garment bag that held my dress. Payton worked on my makeup, she used bronze and cream eyeshadow to complement the amber color of my eyes. She applied a thin line of eyeliner and two coats of mascara. She brushed on some blush and finished my lips with a fawn colored lipstick.
“Lucy, you look like a masterpiece.” Megan said smiling at me.
“We need to get you dressed and downstairs in twenty minutes. My father will be waiting at the entrance hall to escort you.”
nd dark hair. The only A few minutes later, I was standing in front of the full–length mirror and I hardly recognized the girl staring back at me. The light ivory colored dress complemented the warm tones of my ey thing missing was my mother’s amber necklace. I reached into my nightstand drawer and pulled it out.
“It’s beautiful, allow me.” Payton said and hooked it around my neck.
Payton slipped into her black gown and we went downstairs to the entrance hall. The castle was quiet at the moment, everyone had gathered at the clearing in the woods for the ceremony. “We’re going to leave you right here and get to our seats. My father is just outside and will be right in to get you.” Payton smiled and squeezed my hand.
< 35
I stood anxiously waiting in the entrance hall, Lia stirred inside of me and she seemed alert. I had a funny feeling I wasn’t alone. I looked around and didn’t see anyone. I looked towards the ball room and the doors were closed. The closet door next to the ballroom was open, I heard some rustling coming from inside the
closet and stepped closer.
“Hello.” I called out. “Someone there?” I sniffed the air and caught a hint of fresh cut grass and oak.
“Hello Luna.” A young girl about fifteen years old bowed.
“What are you doing in the closet?” I asked.
“My Aunt Tonia is the house manager. She’s hired me to work the coat check tonight, I’m Sophia.” She told
- me.
I took another sniff, she smelled like strawberry and lilac. “Is there anyone else in the closet?” I asked.
“No. It’s just me.” She said.
“Thank you for working this evening Sophia, I know you will do a great job.” I smiled at her.
Just then, the front door opened up and a very dashing, older version, of my mate stepped in. Alpha Knox
was wearing a tuxedo and a warm smile. He placed his hand over his heart. “Lucy, you look stunning and so much like your mother. I see you still have her necklace; it suits you.” He kissed me on the cheek.
“Thank you.” I blushed.
“Now, are you ready to go make my son the happiest wolf on the planet?”
“Let’s do it!” I smiled back. I considered telling him about the scent, but maybe I just imagined it. We stepped outside and the white sleigh was decorated with ribbons, flowers and twigs. “I believe you already know Charlie.” He smiled and helped me into the sleigh. The clearing in the woods wasn’t very far away, but I sure was happy not to have to walk in these shoes out there. Alpha Knox took the reins and Charlie started pulling us.
We entered the woods and the trail was lit with beautiful candle luminarias. Up ahead towards the clearing, I could see the glow from all the twinkle lights. As we got closer, I heard the sound of a harp being played. Charlie stopped when we reached the clearing, and everyone stood up. My breath hitched as I looked around, what kind of fairytale have I stepped into? The full moon hung beautifully over us, the twinkle lights in the trees gave a magical feel and the floral decorations were amazing.
“Are you ready?” Alpha Knox asked.
“I sure am.” I smiled at him.
the tune for our He stepped out of the sleigh and came around to my side to give me his arm. He escorted me to the aisle, and we stood for a moment. Zeke’s sister Claudia was playing the harp and chan entrance. Pachelbel’s Cannon rang through the clearing as we started walking down the aisle. Up ahead my handsome mate stood under a wooden arbor decorated with flowers waiting for me. Alpha Knox escorted me down the aisle, there were happy faces smiling back at me that I recognized and many that I didn’t.
A slight breeze rippled in our direction and I caught the scent of fresh cut grass and oak. I felt Alpha Knox tense next to me and knew he smelled it too. Diesel’s eyes started roaming the crowd. The owner of the mystery scent was here, hidden amongst our guests and pack, making it difficult to single them out.
