Page 67 of The Alpha's Chosen Outcast

They were seriously beginning to wonder if their daughter was dead, and now she’s back with them. It moves me.

They get to be a family again, and I’m honored that I’ll be part of that, too. I’m not sure they’ve fully grasped the concept of being parents of an Alpha. That’s not important right now. They can learn all about it later.

In this moment, I’m not feeling the loss of my father as much. All I feel is the fullness of love and connection for my mate.

As I put breakfast together and get ready to bring it to the table, I stop to revel in that feeling. And then I realize something else: this is only the beginning.

Chapter 19

HEATHER

In a few days, I’m getting married. It’ll be a small ceremony with my friends here, Sam as my maid of honor (and wedding planner), and Jessie, Gretta, and Violet on video chat. But the best part is that my parents are here.

Trey flew them out, and I still can’t believe it. After five years, my whole family is together and about to grow larger.

When we return to the city, we’ll have a grand ceremony and reception with the whole pack, but this one is just for us.

A private event that solidifies my status as the female Alpha without anyone interfering. It won’t matter if someone stands up and says they object at the big wedding because we’ll already be married.

By doing it this way, we can enjoy it. It won’t be extravagant, but I don’t need that. I have all I need with me.

My father is going to walk me down the aisle, and my mother is going to be here to help me with my dress and everything else. And I have my mate. My true love. That’s all I need.

After breakfast and a lot of tears, my mom takes the garment bag down that’s been hanging on the back of the kitchen door. I figured it was for her mother-of-the-bride dress.

She lays it on the cleaned-off dining room table and, with a few more tears, she unzips it to reveal her own wedding dress. I gasp at the sight.

“I want you to have this, Heather.”

“Mom, no, I can’t accept this. I know how important this dress is to you.”

She made this dress herself, and it was the foundation for my motivation to make beautiful wedding gowns. The dress is pale blue with a cream-colored lace overlay. She knitted that lace by hand.

The overlay covers the entire dress, and the sleeves are made of it too. There’s intricate beading along the bodice and waistline, a testimony to her patience and effort.

I’m similar in size to my mother so I’m pretty sure it’ll fit me without much alteration. I touch the lace overlay on the skirt and look up at my mother.

“Are you sure? I may have to alter it.”

“I’m absolutely certain. Alter it. Make it your own. Add some of the embroidery you love to do with a bit of color. And one day, if you choose to go that route, you can hand it down to your own child. It’s your first heirloom.”

My arms are around her again, and I can’t stop a fresh stream of tears from sliding down my face. This is more than I could ever imagine having.

It’s more than I dreamed I’d get when I was first exiled. I thought I’d disappear and just survive. This is my fairytale. And it’s real.

I wipe the tears from my face as I step back from my mother. “I guess we have some shopping to do, then.”

Mom laughs, and Dad smiles at me. He hasn’t stopped smiling since we sat down to breakfast. He smiled the entire time we were eating.

rey is beaming at me from the doorway to the kitchen. We are whole. This is our new family, right here in this room.

I set up my parents in the living room. My space is pretty small, but the living room will suffice. I’m gonna have to talk to Jessieabout ending my lease and maybe working at her sister’s shop when I leave. I hope she’ll understand.

I haven’t told her or Gretta about my wolf nature yet, but this is a small town. They probably know already. I’m sure our server figured it out at the diner last night.

As I’m in my bedroom getting ready, I think about the looks exchanged between my father and Trey at the dining room table. Something is going on between them. Does my father not want me to marry Trey? I’ll have to ask him.

We’ve always been open with each other. After five years, it feels like no time has passed. If it weren’t for my friends here, I’d be content to forget my entire time in exile.

---