Page 32 of Alpha Bully

“It’s your ceremony,” he grimaces, “you should know.”

Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I glance around the hall. It looks completely transformed. The usually bare ceiling beams are decked with lights and fabric, the chairs are draped and arranged in a circle, and flower displays fill the space. With the snow coming down outside the large windows, it really does look like a winter wonderland.

“But I didn’t plan any of it,” I admit, panic rising as I stare at the basket and then glance around the room until I spot Sara heading our way. “Thank the goddess for Sara.”

Charlie turns, too, looking visibly relieved at the sight of his mate. “Sara, what on Earth are these?” he says, lifting the basket. Sara laughs, taking one of the ribbons and attaching it to the back of a nearby chair.

“Chair ribbons, silly,” she says, kissing Charlie’s cheek. “Now, quickly, put them on each chair. I’ve got to go finish getting Ava and Harper ready with the girls.”

Sara rushes off, and we get to work quickly, but it’s fiddly work with large hands. I’d normally get frustrated as hell, but as I look around the room, all I can think is that I can’t wait for Harper to see it and for me to see Ava’s face.

From the moment we got Harper back, I knew this was what I wanted. To claim my family in front of everyone and bring them into the center of the pack. I think Ava was still worried about the pack accepting her, but she needn’t have worried. She already had a growing number of people who respected what she was helping Sara do with the women’s refuge, including those at the clinic who were involved in their care. Their opinion goes far around here. Then, taking on the rogues alone and showing the kind of strength in defending her child that defies natural ability means she’s earned the pack's enduring respect.

And my enduring gratitude.

I feel so lucky that Ava is my mate and my daughter’s mother, and the pack can’t wait to accept her as their luna. It’s been almost two months since the attacks and revelations about Malik. Amidst all the uncertainty and new threats, the pack has gone all out on a reason to celebrate. This hall and the involvement of the pack in getting it ready is a testament to that. I only hope that Ava sees that when she arrives, and it dispels any lingering notions she may have about not being wanted here.

Just as I’m finishing the last of the chairs by the door, I feel a gush of cool air as the doors open. I hear them before I see them as Byron escorts my brothers and their party inside the hall. From the amount of snow they’re having to shake from their clothes, it has really started coming down outside.

“I don’t think you’ll be making it back over the mountains in this,” I say, going to greet them.

Tristen nods, but Aiden shakes his head. “You know I will,” he remarks, his smile easy but the determination behind his eyes clear. I don’t say anything; today is not the day to question why Aiden has such a lingering issue with his childhood pack. I suspect I know, anyway: Ralph.

Perhaps an occasion like today will help him see that we’re moving on here, and it will help him to as well. I welcome the rest of the small group and listen as they gently rib me about my attempts to decorate the chairs before helping me to straighten a few of the bows out.

Tristen comes to stand next to me as I finish the last one. "Your defenses looked strong when we passed,” he remarks. “The runes will need replacing next week—maybe sooner with the snow, though.”

I nod, knowing it’s going to be a long winter of maintaining the witch’s runes to ward off further attacks from Malik. Thankfully, they seem to be working so far. The witches learned that because he has the ability to absorb other magic, he’s left vulnerable to one single protection spell. And while that is a good thing for now, everyone knows only one protection spell isn’t enough. With more sightings of Malik across the island and a worrying trend of rogue attacks using magic they didn’t have before, the threat is far from over.

“Thank the goddess for the witches,” I reply.

Tristen scoffs. “If you say so,” he mutters as I roll my eyes. I won’t argue with him today of all days, but his issue with the witches is becoming a problem I’m tired of hearing about. I get that he doesn’t trust them, but the fact is, we need them. We definitely can’t afford to piss them off. Which is exactly what he seems to excel at.

As if on cue, Emily, one of the witches who travels to protect the runes, walks into the hall. She’s become good friends with Ava and Sara and has been at the house helping the girls get ready. Harper especially loves Emily. As far as I can tell, she’s a nice, if slightly quiet, girl. Clearly very strong magically, but she’s never been a problem. If anything, we’re more than grateful for her help, which makes Tristen’s outright hostility to her all the stranger.

I catch the moment he spots her, his wolf bristling. “Not today,” I snap. “I don’t want to hear it.”

Now it’s his turn to roll his eyes, “I won’t ruin your big day with the truth,” he says, clapping me on my back. “Besides, you want to worry more about our little brother chasing after all the available women here before running off in the night.”

We both turn to see Aiden holding court with three young she-wolves. I sigh, knowing his intentions all too well. On the surface, he just looks like a carefree young man flitting from one woman to the next, but I don’t think that’s all it is. I sigh again as I hear the unsuspecting girls laugh at something he’s said.

“I don’t want anyone crying at my mate’s ceremony because he can’t choose which girl to take home tonight,” I mutter.

Tristen smirks. “I’ll keep an eye on him,” he replies. “I might have to take one off his hands.”

I turn to tell him not to make the situation worse, but when I do, I find him glaring at the witch again. I clap him on the back and walk off to find Byron instead. I suspect both my brothers have their own issues to sort out. Right now, I just want to focus on Ava and Harper. Speaking of which, the ceremony is due to start in less than five minutes. I glance around the hall, the seats filled with excited pack members waiting for the service to begin, and notice some of the women from the refuge and Becca from the clinic have taken their seats, which means Ava must be here, too.

Suddenly, the doors open, and I see Sara usher Harper into the room. She looks around nervously, taking in the sheer number of people gathered in the hall. As she steps forward, my heart clenches at the sight of her in her beautiful, soft blue party dress. She’d been so proud of it when she showed it to me the other day, but she wouldn’t let me see her wearing it until today. It was worth waiting for, I think, as she sees me in the center of the room and takes off running straight for me, her blonde hair falling from the clips Ava probably spent ages putting in. The result is only more adorable, and as I sweep her up into my arms, she laughs, “Daddy!” causing a chorus ofawwsfrom the crowd. Harper buries her head, realizing all eyes are on us, but I lift her slightly so she can see her mom walk down the aisle, too.

And there she is, my luna in an emerald green gown that hugs her curves and cinches at the waist, her blonde hair falling in waves. She looks stunning, her eyes locked with mine as she holds her head high and walks toward me. I can't believe I ever doubted she would be a good luna—she’s incredible.

By the time she reaches me in the center of the hall, I’m sure my emotions are etched into my face. I take her hand, still holding Harper, as the officiant steps forward to begin the ceremony. Ava repeats the vows first, her voice even, though I can sense the emotion behind each of the ancient words. She grips my hand as if it’s the only thing tethering her to this world.

When it’s my turn, I repeat the vows, but then pause at the end. I know Ava deserves so much more than I can ever give her, and I know how important this moment is. I take a deep breath and begin to recite the special vows I wrote just for her.

“Ava, words cannot express how grateful I am that you came back into my life and gave me the opportunity to win back your love and trust. You have given me everything, including a beautiful daughter,” I say, holding Harper close. “I don’t deserve you—your strength, resilience, beauty, and grace. But I’m going to spend every day of my life earning it. With you by my side as luna, I know our pack will go from strength to strength, built on foundations of love and respect. I am honored to be your mate.”

Ava’s eyes are glossy with tears she’s fighting not to shed, and I can feel the emotion in the room as the officiant declares us mates, and I pull her into my arms. Harper wriggles and laughs as I kiss Ava gently, with a knowing look between us that promises so much more later.

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