Page 61 of Pack to the Wall

"Zev spared no expense," Maggie commented, carefully applying a final touch of blush to Chrissy's cheeks. "That man would move mountains for you."

"He already has," Chrissy murmured, remembering how thoroughly he'd demolished every obstacle between them.

A knock at the door made her heart leap. Her dad peeked in, his eyes immediately welling with tears.

"Ready, Chrissy-bear? Your wolf is prowling the beach like he might start howling any minute."

Chrissy laughed, the sound bubbling up from a place of pure joy. "He wouldn't dare. The pack would never let him live it down."

As her dad offered his arm, Chrissy took one last look in the mirror. The moonlight streaming through the windows caught the mate mark on her pale neck, visible above the sweetheart neckline of her gown. She traced it gently with her fingertips.

"That man," she whispered, "is about to be so permanently stuck with me."

Her dad squeezed her hand. "He's the lucky one, honey. And he knows it."

Chrissy's arm was linked with her dad's as they made their way down the moonlit beach, a path of white rose petals guiding them toward the wooden arch where Zev stood waiting. Torches flickered on either side of the makeshift aisle, casting a golden glow across the pristine sand while the full moon hung heavy in the night sky, showering everything in ethereal silver light.

"Look at him," her dad whispered. "He's actually nervous."

Chrissy's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Zev—powerful, fierce Zev—shifting his weight from one bare foot to the other. His casual linen suit perfectly highlighted his broad shoulders, the open collar revealing just enough of his tanned skin to makeher mouth water. His eyes locked on hers, an almost predatory intensity radiating from him even now.

"He's facing scarier things than rogues tonight," she whispered back, fighting tears. "A hormonal bride and her overprotective father."

Her dad chuckled softly. "I think he'd take on an army for you, Chrissy-bear."

The small gathering of pack members stood in respectful silence as she approached, but Chrissy only had eyes for Zev. His usually stoic expression had softened, those impossibly blue eyes filling with unmistakable emotion as he took in her silk gown flowing over her baby bump and the orchids adorning her loose updo.

When she finally reached him, Zev didn't wait for formalities. He stepped forward and placed a possessive hand on her rounded belly, his large palm splaying over where their son grew.

"Mine," he murmured, just loud enough for her to hear.

A delicious chill ran through her at the raw possessiveness in that single word. Six months of pregnancy had only intensified his protective instincts, as if that were even possible.

"Yours," she agreed softly.

Her dad kissed her cheek before placing her hand firmly in Zev's. "Take care of my little girl," he whispered to his soon-to-be son-in-law.

"With my life," Zev promised, his deep voice carrying the weight of an Alpha's oath.

The ceremony began under the full moon's blessing, ancient wolf tradition blending seamlessly with human ritual. When the time came for their vows, Zev's voice deepened with emotion.

"Chrissy Rivera," he began, his thumbs tracing circles on her hands. "Before you, I was half of what I am now. An Alpha without purpose beyond duty." His eyes darkened. "You crashedonto my island and into my life like a hurricane, and I've been gloriously wrecked ever since."

The pack chuckled, but Zev's gaze never left hers.

"I vow to protect you with every breath, to cherish every note you sing, and to stand between you and any threat for as long as I live." His hand returned to her belly. "And I vow to be a father worthy of the gift you're giving me."

Tears spilled down Chrissy's cheeks as she spoke her own vows. "Zev Landon, I was lost when I found you. Playing someone else's songs and living someone else's life." She squeezed his hands. "You gave me back my voice, my freedom, and showed me what real protection feels like—not control disguised as care, but genuine love."

The simple gold bands they exchanged seemed to catch both moonlight and torchlight as they slid them onto each other's fingers.

"By the power of the moon and the laws of both human and wolf," the officiant declared, "I now pronounce you husband and wife, Alpha and Luna, bonded in both worlds."

Zev didn't wait for permission to kiss his bride. He pulled Chrissy against him with a growl that sent goosebumps racing across her skin, one hand cradling her bump while the other tangled in her hair, somehow avoiding disturbing a single orchid. His lips claimed hers in a kiss that bordered on inappropriate for public viewing—deep, possessive, and filled with promises of what would come later.

When he finally released her, his eyes had taken on the golden glow of his wolf—a sign she'd learned meant his emotions were running too high to fully contain his animal side.

"My Luna," he whispered against her lips. "Now and forever."

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