Page 96 of His Impossible Elf Mate
Each of the Sweetwater brothers had earned braids over their time in the pack. Even Kade had earned one in the defense of his daughter. They all wore them with pride.
Axel was the last to get dressed. Kade wrestled Rieka into her gold and green dress while I went to support my mate. I knew nerves were getting the better of him.
I found him in our bedroom, staring at the cream, gold and green outfit, the exact same as mine, on the hanger.
“Why did you tell me? Couldn’t you have pretended it was just a naming day?” Axel’s face was fixed in a frown. I knew this mood was purely down to nerves. He had every right to be anxious.
“Would you really have dressed so for ‘just a naming day’ or would you have felt overdressed and asked to return home?”
“No. Why do we have to have this big wedding?” He pouted. I knew his heart. He was glad to be marrying me. It was just he did not like the fuss associated with it.
“Unfortunately, The Luna made your mate the prince of the elves of Abrocaelum. Royalty means regalia. However, Mother took your upbringing and dislike of… all the trappings of your new status, and has given us a simpler event by pairing it with a naming day for Rieka.”
Axel sighed. “You’re right. She’s really done a lot to make me feel more comfortable.”
“You are part of her family now. Of course she wants that for you.”
“I’ll get over it in a minute. Just needed a moment.”
“There’s nothing to get over, dear one. Your feelings are valid.”
“You’ve been spending too much time with Jasper.”
“His therapist is very wise.”
“She’s not his therapist anymore.”
“Have you thought—?” I did not wish to upset him, especially on such an important day, but this felt important. I needed to suggest it.
“We all need some therapy. I know Georgia is working on getting licensed so she can work with the omega females who have deep trauma, but maybe we need more.” He finished fixing his outfit.
“Some alphas have been conditioned from a young age to act a particular way. Blake… I don’t even know how he’s so level headed, kind, and so damn fair.”
“He got that from you and Chase. Deke too. Your mother did her best to instill in him all he would need to be the alpha who guided this pack to a better future.”
“If only she could see us now.”
“After seeing Janet at her own funeral, I believe your mother is there with you, guiding you.”
He was thoughtful for a moment, then he picked up the outfit. “I think I’d like to marry you today.”
The procession to the castle was long. So many of the pack were traveling with us to see me and Axel marry and Rieka be formally presented as the heir of Abrocaelum’s elves.
Not only did we have the brothers and their cousin, but Kade’s family, Dakota, Jasper, and Kade’s siblings, as well as his grandparents, Aldrin and James.
Georgia, the omega who ran most of the omega compound until Axel’s transition, also came. Axel explained she was like a surrogate mother to them all, so she was there as family.
Roan with his mate, Tate, Asher, the children and Xavier were there. Larken joined them alongside the elf, Ingall, his replacement in their home. With them sat Dalton and Winter.
Representing the elves, Ívarr, Teagan, and Hakeem were following us. Michaella rode with Ívarr on her motorcycle again.
Poppy, her wife Zinna, and their daughter, Sage, were there for the witches. They had spent a lot of time in Abrocaelum and called it their second home. Many elves on the way greeted them with familiarity as the procession wound its way into the castle’s keep.
Even the demon, Toth, had been invited with his mate, Cody, to attend. It was a promising turnof events, as a demon had never ventured into Abrocaelum, or one of us to their realm. This could be a signal of a new relationship with demon kind.
Cody’s father had offered us a few days in one of his luxury hotels as a honeymoon when we felt ready to have that time to ourselves. It was unlikely to be soon since Axel was still feeding Rieka himself. Perhaps once she was fully weaned.
The weather was mild enough to hold the event outside. Pale afternoon sun lit up the decorations and finery on the assembled court. Everything was perfect for a wedding.
