Page 180 of Pack Rivals: Part Two
“Whatisgoing on in Molly’s love life?” Courtney asks.
Molly’s smile grows smugger, and she twists back to the mirror without another word.
“Now I really want to know,” Courtney whispers in my ear.
“Let’s just say that the fact Axel and Angel would disapprove of what’s going on in Molly’s love life is half the appeal,” I whisper back.
“I can hear you,” Molly says, coming to join us, “and yes, it is.”
I laugh as my two bridesmaids fiddle with my veil.
“So, are you ready?” Courtney asks me a second time.
I stand up straight in front of the mirror and stare at myself. Here I am all dressed up in yet another white dress, the sweetheart bodice smothered in crystals and the silky tulle skirt flaring out from my pinched waist and flowing out wide around my feet.
I didn’t expect to be here again. I didn’t think I’d ever want to stand at another altar. And barely a year since the last time I did this? No way.
But the illness that’s been slowly claiming Mrs. Stormgate is whipping her away from us, and though she would never say, although she’d never want to put that kind of pressure on us, I know she would give anything to be here today, to witness her boys happy and tying the knot.
“Is this dress too much?” I ask, burying my hands in layers of skirt, a smile hovering on my lips.
“Yes!” Courtney and Molly say together.
“It’s the most over-the-top wedding dress I’ve ever seen, and you look amazing in it!” Courtney says.
I wanted a dress that would blow that other one out of the water. This certainly does the job. No holding back. No expense spared. I love this dress nearly as much as I do my six alphas.
“Let’s go then,” I say.
Courtney hurries to the door and opens it wide. On the other side my mom and dad stand waiting. My dad’s wearing a suit for the first time since the failed wedding and looks like he’s hating every minute of it, but any trace of discomfort vanishes from his features as he takes me in.
He whistles and smiles wide. “I hope those men know just how lucky they are, Cupcake, because you are a damn knockout.”
My mom rushes forward, grabbing my cheeks in her hands.
“Beautiful, you look beautiful.”
“So do you, Mom.”
“You both do,” my dad says, carefully maneuvering around my dress to engulf us both into a hug. “And I’m very glad we’re doing this again,” he says, “not only because this time Bea’s getting it right, but also because I get to see my girls all dressed up and looking fine for a second time.”
“Second time lucky,” Courtney jokes.
I’m too happy to give her the stink eye.
“It’s just a shame we’re not doing this in St Luke’s,” my mum sighs, pulling away, and adjusting the purse on her shoulder.
Mom wanted me to host the wedding back in Naw Creek – I suspect to show me and my seriously wealthy pack off to the town – but I vetoed that with a hard no. Angel suggested the beach and, though I was tempted, I wanted to do it here. I’m a Stormgate now and holding the wedding here, at their home, where their mom could be with us was the most important thing to me.
You’re late!Silver says through the bond.Everything okay up there?
A bride is expected to be late. And I’m coming.
Relief, excitement and a jubilation so strong it whips my breath away floods the bond and my feet can’t move fast enough.
I take my dad’s arm on one side and my mom’s on the other and we set off. Down the staircase, through the house, out into the garden.
It’s a beautiful day. A crispness hangs in the air and the distant sea is a dark emerald. Above the sun is milky white and there’s not a cloud in the wide blue sky.
