Page 50 of Having the Bear's Baby

It was the Beron family tradition to proceed with the ceremony once the sun had vanished. Lanterns gleaming with the family shade of emerald and amber were placed along the aisle, lighting Emma’s way.

Liam waited as a violin cried its charming, soft tune. It made him feel like it was all in a dream.

Emma, wearing the Beron crown, her dress’s hemline ending at her knees, lace kissing the delicate boundary of her collarbone, was all Liam was ever going to need.

“Wow,” he muttered to himself.

She didn’t look nervous at all. She looked like the woman he had imagined in his mind, one that he was sure didn’t exist. A fable in his dreams breathed into life floated down the aisle, her gentle eyes never leaving his. She took his hands, and the trembling stopped.

He stood tall, feeling the moon rising higher in the sky until it spotlighted them. He proclaimed his love and commitment to her in front of his family, who would also become Emma’s family.

“Emma, you are my mate, and I am your alpha. I promise to be loyal, faithful, loving, kind, and provide you with a life beyond your wildest dreams.”

The spectators remained quiet until the end, which was how the ceremony differed from usual human weddings. When it was Emma’s turn, she smiled. Those bowed, cherry-shaded lips that should exist in a gallery moved to the music of Liam’s heartbeat.

“Liam, I never thought I would quite literally fall in love with an animal,” she said, snorting slightly. “But am I ever glad I did. You are the most loving and fiercely passionate man I have ever known. You will be my alpha, and I will be your mate from now until the end of time.”

It could have all been a hallucination, but that didn’t matter. Liam’s mother approached the couple and read them the Beron family oath, linking their wrists with branches from the family oak tree.

“With this binding, you are wed as one,” Liam’s mother, the family matriarch, proclaimed. “Liam and Emma Beron, the Alpha and the Alpha’s mate.”

Liam glanced at his beloved as the moon crested over the silk aisle, a stream of light following up to beam over Emma’s face. She looked even more angelic than when they first met.

They raised their wrists in the air and spoke together for the first time as one true union.

“We are the Beron Clan.”

Everyone stood, applauding with unbridled enthusiasm. Liam’s throat grew dry once again, his eyes welling with an elation never previously known.

“I love you,” Emma mouthed.

He mouthed it back. It was all he was ever going to need.

* * *

“I never knew you had such a big family.”

Emma, still dressed in her decadent gown, sat with Liam at the reception that took place just outside of where they had made their commitment to one another. Twinkle lights were laced through the trees, blooming pale yellow and vibrant emerald. A band in the clan played folk music while the attendants laughed, danced, and celebrated with general merriment.

Liam tucked a hand between his mate’s thighs, slipping under the dress to catch a devilish grin flashing across her face. It was one he wanted to see for the rest of his life.

Sipping at some dry white Chardonnay, Liam scooted his body closer to his wife.

“They all like to come out of the woodwork when there’s a celebration to be had,” he murmured.

Her skin was smooth and cool as stone, appetizing and exciting. She moved even closer to him, her knee pressing against his, the glass of sparkling water in her hand tilting to tease her lips. She leaned in close, still smiling, so radiant and divine.

“When should we tell them?” she murmured.

Emma laid her hand upon her tummy, a bump not yet present, but the love already felt palpable. His eyes welled again, giving his wife a light kiss. She tasted like fresh roses.

“Whenever you want, honey,” he replied. “Do you want to do it tonight?”

Emma beamed at him, sipping at the fluted champagne glass, her palm remaining pressed to her belly. Liam envisioned the swelling of it, how profoundly beautiful she would be growing a child that was their own inside her body.

It was beyond a magical feeling.

Liam kissed her again but with more vigor and passion. His hand slipped a bit higher up her inner thigh, teasing her silk panties he couldn’t wait to get under later.

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