Page 77 of Obsessed Mate

“Yes, really.”

She laughed. “You’re just saying that.”

“I swear on my life, Sadie,” I promised, “I mean it with all my heart.”

Chapter 25 - Sadie

“You sure this dress doesn’t make me look funny?”

I twirled about repeatedly while Bella tried helping me with the train. A snow beast would have looked better in this thing. The skirt puffed out when I spun with the waist stayed hooked in place with a corset. I messed with the veil, fixing it over my curls.

“You sure?” I asked for the millionth time. “Somebody tell me this looks good.”

Bella caught my shoulders and shoved the bouquet into my hands. “Girl, if you ask again, I’m going down there myself and telling Andres to take you straight to your honeymoon.”

I laughed. Then I sniffled. Then I yanked Bella into a tight hug. “Thanks, bestie. I would be lost without you here right now.”

Mom blubbered from one corner of the room while Galanthia tended to her. A couple of the other bridesmaids fussed over their dresses. It was almost time to walk.

And I felt like I was going to faint.

Outside, a string quartet played Bach. Mom and Dad had shared the expense of the wedding with Andres, and I wasn’t allowed to touch an iota of the planning since it was supposed to be my big day. I still didn’t have a ring. I stared at my empty finger, wondering what Andres was going to give me at the altar.

Bella tapped my arm. “That’s our cue, sweetie. Let’s get marching.”

“It’s now or never.”

The girls filed into a line ahead of me. We marched downstairs and through the kitchen, passing white streamers, white roses, whiteeverything. Mom had gone all out with the decorations, and Dad had made sure my bedroom was a palace of comfort. Silk linens covered every chair and frosted white swans sat on every table.

With the girls in front of me, I couldn’t see Andres. Which was probably for the best. Because I felt the familiar knot in my throat that told me I was about to start crying.

Bella patted my arm. “You’ll be just fine. Just remember what we practiced.”

“Eyes ahead and one foot after the other.”

She grinned. “Atta girl.”

When she left my side, I felt weird. I knew I was standing on the porch of my childhood home, but I really felt like I was on the precipice of something great. Ahead of me were the long rows of white chairs holding every Turner known to the supernatural world along with most of our pack members. Raven and Killian were at the front with my parents and Lena. Our friends occupied the rest of the space.

I held my breath.

This was it. This was the rest of my life.

As soon as the quartet began playing the wedding march, I stepped into the yard, following the white satin path toward the archway made of roses. Andres stood underneath it wearing a crisp tuxedo of white that matched my dress. One yellow rose sat in the breast pocket of his suit. One smile rested on his lips.

A tear escaped my left eye. I didn’t bother wiping it away, and I didn’t care when it sank into the crease of my mouth. I kept on walking, keeping my eyes forward and my feet moving. Two days ago, we were sitting on the front porch while admiring the night together. Now were getting married.

Funny how life went its own way. I never pictured myself as the marriage type. But then again, I never pictured myself being happy with the likes of Andres. Who knew we would go from arguments to love in a matter of weeks?

Definitely not me. But I was more than pleased with the outcome as I drew closer to the man who would soon become my husband.

Mine, I thought.All mine.

Strange how that thought never occurred to me until now. While our bites were enough to state our affections, I hadn’t truly considered Andres to belong to me. I wanted to be his in so many ways, and I guessed that meant he felt the same too. As I reached the altar, more tears ran down my cheeks.

Andres rushed toward me with a handkerchief. He delicately dabbed my cheeks and then kissed each one. Sounds of admiration surrounded us. He guided me the rest of the way with his arm hooked around mine. I clutched to him for dear life. I didn’t know what would happen next.

Raven approached the altar and welcomed us. She held our hands together and whispered a prayer. She invited us to speak to each other our vows while holding space for the moment. A rush of emotions tumbled from me, nearly stealing my attention from the moment.

---