13. Levi

I paced backand forth in the glade behind the Fox Haven pack house, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

This space, usually reserved for pack meetings and challenges, had been transformed into a breathtaking venue for our wedding.

Lanterns hung from the trees, casting a warm, golden glow. Garlands of flowers in shades of white and green adorned the wooden arch where we would soon exchange our vows.

The air was filled with the scent of blooming jasmine and fresh pine. Nothing could go wrong today… or so I thought.

"Shane, what do you mean you don"t have the rings?" I asked, my voice edged with panic.

Shane, my best man, looked sheepish as he patted his pockets once more. "I swore it was in my pocket, but... it isn"t," he said lamely.

I glared at him, my nerves fraying at the edges. Even my inner fox was pissed.

"We're getting married in an hour, Shane. And you've lost the rings?"

He raised his hands in a placating gesture.

"Relax, we"ll find it. Promise. It"s probably just at my place," Shane said.

"You better be sure it"s there," I growled, trying to keep my frustration in check.

I glanced towards the pack house where Luca was getting ready with his cousins, Liam and Ollie. The last thing I wanted was for him to worry about this.

I quickly texted Liam, not wanting to stress Luca out on our special day.

Levi: Hey, we might be a bit delayed. Small problem. Tell Luca everything's fine.

Liam replied almost instantly.

Liam: What's wrong?

I hesitated for a moment before responding.

Levi: Shane misplaced the rings. We"re heading to his place to find them.

Liam: Got it. I"ll keep Luca calm. Just hurry.

Shane and I hurried to his car, driving back to his place in record time. The entire ride was a blur of tension and hurried reassurances from Shane.

I kept picturing Luca, nervous and handsome in his tux, waiting for me at the wooden arch. The thought of his smile was the only thing keeping me from completely losing it.

We arrived at Shane's place, and he bolted out of the car, fumbling with his keys.

"I'm sure I left it here somewhere," he muttered, rushing inside.

I followed him, anxiety gnawing at my insides. Shane tore through his living room, tossing cushions aside and upending drawers.

I joined the search, rifling through every possible hiding place.

"Found them!" Shane exclaimed triumphantly, holding up the small velvet box.

I let out a sigh of relief, the tension easing out of my shoulders.

"You scared the hell out of me," I said, snatching the box from his hand to inspect the rings.

They were both there, gleaming and perfect.

"Sorry, man. My bad," Shane said, genuinely sorry.

"We still have time. Let"s get back," I said, already heading towards the door.

We raced back to the pack house, the sun dipping lower in the sky, casting long shadows.

As we pulled up, I saw the guests starting to gather, their murmurs filling the air with a buzz of anticipation. I took a deep breath, steadying myself.

Everything was going to be fine, I reassured myself and my fox.

Back in the glade, the transformation was complete. The fairy lights twinkled, casting a magical ambiance over the space.

The white chairs were arranged in neat rows, filled with our friends and family. A hired band played softly in the background.

I made my way to the wooden arch, Shane by my side. The moment I saw Luca, all the stress melted away. He looked amazing, his eyes shining with love and excitement.

Mine, I thought. Ours, my inner fox agreed.

I took my place, Shane standing beside me, and as Luca walked down the aisle towards me, I knew I'd never forget this moment for the rest of my life.

As Luca reached me, we smiled at each other. The band transitioned into a soft, romantic melody, setting the perfect tone for our vows.

The officiant, a minister belonging to our pack, stepped forward and began the ceremony with a warm smile.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Levi Collins and Luca McGowan, two souls brought together by fate and bound by love," he said.

I took a deep breath, my heart swelling with emotion as I looked into Luca"s eyes. The minister nodded to me, signaling it was time to say my vows.

"Luca," I began, my voice steady despite the flood of emotions. "From the moment I met you, I knew there was something special about you. Your strength, your kindness, and your fierce determination captured my heart completely. I promise to stand by your side through every challenge, to cherish every moment we share, and to love you more with each passing day. You are my mate, my partner, and my forever love."

Luca"s eyes glistened with tears, and he squeezed my hands tightly. It was his turn to speak, and he took a deep breath before beginning his vows.

"Levi," Luca said, his voice filled with emotion. "I never imagined that a chance meeting would lead me to the love of my life. You have shown me what true love means, and you have made me believe in magic again. I promise to support you, to honor our bond, and to love you unconditionally. With you, I am whole. With you, I am home."

The minister then addressed the crowd. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husbands and mates for life. Levi, you may kiss your groom."

I didn"t need to be told twice. I stepped closer to Luca, gently cupping his face in my hands.

Our eyes met for a brief, electrifying moment before I leaned in and pressed my lips to his.

The world seemed to dissolve around us as we shared our first kiss as a married couple, a kiss that was sweet, passionate, and full of promise.

The guests erupted into applause and cheers, but in that moment, all I could focus on was Luca. We pulled away slightly, foreheads touching, both of us smiling like fools.

"I love you," I whispered, my voice barely audible over noise.

"I love you too," Luca replied.

The reception was a joyous affair, filled with laughter, music, and the warm embrace of our pack.

As Luca and I entered the hall, our pack mates greeted us with cheers and congratulatory hugs. Members of Luca's family were also there, including his mother, who had eventually accepted our union after seeing her son so happy.

It was heartwarming to see everyone come together to celebrate our union.

We made our way to the center of the room, where a beautifully decorated cake awaited us.

The cake was a masterpiece, adorned with intricate designs and topped with a miniature figure of a mage carrying a fox in its arms.

With Luca by my side, we cut the cake, our hands intertwined on the knife. The crowd cheered again as we fed each other a piece, laughing when a bit of frosting ended up on Luca's nose.

The evening progressed with dancing, and I pulled Luca into my arms for our first dance as a married couple.

The music was slow and romantic, and we moved together as if we had been dancing like this for years.

I held him close, feeling the warmth of his body and the rhythm of his heartbeat against mine. Our guests eventually joined us on the dance floor.

As the night wore on, I noticed Luca stifling a yawn, and I knew it was time to take my mate home.

I swept him off his feet, eliciting a surprised laugh from him. Carrying him in my arms, I bid our guests goodnight and headed to our new home.

The cabin had undergone extensive renovations over the past few weeks. What once was a small den meant for me had been transformed into a cozy and inviting home for Luca and me.

We had discussed our living arrangements, and despite my offer to find a place in town closer to my family, Luca insisted that our home should be on the pack lands.

He assured me he wouldn't abandon his family duties; he would still take Fergus McGowan's place and lead his family, but at the end of each day, he wanted to come home to me.

That was all that mattered to him, and it meant the world to me. As we approached the front door, Luca laughed and held me tighter.

I carried him through the threshold and went directly to our bedroom. I predicted we would be spending a lot of time in here for the foreseeable future. Setting Luca down on the bed, I sat beside him and reached for his hands.

"Welcome home," I told him.

"It's perfect," he said. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

"Good. Now take off your clothes. Or should I rip them off you?" I asked, grinning.

THE END

Turn the page to read a preview of Nitro, Fel Fern's upcoming release.

If you'd like to explore a new and completed series, I recommend starting the Fox Haven series with Owen and Ian. A dead fox at his doorstep, a handsome sheriff, and a town brimming with secrets…Click here to read more.