Flashback

EJ was excited. Alexander squeezed my shoulders, “You’re getting married today.”

I grinned, “I know.”

He was my best man. Everyone was around me laughing and having a good time. I said, “I’ll just go see mom and how everything’s coming.” I knew Elise’s vision for our mating ceremony and reception.

I walked in and looked at all the photos that were around. They were of Elise and I together since she was born. I basically walked through our entire timeline. Me in Chelsea’s arms when she was pregnant all the way to our engagement pictures. I loved the one of us on a swing set in the Hackura realm. She was sitting on it, and I was leaned down with my hands on her thighs about to kiss her. Our noses were just touching.

Looking at it I had to admit that my mom had been right about taking them. They were some of my favorite photos and we took them a few days ago. We were getting married in the same glass chapel my parents had.

Elise had wanted an outdoors look and feel. My mom had come up with several design/theme ideas for us to look at. Elise chose one with white fabric that attached to the ceiling in a circus tent type feel. They were covered in leaves with what looked branches coming down. There was a big chandelier in the middle of it all. White and light green flowers hung down over every pew.

My mom asked, “What do you think?”

I answered, “It looks like everything Elise dreamed it would be. Thanks, mom.”

She said, “Let’s see the outside.” We wanted to have our reception outside. She walked me beside the lake, and I couldn’t help but admire it all.

I told her, “This is amazing.”

She shrugged that off, “It was Elise’s vision. I just brought it to life.”

I grinned, “My mate is smart.” There were alternating circle tables with round tablecloths that had white and light green flowers at them with white Christmas lights hanging off a wood structure to hold decorations but had no top so you could see the night sky. The dance floor was like a checkerboard with black and white squares.

My mom bumped me, “People are arriving. You should get inside the chapel.”

I hugged her and popped inside. Alexander linked, “You ready?”

I replied, “Are you serious? I’ve been ready for years.” Angela came down the aisle with her flower petals while TJ shot his bubble gun and everyone chuckled.

Elise’s bridesmaids came in. I ignored the stab of annoyance I felt. Brutus said, “You ignore it. I’ll still be upset about it.”

Sam had declined Melanie’s spot in Elise’s bridal party because she didn’t want her out at a bunch of events. Plus, she had a science competition.

It felt out of character for Sam to do, but everyone else ate some cookies and got over it. Except my mom, she was pissed and cemented in the fact Melanie wasn’t real. I shoved that away knowing she’d be here today.

Cassie winked at me when she came down the aisle. She looked beautiful and her mate watched her every step. The light green color looked good on her. I linked her, “Are you trying to kill your mate?”

She snorted, “You know I’m not. I didn’t even pick the dress. That was all your mate.”

She stood up at the front in the maid of honor spot.

Elise had chosen not to have the groomsmen walk with them, so no one got upset about mate’s being with other people. They were just up here with me already. The doors closed and everything in me prepared to see my childhood sweetheart in her wedding dress. She’d teased me since we were pups about her dress. She’d never told me what it looked like, but I knew she’d stun me off my feet in it.

The door opened again, and my eyes went to Elise. Her dress was lace with a sweetheart neckline. Her boobs were calling to me. There was a darker lining to her dress with flowers placed strategically on it. When she got closer, I noticed it had a low ‘V’ in the back.

I told her, “You look stunning.”

Her hair was all up, and her makeup looked flawless. She grinned, “You look quite handsome yourself.”

I barely paid attention to the ceremony. My dad did the wolf part. Alexander healed her hand quickly for me after it was cut with mine. We did them all together and the moment my Uncle Bjourn did the Hackura bond her emotions slammed into me. I linked her, “I love feeling you like this.” She grinned back at me, “Me too.”

I could feel her joy as she delved into the bond for the first time. My dad announced us as husband and wife, and I kissed her deeply. We quickly ran out of the church to explore each other and our Hackura bond as man and wife.