27. Talia

27

Talia

T alia stood in the small room of the Nightshade Wolf Shifter Pack ceremonial hall in the woods on the side of the mountain. She looked in the mirror that was standing against the rock wall. She had bathed in the purifying water and was dressed in the cobalt blue tunic that was the traditional garb for the female mates.

Savvy had braided her hair, weaving in some of the remaining wildflowers from the oasis near the river. Sadie had applied a little bit of makeup. Heidi and Hollie were fussing over her while Beth and Taryn sat back and watched the proceedings with huge grins on their faces.

"This doesn't seem real. I had such a crush on him when I was younger and fantasized about going through the mating ceremony with Sebastian. Now, here I am."

Hollie smiled. "Would you believe that sometimes I still feel that way when I look at Owen? He owns my heart and my soul, and sometimes I have a hard time believing that he's mine."

"Me, too," Heidi agreed. "Your father is such a part of me I don't think I could breathe if we parted. Sometimes, though, I wonder if I'm having a dream that I never want to wake up from."

Savvy and Beth smiled when the older women turned toward them.

"Rory's alright, I guess," Savvy teased.

"Conner will do," Beth added.

All of the women laughed, knowing that Savvy and Beth felt just as intently for their husbands.

Theo's voice called from the corridor, "Are you ready, honey?"

"I am, Daddy."

Taryn went out first, who would be the flower girl with Cat. Savvy walked out to join arms with Rory. Sadie followed to meet up with Anthony. Beth and Conner were last in the proceedings.

Talia and Theo walked outside. She breathed in the cool, evening air that danced around her. Shades of red, orange, yellow, gold, purple, and blue colored the sky. Fairy lights twinkled in the trees.

The world around her faded as she looked at Sebastian, standing at the altar, in front of Zac, who, as the alpha of the pack, would be officiating the proceedings.

As Beth and Conner took their places, the birds opened up with their own songs of love.

"They're singing just for you, Baby Girl."

"Or they know that there will be birdseed for them soon."

"What a romantic, and on your wedding day," Theo teased.

Everyone stood and Talia, on her father's arm, slowly walked down the aisle. When they reached the front, Talia's knees almost buckled from the overwhelming love she felt for the man standing in front of her.

Theo placed Talia's hands in Sebastian's and then stood beside Heidi. Zac motioned for everyone to be seated.

"We gather here tonight to witness the union of Sebastian and Talia, two souls destined to run as one."

Talia looked into Sebastian's eyes. Her heart melted at the love and passion he showed as he looked back into hers.

Zac's voice was loud and deep, easily heard by the entire pack, as well as other guests. "Sebastian, Talia, you stand before your pack, ready to pledge your lives to one another. Speak now your vows, let them be heard by all, and sealed by the spirits of our ancestors. Sebastian."

Sebastian smiled at Talia and spoke, his voice a husky voice, filled with emotion. "Talia, I stand here amazed by the twists of fate that brought us together. For years, I was blind to the treasure right before my eyes. But when you returned, it was as if I truly saw you for the first time. Your transformation wasn't just physical - you came back with a confidence and strength that captivated me completely. I vow to spend the rest of our lives making up for the time I lost, cherishing every moment with you. My heart, my strength, my life - they're all yours, now and always."

Talia's eyes shimmered with tears as she spoke her vows, her voice steady despite the emotions welling up inside her. "Sebastian, this moment feels like the culmination of a dream I've held since I was a shy, awkward teenager stealing glances at you across the pack gatherings. Those six years away were as much about finding myself as they were about my studies. I returned, hoping you'd notice me, never daring to imagine we'd end up here. I vow to be the partner you deserve - to support you in your struggles, to celebrate your triumphs, and to love you with the same unwavering devotion I've held all these years. My heart has always been yours, and now I give you my life, my loyalty, and my love for eternity."

Zac smiled at them. "May your union bring strength to our pack and joy to your lives. You are now mates, fated to run through this life and the next as one. You may seal this union with a kiss."

Sebastian looked into her eyes and touched her face gently. The kiss was gentle at first and then became more intense as an eternity of love passed between them. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He put his arm on her back, pulling her tighter to him.

Their lips moved together and the kiss intensified. The world faded away, and they were the only ones in the universe. When they finally parted, they were both breathless.

Sebastian leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Can we skip the reception and just go home?"

Zac, who overheard the question, chuckled. "There will be plenty of time for that later," he whispered to them. To the rest of the congregation, he said, "I am honored to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Garner."

The rest of the night was like a fairy tale. Talia danced the first song with her new husband. She danced with her father and brother-in-law.

Sebastian reclaimed her and as their bodies moved together to the slow music under the moonlight, he looked down into her eyes. "I love you."

Talia touched his face and brushed a kiss across his lips. "I'm so very much in love with you."

***

Thank you for reading Virgin For Next Door Wolf Daddy.