Chapter 120

Third Person POV

It had been the easiest wedding Nan had ever planned.

She knew that she might have been stressed under any other circumstances. Nan had survived much worse than planning her own wedding. So this did not phase her.

Scarlett and her sister had been a huge help in that regard.

Nan was pleased to find out that her previous assessment of Lionel’s cousin was correct. They got along splendidly. She could easily see the woman becoming her best friend.

Kay had finally returned from her trip.

Her middle sister had been ecstatic. She had thrown herself into wedding planning with enthusiasm. She was almost as eager as her young nieces to see Nan wed to Lionel.

Dena had been another story.

Nan had known her sister would hold a grudge.

“Dena,” she had pleaded. “Can’t you be happy for me?”

Dena’s face had been guarded. Her ice queen mask firmly in place. Nan knew more had been bubbling beneath the surface.

“It’s not that.” Dena finally said. “I am happy that you are getting everything you ever wanted.”

Then she said:

“I just can’t get your crying face out of my mind. I can’t help but still hate that man for it. You’re my baby sister and he shattered your heart.”

Nan had hugged her sister than. “He is also the man who put the pieces back together. Love isn’t always pretty.”

Dena had sighed then. Nan knew she had won. “I guess I better be there to reel Kay in from going overboard.”

“Thank you, big sister.”

That had been that.

It had been quickly decided that exchanging vows could only ever be at sunset.

“It will be so romantic!” Kay had exclaimed.

“It’s a little on the nose…but it would be beautiful.” Scarlett agreed.

“It’s better than midday. Having the sun utterly blazing on my skin would make me murderous.” Dena added.

The lush forest and vibrant flowers made up enough of the décor that Nan did not add much other than lights and candles. Beautiful white and red petals scattered the bridal path.

Nan’s wedding dress feel like a true goddess.

Everything was perfect by the time the wedding day arrived.

Joy filled the air.

Nan’ sisters walked her down the path in the place of her parents.

Dena on her left and Kay of her right. Her two pillars of support. Guiding her to her future.

The hundreds of eyes on Nan were unimportant at that moment. All that mattered to Nan was already here. Her family of old and family of new by her side.

Nan could not bring herself to care that Lionel’s mother and his brother were there. They held no power here. Nothing that could ruin this day.

Nan wagered that they had even accepted Nan’s place as Luna.

She would never be close to them. She would never trust them. But she could tolerate them so long as they knew their place.

They had been soundly defeated multiple times at this point. Nan would do so again if the need ever arose. She did not fear them.

Nan could not know at that moment what they felt about her.

Mrs. Wolfsbane was displeased but resigned. It was clear the woman had won. She would not humiliate herself further by disrupting the ceremony.

Joseph held his silence. He was already in thin ice with everyone. He did not need to be caught in another scandal at that moment.

The two could no longer fight against Lionel or Nan. Not when they held the pack’s support. It was time to concede defeat…for now.

But these were problems for future Nan and Lionel.

The high priest of the Moon goddess had been amazed and pleased to approve this union. The island had been long lost to its disciples. It’s lost history a bitter pill to swallow.

Nan breaking its ‘curse’ and reviving the barren island into a paradise instantly made their union the highest priority.

The ceremony was beautiful. Nan and Lionel’s vows were exchanged right as the sun became a radiant orange. The light reflected off the couple made them look ethereal.

“I pledge my very being to you. My spirit finds its home within you. My days will be dedicated to your smile.”

Lionel’s vows made Nan’s heart pound. She was not the only one. She thought she might have heard a few swoon from the crowd.

“My soul was reforged for you. I shall be the light to your shadows. My heart will only every know your loving embrace.”

It was near agony to sit beside Lionel once the reception began. She wanted nothing more than to lose herself with him. But that was not yet time.

Mr. Holder appeared before them.

Nan was very surprised to see the man. Neither had gotten an RSVP. But she was pleased none the less.

“Mr. Holder!” Nan greeted him. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“My apologies for not responding. I had a gift to acquire for you.” He replied.

“You shouldn’t have.” Lionel told him with genuine warmth in his tone. Nan felt more than saw a few startled glance from nearby listeners.

“You did more than enough for us.” Nan added. “We could not have done this without your assistance.”

Perhaps Nan should not be so openly sharing this information. She did not care. She highly doubted anyone would have been able to guess his part in everything.

“I only did my duty.” He shook his head.

Nan giggled at Lionels exasperation. He had needled the man throughout their acquaintance. Hoping to make the man lose his composure.

‘He was like a pup yelping at an older wolf,’ she thought mirthfully. Lionel throws her a dirty look after taking a good guess at the source of her amusement.

“What’s your gift?” Nan asks.

“I told you I would not be able to answer your questions. I brought you this book on your lineage. I hope it helps answer the questions you have.”

He places an old, weathered book onto the table. There were a barrage of scents drenched in it. Centuries worth.

There were some of the most comforting Nan had ever scented. Like an old lullaby she had long forgotten. A mother’s heartbeat echoing in the pages.

Somehow, she knew her birth parent’s scents were there too. It warmed her heart and clogged her throat. It was something she never thought she would have.

Nan now had all of her family here in some way. She had her mother’s necklace and her father’s old cufflinks carefully added to her dress. Out of sight but there.

And now Nan had a piece of her birth parents with her.

“Thank you.” Nan choked out. Gratitude overwhelming her.

“I wish you happiness in your journey in life.” Mr. Holder told the couple.

The kind older man left them soon after. Nan could not stop grazing her fingers along the leather cover. The feel of it soothing the last hard edges of Nan’s hurt.

“I love you, my mate.” Lionel said tenderly.

Nan smiled.

“I love you too, my alpha.”

[END.]