Chapter 71

It was the next morning and the day of the wedding. I was fully expecting the seamstresses that we had worked with before to bring an off the rack dress so imagine my surprise when I unzipped the bag to find the dress that I designed.

I looked at them, my eyes wide. "How did you get this? I thought it was gone forever."

They smiled warmly at me. "Alpha weddings can tend to be more…unpredictable than other weddings. We always make a spare just in case something happens."

I nodded. That made sense. Every wedding involving an alpha that I had ever heard of or seen on TV had usually had some kind of chaotic event take place. Whether it was jealous ex-lovers or a sudden downpour of rain, it was always something. I guess our wedding hadn't been that out of the ordinary.

Still, I couldn't believe that I was going to be able to wear my dream wedding dress. Even more, I couldn't believe I was having a wedding with my fated mate. And not only was he my fated mate, but he was the father of my child.

All of my dreams were coming through and all because I had wandered into the wrong room on a cruise ship. That night seemed so far away now with everything that happened. I could barely remember a time when Arthur wasn't in my life now.

Even Robert seemed like a distant nightmare. A fever dream, really. Now that I had experienced true love and affection, I was a bit disappointed in myself that I had stayed with him for so long.

Don't beat yourself up too much. That part of your life is over. And think of it this way. Robert was the only reason you met Arthur. You were on that cruise for him, after all, Lily said and it was the first time I had ever heard her talk of Robert in a positive light.

I told her as much and she gave me a toothy grin. What can I say? I'm feeling rather generous today.

I huffed out a laugh as I wiggled into the wedding dress. It was the last thing I had to do before I was ready to walk down the aisle…again. I was currently in a wedding tent in the garden. All I had to do was go out to meet my dad.

There wasn't a mirror in here so I was putting my full trust in the staff to make me beautiful. They were all beaming at me as they did final touches.

"You look beautiful, Luna," one of the seamstresses said and I couldn't keep the shock off my face. Nobody had called me that since the hospital. I had ignored it then because I had thought it wasn't going to come true. But now I couldn't and it was making me a little dizzy.

"I'm not Luna yet," I whispered, feeling like I didn't deserve the title. I hadn't done much for the pack yet. Other than marrying their alpha, that is.

"You are Luna in all ways that matter. We all think you'll do well. We have seen how the alpha is around you. He has become a better person," she replied and the others nodded in agreement.

"Yes and we like you much better than we ever liked that stuck up princess," the hairstylist said in a stage whisper and we all giggled. I wiped happy tears away from my eyes, careful not to smudge my makeup.

I took a deep breath. I was as ready as I was ever going to be. I squared my shoulders, but my hand had a death grip on my bouquet. It was the only outward sign that showed how nervous I was.

My father gave me a nod of encouragement as I stepped out of the tent. I took his arm and we headed down the aisle. The staff had changed Arthur's backyard into a fairytale garden. Fairy lights twinkled in the trees and ivory ribbons trailed to the ground from the branches.

Every member of the pack was in attendance and if any of them were annoyed at the last minute preparations, they didn't show it. They stood up as I reached the matching ivory carpet, all eyes on me.

I blushed under their scrutiny, but I kept my head high. I was going to be their luna. I might as well act like it. Our wedding was also a way to officially announce my title.

As I made my way to Arthur, I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He looked as gorgeous as the last wedding we attended, but this time he stroked along the mate bond and I almost tripped over my feet as a delicious warmth covered my sex.

Arthur gave me a knowing smirk and I fought to keep my face neutral. If he wanted to play, I could play. I yanked hard on the mate bond and was rewarded when Arthur looked like he had been punched in the gut. Luckily no one saw since they were still looking at me.

Arthur glared at me, but there was mirth behind his eyes and I knew he didn't mean it.

I'm going to have to punish you for that tonight, Arthur's voice breezed through my mind and I widened my eyes at him. He just smirked at me. How had he done that? Was that another side effect of the mate bond?

I have a lot to teach you, little wolf.

I guess he did.

The rest of the wedding happened without incident. Noone appeared to object. Nonone tried to kill us. We spent the entire reception dancing and mingling. Everyone came by at least once to pay their respects.

I was absolutely glowing by the end of the night as Arthur led us into the bedroom. I could almost feel the mate bond thrumming with life. It knew it was about to be completed, like it was some sentient being.

Our clothes started to hit the floor before the door even swung shut. Arthur was very careful as he peeled off my wedding dress. He knew I'd likely kill him if he destroyed it in any way.

I, however, was not kind to his clothes. My claws shredded through them as if they were butter. When I was through, the pieces were unrecognizable. Just rags on the floor.

"I thought we weren't destroying clothes anymore," Arthur chuckled as he picked me up and placed me on the bed.

"The seamstresses have a spare. Besides, I can just buy you more," I told him, using the same words that he had said to me not that long ago.

"Oh? And where are you going to get that kind of money?" he asked as he ran his teeth across my neck. I arched into him as the mate bond vibrated pleasantly.

"Didn't you hear? I've just married a very rich man. I have all the money I could possibly need," I whispered, but it ended on a whimper as he slid his fangs into my neck, marking me as his.

"I think it's high time you returned the favor, little wolf," Arthur said and bared his throat for me. I stared at it for a few seconds, watching his pulse throb just beneath the surface.

And then I sank my fangs into his neck, officially claiming him as mine and this time, the marks would be permanent.