I check my reflection again in one of the ballroom mirrors. My formal attire fits me well enough. It’s a deep blue velvet suit,tailored for my Beast form, with silver embroidery. Elegant. As regal as one can manage to look when they’re sporting claws and a muzzle. A Beast in fancy clothes. But Belle chose me. As I am. That thought steadies my rapid-beating heart.
“She’s going to marry you, my lord,” Gideon says, something soft in his voice now. “After you being an ass for most of your adult life. After the curse. After you threatened her father… everything. She’s choosing you.”
“I know.”
He smoothes my cravat and looks me dead in the eye. “Don’t fuck it up.”
The corner of my mouth lifts in amusement. “I won’t.”
“Good.” He straightens as music starts playing outside. “That’s our cue.”
My heart’s hammering as we walk to the front of the ballroom. The space is packed with nobility I haven’t seen in ages, townspeople and villagers who’ve come to witness their prince’s return. And our staff, our family, who are beaming with pride. All of them watching as I take my place under a flower arch.
The doors at the far end remain closed, and I have to resist the urge to pounce. She’s going to walk through those doors. She will come to me.
The music swells, the doors finally open, and there she is. Belle. My Belle. In a dress that makes her look like she stepped out of a dream. Ivory silk that hugs every perfect curve of her body, with white flowers in her dark hair, and her gorgeous face radiant as she walks toward me on her father’s arm.
I forget how to fucking breathe.
She’s beautiful. Always. But right now, walking toward me to become my wife, my mate’s fucking everything.
Our eyes meet, and she smiles. That smile that’s just for me. The one that says she’s forever mine, and she loves me just the way I am.
The walk down the aisle takes forever and no time at all. Then her father is placing her hand in mine.
“Hi,” she whispers.
“Hi, sweetheart.” My voice has lowered to a gravelly growl. “You’re beautiful.”
“And you’re very handsome.”
“I’m a Beast in a fancy suit.”
She giggles. “You’re my handsome Beast in a fancy suit.” She squeezes my hand. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The officiant clears his throat, and I guess we’re supposed to be paying attention to him.
Right. The ceremony. The words. People.
I try to focus, but it’s hard when Belle is right there, smiling up at me, her scent filling my lungs, the bond between us singing with happiness.
“Do you, Pierre Alexandre Beaumont, take this omega as your wife, your mate, to have and to hold, in sickness and in heath, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, for as long as you both shall live??”
“I do.” The words come from deep in my chest. “Forever.”
“And do you, Isabelle Marie…”
“I do,” she interrupts, not letting him finish. “Yes. Absolutely. Forever.”
Laughter ripples through the crowd, and I can’t help but grin.
That’s my Belle. Wild. Impatient. Fucking perfect.
“Then, by the power vested in me by the kingdom, I declare you bonded, mated, and married alpha and omega. You may…”
I don’t wait. I pull my wife into my arms and kiss her like I’ve been dying to do since she started walking down that aisle.Since I left our bed this morning. Since my lips last touched hers. Deep, wet, hard, fucking claiming… completely inappropriate for the occasion.
