He took her face in both his hands and kissed her — her cheeks, her brow, the corner of her mouth — and between the kisses he told her, out loud, what she was to him. His mate. His family. The one he’d waited his whole life for and never once let himself believe he would get to have. He’d already given her all of it through the bond, but he said it anyway, in his own low voice, because he wanted her to hear it in words too.
Then they came apart and lay down, holding each other. Wrapped up with him like that, she felt the last of their bond settle into place, something steady and permanent, something that wasn’t going to ever change. She was home. For the first time in the whole of her life she had been chosen, completely, with nothing held back — and she had chosen him too.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
On a clear,bright day in October, Axel stood on a riser between two rows of apple trees. He wore a well-fitted charcoal suit with a cream-colored rose in the lapel. The branches around him hung heavy with red and gold apples tucked among leaves that had started to turn yellow. Fallen apples dotted the grass beneath the trees.
White chairs tied with ivory ribbon lined the aisle in front of him. Cream-colored dahlias, rust chrysanthemums, pale roses, and rosemary filled the floral arch behind him and spilled into low arrangements at its base. Hampton Orchard was decked out for the wedding of Reese Walker and Axel Rivers.
Axel looked over the rows, anticipation building in his chest. Steel Protection filled the front with their mates and children. Dom sat with Valeria and Adrian. Heath, Rosa, and Gabriel Reynolds sat beside them.
Hunter and Brie were on the other side of the aisle. Siren and Reed were holding hands. Blaze held two-month-old baby Rory while Stella helped Reese prepare out of sight. Ryder shifted atthe end of the row, already restless, while Nell sent off a text message on her phone.
The rest of the seats were filled with people from the diner, the bakery, the lodge, and enough of Fate Mountain to make the orchard feel full. Axel knew most of them through screens, records, background checks, and security systems. Standing in front of them was different. This wasn’t a case to solve. It was his wedding day.
Axel kept his hands still in front of him and looked down the aisle where Reese would appear. The voices in the orchard quieted as the music rose between the trees. His wolf went still under his skin, alert and fixed on the far end of the aisle.
Reese appeared between the apple rows with Stella beside her. For a moment, Axel had no thought at all. Reese was very pregnant now, her belly full beneath the soft ivory dress. The gown had long sleeves of sheer lace and a high waist that fell from beneath her breasts, leaving the fabric to move freely around her body.
The skirt brushed her ankles as she walked. Tiny embroidered leaves climbed the sleeves and scattered across the bodice. A matching veil trailed down her back. Her hair was pinned loosely, with pale flowers tucked into it. She carried a fall bouquet of cream-colored dahlias, rust chrysanthemums, pale roses, rosemary, and apple leaves, tied with ivory ribbon.
She looked proud and radiant. The sight of her made Axel’s heart skip a beat. She walked toward him in front of the pack, the town, and everyone who had welcomed her when she arrived with nothing but the baby inside her.
Stella helped steady her as she walked, head held high. But she wasn’t giving Reese away. No one could give Reese away. Reese had chosen Stella to walk with her because she had helped Reese when she needed it most. She smiled up at Axel, her face growing brighter with each step she took toward him.
Every instinct in him wanted to leave the riser and meet her halfway. His wolf pushed forward with a deep need to close the distance. Axel stayed where he was. This was Reese’s walk and her public arrival.
Reese reached the riser and gave Stella a small nod. Stella squeezed her arm once, then stepped aside and took her seat with Blaze and the baby. Reese turned to Axel and held out her hand. Axel took it and helped her step onto the riser.
Reese stood in front of him, her bouquet in one hand, her other hand held in his, her belly between them, and the whole orchard watching. He thought of the first message he had sent through mate.com. He thought of the first time she walked into Steel Protection, days later, looking like she was about to bolt.
He thought of the lake, the fishing rod bending in her hands, her startled laugh when she caught the massive trout they’d cooked for lunch. He thought of the sonogram room, Reese’s hand wrapped around his while Elsie appeared on the screen for the first time.
He thought of Reese at his kitchen table, telling him she wanted the bond. Telling him that she was choosing him. Now she stood in front of him in an orchard full of people, choosing him again.
The officiant began. “Family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Reese Walker and Axel Rivers.”
Reese’s hand tightened in Axel’s.
“They have come here freely, in front of the people who love them, to make promises to each other. Not for one day. Not for one season. For the life they are building together.”
The officiant looked at Reese. “Reese, you may begin.”
Reese turned toward Axel.
“Before you, I thought being chosen meant having to prove I was worth keeping.” Axel held her hand. “You chose me when I couldn’t choose myself. You loved Elsie before she had a name. You made room for both of us. Choosing you is the best thing I’ve ever done.”
The officiant turned to Axel. “Axel.”
Axel looked at Reese, then at the curve of her belly beneath the ivory dress.
“I loved you from the first moment I saw you,” he said. “Before I knew your name or your story. Before I knew what you were carrying. I knew you were mine to love.”
Reese’s eyes filled.
“I promise to give you safety without taking your freedom. I promise to lift you up when you need to be elevated and shield you when danger comes.” His voice held. “I promise to love Elsie as my daughter in every way that matters. I promise both of you my name, my home, my protection, and everything I am.”
