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The women were driven out to the mountainside location where all the alphas of the local prides and packs waited … her friends’ husbands.
At that moment, she just wanted to see Oliver decked out in his caramel brown suit with a complimentary olive green tie ensemble. He had told her about the colors beforehand and the slight difference between a traditional human wedding and what a bear shifter’s would look like.
Oliver stood beneath a clear, glassy blue dome of the sky, with a sublime panoramic view of the dense forest and mountains. Guests sat on carved wooden benches, with the majority of the sleuths dominating one side while Lillian’s family and friends sat on the other. She stood holding a bouquet of bear’s foot plant, the official flower of the region and the sleuth, her hands trembling.
Oliver looked even more amazing than usual. His eyes, albeit dark in general, were beaming. It was intimidating only in the sense of the intensity. He was her mate.
The trembling didn’t happen because she was afraid either. It was because, more than anything, she was shocked by the beautiful turn of events that had become her life.
His gorgeous smile encouraged her to move down the aisle with ease, a soft and gentle guitar strumming as she did. The autumn day was unseasonably warm but with a cool breeze blowing in from the mountainside. One of Oliver’s relatives was a minister and made the wedding not only official in the eyes of the law but also in the eyes of the bear sleuth.
“You okay?” Oliver muttered, taking Lillian’s hands.
Her eyes blurred with tears.
“Yes,” she whispered back, her chin shaking. “I’m just so happy.”
Oliver held both her hands throughout the entire ceremony. There were words said that were per shifter tradition that Oliver had prepared her for … the mending of the wood from trees that had existed as long as his ancestors did. It symbolized their eternal bond. Then, they said their pre-written vows.
Lillian was struck by how emotional and thoughtful Oliver’s words were.
“Lillian. I didn’t want to have a mate. You know that better than anyone. But when I first saw you, I felt something change in me. My bear knew, and I knew, that you were my beacon, the light in the darkness of my existence. There isn't anything I won’t do to keep you here, safe in my arms.”
The spectators applauded while Lillian wiped tears from her eyes carefully.
“How am I going to top that?” she joked, making the guests chuckle.
She spoke from her heart as he stroked her fingers, soothing the anxiety she felt speaking in front of so many shifters. His eyes didn’t leave her for a single moment.
“Oliver,” she began, swallowing hard, “you changed me. You helped me grow and learn there is more magic in the world than just paint. Now I get to paint a life with you and your people.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife, mate and mate. You may now kiss your bride.”
Everyone stood from the benches and cheered. Oliver pulled Lillian in close and held her lower back as he kissed her with passion, and she wrapped her hands around his head, grinning madly. Under the crisp sky, she felt like a renewed woman.
Once the ceremony was over, Lillian felt content enough to let loose. The reception took place outside just as dusk fell in the expansive backyard with flickering fairy lights and a tent.
It was elegant but casual at the same time. It was Oliver’s general vibe, which Lillian adored. She would have to adjust to his astronomical wealth, but it was a burden she was more than willing to carry.
They went around to each table and greeted their guests, as was the custom at Alpha Weddings. Lillian was beyond happy to find that each member of the bear community was ecstatic to meet her. It calmed her reservations.
When they arrived at Quintin and Ronnetta’s table, she was positively beaming. Ronnetta pulled her hard into her arms, giving her, quite literally, a bear hug.
“I am so happy for you,” Ronnetta said. “And you look stunning. You better appreciate this beauty, you.”
Oliver chuckled as he and Quintin embraced. Quintin was also over the moon, thrilled that his alpha had finally settled down.
“This is so wonderful. You two are going to make each other so damn happy.”
“I think so also,” Oliver said, pulling his wife in close.
After they had finished the rounds, it was time for their first dance as a wedded couple. Oliver walked her onto the dance floor and took her by the waist. A mellow guitar ballad began, and they started swaying.
It was the first time in hours that they felt they were alone … sort of.
“Hi, wife,” Oliver whispered.
“Hi, husband,” Lillian replied, craning her neck up at him.
