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Carly
I fingermy mother’s gold stag pin. The metal is cool in my hand. It's the only thing of hers I have, and I wanted to wear it on my wedding day, but I can't figure out where to put it. A faint memory of her blue eyes flashes before me. She left when I was three, and I hold onto my vision of her tucking me in for the night.
A soft knock sounds on the door, and Donna lets herself in. Dressing in the guest room, I'm surrounded by sea green and aqua. My mother-in-law matches in her beaded dress.
"Carly." She takes my arms and looks me over. "You're stunning." Her eyes shine, and it warms my heart to know she's so happy.
"Can you help me? I wanted to wear my mother's pin, but I don't know where to put it."
Donna takes it in her hand and fondles it. "How interesting. Is your mother still alive?"
"I don't know. She left when I was a small child." I shrug my shoulders. "It's probably silly because she didn’t want me, but I hang onto the thought she’d have liked to see this day."
"It's not silly, dear. We all want to be close to our mother." She pulls at the sash around my waist and pins it on above my right hip. Her hand is warm on my body. "If she could see you today, she'd be so proud. You're an amazing woman and destined for great things. I couldn't ask for a stronger prima for my son."
The door creaks open to Sierra and Annie. Dressed in cornflower blue, they're carrying pale yellow roses and holding a larger bouquet for me. Sierra says, "Oh my God, Carly. You're gorgeous."
Annie's face is full of joy. "You really are. My brother's going to fall over when he sees you."
Donna says, "Actually he's going to have a hard time waiting to see that dress on the floor."
Annie says, "Mother!"
I chuckle because I'm used to her by now. I smooth out the lines of my dress. A plunging neckline and a wire bra that feels like iron pushing up my breasts give me cleavage that is on the edge of tasteful. Coming in at the waist with a wide skirt, the dress accentuates my hourglass figure. Heavy beading on the bodice comes down in a V pattern to make my waist look smaller, and I feel every bit the beautiful bride.
I check my reflection in the mirror and smile at my burgundy-colored tendrils curling around my face. My eyes are made up to maximize the cerulean shade.
"I think I'm ready." Sierra hands me my bouquet, and we walk down the hall.
Tension that’s more than pre-wedding jitters pushes at me. Glancing out the windows, I see that the sky is dark gray blue with an approaching storm, and I hope it blows by quickly as predicted.
When we get outside, our shoes click steadily on the rock walkway, and the scent of lilac is in the air as a cold breeze snakes around us. Music begins when we get to the path.
The wedding is set up in the garden. I have nobody to give me away, so we decided the ladies would walk to the men at the altar, with me going on alone when they get there.
I watch the three women with their sunny yellow flowers against the blue-sky color of their dresses. But the moment my eyes find Brady, I'm frozen at the vision. His blond hair is neatly combed, and his broad shoulders fill out his jacket nicely. The tuxedo must have been tailored because it hugs his body as it tapers down to slim hips, and those substantial thighs that make me weak are draped in loose fabric.
But it's his green eyes that capture my attention. As if they call to me, I walk toward him, seeing nothing else. Whispers about how pretty I look reach my ears.
Sierra takes my bouquet, and when I reach the altar, Brady grasps my hands and pulls me against his body. He takes my hand to place it over his heart.“Feel it beating, Carly? I’m afraid it’s going to burst with my love.”
My heart swells with emotion, and words explode out of my mouth. “You’re my dream come true.”
That gets a fewawwwsfrom the crowd.
I’m reluctant to step back, so I keep my body pressed against his as if we’re a unified force.
The service goes by in a blur until it’s time for our vows. Wind has picked up, and the sky has darkened to steel blue. Sporadic drops of water fall on my face as Brady begins our simple vows we said to each other weeks ago. A streak of sun breaks through the clouds as he speaks.
When it’s my turn, the clouds clear, and we’re wrapped in sudden warmth. “I, Carly Cutler, take Brady Le Roux to be my husband. I promise to cherish, love, and protect him till death do us part.”
People chuckle at my promise to protect the alpha. But we know it’s not a joke. The sun is shining brightly now as if to share our joy with the clan.
Brady’s embrace is tight, and he takes me into a private world where nothing else exists when his mouth meets mine. My senses are enveloped in his heat, his smell, and his touch. For the first time in my life, I feel absolutely complete.
The kiss goes on a little too long, and we finally break apart when the catcalls get too much. A voice calls out, “Bartender! Line up the Yukon Jack!”
Bottles clink and metal caps clatter on the bar as the wait staff frantically open Moosehead beer for the thirsty guests. A bottle of amber liquid I assume is the whisky is being passed around a group of men as they wait for their drinks, and someone yells, “Body shots!”
