Epilogue

My phone buzzes beside my pillow.

Without opening my eyes, I reject the call, and pull the blanket over my head, drifting off to sleep again…

My phone buzzes again.

Groaning, I grab it and raise my hand to throw the metallic demon out of the damn window but—

“Heffo?” I drawl out

“Hazel, are you,” There’s the sound of a muffled chuckle “Are you still asleep?”

My eyes flutter open just the slightest bit at that voice, a sleepy smile tugs at my lips.

“Why good morning to you too, love.” I coo

“It’s almost 11, Hazel.” Luke tells me

“So?” I sit up and yawn “The whole point of coming to my apartment was that I get some sleep since all the preparations—

Words dry on my tongue, my eyes widen and I scramble out of bed. The phone still pressed to my ear, I hiss out a string of colourful curses as I look out of the window.

The sun is so high up already!

Luke chuckles “I called just in case, Elise.”

“You bastard, why didn’t you call me earlier!” I glare at the phone, panic bubbling in my head

From the sound of it, he’s trying not to laugh “You forbade me from calling, Hazel. You said it’s a bad omen, remember?”

“Well, in case of emergencies—
The door knocks, I jump out of my skin, almost dropping my phone.

“Crap.” I mutter “Pray for me, Luke, my executioners are here.”

“Best of luck, Regia Mea,” He says “And pray for me too, Casper and Parks have gone absolutely mad about the suit.”

I feel a smug smile lift at the corner of my lips. Casper and Ethan might just convince Luke to wear anything other than the simple black suit he’s hell bent on wearing.

I don’t mind though, he looks amazing in everything.

The door knocks again and I hang up with another curse.

“Just give me a moment!” I call out, racing for my closet, rampaging for my clothes

I take out the dress and spread it over the bed, thanking my stars that the shoes are already placed by the foot of the bed.

“Elise!” Angelina knocks again “Open up! Is something wrong?”

“Nothin’!” I call, brushing my teeth
I can hear her gasp of realization “You over slept, didn’t you?!”

Gargling as quiet as humanly possible I spit out and then make it towards the door. Opening it just a crack, I peek out.

“Tell me you’re alone,” I plead, not wanting to face my mother’s wrath

“I’m alone you idiot!” Angelina shoves her way in and I quickly lock the door behind “I set up three alarm clocks! How did you not wake up?”

My eyes flicker to the opposite side of the room, where the remains of those alarm clocks are evident.

“Oops?” I offer her a sheepish smile

“It’s your wedding in two hours!” she throws her hands up, already dressed in a long gown of royal blue

“Well you’re my bridesmaid!” I throw my hands up as well “Help me!”

“Okay, okay,” She breaths out “Mum, Aunt Juliette, Gloria and Zaria are coming in fifteen minutes. We have to get you bathed and dressed before that.”

I look over at the ball gown of a dress on my bed and then take a deep breath.

“Lets do this.”

…

If someone ever tells you that they bathed, waxed, dried your hair and dressed up in fifteen minutes on their wedding day, believe them.

Its possible.

Only barely.

The moment Angelina finishes helping me put on the dress, the door of my apartment knocks. Thankfully, only Angelina and Luke have the spare keys.

“Oh, good,” Zaria enters carrying two huge boxes “You’re all set for makeup!”

“Sweetie, you look beautiful already!” Mom kisses my cheeks

“None of us are sleeping tonight,” Morgan wiggles her brows, Gloria bursts out laughing

Its been several months since Luke and I moved to New York. Try as I might, I can never get mom to stay with me for more than a month at a time.

Turns out, she doesn’t mind being at our old pack, now that Alpha Jax has taken some pains to ensure everyone’s treated well.

And a month back, I realized that maybe its time for the next step in life with my mate.

So I proposed him.

You can tell how it went by the fact that today’s our wedding.

And I get to boast about how we both proposed each other.

“Lets make me look awesome!” I say, excitement leaking through my voice

And then my stomach grumbles.

“Oh, dear, you’ve been so busy you haven’t even had breakfast yet?” Mom puts a hand at her chest “I’ll go make you pancakes, just as you like.”

“Love you, ma!” I blow her an air kiss and she catches it, walking out of the room towards the kitchen where Morgan follows, intending to make some tea as well

“Are you excited?” Gloria asks me, her deep red dress the same style as Angelina’s but deep red in colour, making her burnt caramel skin look more gorgeous than ever

“Oh, I don’t know,” I roll my eyes and then smirk in Zaria’s direction “Maybe I should ask some married girl what to expect.”

Gloria, Angelina and I turn out grinning faces to Zaria. She flushes a deep red.

“Why don’t you ask your best friend?” She says, her golden hair following as she shakes her head

“Carolus talks about it enough already,” Angelina assures her

Her eyes widen to the point of falling out “He what?!”

I burst out laughing, my other two comrades as well, while my third bridesmaid, wearing the same style as the other two but in soft pink crosses her arms.

“You crones,” Zaria snatches my chin and starts contorting “Keep in mind that I’m going to be the makeup artist at all three of yours weddings.”

“Oh mighty makeup artist,” I say dramatically “Have mercy on me!”

“I shall have my revenge!” She says “On all three of you!”

“Sorry to disappoint you love,” Gloria puts her hands on her hips “Casper and I don’t need to get married to live together.”

“Or for other things,” I wiggle my brows at her

“My man keeps me happy,” Gloria tosses her dark curls over her shoulder

“Don’t worry, you can take your revenge on Angelina,” I pat Zaria’s arm

“No chance,” Angelina huffs “What do I need makeup for?”

“Damn right you don’t,” Gloria bumps her arm with Angelina’s

“Gloria, don’t—

But Angelina’s warnings go unheard and Gloria launches into how much she’d like Angelina for a sister in law if she doesn’t find her man soon.

After a long session of makeup and eating pancakes in-between, our mother let us be and go ahead to make sure the guys are doing well as well as making sure the altar and priest or whatnot.

“And done!” Zaria pulls back after applying the lipstick

I eagerly turn my eyes towards the mirror and let out a low whistle.

“I look amazing,” I give myself a thumbs up and wink

“Alright, we got twenty minutes to go,” Gloria says “Grab the ring and we should leave.”

“Okay,” I move over to the closet where I’d kept it

I look around for the little box.
And keep looking.

And I still cant find it.

“Guys,” I try to quell my rising panic “I cant find the ring.”

And that’s how all of us end up freaking out.

“Are you sure you kept it here?” Zaria asks

“I don’t know!” I wave my hands animatedly “I put it with all the other stuff, I has to be there! It was there yesterday morning! I didn’t put it anywhere else—

“Alright, we got it.” Gloria put a hand over my mouth, careful of the make up “Lets split, and we’ll find it, yeah?”

We all nod and spread around the apartment, looking for the little black box containing Luke’s ring.

“Its not here,” Angelina says, Gloria and Zaria shake their heads too

“This cant be happening,” I groan and collapse on the bed “Not today!”

“We still have fifteen minutes to go,” Angelina grabs my hand and pulls me up
“But its not in here,” Zaria says, shoulders sagged

“We’re getting a new one.” Angelina holds up my car keys

I realize the possibility there and jump to my feet “I remember the shop! They must have another like that one!”

“Alright, ladies, lets get that ring!” Gloria says, as if we’re going to war

And so now we’re stuffed in the car, my dress taking up most of the space and then we’re racing down the busy streets of New York.

“There!” I point out the shop to Angelina “That’s the one Luke and I went to!”

Chase skids to halt and all of us filter out, the workers in the shop turn to look at our strange party.

“Hello, excuse me,” I stride towards the worker who’d served us that day “I’m looking for a specific ring from your shop.”

“Err, sure, ma’am.” She looks at the four of us unsurely “Do you have a picture?”

To my absolute horror, I realize I didn’t bring my phone.

My horrification must’ve showed on my face since the lady quickly puts up her hands in a pacifying expression.

“Its okay,” She says “Did you perhaps buy a ring like that from here?”

“Yes!” I say “Two weeks from now!”

“We must have it in our record,” she moves towards the counter, where a man is sitting at a computer “We can look at all the styles we sold that day and show all of them to you.”

“Thank you,” I breathe out

Turns out, they sold only seven wedding ring pairs that day. She shows all seven to me and I finally see the familiar style on the seventh.

“This is it!” I grab the box “this is the one we got! Pack this one up, please!”

“Ehm, Ma’am, you cant take the single ring.”

“What?” I stare at her, not being able to comprehend her words

“You have to take the pair,” She tells me “We cant just give you one ring.”

“Fine!” I put it back, vexed “Give me both!”

“Elise,” Angelina whispers, grabbing my arm “They’re both diamond and platinum. Do you have that much money on you?”

Making a foul face, I hold up my credit card. Its probably going to go empty today.

We get the rings and finally make it out, and squish inside Chase again.

“Shit, we’re so late.” Gloria says

“Its fine,” Angelina says with calm none of us feel, starting the car “Its not that far.”

I nod, wiping my clammy hands on the soft tulle of my dress. We’re going to reach there on time. Or maybe just a bit late. Its okay to be a bit late. We’re going to be fine.

…

“Are you fucking kidding me?!”

Gloria’s wise words pretty much describe all of ours feelings.

Because for as far as I can see, its an ocean of cars and trucks and taxies.

“Its official,” I knock my forehead against the head board “The universe is testing me.”

“What do we do now?” Angelina squints her eyes “This traffic jam is probably going to be here for the next millennium.”

“Get out,” Gloria says

“What?” Zaria raises her brows

“Gather your dresses, princesses,” She says “We’re getting out of this car and using our damn legs.”

“Are you suggesting I run in this?” I gesture to the huge volume of shirts around me

“We cant call anyone to tell where we are,” Zaria holds up her phone “No bars.”

“Glory’s right,” Angelina pulls off her seat belt “We’re already half an hour late. If we wait any longer, you’re going to miss your own wedding Elise.”

I let out a vicious, annoyed growl “Fine universe! I’ll run to my own damn wedding! Have a laugh!”

So we scramble out of Chase, all of them gathering some bit of my skirts as we make out way off the road and onto the pavement.

Once there, I gather my skirts in two sections and pulling them under and around my legs, tie them in a skirt that comes to my knees in a messy heap.

“Ready?” Angelina raises a brow at me

I offer her a grin “Its memorable, alright.”

“Like hell,” Gloria pulls out her phone and strike a pose

“I hate you,” I laugh but pose for the picture regardless

“Onward, ladies!” Zaria points ahead

And so we start towards the place Luke and I selected for the wedding. Now I wish it wasn’t on the outskirts of town.

…

Huffing for breath and glad that it’s cold enough that my makeup hasn’t melted off my face, we reach the gates where countless cars are parked.

“Hold!” The guards stop us “Show your invitation.”

“Are you out of your mind?” I glare at them as I undo the knot of my skirt and let it skitter on the ground “I’m the damn bride!”

Their heads whip to my face and realization dawns on them.

Without waiting for their rection, I rush ahead through the gates, my three comrades after me.

Even from a far, I can tell the meadow is arranged just like I’d imagined.

White chairs around round tables, fairy lights arranged across the tress around, the grass cut and cleaned and a path of flower petals as the aisle, leading up to the altar in a cluster of lit up willow trees and wild flowers.   

And everyone’s going around in panic.

I spot mom and Morgan, phones pressed to their ears, then my eyes go to Carolus barking something at a few warriors.

Then I catch sight of my mate, in heated conversation with Ethan and Casper. Still, running and far from the actual place, I can hear the murmurs of guests.

“The bride isn’t coming.”

“Did something happen?”

“I thought they’re mates.”

“Poor dear, maybe someone took her.”

Then Luke’s voice reaches me;

“I don’t care about protocol,” He’s saying “I’m going to go and—

Someone else cuts him off.

“The bride!”

All heads whip in our direction as I come to a stop at the edge of the aisle, huffing for breath, hands on my knees.

I lift up my head and give my mate a sheepish smile, see the tension in his shoulders go away.

“We got stuck in traffic,” Gloria says to Casper as he walks to us, but loud enough for everyone to hear

“Thank moon,” Mom and Morgan come as well “I was starting to think— nevermind, now you’re here.”

She hands me a bouquet and kisses my forehead. Carolus offers me his arm, winking at Zaria.

Everyone goes to their seats, and I take a moment to calm myself down and even my breaths.

Now only Luke stands at the altar, dressed in an immaculate white suit with golden embroidery. Matching my dress.

I glance at where Casper and Ethan stand as his best men and mouth them a ‘Thank you’. Both of them give me thumbs up’s.

Luke smiles at me, and like the idiot only he can turn me into, I grin brightly and wave at him, giddy from happiness and excitement.

Luke’s shoulders shake with silent laughter, his stormy eyes bright as he waves back at me.

He takes my hand in his when we reach the altar, giving it a little squeeze.

Luke pulls me up, and presses a soft kiss to my hand.

“I was about to come get you, Hazel.” He smiles at me, brushing his thumb at the back of my hand

“This has been a crazy day,” I tell him “You wont believe how much the universe tried to stop me from coming.”

“Then I should thank you,” Luke’s stormy eyes hold mine captive “For braving every danger to come here.”

I look at him with hooded eyes, a smirk curling at my lips “You can thank me later.”

The priest clears his throat and smiles at us.

I barely listen to what he’s saying, snap out of it for one moment when Luke says ‘I do’ and then go back to staring at him with shameless admiration as he slides a ring in my hand until I realize the priest is talking to me.

“Do you, Elise Marie Attwood, take Luke Jax Winters as your husband and mate and pledge your loyalty and love to him?” he asks

“Sure,” I shrug, grinning and gesture around with my bouquet “I mean, its not like he’s already my soulmate or anything. I’d totally marry him. Definitely, why would I not? I’m not mad—”

Luke’s lips on mine cut off my nervous rambling, and I pretty much melt in his touch.

Yeah, I’d totally marry him.

“I’ll take that as ‘I do’.” Luke pulls back, his grin matching mine

It takes me a moment to register the cheers and whistles of the crowd. And another one to realize I haven’t yet given him his ring.

Before I can ask Angelina for the ring box, Carolus walks over to us.

“Here,” Carolus holds something out for me

I raise an eyebrow, he continues “Luke’s ring. You gave this to me for keepsake yesterday, remember?”

Three faces snap to me in identical glares and I wince “Thanks, bro.”

“No prob.” He gives me thumbs up before he goes back

“I’m guessing there’s some more to that traffic jam,” Luke smiles at me
I ignore the warmth the floods to my face “How do you feel about having two wedding rings?”

He raises an eyebrow “Do I get to kiss you twice?”

I laugh as I slide the ring in his finger, and pull him down for another kiss, tossing my bouquet.

Music fills up the atmosphere and I pull my husband down to dance. After a few dances and teasing, laughing and cutting the cake, Luke pulls me towards the altar again.

“I have a gift for you,” he says, his lips brushing my hair

A smile curves at my lips, and I raise an eyebrow “Right here?”

His chuckle reverberates through him to me, since his arm is wrapped around my waist, my side pressing to his.

“As tempting as it is, not that kind of gift, Elise.” Luke pulls me behind the willow trees

There’s a thin package inside the hollow of a tree. Luke keeps his arm around me, so my back is pressed to his chest, and holds it to me.

Curiously, I open it up, wondering what could he possibly get me that feels like a piece of paper.

A gasp escapes me as the cover falls away.

It’s a piece of paper alright. With words.

“A college admission form.” I breathe out

“You wanted to go,” Luke’s voice caresses my ears “So you will. Whenever you like.”

“But,” I cant believe my eyes “But the council, they would never agree to it.”

“Its not easy to disagree to something they don’t know about.” I can hear the smile in his voice

Setting the form back in the hollow, I tur around in his hold, hooking my arms around his neck.

“Well, Mrs. Winters?” Luke smiles down at me “What do you say?”

I return his smile “I say, why the hell not, Mr. Attwood.”

He laughs at that and leans down to press his lips to mine.

…

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