*Rion*
The twins were growing so fast. Already, they were toddling around, finding their feet. They were still unsteady but it was amazing to watch them grow and never stop trying.
Daphne and I brought them into the yard where we had a small garden growing. The flowers were just starting to bloom and next year, I hoped to see the garden double in size.
The twins loved to walk around and look at the colorful flowers.
Selene took Daphne’s hand and pulled her to a flower with a butterfly on it.
“That’s a very pretty butterfly, isn’t it?” Daphne asked.
I loved watching her with the twins. They were becoming a bit of a handful. While she talked to Selene, Ayla pulled on her shirt, pointing in the opposite direction.
Daphne never got frustrated with them. She easily transitioned her attention from one to the other.
My heart swelled as I watched her with the girls. They were my family, the most important people to in this life, and I knew I’d stop at nothing to see them happy, safe, and protected.
As I watched them, I reached into my pocket and felt the small token I had there, waiting for the right ti.
It was a warm, sunny day and Daphne hadn’t stopped smiling since the mont we brought the girls outside. They were excited and rambunctious with so much to do and say, even if none of it made sense yet.
It felt like the right ti.
Daphne and Selene were studying the butterfly again. It had bright blue wings with black spots and a silvery hue around the edge of its wings.
“Ayla, co here.” I motioned to my daughter.
She toddled over. I took her hand and walked around to the other side of the garden with her. She chattered in a baby language that didn’t make much sense to but she seed to have a lot to say.
“Can you pick out a pretty flower?” I asked her.
She nodded and went to the nearest flower in the garden. It was a gorgeous bloom with rich yellow petals rimd in red, the colors bleeding together slightly. Ayla plucked the flower and handed it to .
I fastened the little token into the flower and handed it back to her. “Go show this to your mother.”
“O-kay.”
Ayla toddled back around the garden. I followed at a distance, watching happily as she went right up to Daphne and handed her the flower.
“Oh, is this for ?” Daphne asked. “It is absolutely beautiful.”
She lifted the flower to her nose to sll and paused. Her eyes widened slightly.
“Rion?”
I took her and hand dropped down on one knee.
“Oh, my Goddess!” she gasped, clutching the flower, and the ring hidden inside, to her chest.
“Daphne, my love, my heart, will you marry ?”
Daphne’s eyes glazed over and I could practically see her lting. She dropped down on her knees, eting on the ground, and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Yes! Of course, I will marry you!”
I took the flower from her and retrieved the ring. As I slid it on her finger, the opal moonstone and fine cut diamonds glittered in the sunlight. It was a one-of-a-kind piece that I’d found in Hestia’s treasure trove. As soon as I saw it, I knew what I’d use it for and I’d been hanging onto it ever since.
The band was gold with an antique design. The moonstone sat in the center with diamonds circled around it. The moonstone nestled between them the sa way the ring was tucked in the flower petals.
Daphne held her hand up, tears on her cheeks.
“Oh,” she gasped.
I cupped her cheeks and brushed the tears away. “None of that now. This is a happy mont.”
“Yes, it truly is!”
***
When the twins went down for a nap, Daphne and I called King Xander and Queen Lena to give them the news.
“It’s about ti, Rion,” King Xander said.
“Sorry, Sire. We’ve had a lot going on.”
He chuckled into the phone. “Well, I’m glad the two of you are making so much progress.”
“I can’t believe it,” Lena gushed. “My youngest daughter, getting married! We need to start getting the palace ready. There’s so much to do for a traditional, royal wedding.”
Daphne t my gaze and rolled her eyes. I smirked. We expected that to be her mother’s reaction.
“Mom, stop. Rion and I don’t want to get married at the palace. There’s a beautiful waterfall here in Thorn Forest, and we want it to be a small, family event.”
“Well, that isn’t exactly tradition,” Lena muttered.
“No, but we do want you and Xander to be here, along with Daphne’s brother and sisters.”
“It is an honor to be included. We’ll make the travel arrangents,” King Xander assured.
I stepped away and gave Daphne a mont to speak with her parents alone. When she hung up the call, she ca to and threw her arms around my neck again. I set my hands on her hips, the lovely, huggable curves fitting perfectly in my grasp.
“This is like a dream,” Daphne whispered to . “So much has happened so fast and everything we wanted is happening right now.”
I hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. “I couldn’t be happier, Daphne. Thank you for making the happiest man alive.”
***
Small weddings were easy to get ready for. Jasper and I set up a twig arch with fresh flowers in front of the waterfall. Alpha Cyrus agreed to marry us as an additional show of the transfer of power. He stood under the arch.
Jasper stood beside in a nice black suit. I wore a navy blue silk suit with a cream shirt underneath.
Since we had a small crowd, we didn’t set up chairs. Daphne’s family, Eva, and all my close friends stood around the arch in a circle. Flower petals covered the ground.
A violinist played a cheerful song as all of the guests took their places. I rubbed my hands on my thighs.
“Nervous?” Jasper teased.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m excited. I haven’t seen Daphne in her dress yet. I know she’ll be stunning.”
Jasper chuckled. “You know she probably won’t be wearing it that long. Is it that important?”
“Hey, this is my wedding, Jasper. A little less of that, please. It is a family event.”
He shrugged and clapped on the shoulder. Regardless of his teasing, I didn’t want anyone else standing beside for this.
The violin music changed and everyone looked to the edge of the clearing. As if the Moon Goddess herself blessed our union, a soft breeze tossed the leaves aside and the spray from the waterfall hit the sunlight just right, creating a rainbow over the flower arch.
My heart swelled and I thought it would break out of my chest. This was the happiest mont of my life.
Ayla ca down the mowed aisle first. She wore a white dress with pink flowers all over it. She carried a small basket and tossed handfuls of white petals on the ground as she went, her eyes never leaving her feet.
Lena held her hand down the aisle, keeping her focused.
Next ca Eva holding Selene’s hand. Selene wore a jade green dress with little pink flowers all over it. She carried a small box with the rings in it. When she got to the circle, Selene handed the box and Eva kissed my cheek.
“I’m happy for you, Rion. This is a special day.”
“Thank you for being here Eva, and sharing this with .”
Finally, the violinist changed her song again and I held my breath.
Daphne and King Xander appeared at the edge of the trees. They ca toward , walking slowly, tantalizingly slow, down the aisle.
Daphne’s dark, wavy hair flowed freely around her face and down her shoulders. She had a crown of fresh flowers on her head and looked like the most beautiful flower maiden.
She wore a simple, classy dress of white lace. It was a loose sheath that ran all the way down to her ground, the hem a beautiful, dripping lace pattern. The neck was low cut, showing just enough of her skin and bosom, but still maintaining elegance. She had little three quarter sleeves hanging off her shoulders. There was a white, silk sash around her waist tying it all together.
Daphne’s face was lit up in the most stunning smiled I’d ever seen, her cheeks rosy red, eyes misty.
I could barely contain myself, or my wolf. He was so restless, ready to burst out of my skin and claim her. I swallowed hard, shoving that away as Xander passed Daphne off to .
I took her hands and we stood before Cyrus.
“Welco everyone on this glorious day.” He waved his arm up to the rainbow that hung over our heads.
Daphne looked up and gasped in awe. “This is perfect,” she whispered.
I squeezed her hands.
“Today we co together to join Daphne Crimson and Orion Stormfall in everlasting love, commitnt, and harmony. Do you have the rings?” Cyrus motioned to .
Jasper handed the little box I’d given him for safe keeping. I popped the lid open and pulled out a golden band that matched the ring I gave Daphne. It had small diamond studs around it.
Daphne smiled and I saw tears in her eyes. I slid the wedding band on her finger.
“Daphne Crimson, from the mont I t you, you’ve been the light of my life, the mate of my soul. I can’t imagine living a day in this world without you and I never intend to. From this mont on, I promise to stand by you, honor you, protect you and our children, and love you with all my heart.”
Small gasps went through the crowd and a few little cheers.
“Yeah, from the mont you kidnapped ,” she muttered.
I chuckled and heard it echo through our gathered guests. At least, we could joke about it now.
Daphne sniffled, her lips still spread in an everlasting smile. She took the second wedding band from the box. A simple, gold band with one diamond stud to match hers.
“Rion, things weren’t always easy between us but the one thing I could always be sure of was that you’d pull through for and for us. I’ve never felt safer or happier than when I’m with you. From today, until the end of my days, I promise to stand by you, be loyal to you, set you straight when I need to, and love you.”
I smirked as another ripple of laughter went through our guests.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I assured.
“Before all us witnesses today, and before the Moon Goddess, I pronounce you husband and wife, Alpha and Luna. May you always cherish each other and the blessings you have.”
I grabbed Daphne and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss.
Thunderous clapping drowned out all other sounds, but I barely heard it. I dipped Daphne backward, supporting her with my hands on her back, and deepened the kiss.
This was absolute perfection. I felt like my life was finally starting.
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