Katelyn stepped into the grand hall after taking the long route, her entrance marked by an immediate silence as the whispers of the guests died away. The soft melody of a piano began to play, echoing off the high stone ceilings as she began her walk.

At the altar, Sage stood motionless, completely flabbergasted by the sight of her. The intricate lace and the long, sweeping trail of her dress made her look ethereal in the light of the hall. His eyes turned misty, his composure breaking as he watched the woman who had changed his life taking certain steps toward him.

He swallowed hard, his hands clasped tightly in front of him to hide their slight tremble. To him, she didn’t just look like a princess; she looked like his entire future finally arriving.

As Katelyn approached, she caught his gaze, her own expression softening behind the fine mesh of her veil.

Sage bowed respectfully to the King, who offered a smile before placing Katelyn’s hand into his.

“From here onward, you are responsible for her happiness,” Raidan whispered. A lump formed in his throat. He took a slow step back, descending the altar steps to join his family in the front row.

Sage gently led Katelyn toward the center of the altar until they stood facing one another. He seemed unable to pull his gaze away from her, his expression one of sheer disbelief, while Katelyn kept her eyes lowered for a moment.

“Kate,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the soft piano melody.

She finally lifted her gaze to meet his, a radiant smile breaking across her face that seemed to settle his nerves instantly.

The ring ceremony began as little Idris walked down the aisle, his expression one of intense focus. He held a beautifully decorated basket, stopping precisely in front of the couple.

Sage reached down and lifted the rings from the white silk cloth, which had been elegantly draped with fresh flowers.

Katelyn took the ring from him as the priest directed them. Sage was the first one to insert the wedding band in her fourth finger, followed by her. The synchronized claps reverberated in the hall and the photographs were taken.

“The groom shall speak the vows after me,” the priest guided.

Sage’s voice was resonated through the silent hall as he looked directly into Katelyn’s eyes.

“I, Sage Nightshade, the Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, take you, Princess Katelyn Sinclair, as my mate officially today in front of the entire nation. I vow to be your shield in times of strife and your peace in times of chaos. I promise to lead beside you, to honor your spirit, to cherish you till my last breath and to protect our bond with my life. From this day forward, my heart beats only in rhythm with yours, and my pack is your home, forever and always.“

The priest then turned his gaze toward Katelyn, signaling her to repeat the sacred words.

“I, Katelyn Sinclair, the daughter of Alpha King Raidan Sinclair, take you, Sage Nightshade, as my mate and my husband. I vow to stand by your side through all the seasons of our lives. I promise to offer you my counsel, my unwavering loyalty, and my deepest affection. I pledge to build a future where our love is the foundation of our legacy. From now onward, all my present and future are for you.

”

As the final words left her lips, a profound silence swept over the hall before the priest made the final declaration.

“By the authority vested in me, and under the watchful eye of the Moon Goddess, I now pronounce you husband and wife. The groom may kiss the bride.”

Sage didn’t hesitate. He reached forward, gently lifting the lace veil over Katelyn’s head, and leaned in to seal their vows with a kiss that seemed to drown out the sudden roar of applause from the gathered guests.

~~~~~

The evening air was cooler as the royal family gathered at the palace gates to see Katelyn off. The grand celebrations had transitioned into a quiet, heavy departure. Mabel and Raidan stood close together, unable to stop their tears as they looked at their daughter, who was now dressed in a deep-red velvet dress.

“Dad, Mom, you are only going to make this more difficult for Kate,” Cassio remarked, his own voice sounding tighter than usual as he stood with his hands shoved into his pockets.

“Yes. I don’t want to cry,” Katelyn pronounced, though her own eyes were shimmering. She stepped forward and pulled both of them into a tight, lingering embrace. “It’s not like I’m disappearing. I’ll be coming here frequently, and we’ll have FaceTime calls every single day. You won’t even have the chance to miss me.”

Raidan kissed the top of her head, his hand resting on her shoulder for a long moment. He couldn’t say the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Dominick stepped forward, pulling Katelyn into a firm hug that felt more like a protective shield than a goodbye. “Kate, look at you! You made everyone emotional,” he said. He planted a lingering kiss on her forehead before pulling back. “Just call us if anything happens or if you need us. Your brothers will always be there to protect you, no matter the distance.”

Katelyn leaned into him for a brief second, her smile reaching her eyes despite the tears.

On the other side of the courtyard, Sage and Gabriel stood together. They watched Katelyn as she moved between her family members, then held Noah in her arms, giving him kisses of departure.

“A new Chapter has begun in your life, Sage. Keep her happy, and I know you will,” Gabriel stated, his gaze fixed on his sister. There was a silent warning beneath his words, but also a deep sense of respect.

“I will, Gabriel,” Sage replied firmly. He adjusted his coat, his eyes never leaving Katelyn. “She is the heart of my pack now. I’ll guard that heart with everything I am.”