Chapter 1001
[ 1,263 words ]
After pins were stuck to secure the veil to the top of Talia’s head, Yasmin was ready to put the tiara on Talia, but she paused when Valerian stepped forward.
“Can I?” Valerian asked, and Yasmin gave him the tiara.
After confirming that Talia was ready, Mindy reminded everyone, “We should be going. Line up in the order we will walk out!”
Talia smiled while looking at her friends scurrying to stand at the door of the tent in a line.
Mindy was first, followed by Yasmin, Meg, Maya, Sandy, Cornelia, Tatiana, Kalina, Michelle, Dawn, Zina, Olivia, Amelia, Arya, Trisha, and Daria.
They spent days deciding on the order of bridesmaids because everyone wanted to go first. Mindy ended the discussion by saying they would be arranged by ranks, with people associated with the Dark Howlers pack and the Midnight Guardians pack going first, then high-ranking members of other packs, and lastly, Talia’s friends and guards. Based on that, Mindy was supposed to go after Yasmin, but Mindy argued that her mate was a Shaman, while Yasmin’s mate was just a proxy, so Mindy got the first spot. It didn’t make sense, but Yasmin didn’t want to argue.
It was the first time for Yasmin to see such a grand ceremony, and she got a front-row seat as a bridesmaid. The truth was that everyone was honored to participate in this event.
With females walking out of the tent, Talia turned to see Valerian looking at her with an unreadable expression. Even in high heels, she needed to lift her head to meet his gaze.
Valerian was wearing a white suit that had small details on the sleeves, which matched the details on Talia’s dress. Tatiana’s vision was that Valerian and Talia were matching in white, and Damon’s completely black outfit represented his dark powers. Groomsmen had dark gray suits and white shirts, while bridesmaids’ dresses were a mix of black and white. It was full of symbolism.
Valerian’s physique now resembled an Alpha. Talia wondered who would win a match between Damon and Valerian if they got serious. Her father had a bearing of a great warrior, and she was confident that he was awesome.
Valerian put tiara on Talia’s head. “This belonged to my mother. It is yours now.”
Talia’s heart tightened under the weight of his emotions because she heard the words he didn’t say. The tiara was supposed to be handed down from his mother to his mate and then to Talia, but that didn’t happen, and it never will.
“Thank you, dad. I will keep it for my daughters to wear on their special day.”
Valerian nodded in agreement and added, “Daughter-in-law is also fine.”
Valerian smiled a little. He didn’t smile often, but whenever he did, it was a sad smile, just like now. He was thinking of Astraea. And there it was…
“You look like your mother.”
“I do?” Talia asked while holding back her tears.
“You are like her. Strong, stubborn, righteous, and kindhearted. Even if she were not my mate, I would fall for her. When you use your powers, I can feel her presence.” Valerian stopped talking when he noticed Talia’s chin trembling. “Don’t cry, Natalia. This is a joyous day, and if you mess up your makeup, your girlfriends will gang up on me.”
Talia laughed. She could imagine Tatiana, Mindy, and others shouting and pointing fingers at Alpha Valerian Moonrider. Her girlfriends were fierce, and they didn’t care about the status of their opponents.
Valerian extended his arm for her to take. Talia put her hand into Valerian’s, and they walked out.
Talia thought that it was silly to be nervous. It was just a formality. She was already living with Damon, and nothing will change with this, but she was emotional because this ceremony will announce them as a couple in front of everyone.
…
The lake behind the stage glistened under the setting sun in a fantastic display of yellows and oranges.
Three people on the stage were Damon, Alpha Desmond, and his mate Luna Edith, Maddox’s and Mindy’s parents.
Since Maddox took over as the Alpha of the Blue River pack, the old Alpha-Luna pair spent most of their time traveling.
Alpha Desmond was a close ally of Damon’s father, and he supported Damon from the day he took over as the Alpha of the Dark Howlers pack. They provided guidance and assistance when appropriate, and they never sided with people who were against Damon. Considering they were from a different pack, that was the most they could do for him. As an Alpha, Damon needed to fight his own battles, and he did.
Alpha Desmond and Luna Edith were there to officiate the ceremony and show that their packs were united. Maddox and Damon were friends from a young age, and with Mindy being mated to Gideon, the bond between the two packs strengthened and carried into the next generation.
Alpha Desmond and Luna Edith didn’t get a chance to meet Talia beyond brief greetings at Tatiana’s Luna ceremony, and they were curious to find out more about the female that was the cause of many changes which happened in the last few months, including the expansion of the Blue River pack.
Damon was observing the crowd. About three hundred people were seated on chairs, and many more stood on the side and behind to fill the clearing in all directions until they merged with the forest around them.
A clear white strip of carpet split the seated people in half, and several tents poked above heads.
Some estimated that by the time ceremony started, the headcount had crossed more than ten thousand. Such a gathering of werewolves was unprecedented, yet they were here, patiently waiting to watch Damon and Talia exchange vows.
Reporters were taking photos, and there was a live stream for others to watch online.
Despite the excited chatter of so many people gathered in one place, things were orderly.
More than a thousand people were invited, but that number didn’t include people from the Dark Howlers pack and the Midnight Guardians pack. Also, anyone from the Blue River pack, the Spring Leaf pack, and the Lightclaw pack could come. It was an open event to the public, and as much as Damon wanted it to be huge, he never imagined it would swell to this scale. He hoped Talia would approve.
The music changed, and the crowd stirred before settling into silence. It was time!
Mindy and Gideon appeared first, walking hand-in-hand in practiced slow steps.
The second couple was Yasmin and Axel, and then Meg and Kai, Maya and Caden, Sandy and Tyler, and Cornelia and James. It was an impressive lineup of high-ranking members from two packs.
Tatiana and Maddox were first from allied packs, followed by Kalina and Tony, Michelle and Cristian. They had matching outfits and walked with the arrogance of Alpha couples. Dawn and George fit perfectly with their predecessors on the white carpet. Zina grinned while walking hand-in-hand with Owen, the General of the Dark Howlers pack. Olivia stuck close to Travis, seeking protection in his presence, and he thought she was adorable. Other couples followed proudly as well. It was a majestic sight.
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