Chapter 721
My eyes grew wide as I stared up at him.
“That’s why you came back??” I asked, almost hurt. “To make sure Lukas stayed away from me?”
“That is not why I came back,” Gavin corrected. “I was always planning on being here… it was just a happy coincidence.”
His words made Irene laugh, but she stood when another person joined us. I smiled when I watched her get wrapped up in a warm embrace from behind, and I watched her melt completely and utterly.
Gavin rolled his eyes, but he didn’t stop it from happening.
“Are you behaving?” A low murmur spoke, sending vibrations through Irene’s body, I assumed because she trembled as her cheeks flushed.
“Always,” she teased, leaning her head to the side to give him better access to the nape of her neck. He planted a kiss right on the spot he plans to mark her once this wedding stuff is done, or so he’s told me.
“You’re looking quite dashing, Chuck,” I told Irene’s mate, who glanced up at me and smiled.
“I hate suits, but I’d do and wear just about anything for this beauty in my arms,” Chuck said, winking, making me laugh.
“She’s lucky to have you,” I told him.
“Okay, we need to get the show on the road before Nan makes a run for it,” Irene said, pulling herself from Chuck’s embrace.
“Is that a possibility?” Gavin asked, raising his brows.
I turned to look at him while Irene and Chuck disappeared to find the bride.
“She had some cold feet this morning,” I told him. “But I don’t think she’d run away from her wedding. She loves Chester more than anything, and I know they are going to make this work.”
He nodded as he bent to kiss me lightly on the lips, not wanting to mess up my makeup any more than it already was messed up thanks to these damn pregnancy hormones.
“Okay, everybody, we are ready! It’s go time!”
Irene rushed back with Nan, and in tow, the nervous look on her face made me laugh. I looked up at Gavin, leaning into him. I wondered what our wedding would be like if we ever were to get married. Gavin had never brought up marriage before; he brought up making me his Luna… but never marriage.
He was married once a long time ago to Irene’s mother, and I didn’t think he’d want to get married again.
The thought made me a little sad because I always imagined that I would marry my mate… but I suppose it didn’t matter. We had already marked each other, and in the werewolf world, that was stronger than marriage.
Then again, Ethan and I had marked each other when we were teens, and things didn’t work out the way I wanted.
“I’m so nervous,” Nan admitted as she stood behind me in the lineup.
I smiled over my shoulder at her.
“You are gorgeous, and you’re marrying your mate. You shouldn’t be nervous at all,” I assured her. “Plus, you have a group of friends who would do anything for you and stand by your side until the end. So, if Chester fucks up, I’ll kick his ass.”
This made Nan smile through her tears.
“Thanks, Judy,” she breathed.
I wrapped an arm through Gavin’s as the music started, and then one by one, we each walked down the aisle. It was a small wedding party.
First it was Irene and Chuck, then Gavin and me… followed by Nan, who wanted to walk herself down the aisle despite my father’s refusal to walk with her. Nan didn’t have a father to give her away, and she always been independent, so she decided to give herself away, which, honestly, spoke volumes, and it was inspiring.
As I walked down the aisle, I noted all the familiar faces who had gathered to witness this occasion. I smiled when my eyes found my mother, who was holding Emalyn in her arms; my heart swelled at the sight, and I thought of her holding my baby as well.
When we reached the end of the aisle, Gavin kissed my temple.
“Let’s talk after,” he whispered, and I nodded before parting ways.
I smiled at Chester as I walked by him to stand beside Irene. He looked just as nervous as Nan did.
The second the wedding music grew louder, and Nan made herself known, everybody stood and was in complete awe of her beauty, especially Chester, whose worries immediately melted off his face, and now all that was placed in his eye was love and admiration for the woman he was about to marry.
The worries seemed to be gone from Nans’ face as well as she locked eyes with her mate, a smile radiantly lighting from her features.
I knew at that moment that everything was going to be okay.
I looked at Gavin, who wasn’t looking at Chester or Nan… his eyes were only on me.