I barely had time to process what was happening before Anya was whisking me back to the dressing room.
“We’ve got maybe twenty minutes,” she said, already working to undo the buttons on the back of my coronation gown. “The officiant needs time to set up, and people need to get seated, but after that-”
“Twenty minutes?” My heart was hammering. “That’s not enough time to get ready.”
“It’s plenty of time.” Anya pulled the blue gown off and carefully hung it on a hook. Then she turned and reached for the garment bag she’d brought with her. The one containing the other gown she’d been working on, which I was told multiple times that I wasn’t allowed to see. “Trust me. I’ve been nning for this.”
She unzipped the bag, and I gasped.
The wedding dress was beautiful. It was ivory with long bell sleeves and a flowing skirt. The fabric was soft and silky, with an unstructured waistline that was cut on the bias to make room for my belly. There were tiny pearl beads sewn along the neckline, catching the light.
“Anya,” I whispered, staring at my friend. “This isn’t at all like the one we were working on.”
She grinned. “I know. This one is better.”
I took a step forward, brushing my fingers across the fabric. It really was perfect. Far better than I had previously envisioned.
“With twins in your belly, you’ve been growing a lot quicker than a regr pregnancy,<i>” </i>Anya exined. “I figured the structured bodice we were nning before would be ufortable. I hope you’re not upset.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m not. Not at all. Anya, this is stunning.”
Anya’s smile turned radiant as ever. “Thanks. I think it’s my favorite piece I’ve made yet.” She reached into the bag and pulled out a white fur stole that she draped over the shoulders of the gown. “Perfect for a winter wedding, no?”
I nodded. “Perfect.”
With that, Anya helped me slip into the dress. It fit perfectly, and didn’t feel restrictive at all. With the fur stole and a pair of white heels, I felt beautiful. Even more beautiful than I had felt in the blue dress.
I had just finished with my hair when there was a knock at the door, and Liam poked his head in. “Is it safe toe in?” he asked, eyes shut.
“Just a second!” Anya called<b>. </b>She finished thest button at the back of the dress and stepped back to look at me. Okay. Now you can <be </b>in.”
Liam entered, and his eyes went wide when he saw me. “Oh, Wow.”
Anya squeezed my shoulder. “I’m going to <b>go </b>make sure everything’s ready outside. You two take a minute.” She slipped out of the room before I could protest. Liam followed her with his eyes, and she ducked her head as she passed, blushing.
When Anya was gone, Liam and I stood there in silence for a moment. He looked good–he’d dressed up for the coronation in a dark suit, and his hair wasbed back neatly. The wound in his side had healed well, although he <b>still </b>looked a little tired. He’d been through a lot. We all had.
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“So,” he finally said, clearing his throat. “You’re really doing this.” I wanted to feel confident and strong and worthy of the title I was about to im. But all I could think about was my mother. About how she should have been here for this. About how she should have been the one wearing this gown, reiming her pack after all these years.
“She would be proud of you,” Alexander said, as if reading my mind. Maybe he had. The crystal still baffled us sometimes, and it was difficult getting used to the stronger bond it had formed.
He pulled me into his arms then and just held me. I rested my head against his chest and breathed in his scent. Finally, after so long without it, it wrapped around me like a favorite coat. It wasforting.
After a moment, he pulled back. “Ready?”
I nodded, and we headed out.
The ceremony was being held in the main square of Stormhollow territory. When we arrived, I was shocked by the sheer number of people who’d gathered. There had to be at least a thousand pack members, maybe more. They had filled every avable space, some standing on rooftops or balconies to get a better view.
A stage had been erected in the center of the square. Hunter was waiting there, along with the woman who’d given me the deed–her name was ra, I’d learned. She was one of the few who had remained loyal to my mother even after her death.
The crowd fell silent as I climbed the steps to the stage. My legs felt shaky, but I forced myself to keep walking. Alexander stayed close behind me with his hand on the small of my back.
ra stepped forward and held out a velvet cushion. Resting on top of it was a silver circlet–simple but elegant, with the Stormhollow crest engraved on the front.
? “E Eden,” she said, “daughter of Lilith, rightful heir to the Stormhollow pack. Do you ept the
responsibilities and duties of Alpha?”
I looked out at the sea of faces staring back at me. These were my people now. My pack. They’d suffered under Richard’s rule for so long, and now they were looking to me to lead them. To heal them.
<b>“</b>I do,” <b>I </b>said.
ra lifted the circlet and ced it on my head. “Then by the power vested in me by the Stormhollow council, I name you Alpha E of Stormhollow.”
The crowd erupted into cheers. People were howling, pping, shouting my name. The noise was deafening.
ra stepped back, and I moved to the front of the stage. I raised my hand, and slowly, the crowd quieted.
“My mother,<b>” </b>I began, “was the strongest person I ever knew, She fought for this pack even when it cost her everything. Even when <b>it </b>cost her <b>life</b><b>.</b><b>” </b><b>I </b>paused<b>, </b>swallowing down the urge to cry. “She died saving my son. She ran into a burning building without hesitation because that’s who she was. She put others before herself, always.”
The crowd was silent now.
“I can’t promise to <b>be </b>exactly like her,” I continued. “But I can promise to honor her memory. To lead this pack with the same courage andpassion she showed. <b>To </b>fight for you the way she fought for you.”
The cheers started again. I let <b>them </b>go on for a moment before raising my hand once <b>more</b>.
<b>“</b>There’s one more thing,” I said, ncing back at Alexander. He was grinning at me, and I couldn’t help <b>but </b>
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smile back. “Alpha Alexander and I have decided to do something a little… different for the coronation today.”
The crowd fell silent again.
“We’re getting married. Today. Right here, right now. And all of you are invited.”
For a moment, there was stunned silence. Everyone stared at us in shock. Even ra, and Liam, who was standing at the forefront of the crowd.
Liam was the first to cheer. He let out a piercing howl that made me flinch, but I couldn’t help butugh. Myughter rang through the microphone, making it re. I gasped and pped my hand over my mouth.
The square exploded with noise. Cheers. Laughter. Apuse.
Alexander stepped up beside me and took my hand. He smiled at me, leaning in so only I could hear his whispered words.
“Looks like it’s time for your second wardrobe change of the day, Alpha.”
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“Yeah.” I smoothed down the front of my dress. “I’m really doing this.”
He smiled, but there was something sad in his eyes. “I’m happy for you, E. Really.”
“I know.”
He looked away, jaw working like he was trying to find the right words. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter. “I need to apologize. For everything that happened a year ago. The way I acted, the things I said… I was so desperate to make you love me back that I didn’t care how it affected you.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but he continued.
“I thought if I just tried hard enough, if I just showed you how much I cared, you’d choose me. But that’s not how love works. You can’t force someone to feel something they don’t feel.” He met my eyes. “I’m sorry, E. For pushing you. For making things harder than they needed to be. You deserved better than that.”
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<strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.