<h4>Chapter 202: Raphael & La’s Wedding</h4>


    It was Raphael and La’s wedding celebration. Eleanor had a rather busier day than usual.


    In the morning, after dropping Freya at school, she rushed to Heron House, where the local registration office was located. Teresa, Maya, Lily and a few other Heimdall employees were already there, representing La’s side of the family. On the other side, Dominic nc, Juliette nc, and a few other senior members of the nc n stood in for Raphael.


    They received serial number two for the day. After the first group exited the marriage suite, their party was called in. Under the guidance of the staff, everyone took their seats while La and Raphael stood before the marriage desk.


    The room, though modest in size, held an elegant air... clean cream walls, delicate white roses in crystal vases, and rows of cushioned chairs arranged on either side of a simple oak table at the front.


    A registrar, dressed formally in a navy zer with the city crest on the pocket, stood waiting behind the desk. Behind him, the official Union Jack and Manchester’s city g stood proudly on polished brass poles. A small digital screen disyed the date and the words:


    "Marriage Ceremony – La Monroe & Raphael nc"


    La wore a graceful ivory midi dress thatplemented her beauty. Her long hair was loosely pinned back, a few wisps falling softly around herposed face.


    Raphael was dressed in a finely cut charcoal suit, his silver cufflinks catching the light as he adjusted his cor. He stole a nce at La from time to time, a quiet affection in his eyes.


    The registrar smiled gently. "Shall we begin?"


    Both bride and groom nodded in affirmation.


    "This is a legal marriage ceremony under thews of Ennd and Wales," the registrar began. "Today, two people stand before witnesses to make amitment to each other, witnessed and recorded here at Heron House, Manchester."


    She gestured to both sides. "Are you both ready to proceed?"


    "Yes," La answered, her voice clear and unwavering.


    "I am," Raphael replied, softer, but just as sure.


    The registrar continued, "Please repeat after me... I, Raphael nc, take you, La Monroe, to be my legally wedded wife."


    Raphael turned slightly toward La, his gaze steady.


    "I, Raphael nc, take you, La Monroe, to be my legally wedded wife."


    Then it was La’s turn, she repeated after the registrar, "I, La Monroe, take you, Raphael nc, to be my legally wedded husband."


    The registrar smiled again. "Do you, Raphael, promise to love, support, and stand by La through all of life’s seasons?"


    "I do."


    "And La, do you promise to love, support, and stand by Raphael through all of life’s seasons?"


    "I do."


    They signed the official marriage schedule, the thick pen gliding over their names, La Monroe and Raphael nc... inked into permanence. Eleanor and Dominic stepped forward to sign as witnesses, each leaving a deliberate, elegant signature.


    The registrar lifted the signed document with ceremonial care. "By the powers vested in me by the Registrar General, I now dere you husband and wife under thew. Congrattions."


    The room filled with gentle apuse.


    Juliette approached with a perfectly folded silk handkerchief in hand. "Wee to the family, La nc," she said with a subtle, graceful nod.


    La smiled... a calm, quiet smile. The kind that spoke of storms weathered and peace finally found. She ced her palm over her heart, then bowed to Juliette with the proper werewolf respect due to Raphael’s mother.


    "Thank you, Mother."


    ***


    After the official marriage ceremony ended, the party moved to Hawksmoor Manchester at Deansgate. Juliette nc had booked the entire restaurant for an intimate lunch celebration.


    The restaurant served its renowned British steaks and fresh seafood, along with a variety of side dishes carefully selected by Juliette in advance.


    For nearly two hours, the gathering enjoyed good food, quietughter, and warm conversation among close friends and family.


    After the celebration, Eleanor and her group returned to Heimdall Tower to tackle their piled-up work, while the nc n headed back to their ancestral home... bringing the newly wedded bride and groom with them.


    ***


    The Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa had been transformed into a fortress of elegance by n nc for the night’s grand event. Its sandstone walls, illuminated by a hundred goldennterns, seemed to hold their breath in anticipation of the gathering. Since all the guests would be from the supernatural world, n nc’s own event managementpany took full control... releasing all human staff and remodelling the venue to suit their traditions.


    Tonight was a double celebration. Primarily, it was the wedding reception of Raphael and La, but after the two young wolves’ sess in thepetition for the Trial of Yggdrasil, the n decided to merge both victories into one night of triumph.


    The main reception hall had been stripped of its usual soft, modern décor and dressed in the nc n’s colours... deep crimson banners stitched with ck thread, each bearing the crest of a rampant wolf howling at the moon.


    The banquet hall, set to host the event, glowed under a cascade of dazzling, colourful lights. At the center, long banquet tables wereid with traditional copper tes, polished knives, and great chalices waiting to be filled.


    Raphael nc stood by the arched entrance with La, his mate and now bride, their hands sped. Her gown caught the light like water over ice, her long dark hair braided with silver chains that glimmered when she moved. Raphael’s pale, frost-coloured eyes swept over the growing crowd, catching each familiar face. His posture remained formal, as demanded by the patriarch’s presence. From across the hall, his grandfather Dominic nc, the n’s unyielding patriarch, watched with a gaze sharp enough to cut stone.


    Dominic sat like a sovereign at the head table, broad-shouldered despite his age, tall and unbowed by time. He wore the long ck ceremonial coat of the alpha line, his jet-ck hair gleaming beneath thentern light. His word wasw; tonight, he was the anchor keeping the vtile tides of the ns in check.


    Raphael’s mother, Juliette nc, yed the perfect hostess. Her velvet gown trailed behind her like spilled ink as she moved gracefully between groups, greeting each guest with a measured blend of warmth and authority. Her husband had been gone for years, but she bore the weight of her role without a hint of faltering.


    The first to arrive were the Raynor n of Manchester, led by their formidable n head, Fiona Elizabeth Raynor. She wore an elegant royal navy gown, perfectly tailored and trimmed with silver thread that shimmered subtly as she moved. Her style was understated yetmanding... high cors, fitted gloves, and heirloom jewellery passed down through generations. A single pearl rested at her throat, and on her hand gleamed the si ring of the Raynor crest.


    At her side was Eleanor Elizabeth Raynor, the young miss and future n head, fulfilling her duty by standing beside her matriarch. She wore a perfectly fitted purple gown for the asion, paired with a diamond ne and earrings. She looked strikingly beautiful, yet her natural, emotionless expression stood in sharp contrast to the lively celebration, creating an invisible distance that kept people at bay.


    Upon seeing them, Juliette nc stepped forward, ced her hand over her heart, and bowed. "Wee, n Head Raynor and Young Miss Raynor. Thank you for joining our celebration."


    Raphael and La also stepped forward, bowing respectfully. As a subordinate n, the ncs naturally had to show deference, but the Raynors had always treated them well. Besides, the three... mother, son, and daughter-inw... were currently working under Eleanor, which made their wee warmer and more respectful.


    Ethan had note to the event. He was at home with Freya, as Eleanor did not wish to expose her daughter to the other ns attending the celebration.


    More than twenty members of the Raynor n followed behind Fiona and Eleanor. They returned the greetings before Juliette led them inside, guiding Fiona to the table where Dominic nc was seated.


    Heavy-footed and boisterous, Ciaran Raynor arrived wearing a greatcoat of dark wolf fur. Ciaran, a ssmate and long-time friend of Raphael, had always shared a good rtionship with him.


    "Raphael!" he roared, arms outstretched. "I heard you kidnapped your bride from Russia!"


    Raphael stepped forward, smiling. "Ciaran, it’s good to see you."


    "Good? It’s a relief!" Ciaran gripped Raphael’s forearm in a bone-crushing handshake. "Among us friends... you got married first... and to a human woman! Now we can seek our partners openly. You showed us lights!"


    He turned to La with a broad, teasing grin. "Lady La," he said with a yful bow, "I heard you beat him silly... and that was when you were still human! We’d like to see you in action again sometime."


    His boomingughter carried through the hall as the Raynor youths streamed inside with smiles.


    Dominic nc rose from his seat when Fiona approached. Bowing respectfully, he weed her and offered her the chair beside him, with Eleanor seated on her other side. Juliette escorted the remaining Raynors to the table next to theirs before returning to the entrance to receive the next guests.