The crowd was silent as they sat waiting in excitement, turned in their seats for a glimpse of the young she wolf.


    In the second row sat the previous Rogue family that the men had met at the very beginning of their journey, Rosalie looked healthy as she held tightly to her husband''s hand, beaming with excitement as she watched the future Luna of their new pack walk to her fiancée. Nichi was no longer the skinny wolf that he had been, good food and a thirst to prove himself had found him the first to arrive at training each morning and thest to leave, filling him out into the strong warrior that was an asset to the pack. Their daughter Victoria sat next to her mother, bouncing excitedly in her chair as Rowan walked past, giving him a small wave as the warrior winked at her. The pair had be much closer since the warrior had returned, his wife, Gabrie taking the teenager under her wing as she announced to everyone that she had always wanted a little sister.


    The music started to y, a soft lilting sound, calling the young woman to her mate. Alessia came round the edge of the seats, the crowd sighing as they took in the bride. Dressed in a simple white gown, the she wolf held a small bouquet of roses as she walked down the aisle.


    Her left arm was linked through her brother''s who was beaming widely, waving at his wife and daughter who were watching from their seats at the front. Her right arm was tucked tightly into the crook of a stern looking warrior, Rowan pulling at his tie unconsciously as he apanied his adopted sister to her mate.


    Standing at the Alter, Nathaniel was staring open mouthed at his mate as she approached him, her smile wide, her eyes fixed on his.


    Reaching the front, Alex released his sister''s hand, cing a kiss on her cheek as he whispered, ''you look beautiful sis, mum and dad would be so proud of you!


    Smiling as tears pricked her eyes, Alessia nodded, hugging him with her free hand before he stepped back and took his seat next to his mate.


    Turning to Rowan, the she wolf giggled as she looked down at the warrior''s white knuckles from his grip on her arm, ''I''m not sure I can hand you over'' he muttered, ''if he hurts you, I''ll have to kill him and that could make family dinners awkward.


    Patting his hand, Alessia leaned over and kissed the cheek of the man who had wormed his way into her family, ''he won''t hurt me Ro, you know that'' she teased quietly, ''he''s too scared of what Gabby would do to him, she really likes me!


    Rowan rxed as he finally released his hold, a small chuckle leaving his lips as he peeked over at his wife who was holding their new born daughter in her arms. Ethan was sat beside her, next to Sierra who was rocking a sleeping baby boy lovingly.


    Looking back at Alessia, Rowan leaned forward and ced a kiss on her forehead, ''go get married'' he grumbled, ''before I change my mind about giving you away to him!''


    Laughing, the she wolf hugged the warrior tightly, then let him go so he could walk to his family, picking his son up and sitting down, cing the little boy on hisp.


    Turning to Nathaniel, the she wolf felt the familiar flutter in her stomach that she always felt when she saw him. Nathaniel took her hands in his carefully, smiling happily as his mother stepped forward to stand between them.


    Looking around at the faces that were in front of her, Isabe smiled warmly as she spoke, ''Today we are here to join your future Alpha and Luna together in the matrimonial bond, their souls joined as one, as decreed by the Goddess herself, by joining their hearts, they strengthen the bond between us all''


    Turning to her son, Isabe raised her voice, ''do you Nathaniel Daniel Davies, future Alpha of the Silver Cross Pack, take Alessia Crowford formerly of the Green Vines Pack as yourwful wedded wife and future Luna? Will you treat her as your equal, love her and protect her as is written by the Goddess at the beginning of time?''


    ''I will'' Nathaniel blurted out eagerly, cutting off his mothersst words in his eagerness.


    ''Dude calm down, she isn''t going anywhere'' Landen said behind him as the congregationughed making the young Alpha flush.


    Grinning, Isabe turned to the she wolf, ''Do you Alessia Crowford formerly of the Green Vines Pack, take Nathaniel Daniel Davies as yourwful wedded husband and future Alpha? will you stand by him through good times and bad, guide him, love him and protect him to the best of your abilities as Luna as is written by the Goddess at the beginning of time?''


    Alessia smiled brightly as she nodded, ''I do'' she replied shyly.


    Looking out at the happy faces, the Alpha addressed the crowd, ''do you, members of the Silver Cross pack and delegates from our newest allies, the Green Vine pack, agree to stand by this young couple, support them today in their joining and every day after until the Goddess should call us home to her?''


    ''We do'' came the unanimous reply led by the Alpha and Luna of Green Vines who were watching the wedding proudly, sat next to Alex and his family as the bride''s substitute parents.


    ''Marriage is a sacred contract, you go from being two mates who have found each other, to one entity, one heart that beats. You will forevermore be bound together as decreed by the Goddess herself. I now pronounce you husband and wife, son, you may kiss your Luna.


    Stepping back, Isabe joined everyone in their cheers as Nathaniel gathered his wife into his arms and pressed his lips to hers.


    ''I love you'' he whispered against her mouth.


    ''I love you more'' Alessia replied softly, her hands finding his hair as she crushed herself to his frame.


    Pulling back, the young Alpha shook his head in amusement, ''not possible my Luna'' he said huskily making the she wolf smile shyly.


    ''I''m not sure I''ll ever get used to people calling me that'' she whispered before she was pulled away from his husband to be wrapped in two strong arms.


    ''Congrats Little sis'' Alex yelled happily as he hugged her tightly.


    ''Thanks Alex'' she wheezed back, patting his back awkwardly.


    ''I can''t believe my baby sister is married'' he sighed with a shake of his head, ''and to an Alpha, mum would have been unstoppable if she had been here today'' heughed.


    Alessia giggled as she nodded, ''and dad would have been stood beside her pretending not to know her'' she added.


    Sobering up, Alex met his sister''s gaze, smiling warmly, ''they are here Lessi, I can feel it, they would never miss your big day!


    Alessia nodded, swallowing a small lump that was forming in her throat, ''I really miss them Alex'' she whispered.


    Alex pulled her back toward his chest, smoothing her hair, ''I miss them too'' he admitted, ''but I''m so d that I got to be here with you today!


    ''OK, stop hogging the bride'' Bree grumbled loudly, pushing her match away and thrusting their daughter into his arms so that she could hug her sister inw. ''You look so beautiful'' she squealed excitedly, ''thank you for inviting me, I know that our kind doesn''t always get on with your kind'' she added nervously.


    Alessia shook her head stubbornly, ''you are my family Bree, as is Esme, if they don''t ept you then they won''t be a part of my life'' she replied.


    Alessia found the next hour filled with peopleing up and congratting her including her old Alpha and Luna. Luna Edith was dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, smiling brightly as Alpha Christof teased her mercilessly.


    ''Are you OK Luna?'' Alessia asked worriedly as she took the older woman''s hand.


    Edith waved her hand dismissively, ''oh I''m fine my dear, just so happy for you that is all'' she


    replied airily.


    ''She''s been crying since the vows'' Christof added as he rolled his eyes.


    Edith pped his arm, ''excuse me, who couldn''t stop blinking and clearing his throat as she walked down the aisle with Alex?'' she demanded huffily.


    Laughing, Alessia hugged the Luna and then the Alpha tightly, ''thank you foring, and thank you for filling in for my parents'' she said softly, ''today would have been hard with those two


    seats empty!


    Edith patted her hand affectionately, ''you are our daughter Alessia, maybe not by blood, but always through our hearts'' she said, ''we would not have missed today for anything, we are both so happy you found a second chance at love, but we are so sad to lose you from Green


    Vine.''


    Alessia ran her finger across her bottom eyelid, trying to stop the tears falling, ''I''m going to miss you all'' she admitted, ''but I''m really really happy here.


    Christof grinned as he took her other hand in his rough palm, ''and that is all we ever wanted for you, to find a man to love you and a ce that felt like home.''


    Two arms suddenly snaked around her waist making her gasp as she leaned back into the


    familiar scent, ''Alpha, Luna, would you mind if I stole my wife?'' Nathaniel asked with a smile, ''I was hoping that she would agree to a dance.


    Christof nodded as Edith waved her hand in a shooing motion, linking her other hand through her husband''s arm and leaning against him.


    Taking her hand in his, the Alpha led his mate onto the makeshift dancefloor that had reced the chairs from the ceremony, pulling her into his arms, they began to sway to the soft music, lost in each other''s eyes.


    Soon Riley joined them with Isabe, then Christof with Edith, other couples joining them until they were lost in the sea of bodies.


    The night passed quickly, the stars starting to show themselves as Nathaniel slipped his hand into Alessia''s and quietly led her away from the celebration.


    Un-noticed, the pair made their way into the forest, following a well worn path until they came upon the small gravesite that held members that had passed.


    Lifting Alessia''s hand to his lips, Nathaniel kissed her fingers before releasing her and walking over to a freshly dug grave that was marked with a wooden cross. Sinking down to his knees, he ran his fingers over the name that was carved there.


    ''Hi Ariana'' he said quietly, ''today is our wedding day, and I just wanted you to know that


    Alessia is looking after me just like you asked her too. I miss you Ariana, so much and I want you to know that I love you. You gave me the greatest gift a mate could ever give, you sent me back true love and I will spend the rest of my life being thankful to you.


    I wanted you to know that even today, Alessia and I didn''t forget you, nor will we ever, you will always be a part of our family.


    Kissing his fingers, Nathaniel ced them against Ariana''s name before standing up and


    brushing the dirt from his suit.


    Heading back to his wife, he took her hands in his as she looked up at him with a small smile, ''are you OK?'' she asked softly, ''we knew today would be hard, but are you really OK?'' Nathaniel released one of her hands to lift his own to her face, gently tucking a strand of her


    hair behind her ear, ''I''m more than OK'' he said tenderly, ''I have you.'' Looking deep into her eyes, the Alpha took a breath before saying, ''I loved Ariana because she was my mate and a tiny part of me will always do so, but I love you because you are the other half of my heart. Youpleted me before you were given to me by the Goddess, I felt safe, happy and whole when I was around you. Then you woke up and I looked into those beautiful eyes of yours and heard my wolf im you as ours.


    I love you as my mate Alessia, but also as my wife, my missing piece. Youplete me in a way


    that I never thought was possible, I never want to be away from you. I want to see you with little miniature versions of us, I want to wake up every morning and see your face. I want to bring you breakfast in bed and rub your muscles when you have trained too much, run you a hot bath and hold you when you cry over some chic flick movie that you make me watch. I love you Alessia, and I will never love anyone in the same way, you are my everything! Alessia wiped her cheeks that were wet from her tears, ''I love you too Nate, more than


    anything, I never want to return to a life where you are not a part of it, I''ve never been this


    happy!


    Leaning forward, Nathaniel pressed his lips to his mate''s, cupping her cheeks in his hands as he gently ran his tongue between her lips asking for entrance.


    Pulling back breathlessly, the Alpha smiled cheekily, ''you know, no-one saw us leave...we


    could forget to go back to the party and just go home..''


    Alessia''s smile widened as she nodded, giggling wildly as he grabbed her hand and started to


    drag her eagerly toward the packhouse and their room, leaving their friends and family to enjoy the rest of the night without them.


    The End