Epilogue - Erin Part 2 

Everyone hurried to get in place for the wedding. I was the last to leave the room, finding my mother waiting with a smile. I doubt she thought this day would ever happen either. I’m her oldest but the last to get married. Oh well.

She’s probably the only one that doesn’t quite fit the vibe that the rest of the wedding party is wearing. But far be it for anyone to try and dictate what she should wear. It’s a lovely mother-of-the-bride style pantsuit in a soft shade of purple. She was told purple, and that’s what she picked.

“Ready?” She grinned, offering me her arm. I’m glad she’s here. My sister couldn’t make it; I understand it’s a long trip, and she has her kids to deal with. But at least mom is here to be at my side like she’s always been. She took the whole ‘guess what your grandkids are werewolves’ talk very well.

“As I’m ever going to be.” I nodded. I don’t know if I’d get over my nerves to make it down the aisle alone.

‘Alone? Hello. Do I not count? And, of course, you’d get down the aisle. Hale and Jason are waiting for us. They are doing all this for YOU!’ Astra helpfully reminded me of her presence. Not like I needed the reminder. How could I forget?

I knew the venue was beautiful, but I had to gasp as we walked up the ramp to the raised platform. A path lined with black and purple candles led the way past the few rows of guests. It looked magical. In the distance, I could see Mount Hood, the stars blanketing the sky, twinkling like the lights strung in the trees above the platform.

And there, waiting at the end of the path, was the best view of them all… Hale. Whoa. I assumed he would be wearing a black suit and probably something purple, but I didn’t think they’d get him to wear anything similar to what River and Sage’s mate were wearing.

Hale was standing, hands clasped and blue eyes locked on me wearing a black brocade with a faint purple to the design suit jacket and waistcoat, a dark purple dress shirt with silver-tone wolf embroidery on the collar with a matching tie, and black dress pants. I can’t believe he’s wearing it or how incredibly hot he looks in it. Once again, showing just how out of his comfort zone this man is willing to go for me.

‘Damn right, our mate looks hot in everything. My favorite is nothing.’ Astra snickered as we made the walk down to him. I hadn’t even realized I’d walked down the aisle until I stood at Hale’s side.

‘You look stunning.’ Hale spoke through our link as he raised my veil, so the sheer fabric no longer stood between us. He’s even better looking up close like this.

‘You look handsome. I can’t believe they made you wear that.’ I sighed in our link, staring silently otherwise into his eyes, oblivious to the officiant and everyone else in attendance.

‘They didn’t make me do anything. I agreed to this suit choice. You should look to my left at Austin. If anyone was made to wear something, it’s him. He is not feeling this style.’ Hale assured. I glanced, for a moment to his left at his son. Sure enough, Austin was dressed to match, but instead of purple, he wore a white shirt like River and Sage’s mate.

I’m sure Suzanne had a hand in making him wear it. Austin would do pretty much anything for her. And he will probably get a reward later for being a good boy. Like father, like son. Both are willing to go outside their comfort zones for their love and know they’ll be rewarded later. I can’t wait to get through the ceremony and reception so that I can reward Hale for all this appropriately.

“Today, this couple comes before us to enter into the sacred covenant of marriage, vowing to be partners through the trials and triumphs of their shared life.” I blinked, turning my head, suddenly aware the officiant was speaking. We had opted for a less Christian ceremony. Ultimately, what mattered was that we signed the dotted line and legally became husband and wife.

“They are declaring to each other and to all of us present that they will be by each other’s side, no matter what life brings their way. We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so meaningful that we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others.” The officiant smiled, addressing everyone.

“Why this moment? Because, despite all our unique differences, love is what we all share. Love is the great unifier — our one universal truth. No matter who we are, where we have come from, what we believe, we know this one thing . . . love is what we’re doing right.” I didn’t realize he was going to be so long-winded.

‘Is this guy going to yap all night? He’s burning moonlight. It’s a full moon, and I will go for a run tonight.’ Astra huffed impatiently.

“Love is why Hale and Erin are standing here. That’s why you all have been invited to watch them stand up here and be reminded that the ability to love or be loved unconditionally is the most precious gift a person can give or receive by someone.” He smiled, gesturing to Hale and me.

“As I ask the two of you these questions, please respond together, making your promises before this circle of witnesses.” He finally began. Thank Goddess. I’m not sure Astra would stay in check if he droned on much longer.

“Erin and Hale, will you honor and respect one another?” He questioned. Well, that’s a no-brainer question.

“We will,” I smiled as Hale and I answered in unison.

“Will you support and assist each other in times of pain and sorrow?”

“We will”

“Will you be present in the difficult and challenging times so that you may grow strong in this union?”

“We will”

“Will you share each other’s laughter and joy and look for the brightness and fun in life and the positive in each other?”

“We will”

“Is it your intention to bring peace and harmony into your everyday ways of communicating?” What the fuck? What kind of question is that? It’s like he’s trying to throw a curveball at us as all the others we had to say “we will” to.

“It is,” We answered, and I could tell even Hale thought it was a weird one but rolled with it.

“And when you falter, will you have the courage and commitment to remember these promises and take a step back towards one another with an open heart?”

“We will” Please tell me that’s the last of this, and we can move forward with the festivities.

“Are you willing now and always to commit to each other?” Here I was thinking the question before this was the last one, and he snuck another one in—mutha fucka. Ugh, my children have an influence even on my inner voice’s accent.

“We do.” This had better be the end of the questions.

I internalized a sigh of relief as I watched him bring out the black and purple braided cord. Finally! We are moving on to the next part.

“This cord represents the marital bond. It is strong enough to hold you together during times of struggle yet flexible enough to allow for individuality and personal growth.” He explained, holding the rope up for everyone to see.

“Please join hands.” He gestured to us before realizing we’d been holding hands since Hale raised my veil. “And now, as your hands are bound, I ask you to declare your vows to each other, repeating after me.” He quickly recovered, starting to wrap the rope around our joined hands.

“Hale, please repeat after me as you look at Erin.” He instructed.

“Like dad’s taken his eyes off her since she walked out,” Austin muttered, causing River to snicker next to him.

“I, Hale Dillion Shelton, promise you, Erin Simone Carlisle, that I will be your husband from this day forward. To love and respect you, to support and hold you. To make you laugh and to be there when you cry. To softly kiss you when you are hurting. And to be your companion and best friend on this journey we will now make together as one.” Hale smiled as he spoke the vows.

“Erin, please repeat after me as you look at Hale.” The officiant instructed.

“I, Erin Simone Carlisle, promise you, Hale Dillion Shelton, that I will be your wife from this day forward. To love and respect you, to support and hold you. To make you laugh and to be there when you cry. To softly kiss you when you are hurting. And to be your companion and best friend on this journey we will now make together as one.” I smiled, repeating the same vows.

“As your hands are now bound together, so shall your lives be bound as one. Keep this cord as a reminder of your promise to one another, and let no one unbind it as long as you both shall live.” He nodded, holding the rope so we could slip our hands out to exchange our rings.

Austin dug into his pocket, handing the rings to the officiant before he could even ask for them. I guess he’s eager to get through the ceremony too.

“We all understand the gesture that you are now making. We all want to reach out to someone and be acknowledged, held, and loved. Taking the hand of the one who loves you symbolizes that unspoken bond. You fell in love by fate, but you’re here today because you’re making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You’ve chosen to be with someone who enhances you, makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter.” Oh boy, he’s going to drone on again.

“Every day, as you look down, you will see a brief flash of light, a sparkle as the ring placed on your finger today will shine. It will remind you, again and again, over and over, of your promise to your loved one. Every time you take hands, you will feel that wedding ring on your partner’s hand, and you will both be reminded again. It will always be with you, visible, worn openly, and with pride. It will tell the world that someone loves me enough to make me a promise to share a life.” He smiled a dreamy look in his eyes. Maybe this guy is just a hopeless romantic and not someone who likes the sound of their voice.

“Hale, please place the ring on Erin’s finger, and repeat after me.” He instructed.

“I give you this ring in token and pledge of my abiding love.” Hale smiled as he slipped the rose gold ring with a split shank design inlaid with partial Gibeon meteorite on each side and moonstone center stone onto my finger.

“Erin, please place the ring on Hale’s finger, and repeat after me.” Now it was my turn.

“I give you this ring in token and pledge of my abiding love.” I smiled, sliding the meteorite and titanium band with a pinstripe of rose gold onto his finger to seal this deal.

“May you enjoy a lifetime of love, peace, happiness, and prosperity. Go in peace. Live in joy. By the authority vested in me by the State of Oregon, I pronounce you husband and wife. Hale, you may now kiss your bride!”

Yeah, he didn’t have to tell us that part. I’d pulled Hale’s face to mine and kissed him after he said, husband and wife. I don’t need anyone’s permission to kiss my man.

“I now present Mr. and Mrs. Shelton!” The officiant called out over the uproar of laughter, clapping, whistles, and howls.

With the ceremony complete, we made our way to the far side of the platform that was set up as our reception area. Everything looked so amazing, and the feed smelled delicious. Though not nearly as good as Hale.

The reception was a bit of a blur. Most of the guests were friends of Hale’s that I became friends with within the pack. Suzanne’s parents were, of course, there. I get along well with Edith Walterson. The Bryant family was in attendance. I found it funny that sweet Patricia had to deal with the bold and blunt personalities of her mate and son, David. There were a few others, including some coworkers in the pack.

The cake was the first thing I will never forget at reception. It was stunning. I almost didn’t want to cut into the four layers of decadent chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse filling covered in an artfully designed frosting to look like the night sky topped with a crescent moon with a couple as the topper.

It was as delicious as it looked. No, there was no cake smashing. Hale and I are adults and would not waste food like Austin at his wedding. Also, my kids aren’t stupid enough to try and hold me still for something like that. They got a beat down from Suzanne later for that stunt.

The second thing about the reception I will never forget is our first dance. Sage’s mate took the stage with their band and sang a rendition of Ray LaMontagne’s Hold You In My Arms. It was beautiful, and the perfect song as Hale and I slowly swayed around the dance floor. It was magical and perfect, just like I know the rest of my life with Hale will be.