Epilogue - Suzanne Part 1

I can’t believe it’s been over two years since Austin and I mated. It has certainly been an eventful couple of years.

Things between Austin and I are fine. I won’t say perfect because we still push each other’s buttons with our attitudes. But I can’t even complain about that since it often ends with us having sex either right there or if we aren’t alone back in our room.

My brother and Amelia are doing great as a family of four. Asher is just the cutest pup since Grace. They have come around about Austin being in the family.

It probably helps that they don’t see him in person. He does sometimes join me on my video chats with them. And his LIS has seriously improved.

He’s been busy between work and returning to college to further his education, working towards his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science. He was about to get a scholarship from Kinsley Industrial, which took a lot of weight about affording the program. So he’s enrolled at the University of Portland, where I’ll be starting in the fall.

I finally decided on what I was going to go for. I will get my BBA in Accounting, given how much I work on balancing the books for my family’s cherry orchard.

Speaking of my family’s cherry orchard, that’s where we are today. For a while now, my family has set aside an area of the orchard for weddings and receptions. And today, I’m going to be one of those brides getting married here.

I honestly didn’t think Austin intended to go through with a human wedding, that the whole being engaged with an arranged marriage was just to shut up the humans he deals with daily for work.

I was wrong. Even though I tried to tell Austin a wedding wasn’t necessary as we are mated, which matters to werewolves. He answered back with logic.

I know I was surprised he had logical answers. He outlined that people would question if we had an arranged marriage and why we weren’t married. Also, he pointed out that it would be best if I were listed as his spouse for legal reasons.

So we started planning our wedding. Austin was all in when I suggested having it during peak blossom season at the orchard. Even if it meant pink would be one of our colors, a delicate pink but still pink.

He gave little input, mainly when deciding on cake flavor, the dinner menu, and music. For the rest, he said he trusted my choices.

I didn’t want to do a big or over-the-top wedding. That’s not our style. So we each would only have one person to stand at our side. I chose my friend Diann as my maid of honor, while Austin had difficulty selecting the best man, so he ended up choosing his father.

Hale was surprised and happy to stand at his son’s side. Even if it meant his girlfriend would have to sit alone with her kids.

Yes, you read that right. Hale has a girlfriend. I knew getting him on that dating app was a good idea. It’s how he met her. There were some bumps in the road, but they’ve been together for two years.

“Okay, you can look now.” Diann announced as she spun the chair I was sitting in to face the mirror.

As a budget saver, I let her do my hair and make-up. It only slightly worried me as she insisted I couldn’t look until she was done.

I took a breath and looked at her as she blocked the view of the mirror doing last-minute fussing with my hair. She’s rocking the flutter sleeve chiffon dusty pink tea-length dress we selected together. Diann liked it because it was something she could wear again.

“There, perfection.” Diann nodded, stepping out of the way.

I gasped at my reflection. Diann’s a damn artist! This is why Diann is going to school for cosmetology.

The make-up was subdued, with soft pinks and whites highlighting my features. Diann braided my hair back into a low bun accented by a blush pink silk cherry blossom with gold hairpins along the braid.

“Wow…this is you did outstanding work, Diann.” I smiled, turning my head to look at my reflection from different angles.

“As if there was ever a doubt.” She scoffed, flipping back her long side braid of blonde hair.

I chuckled as I stood from the chair, slipping on my four-inch heels that I seriously lucked out finding. They have a cherry blossom print with gold, pearl, and zirconia cluster near the tip of the shoe. It pairs well with my strapless ivory glittery floral tulle and lace tea-length dress.

When I tried on dresses, this was the one for me when I realized it had pockets. POCKETS! I have pockets in my wedding dress.

“Alright, let’s check this human list. Something new?” Diann raised an eyebrow.

“Um, everything I’m wearing.” I chuckled.

“Check. Something old?” She continued her little list.

I held my right hand up and pointed to the James family ring.

“My mother-in-law’s family ring worn by generations of mates in the James family.” I smiled.

“Check. Don’t go all lovesick-eyed on me thinking about your mate giving that ring to you.” Diann rolled her eyes.

“Something borrowed?” Diann furrowed her brow.

I reached to touch my wrist, making sure the diamond bracelet Michele Shelton secretly loaned me was still there.

“Check. Technically this is old and borrowed since it’s from Michele.” I sighed.

“Sucks she can’t come because her mate a fucking dickweed. Her grandson is getting married, and she can’t even attend because her controlling mate won’t let her.” Diann huffed.

“Trust me; I feel the same. So what’s the last item?” I wanted to change the subject.

The more I think about Dillon, the angrier I get. And I don’t want to be pissed off on my wedding day. This is a happy day.

“Something blue. And don’t tell me that hot guy I saw show up with a blue mohawk gave you a lock of hair.” Diann fanned herself.

I laughed, shaking my head. Oh, she’s in for a world of disappointment.

“That is Alpha André of Madonie. He’s very gay and mated to the oldest of the Delany triplets.” I explained.

I hadn’t expected the Alpha couple of Madonie to travel for my wedding. But I guess André is up for any chance to party. And by his own words, he wanted to be here to witness what he made possible.

“Well, shit. I seriously need to find my mate. I’m a year older than you and still haven’t found him. Though I will say something outside smells amazing. But I have always loved the smell of cherry blossoms.” Diann sighed.

“Maybe he’s out there, and you have too much resolve to not fuck up my wedding to hunt him down.” I shrugged.

“As for something blue. Alpha André did give me something. And no, it’s not a lock of hair. He decided to give me a robin’s egg blue lingerie set with a cherry blossom print. Please don’t ask how he knew my size. He simply knows things.” I shrugged.

“That’s… yeah, gay or not. I hope you don’t tell Austin where the lingerie came from. Now let’s get out there.” Diann laughed, handing me my bouquet before getting hers.

Our bouquets were soft pink and white peonies, ranunculus, sweet peas, jasmine, and cherry blossoms. Mine was double the size of hers but beautiful and impressive.

As the sound of a string quartet playing our song In Your Eyes started to play, Dad stepped up to my side in his gray suit with a light pink tie taking my arm. Diann began down the paver path, almost stumbling as she glanced to the fourth row.

It took her a half second, but she finally continued down the aisle, taking her place. All eyes turned to watch as Dad walked me down the aisle. I barely noticed anyone else, even Dad, as we walked.

My eyes were focused on Austin. He was in the same gray suit as both our dads, but his tie while being pink, was in a cherry blossom print.

‘Did you have to pick the most fuckable dress at the shop?’ Austin taunted me in our link as his eyes traveled down my body while I walked.

‘Oh, there are worse. Like dresses that are maybe meant for Vegas but certainly shouldn’t be worn around family.’ I countered.

He smirked as I came to a stop next to him. Dad kissed my cheek and took his seat with my family.

We’d gotten a local justice of the peace to perform the ceremony. Nothing super fancy, though. We opted to write our vows. I wasn’t sure what Austin would say, and I quickly realized I wasn’t prepared for his words.