Chapter 112 : Epilogue: Say I Do

Karenina

For the last year after Nathan's death, she lived with Xavier. She had told him that she needed time to get to know him and for their relationship to grow before making a big commitment, and during the time they had been 'dating', he had been giving her several tutors to assist her in adapting to her new life. So many tutors, she thought with a sigh.

At first, she only had tutors who helped her explain and control her powers now that she was a full-blooded she-wolf, while others taught her combat and how to fight hand-to-hand, while still others taught her to use swords and daggers. Although she seemed to be making progress after a year, Karen knew that she was far from proficient. It would take years for her to become a fighter and master her new weapons, even though she always carried a bow and arrow.

However, a few months ago, she had surprised Xavier by asking how to behave as Luna in the Westwood Pack. She could see the concern and eager anticipation in his eyes when he realized the commitment that she had not voiced - that she wanted to be his mate, Luna of the Westwood Pack, and live her life with Xavier by his side. That night, four months ago, he takes her to his bed gives her a true mark of betrothal, and makes her his mate, and a month later, Xavier makes her his Luna.

Now, although they didn't have much time to prepare, they were getting married in her family home, and she grew to love him even more for agreeing to her wishes. Although she had been overwhelmed with happiness during her mating ceremony, this time was even more special, because Xavier really meant it when he declared that it didn't matter to him who she was, as long as she was in his life as his mate, because he was willing to accept her family traditions as his own.

"Come on, dear. You don't want to be late for your own wedding, do you?" Her mother teased, wiping her eyes with a tissue.

With a happy giggle, she accepted her mother's help to wipe away her own tears, not wanting her makeup to smudge.

They were in her second childhood home, her mother's family home to be precise, after she had expressed her wish to get married outside at her family's temple. The news was met with happy cheers from her family. The wedding was a simple one, attended only by family and friends of the bride's family, as only Rylan and Raine were able to attend. If any of the guests found it strange that no one from the groom's side was present, except for the best man, his brother, and his younger sister who was now sitting in a row seat with her younger brother, no one said a word, although they had prepared a good excuse just in case.

As she stopped by the door that led outside before exiting, Laura kissed her daughter's cheek, squeezed her hand, and went to take a seat. A few seconds later, the music started, the wedding march, and the door opened without her reaching out to open it herself. Her grandfather was on the other side, dressed in a dark-colored suit for the occasion, and offered his hand to lead her down the aisle that led to the small room where the priest and groom waited.

There were tears in her grandfather's eyes as he took her hand and they began to walk slowly towards everyone. As Karen took her first step, everyone rose from their seats and looked at her, smiling, many crying, but her eyes were glued to her groom.

Rylan stood beside Xavier, his tall and proud friend, and looked handsome in his suit, but she barely glanced at him, her eyes only on Xavier, the man she was deeply in love with.

Although Xavier didn't smile, his golden gaze was fixed on her face, a passionate look as he saw her in her dress for the first time. Of course, neither she nor her family allowed him to see her dress, and she felt her heart skip a beat at the passionate gaze he was showing her. As she approached, her grandfather kissed her cheek, shook Xavier's hand, and placed his granddaughter's hand in Xavier's, before walking away to sit down.

The music stopped, and silence fell over the crowd. As she turned, she handed her bouquet of white flowers to Elsa, one of her best friends from high school, for her to hold - her three best friends from high school stood by her side as bridesmaids, and she turned back to Xavier, placed both hands in his, and the ceremony began.

As the priest spoke, she could barely hear, but she and Xavier spoke well whenever it was their turn to speak and exchange vows. Each time Xavier spoke, his voice was deep and full of possessiveness and confidence. Then she spoke with the same confidence, yet her voice trembled in parts, her emotions almost clogging her throat with how happy she was at the moment.

"If anyone feels that the two of them should not be married, say it now or forever reserve your objectionable opinion," the priest said next, pausing for a moment as if waiting for someone to state their objection.

At this point, Xavier finally turned his face away from her and glared at everyone present, as if challenging any of them to raise an objection. His shoulders were tense, ready to kill anyone who dared, and she couldn't help but chuckle a little, making him turn to her without a hint of remorse in his golden gaze.

"Karenina Mason," the priest began, looking at her. "Do you accept Xavier Westwood as your lawful husband?"

"Yes," she whispered, unable to say it any louder, choked back by her emotions.

When the next question was put to Xavier, his voice was loud and firm. "I do."

When the ring exchange came, Rylan stepped forward and gave Xavier the ring that Laura Mason, her mother, had chosen for him a few weeks ago. When he gave her the diamond engagement ring, he even got down on one knee as her mother had told Xavier to do, and Karen burst into tears before falling into his arms, and they shared a heated kiss.

Now with the wedding ring in hand, Xavier grasped her left hand and repeated his words in front of the priest.

"I give you this ring as a symbol of our love. With this ring, I marry you, and give you my body, heart, and soul."

Then he placed the ring next to the large diamond ring he had given her a few weeks ago, and Karen felt tears spilling from the corners of her eyes.

Then it was her turn to put his wedding ring on his finger, repeating the same words Xavier had spoken to her, meaning every word.

When the priest said a minute or two later, "You may kiss the bride," Xavier immediately pulled her into his arms, bent her backward over his arms, so that Karen could fall over with his support, and kissed her, long, deep, and passionately, not caring that many people were watching and cheering them on.

It was one of the happiest days of Karenina Mason and Xavier Westwood's lives. One of many days to come.