Chapter 56

Flora’s P.O.V

“This is excessive.” I told both Emma and Daphne as I looked at myself in the mirror.

“No!” They both protested at the same time. “This is just perfect!”

“But…but…it’s supposed to be a wedding dress,” I pointed out. “This looks like someone robbed a Queen!”

“Today, you are no less than royalty,” Emma came forward to adjust the veil of my dress. “You deserve it, after everything you have been through. Besides, it’s pretty much your coronation to the position of the Shrine Maiden. So enjoy the spotlight girl and stop complaining!”

I gave Emma a wide eyed look. “Since when are you so forward?”

“This one’s been rubbing off on me.” Emma shrugged, pointing over her shoulder to a smirking Daphne.

I sighed and looked back at my reflection in the full-sized mirror. The dress was extravagant, with pearls and diamonds attached to the bodice to make intricate patterns that would give the biggest brands a run for their money. It fit me like a glove till my waist and then flared out into a princess skirt with even more pearls and diamonds. I was given a bouquet of freshly plucked giant white roses with a single blue orchid in the centre, from the gardens behind the palace and on my head, securing the veil was an actual diamond tiara. A tiara!

I was also wearing pearl drop earrings that Ezra had given me and my makeup had been kept natural, which had been way more make-up than I had ever worn in my life. My blonde hair was in a fancy bun on the back with a few curled tendrils hanging on either side of my face. To be honest, I didn’t even recognize myself in the mirror. I looked completely different and I kinda thought it was perfect.

I hadn’t been one of those girls who talked about their wedding and planned their dream wedding since they were ten. I hadn’t even given much thought to finding my mate. But that had been all before I met Clay. As a child, I had once told him that I wanted to marry him and now, fifteen years later, that dream was about to become a reality.

I looked down at the ring on my finger once again. It was a single diamond, the size of a small pea. It was set in a gold band and the design looked old. But it didn’t matter if it was old or new, diamond or any other stone. I would’ve been happy if clay had given me plastic, because it wasn’t about the ring, it was about what it signified. This ring meant that I belonged to Clay forever and that was all that mattered.

“I’m curious though,” Daphne asked, dressed in a teal blue gown that hugged her in all the right placed. “How did your man get the ring?”

“Apparently, Malachi had given it to him before we left his room that night.” I shrugged. “Sometimes, I have difficulty understanding if Malachi is my great-grandfather or Clay’s.”

“Well, he’s definitely fond of his great-grandson-in-law.” Emma laughed, her dress a light pink that suited her warm skin tone. “Let’s get going. They might call us an-”

A knock sounded on the door before Emma could finish her sentence and she shrugged at me before heading for the door.

“Flora.” Malachi called as he entered the room and his eyes widened as he took me in. “You look absolutely stunning.”

“Thank you,” I told him, tears welling up in my eyes. “For everything you have done for me and Clay.”

“And I would do it all over again if need be.” He came forward to cup my cheeks and press a feather-light kiss to my forehead. “Let’s not keep the groom waiting, shall we?”

He offered me his elbow and I took it with a smile. There was no veil as this wasn’t a normal marriage. It was a mating ceremony.

The entire hallway was decorated in flower garlands and their sweet, sweet fragrance filled the air as we made our way to the aisle. The wedding was being held in the front courtyard and all members of our pack were present there, not just to witness the wedding, but to hear what Malachi had to say in the end. He had decided to announce his retirement from his Alpha position today as well, as hand over his responsibilities over to us.

It was all the more reason for me to be nervous as we turned the corner and stepped onto the red carpet that led to the altar. I heard several gasps from the crowd as they guests all stood up to welcome me and soft music began to play. The sunlight hit my dress and the diamonds scattered the light onto the floor, on the carpet, as if urging me to move forward.

I didn’t know why I was so nervous though. My heart was racing inside my chest and I was clutching my bouquet tightly.

But then I looked up and all my worries vanished at that very instant.

Clay stood alone at the altar, with a garland of huge white flowers at his back. He was wearing white too. A white jacket, white pants and a white shirt underneath, with a black bow tie and a black bordering at the collar of his jacket the only dark elements. A wide smile spread on his lips as soon as he saw me and when he wiped at the corner of his eyes, I knew he was feeling just as overwhelmed as I was.

It was our wedding day. It was finally the day where we officially became one.

I clutched Malachi’s hand tighter as we made our way to the altar and then he handed me over to Clay, placing my hand in his. He then proceeded to take his place and begin the mating ceremony.

“We are gathered here today, to witness the joining of these two pair of lovers in the holy union of matrimony.” Malachi called out and everyone went silent.

“Flora Argentine and Clay Scotsman.” Malachi spoke. “You have been through hell and back for each other and you have fulfilled the conditions set out by the Goddess herself. This ceremony is just a necessary formality and so, without further ado, we commence the ceremony.”

Ezra appeared at the end of the red carpet then, carrying two silver goblets in a tray as she made her way to us. She wore a beautiful sky gown that lit up her eyes and her golden hair was loose down to her hips, swaying in the wind.

Once she reached us, she handed us the goblets filled with what looked like wine.

“Flora Argentine, do you take Clay Scotsman to be your husband, your mate and your faithful partner for as long as you both shall live?” Malachi asked.

“I do.” I took a sip of the wine, feeling the alcohol burn down my throat and then held the goblet up to Clay’s lips.

“And do you, Clay Scotsman, take Flora Argentine to be your wife, your mate and your faithful partner for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” Clay took a sip from his goblet and held it to my lips.

“Drink the wine from each other’s goblets thrice to complete the ritual.”

Clay and I both took three sips from each other’s goblets and then placed the goblets back into the tray and Ezra stowed it away to another woman, to carry it away from us.

“With the power of the Moon Goddess and with her permission, I now pronounce you as a mated pair.” Malachi spoke, his smile radiant. “You may now kiss the bride.”

Clay’s lips met mine an instant later and cheers went up in the air as flower petals rained down on us. I tried not to get lost in the kiss, since we weren’t alone, but it was a bit difficult letting him go.

Clay’s eyes were burning emeralds as he gazed upon me with wicked, wicked promises. It made me blush and hide behind the bouquet in my hands. But then Malachi cleared his throat, ready to make his announcement.

“I know rumors have already started floating around Lindersay and many of you are concerned if they are true or not.” Malachi addressed the crowd. “And I want to clear the facts once and for all.”

Clay and I looked at each other a bit nervously, before we went to stand on either side of Malachi. I didn’t know what the reaction of my packmates would be, but I wanted to support Malachi.

“I had taken care of Lindersay for almost four centuries.” Malachi began. “I had watched it grow and evolve, but no one person can remain Alpha forever. As Lindersay grows and moves forward, so must we. So…after four centuries of being the Alpha, I will now hand over the baton to Clay Scotsman. I hope you accept him as your new Alpha”

“And I will be leaving my duties as the Shrine Maiden and handing my responsibilities to our great-granddaughter, Flora.” Ezra added, holding my hand to show her support.

I think it was the word ‘great-granddaughter’ that did the magic because the next thing we know, the entire crowd was bowing their heads to us.

“We respect your decision, Alpha.”

“We respect your decision, Shrine Maiden.”

Everyone spoke at once, not only accepting Malachi and Ezra’s decision, but also accepting me and Clay as the new Shrine Maiden and the new Alpha of Lindersay, respectively.

Thus began our new journey, our new lives together, leaving the shadows of the past exactly where they belonged…in the past.