Heirs, 56

(POV: Deniel)

TWO YEARS LATER.

I finish putting on my gray suit and gaze at my reflection in the mirror. I run my hand through my hair and feel my eyes welling up. I can hardly believe I'm getting married again, and this time to the love of my life, the woman who was destined for me. It's so incredible that I feel like I've lived all these years waiting for this day.

That little girl captured me just the same way, and I'm grateful to the moon goddess. I had given up on love a long time ago, and I never thought I would live or feel something of this magnitude.

Finally, I will have the opportunity to build my own family, an extension of the core my little wolf belongs to. I never imagined that, at this stage of my life, I would have in-laws, and very present ones, by the way. I don't blame them; they went many years without seeing their daughter, and now I'm taking her away, not literally, after all, we will live here in the pack.

Our house has been ready for some time; I was the only one living in it. Renata stayed with her parents during these two years because it wouldn't be easy to resist if we had to sleep in the same bed. We haven't completed our bond yet; we have our whole lives together, and I liked waiting for her to turn eighteen before taking her in my arms.

Renata is the most beautiful woman in the world, and I feel light, anxious, and happier than I've ever been before. The door to the room I'm in is open, and four well-dressed men enter and stop inches away from me, staring at me.

My father-in-law will perform the wedding ceremony, and a part of the forest has been decorated and prepared for this day. I feel honored that they have accepted me into the family. I know I've had some disagreements in the past with Nicollas and Lina, but my girl made us get over that conflict.

"Everything's ready; members from the other packs are already arriving," Lucca says.

The pack is in celebration; yesterday there was a party to celebrate my brother-in-law's two-year wedding anniversary. Their happiness is so noticeable that I can only be happy too. The time we've spent together has fostered affection and a beautiful friendship among us.

"How do you feel, brother-in-law?" Luan asks and sits on the bed.

"Nervous," I confess.

"Don't worry; she'll show up," he assures with not much certainty, and I swallow hard.

"She'll show up," I say nervously and adjust my tie.

"Did you guys come to give me advice?" I ask without looking at anyone in particular.

"Actually, I came to threaten you," Luan says and stands up, walking toward me and looking into my eyes. "If you don't make my sister happy, I'll cut off your marbles," I burst into laughter.

"Renata is my life," I assure him without taking that threat too seriously. "And my marbles are not marbles."

"Let me see, then?" he asks, and I raise an eyebrow at him. "I'm kidding," he touches my shoulder, laughing.

"You'd be embarrassed to see my size," I say calmly.

"Please, I don't want to know about that kind of thing," Nicollas says. "Just the thought that tomorrow my little girl will have your name on her wrist makes me nervous."

"Not tomorrow, today," I clarify, and he grimaces.

"Take care of her, Deniel," he requests. "I didn't have much time with my daughter, but she's a part of me, and I love her very much."

"My girl is surrounded by love," I say calmly.

"You guys have become good buddies, huh?" Luan says as he watches Nicollas straighten my tie.

"Father-in-law and son-in-law," I smile, and he grimaces.

"I still can't believe you're going to bed with my sister," Lucca suddenly blurts out, indignant, and I see Luan grimacing. "My sister!"

"Don't be selfish," I repeat. "My girl deserves to experience all the pleasures of life."

"Is it really that big?" Luan asks, pointing to my pants, and I laugh. "You know, I don't want her to get hurt."

"I'll be careful," I say calmly.

"I'm going to die," Nicollas says. "It's my daughter you're talking about; it's absurd to hear this kind of thing."

"Sorry, big guy," I touch his shoulder. "Let's go; I don't want to be late for my wedding and, consequently, my wedding night," I say just to see Nicollas's face contort into a grimace.

We head to the back of the mansion where the altar is, and take our seats. My hand is sweating a lot, and I feel a huge nervousness.

When the music starts playing, and she appears dressed in a long white dress that accentuates all her beautiful curves, my heart leaps in my chest, and I fear I'll have a heart attack just from her beauty. The late afternoon light illuminates the entire area, and I see her face bathed in tears, and I feel mine starting to fall down my face, and I make no effort to control them; I'm too emotional.

She walks slowly with a bouquet of sunflowers in her hands. At this moment, I can see myself as a sunflower because my life is to follow her with my eyes in search of her radiance and warmth. As soon as she stands in front of me at the altar, she hands the bouquet to Lucia, and I take her hands to plant a loving kiss. I run my thumbs under her eyes to dry the tears that bathe her beautiful face; I've already wiped mine away anyway.

"My little wolf," I whisper in her ear with my eyes locked onto hers.

"My wizard," she says with a choked voice, and we stand facing Nicollas.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Nic begins. "Today is a very special day. I never imagined this day would come. My dream was to keep my princess in a little jar and keep her with me forever, but I would be selfish if I did. I see that Deniel loves her very much and makes her happy. There's nothing better for a father than to see his children happy," he takes a deep breath. "We have here a very lucky couple who have found not only love but also a sincere friendship and a lifelong companion. The goddess has made them for each other, and today they unite with all the packs as witnesses."

Nic continues to speak, but I stop paying attention and get lost in the vastness of my beloved's green eyes. I squeeze her hand held in mine; this time, I manage to control my tears. Today is the happiest day of my life. I never thought I would feel something of this magnitude. I love this woman with all my being. Since I'm not a wolf, it was decided that the ceremony would be conducted as if it were a human wedding.

"Deniel," Nicollas calls my attention, and I look at him somewhat reluctantly. "Do you accept Renata as your wife?"