Chapter 65

With one last happy moment, I have to close this story. Thank you, everyone, for reading it as I was writing it. It was a wonderful experience. I hope everyone enjoys it after it is finished as well.
Thank You, Everyone.
{This is the last chapter. There is also the epilogue that will be posted with this chapter.} Also continue to scroll down to read the next two books in the series.
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On a glorious winter day, New Year's Eve, to be exact. Marnie was putting on her mother’s gown. It wasn't a typical everyday gown, though.
The shoulder, tea-length dress of a very delicate fabric seemed to flow with her movements. It was White with tiny white and crystal flowers. They sparkled brightly no matter what kind of light they were in.
Her hair was up in an elaborately braided half up half down style, with little white flowers woven into the design. She wore her mother’s diamond necklace and earrings. Her shoes, though, made Adira sigh with laughter. They were bright red silk heels with diamond accents.
Adira decided to wear a red silk organza dress; that way, Marnie's shoes didn't stick out as much. When they were all done and ready. Duncan knocked on the door to walk his sister to her groom.
He looked dashing in his tuxedo and red tie. Another thing Adira added. Adira took up the front, holding Marco's arm. They walked to the main dining room, which was transformed into a ballroom.
White roses and crystals surround the center of the room. Stood her mate, her forever love. Ashton was standing with his best men, Archer and August.
All of them were wearing black tuxedos with red ties. The highest-pack elder stood with them, waiting for the bride to join them; they were all smiles.
There were pack members that were friends and family, but that was all. Marnie wanted a small ceremony. Even though it was small, the pack decorated it with every white flower. When they got closer to the altar, Ashton looked almost like he would cry.
Marnie had a massive smile on her face; she was radiant as she came down the red carpet aisle to Ash. Duncan put his sister’s hand into Ashton's to tell everyone that he approved of this joining and then stood next to Adira and Marco on the Brides side.
Their hands were bound together with silver and gold cords. They represent the moon and the sun and all that is between—making their vows of love for all the world to see.
The ceremony was beautiful and perfect; Duncan even arranged for a photographer to come in from town to take pictures. Once all the formalities were done. The bride and groom went upstairs to change for the party, and no one said anything when they didn't come back down for two hours.
The Party was massive; there was a large bonfire outside. The main party was inside because of the cold weather. Dancing and drinking, fun was had by all. Marco was happy because everyone was getting along. They counted down to the new year.
After that, the party started to slow down, and it was time for the newlyweds to begin their honeymoon.
When the party was over, and the guests had all left, the bride and groom were to go to the bridal cabin in the woods. Everything was provided for them; they would stay there for three days. Then they were going to go to Ash's family for a little bit.
They didn’t know that several pranks were waiting for them when they arrived. For one, their clothes were all gone, and someone thought it would be funny to decorate one of the bedrooms like a bordello, complete with a vibrating bed.
They managed to find them all, except one. They did find it, just not before it found them.
Ashton and Marnie were halfway into the passion; Marnie turned back the covers because they wouldn't need them for a bit. Ashton backed her up to the bed, and together they fell to the sheets. Marnie gave out a squeak as Ash started to move her into position.
Stopping, Ash looked at Marnie, and she started to laugh. He was a bit confused until she got up and took the sheets off the bed. Someone put coarse sandpaper under the sheets.
Once all the pranks were taken care of, the happy couple were finally able to make love as true mates and husband and wife.
Though Ash vowed to find the one who thought the sandpaper would be funny.
Marnie was happy and over the moon, explaining to Ash why so many pranks were waiting for them; he still vowed to pay back the sandpaper. Marnie didn't have it in her to tell him that there were probably more waiting for them.
She left him naked on the bed while she went to the bathroom to get changed into a surprise for Ash. It was something that Adira got her for her bridal shower; Marnie thought that it was a bit too much away from her comfort zone, but she trusted Adira.
She came out wearing a red lace corset, with red lace garter holding up red thigh-high lace stockings. Her hair was down; she didn't wear any panties. She was bare just for him. She could tell that he liked it, and his eyes started to glow a golden color.
He was already under the covers; after watching her walk around the room and do a little dance just for him, he pulled back the covers to show her the results of her teasing.
She put one foot on the bed and slowly rolled down one stocking; then, she did the same to the other one. It was driving him crazy. He was so hard right now it was becoming painful.
When she stood up to start taking off the corset, he pulled her to him by her hips. He ripped off the corset leaving her bare for him. Her eyes went dark as she watched him; he could smell her desire.
She never felt more beautiful and sexier than she did at that moment. It was her standing before him. He loved her no matter what; she loved him the same.
He gently pulled her to the bed and into the arms that would hold her no matter what, forever.
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Duncan and Adira laughed when they remembered their prank—wondering how they enjoyed the extra coarse sandpaper in their bed.
Duncan was wondering if they had taken a shower yet? He shut off the hot water valve in the basement. That should cool things down for Ashton; a little present from your brother-in-law, a friendly welcome to the family.
It was Apollo's idea to turn off the hot water. Duncan was still laughing when they reached the Packhouse. It was their fault for deciding to get married on New Year’s Eve.
There was a long-forgotten tradition in the pack that those who get married on the new year’s eve are tempting fate. So as a countermeasure, it is up to the group to prank them as many times as possible on their wedding night. They had already faced many hardships before fate could throw any of them in their path.
Duncan knew that it was an old wives tale, but when he was reminded of it by an Elder, his horns sprouted and the devilish thoughts overtook him. He shared it with Adira, and she shared it with the entire pack.
Wait till they get into Ash's jeep to go to his Pride. I think one of the pups left a dead fish under the seat. It is also filled with helium-filled rubbers when they open the doors.
Pranksters had free reign to let their imaginations run wild. It was the most fun anyone in the pack had had in a long time. Even some of the younger pups were in on it. Mostly it was the elders.
When they are finally ready to leave to go to Ash's Pride, they run to get away. Unfortunately, Duncan had shared the information with Ashton's brothers, and they thought that since they were his brothers, it was their duty to make sure that fate didn’t give them any more trouble.
Duncan and Adira sat together in the packhouse. The living room was still decorated in all its Christmas glory. They enjoyed sitting close to each other while next to a roaring fire. They talked through their mind link, sharing each other’s thoughts and memories.
He shared his hopes for the future and their love for each other and their pup. Wonder how he will grow, who he will take after, and how he will be with his younger siblings.
They sat there watching the last of the pack members coming in from the party; they looked at each other and smiled. Check out my new book on iReader; it’s called The Forsaken.
Watching the last of the embers of the fire die down, they were happy; they were content. They knew that whatever fate had in store for them, they would come through it well, as long as they had each other and the pack.
After all the darkness and shadows, they were now living in the light of the warmth of Love.