Chapter 50: Wedding Day

Their day dawned clear and sunny and Emma was sorry that the wedding wouldn't be outside. Dex had said that no one could find Lucien and she’d agreed to have the event at the Grand Hall. It was easier to keep her safe.
She hadn’t been sick since that one morning and other than naps here and there she’d been able, with Leyton’s help, to pull everything together for the wedding.
“It’s the day, Emma,” Dex said from the doorway.
He held a tray of food in his hands. “Yes, it is. Is that for me?”
“Yes. Eat up. Leyton is on her way.”
“She’s going to kick you out,” Emma said.
He put the tray on her lap balancing the heaping plates of food precariously. She hoped the butterflies in her stomach would let her eat.
“She can do that today.”
Emma laughed. “My Alpha doesn’t get to be an Alpha today.”
“It’s our day, but I want to make it the best for you, Emma.”
She put a hand on his face, her heart full to bursting with love for Dex. If she hadn’t gotten the courage to go for what she wanted in life, she wouldn’t be here right now. She couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. “I want the best for you, too.”
“Happy wife, happy life.”
“Happy spouse, happy house. It goes both ways, Dex.”
He smiled. The front door opened and closed. “That’ll be Leyton.”
She stopped in the doorway. “Not today, you two. Dex, Brutus is in the truck. Go.”
Dex kissed Emma, then rose. “I guess I’m not in charge today.”
“Not right now, no,” Leyton said. “Shoo.”
Emma laughed as Dex let her shove him out of the bedroom and out of the house. Leyton returned to the bedroom. “I still think you should have slept at my house last night.”
“Nothing about Dex and I has been conventional. Why start now?”
“You going to eat?”
“Yes, but I’ll bring this to the kitchen. There might be coffee if you want it.”
“None for you.”
“No, and I miss it,” Emma said rising.
She ate in the kitchen then she and Leyton discussed the schedule for the day. “I’ve included a nap time for you.”
“Like I’m a toddler?” Emma said.
“Like you’re a pregnant lady. It has to be before hair and makeup.”
“You don’t need to fuss about hair and makeup.”
“Are you kidding me? I’ve never had a girlfriend, let alone one that was getting married. This is about fulfilling my fantasy,” Leyton said a grin on her face. “Seriously, Emma if I’m going overboard it’s just because we are all happy that you’re here.”
“The whole pack?”
“Everyone I’ve talked to. They are all making their favorite dish for the reception.”
“That was a great idea. Including everyone in the planning,” Emma said.
“That’s why you make a great Luna.”
After a whirlwind morning, Leyton drove Emma to the Grand Hall. It buzzed with the anticipation of the wedding to happen.
Emma’s butterflies returned, but these were of excitement, not worry. This was where she should be, beside Dex as he ruled Wolf Woods. She wouldn’t let thoughts of anyone or anything take the joy of this day away from her.
The only hiccup had been figuring out who would perform the ceremony. Traditionally the Alpha of the pack would do it. The next in line would be an Elder. This pack didn’t have any of those. The closest was Mabel, so she agreed to perform the ceremony.
Emma had opted not to have anyone walk her up the aisle. Brutus was Dex’s best man. The doors to the banquet room opened. Leyton paused as the music began to play. “You ready?”
“Yes,” Emma said, grinning.
Leyton entered the hall and Emma followed. Dex’s eyes met hers and she could see that his were misty. She resisted the urge to run up the aisle, opting for the elegance of a Luna.
“You are beautiful,” Dex said when she reached him.
Leyton had weaved flowers and ivy into her hair to bring the outdoors inside Dex had a wildflower in his lapel that matched the ones in her hair. “You’re pretty handsome yourself. What are you doing for the rest of your life?”
“Making you happy.”
Mabel cleared her throat. “There are a few formalities we need to attend to before that can happen.”
Dex cocked his head in her direction. “We might as well listen. I think everyone’s here to see us get married.”
Emma laughed, then they both turned towards Mabel.
“Good. You younguns are always in a hurry.” She looked out over the crowd. “I am honored to be here to perform this ceremony between Dex and Emma. We are a pack that is a motley crew and Dex leads us with a fierceness we can all appreciate. Emma as his Luna has shown grace and poise in difficult situations. They are both examples for us all.”
Emma blushed at the praise, while Dex squeezed her hands. “She’s right.”
“Shush,” Mabel said. “Do you have any vows?”
“Yes, we wrote our own,” Dex said.
“Turn to each other and speak them,” Mabel said.
Dex motioned for Emma to go first. She nodded. “Dex, you are my everything. My Alpha, my partner, and everything in between. It’s taken a long road to get here, but I wouldn't want to travel the rest of it with anyone else. I pledge to be your Luna today and every day from now on.”
“Emma, you are my sunset at the end of a long day. My sunrise at the beginning of a new day. You are the noonday sun when I need to feel it on my face. I pledge to walk beside you as your Alpha and your partner for today and every day from now on.”
Mabel took both of their hands in hers. “By the power of nature and my Alpha, you are husband and wife.”
A cheer went up in the crowd. Dex glanced at Mabel, one of his eyebrows cocked.
“You may kiss your bride.”
Dex planted a sweet kiss on Emma’s lips. “Hello, wife.”
“Hello, husband.”
“Okay. Let’s party,” Mabel said.
Emma laughed. Dex turned her towards the crowd. “I present to you your official Luna.”
The pack stood in line to congratulate them then filled their plates with food made by their fellow pack members. Someone came in from outside. Emma glanced his way, but he went straight to Brutus.
Brutus approached the newly-married couple. “May I steal Dex away for a moment?”
“Sure,” Emma said.
“I’ll be a minute.”
Leyton took Emma’s hand. “You need food.”
“I want to wait for Dex.”
The two women watched as Dex and Brutus bent their heads together. Brutus left and Dex returned to Emma’s side.
“Everything okay?” Emma asked.
Dex kissed her cheek. “Everything is perfect.”
Emma knew it would be.