Eternal Blooms

Visenya stood before a grand mirror, her reflection adorned in a stunning white wedding gown. The dress was a masterpiece of elegance and opulence, with the fabric being a luxurious white satin that cascaded down her softly curved figure. Delicate lace adorned the bodice, adding a touch of intricate beauty to the ensemble.

The gown flaunted an alluring off-the-shoulder neckline, gracefully revealing a touch of sensuality and highlighting her transformation from girlhood to womanhood. The sheer sleeves billowed gently, as if caught in a whispering breeze, lending an air of mystique to her appearance.

As Visenya admired herself in the mirror, her eyes widened with awe at the sight of the gown's exquisite details. The lace was adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to sparkle with the subtle glimmer of diamonds, adding a touch of enchantment to the ensemble. The dress flowed effortlessly around her, creating a sense of regal elegance befitting her status as the ruler she was destined to become.

Just as Visenya was lost in her own reflection, Sarai approached with a mantilla bridal veil in hand. The delicate fabric matched the design of the dress, with lace and diamond accents adorning its border. Sarai carefully placed the veil on Visenya's head, securing it with a silver comb that glinted in the light.

The veil gracefully framed Visenya's face, accentuating her beauty and adding an air of romance to her overall look. It gently cascaded down her back, mingling with her beautiful brown curls that flowed freely, as if embracing her with their natural elegance.

"It's truly stunning, mother," Visenya exclaimed, her voice laced with genuine admiration. "An extraordinary masterpiece like this takes weeks, even months, to bring such a vision to life. How long have you had the talented seamstresses diligently working on this gown?"

"Oh... about a year," Sarai replied with a smile, proud of her secret planning.

"Why am I not the least bit surprised?" Visenya giggled, a playful twinkle in her eyes. "But I'm grateful for your overzealous nature." She turned to her mother, embracing her in a warm hug. "Thank you for creating such a magical gown and for always going above and beyond to make me feel special."

Sarai smiled warmly, her eyes glistening with love and affection. "You deserve nothing but the best."

The door swung open suddenly, revealing the unexpected arrival of two guests. Caspian entered first, impeccably dressed in a sharp black suit, perfectly complemented by Victoria's stunning silk blue dress.

As Caspian and Victoria stepped into the room, Visenya's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you two doing here?!" She exclaimed, shocked yet overjoyed to see her best friend and his mate. She hugged them both tightly, feeling a rush of warmth and comfort in their presence.

Synora twirled off to the side, her pink dress flowing around her as Sarai gently placed flowers in her hair, adorning her with delicate blooms.

"Did you think I'd miss my future Alpha's bonding ceremony?" Caspian grinned, his gaze filled with genuine happiness for his friend.

"But your father?" Visenya turned to Victoria, concern etched on her face. "You should be home with him."

"My father is resting right now and will probably sleep well into tomorrow evening. Caspian and I will be back by then," Victoria reassured her, a serene smile gracing her lips.

"I can't believe you came on such short notice," Visenya said, touched by their presence.

"Oh, it was plenty of time," Caspian chimed in. "It gave Victoria and me the opportunity to race over here... I won, by the way."

"I let you win," Victoria teased back, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Alright, you two better get out to the garden," Sarai interjected, directing them towards the door. "We'll be getting started soon."

"The garden?" Visenya repeated, a hint of confusion in her voice. "Aren't bonding ceremonies usually held in the grand hall?"

"Caden asked that we have the ceremony outside. I'm not sure why, but I was willing to compromise," Sarai explained, a thoughtful expression on her face.
———

Out in the garden, Lucian stood at the rose arbor, exuding an air of quiet confidence and anticipation. His muscular frame was accentuated by the impeccably tailored black suit, which hugged his broad shoulders and tapered down to his trim waist. Draped over his powerful physique with effortless grace, the jacket was complemented by the crisp white shirt underneath, adding a touch of sophistication to his ensemble. A black bow tie completed the look, lending a dash of refinement to his attire. Beside him stood his father, Mason, Cheyenne, and his aunt, offering their unconditional support.

Aunt Natalie’s eyes shimmered with affection. "You look absolutely dashing tonight, Lucian."

“Yes, not too shabby at all, cousin,” Cheyenne agreed.

Their tender moment was interrupted by Caspian's playful jab from the Alpha’s side of the arbor. "Yes, you actually do clean up pretty nice there," he remarked with a smirk, "you look like a spruced-up turd."

Lucian arched an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Well, I'll take that as a compliment coming from you," he retorted, his tone laced with humor, "considering you're the expert in polished turds."

Their banter elicited a chuckle from Mason, and Lucian exchanged a knowing glance with his little brother, silently acknowledging their bond.

Hand in hand, Sarai led Visenya towards the garden, the soft glow of lights casting a warm, ethereal radiance against the darkness of the night. The air was crisp and fragrant, carrying the scent of flowers with the fresh breeze under the moonlit sky.

As they entered the garden, Visenya's breath caught in her throat at the enchanting sight before her. The night had transformed the garden into a magical sanctuary, with torches and twinkling fairy lights casting a soft, flickering glow. Adorned with rose petals and lined with candles, a beautiful aisle stretched out before them, beckoning towards the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on — and he was hers, and she was his.