Chapter 148: Rehearsal Dinner

Chapter 148: Rehearsal Dinner

Elena

Today is a dress rehearsal day and all our close friends and family members were present. Bernard and I had decided to only have a Best man and Maid of honor and Jasper will stand as the witness on the wedding certificate.

Bernard stood at the end of the aisle, talking to Liam about something, and when he felt my gaze on him, he turned his head, our eyes connected and I let out a low gasp. His forest green eyes still managed to take my breath away. He winked at me, and I couldn't help but blush. I turned away from him and looked to the other side and I met Joseph's smiling gaze, I quickly looked away and straightened my back.

"It's radiating from him in waves." Joseph said but he wasn't looking at me, he was staring at his son who was in a conversation with Liam.

"What is radiating?"

"Love," he turned and looked at me.

"He is radiating love, I have never seen his eyes light up the way they light when they look at you."

"He does the same for me."

"I know, I see it whenever you two are in a room with one another. You can hardly take your eyes off each other, you are always within arms reach and are practically tethered to one another." I did feel that with Bernard, we were two halves of one whole, he completed me in every way possible.

"Okay, Joseph takes Elena's hand." Elizabeth ordered she stormed towards us with a stern look on her face.

Joseph offered me his arm and I looped my own through it. We started walking down the aisle to the song that she had chosen for us. It was a classical song that I didn't know the name of but I loved the song.

As I walked to the end of the aisle, my eyes stayed glued to Bernard, I imagined him in a tuxedo wearing a navy blue tie which is our wedding color. I imagined myself in my dress walking to him with my makeup perfectly done and my hair styled just the way I wanted it. My heart fluttered just thinking about tomorrow.

We came to a halt in front of Bernard, one of the elders stood at the front. He was the most respected elder in the Pack. Elizabeth instructed us on what to do next which we obliged. Bernard took my hand in his and we stood in front of the elder face to face. Everything around us completely vanished and all the remaining was just the two of us.

"Then you will recite your personal vows that elder Rufus will say. Then you will be pronounced as husband and wife and the ceremony will be done." Elizabeth's voice was like a distant echo that I was not paying any attention to.

"Okay, if the two of you are done ignoring me, we can move to the rehearsal dinner that I set up outside. Everyone is waiting for us."

I snapped out of the trance and looked at her apologetically, Bernard on the other hand looked the same. We walked out of the hall and made our way to the back of the building to find the beautiful setup Elizabeth had prepared. Seated at the round table were Alpha Kaba and his mate, Ivory and her girlfriend, Jasper, Doris, and Jack. Alisha went and took her place beside Jack while Elizabeth and Joseph sat on the two empty chairs beside our seats. Bernard walked us to our seats and pulled my chair out for me. Liam took his seat beside Bernard's.

Shortly after, waiters came out of nowhere with plates of food. The food was amazing and the people surrounding me were incredible too. Everyone was so happy, enjoying and laughing until we heard a clicking sound. We all turned to see Elizabeth stand up, we waited for her to speak.

"As many of you know, Bernard is my one and only child. I had waited for him for what felt like a lifetime. After several miscarriages and a mountain of depression and tears, I was ready to give up on becoming a mother." Her eyes glazed over as tears began to flow.

"Then, one day. The lines on the test were two instead of one and my life changed forever. You made me a better person, Bernard. You showed me what unconditional love looks like."

"Thanks, sweetheart." Joseph interjected, causing all of us to laugh.

"You know I love you." She smiled through the emotions.

"I have always wanted what was best for you, my boy. I only ever wanted you to have the very best out of life because you were my miracle child and you deserve the world." She then looked at me.

"Elena, it took me a while to see it but now, I know that you are the very best for my son and I couldn't be happier to have you in our family. Your heart is so inspiring and the love you have for your people inspires me and so many others. You are a true diamond and Crescent Wolf Pack is so unbelievably lucky to have you as their Luna."

Hearing her say those words had my heart swelling with joy. All I could see was the light at the end of the tunnel for Elizabeth and me. We were well on our way to having that close relationship I had always wanted to have with her.

"So, please join me in a toast for this beautiful couple. May your union be filled with love, patience, and resilience. This Pack now looks to you and I pray the moon goddess blesses you with abundant wisdom and a softened heart. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" We echoed her words and clinked our glasses together.

After a few toasts from the rest, the night came to a close. Bernard and I stayed behind. We would not be staying together tonight, he was going with Liam while I stayed in the house with Alisha. I didn't like the sleeping arrangements but it was tradition and as Elizabeth loves to remind me of that, it has to be followed.

"I will miss you." He threaded our fingers together as we walked the small distance between us.

"I will miss you too, my love." He squeezed my hand gently.

"Eve though if it is just for a few hours, it will be torture for me."

We walked to the small stream at the back of the building, the moonlight reflected beautifully on the water's surface, it cast a blue hue across the whole area.

"I have something for you." He pulled out an envelope from his back pocket and handed it to me.

"Open it when you are in our bed, I want you to know that I mean every single word in that letter."

"I will." I stood on my toes and captured his lips into mine. The kiss was sweet and innocent enough but it said a million different things and more.

"Bernard?" Jasper called from behind.

"It is time to go." He nodded and looked at me.

I could see it in his eyes, he didn't want to go either. This was one of the traditions I would have much rather left out. I always sleep comfortably in his warmth.

"Open the letter when you are home." I nodded.

"Goodnight, my love. I will see you tomorrow." He kissed my forehead and when he pulled away, there was a cheeky smile playing on his lips.

"I will be the one at the end by the altar."

"And I will be the one on white." I joked.

"Good night, Bernard."

"Goodnight, Elena Rosalie Joseph."

"Not yet."

"You became Elena Rosalie Joseph the day I set my eyes on you, my love. All these things that we are doing are simply formalities, you were mine from the very beginning." His words were like sweet honey to my ears and I couldn't get enough of them.

After a while, I got home and took a shower. I made sure I did all the skin prep Elizabeth ordered me to do and then climbed into the bed. I brought the letter and held it in my hands like it carried all the answers to life. As I opened it, the first line was already tearing up.

"To my wife, I can believe that tomorrow you will finally become my better half. I have been waiting for you for what seems like a lifetime, life didn't quite make sense till you came around. You awakened something in me that I thought had died a long time ago.

I promise for as long as I have breath in my lungs and life in my bones, I will strive to make every day special for you. I promise to love you through the hard days and I promise to hold you on the bad days. I will save the rest for our vows tomorrow.

Sleep well, my love, know that I am thinking of you at this very second. You are my life, Elena. The very air I breathe and the beat of my heart, I am yours forever.

Yours sincerely
Your husband

See you at the altar." I press the letter against my chest.

"See you at the altar."