Chapter 11 I Pronounce You Husband and Wife

(Hope POV)

The phone suddenly rings in the suite. Alexander answers and we are told the dresses and suits are on their way up. The pastor and the venue were ready. We all just needed to get dressed and get there.

Alexander was ushered to his bedroom by my mother. Human tradition states the groom should not see the bride before the wedding. He tried to explain it didn't matter because we were wolves, but my mom gave him a "nice try" kind of look and told him for now we play like humans. He grumbled something under his breath and reluctantly took his suit so he could change in the other room.

The seamstress carefully helped me into my gown. It was a beautiful backless creation. The long sleeves were made of lace, the skirt made of satin. My mom looked at me dreamily as I twirled around in the gown for the seamstress. She said she was looking at an angel. After the seamstress had made the necessary adjustments, she placed a full length mirror in front of me so, I could have a look myself. The gown was absolutely breathtaking. It was my first time to wear something so expensive.

The white of my hair was put in a half bun. The black half cascaded on my back in curls. It was very simple, yet elegant.

The make-up artist put minimal make-up on my face. She said I was beautiful even without it. She just made sure my hair gave me the effect she wanted people to see... as an angel.

My mother and I were about to leave the suite when we heard a knock on the door. My mother answered it and ushered Alexander's mother inside. Diane clasped her hands together when she saw me and told me I was beautiful. I blushed. I wasn't used to all the attention people were giving me. Growing up, I was rarely given compliments.

"Okay. Hope, dear, I know I'm not entirely human, but here." She took my arm and put a beautiful tennis bracelet made of diamonds on my wrist. "This is your something borrowed."

I raised my arm to get a good look at the bracelet. The diamonds glistened like stars under the light. I smiled at Diane. "It's stunning. Thank you."

"Oh dear me. I forgot. Something old, something new. Something borrowed, something blue," my mom screeched.

"Well my locket is old. My underwear is new. Now, I have something borrowed. All I need is something blue." My mom rummages through her bag and pulls out a blue rubberband.

"Here, how about a blue rubberband?"

"Mom, seriously. A blue rubberband? Anything else? I mean, something just a bit more, uhm, wedding friendly?"

The make-up artist showed me a blue clip with a fake blue gem in it. Small and can be placed in my bun. She had me kneel down and gently placed the blue clip in my hair. I gave her my thanks for completing the age old tradition for good luck for a bride on her wedding day. Now, I felt ready to get married.

"They are all downstairs waiting, Hope. Shall we?," said Diane. I nodded. I stood up and walked out the door. My Dad and Howard were waiting in the hallway for us.

"Hope, you're so beautiful. I can't believe my baby girl is getting married." My dad choked back tears and gave me a hug. I patted his back and he smiled, his eyes glistening with tears.

My dad took one arm while Howard took the other. They guided me down the grand staircase while my mom and Diane helped with my gown.

I felt butterflies in my stomach as I walked down the stairs. It was just so surreal. My heart started to race from my nervousness and I could feel my body trembling. I was about to get married to a man I hardly knew! I didn't even know if he liked pets, what his favorite color was, or even his shoe size. I was suddenly having cold feet.

From the stairs, my dad and Howard guided me to the outside where a red carpet lay with white rose petals and at the end stood a pastor and  Alexander with Oliver and David at his side.

We stopped at the end of the carpet and Howard, Diane and my mom left me and my dad  to stand near Alexander. The violinist started to play a beautiful rendition of 'Here Comes the Bride" and my dad patted my hand that was holding his arm so we could begin our walk down the aisle. I glanced at Alexander and he was watching me with a proud smile on his face. He fixed his gaze upon me, as my father and I slowly walked along the aisle. I saw the love, warmth and happiness in his eyes and all the uncertainty, fears and doubts I had, disappeared.

Yes, today, is my wedding day.

____________________

(Alexander POV)

I was standing at the podium with the pastor while Oliver and David were beside me. I kept fidgeting with my suit, feeling impatient, anxiously awaiting my bride.

What was taking them so long? I was about to tell Oliver to phone her room when I saw her.

She looked like an angel floating down the staircase as she headed towards the gardens. Her smell was intoxicating. Echo was running in circles trying to get me to go to her. "Echo, she has to do the bride march with her father. And we have to wait for her father to hand her to us. That's how humans do it." Echo howled his displeasure. I laughed at his reaction. My wolf was just as impatient as I was.

The violinists started playing "Here Comes the Bride" as Hope positioned herself at the end of the aisle with her father. Our mothers and my father came to the front where Oliver, David and I were standing.

Hope and her father started to march down the aisle towards us. Her face was full of uncertainty as she started to walk. When her eyes locked with mine, the uncertainty disappeared, replaced by trust and faith. I kept my gaze on her, showing her what I felt through my eyes, proof I was ready. I was ready to start our life together, as her husband, her mate, until death do us part. By the time Hope and her father reached the podium, she looked confident. Gone were her doubts and fears. She now stood firm with her decision to marry me even if we only knew each other for a day.

Before handing my beautiful bride to me, Jim shakes my hand and whispers in my ear to take care of his daughter or he'll kill me. No doubt about that. He confessed to killing rogues. He definitely has what it takes to kill me. I patted him on his shoulder and told him he had nothing to worry about. I would never intentionally hurt Hope. She is my everything.

Finally, here she was, her hands in mine. The most beautiful woman on the planet. All mine. It seemed like it took forever to find her. Well, as they say, good things come to those who wait. Oh, and how I've waited. I have waited for years to find my mate.

I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed the back of her hand. I felt the jolt of electricity run through me through that simple gesture. I felt her body tremble in response and it pleased me to see I affected her as much as she affected me. I have never felt anything like this before. I heave a big sigh..I will never tire of this feeling. I just loved it.

The Pastor starts talking about the union of two people. I wanted him to skip the speech and just get down to business. Couldn't we just go directly to "Til death do us part"? Echo was howling his impatience in my head. I know, boy, I'm getting impatient too.

"Alexander Adolpha-Ulrich, do you take Hope Elizabeth Alarie as your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do." I slip the wedding ring on Hope's dainty finger. Even her fingers are beautiful.

Hope Elizabeth Alarie, do you take Alexander Adolpha-Ulrich as your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do." She slips the platinum band on my finger. I feel my skin tingle.

"I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

I lift her veil. Our eyes lock. Those beautiful gold eyes. I have never seen such a color. I am blessed to call her mine.

"I love you, Hope. You don't have to say I love you to me yet if you aren't ready. Just know I am truly and deeply in love with you. I can't wait for us to live our lives together. As mates."

"Alexander, you make me very happy. I am looking forward to being with you...to be with you as my forever," she whispered to me. I wanted to jump for joy.

I put one arm around her waist, closing the gap between us. I gently lift her chin with my thumb as I slowly lower my lips to hers to seal our union with a kiss. I could feel her body melt in my arms. I try to deepen the kiss when I hear my father bellow, "Son, you can do that during the honeymoon!"

I peel my lips away from hers and turn to glare at my father. They all laugh and begin congratulating the both of us. My mother comes toward us and hugs Hope. "Oh, I have another daughter! That gown is just beautiful on you, Hope. You can wear this gown later for the mating ceremony tonight. You are just stunning in it."

"Wait. No party? Reception?" Hope looked disappointed. I kiss her on the top of her head.

"The party is later tonight after the mating ceremony. Right now, we drive to Crescent Moon territory. It's a 2 hour drive."

"What happens at a mating ceremony? Is it like a wedding?" My new Luna, full of questions. Her innocence was refreshing.

"I'll tell you all about it during the drive to the territory. Come, we need to change. Be sure to put on something comfortable. It's a long drive there."

I place my hand on her waist and guide her back to our room. It felt good to have her by my side. Two halves certainly make a whole.

Together, we are Mr. and Mrs. Ulrich.

Together, we are now complete.