"Beautiful." Dante said it simply, like stating fact, and her chest warmed.
The sounds from below grew louder as they descended the stairs. Voices and laughter, the clink of glasses, the familiar bustle of her tavern in full swing. She pushed open the door and stopped short.
The Silver Fang had been transformed overnight. Garland and ribbons decorated every surface, silver and gold catching lamplight. A banner reading "Congratulations Maeve & Dante" hung above the bar, clearly Twyla's handiwork based on the excessive glitter. And the place was packed with townsfolk, all turning to cheer when she appeared.
"There's the bride-to-be!" Twyla swept forward with two mugs of steaming coffee, her wheat-colored hair adorned with tiny bells that jingled. "About time you came down. We've been celebrating for hours."
"It's nine in the morning." Maeve accepted the coffee gratefully, breathing in the rich aroma. "How long have you been here?"
"Since seven." Twyla's grin turned impish. "Some of us never left from last night. New Year's Day and an engagement? That's two celebrations in one."
Cora appeared next, pulling Maeve into a hug that smelled like lilacs and happiness. "Let me see it properly in the light."
Maeve touched the pendant, watching it catch the morning sun streaming through the repaired windows. "He carved it himself. Spent nine days on it."
"It's perfect." Cora's soft green eyes shimmered with emotion. "You two are perfect."
"Hardly." But Maeve smiled, scanning the crowd for Dante. She found him near the bar with Callum and Kieran, all three men laughing about something while Freya looked on with fond exasperation.
"Speech!" Someone called from the back. Others picked up the chant. "Speech! Speech!"
Maeve's first instinct was to refuse, but Dante caught her eye across the room and nodded encouragement. She moved to the center of the tavern, Twyla pressing a spoon into her hand to clink against her mug for attention.
The room quieted, all eyes turning to her expectantly.
"I'm not good at speeches." She started honestly, earning a few chuckles. "But I want to say thank you. To all of you. For standing with us during the attack. For believing in what Hollow Oak represents. For standing with me and making sure the tavern never lost its purpose."
Her gaze found the faces that mattered most. Callum and Cora, family in blood and choice. Kieran and Freya, fierce protectors. Emmett and Katniss, steady as stone. Lucien and Moira, keepers of knowledge. Ryker and Sonya, touched by prophecy but unbroken by it.
"This town survived because we fought together." She continued, feeling her lioness rise with pride. "Because we chosecommunity over tradition that no longer serves us. Because we understand that strength comes in many forms, and leadership means listening as much as commanding."
Dante moved to stand beside her, his presence solid and sure. She reached for his hand without looking, their fingers lacing together automatically.
"And because sometimes," she squeezed his hand, "the best things in life are worth fighting for. Worth choosing every single day, even when it scares you."
"Especially when it scares you." Dante added quietly, just for her.
The room erupted in cheers and applause. Mugs raised in toast, children laughing, the whole tavern radiating the kind of joy that made Maeve's throat tight.
"So when's the wedding?" Miriam called from her seat near the fireplace, her silver hair gleaming, her half-moon spectacles reflecting lamplight.
Maeve looked at Dante, saw her own thought reflected in his eyes, and smiled. "Actually, we're eloping."
The room went silent with shock.
"Eloping?" Twyla's voice pitched higher. "But the town will want to celebrate properly. A ceremony at the Council Glade, lanterns on the lake, everyone dressed in their finest?—"
"We've already had our ceremony." Dante interrupted gently. "The bond is sealed. The choice is made. Everything else is just paperwork."
"But—" Twyla started.
"We'll have a party when we return." Maeve assured her. "A proper reception where everyone can celebrate with us. But the actual wedding? That's just for us. Quiet. Simple. Ours."
Understanding rippled through the crowd. This wasn't about excluding anyone. It was about two alphas who'd fought sopublicly for their right to be together claiming this one private moment for themselves.
"Where will you go?" Cora asked softly.
"Somewhere with mountains and snow." Maeve said. "Maybe a cabin by a lake. Somewhere we can just be together without the weight of leadership for a few days."
