“Good, but I’ll tell you boys what I tell all my girls’ mates.” He pauses, meeting each of their eyes directly before saying just three words. “Don’t make me.” Tony doesn’t elaborate on what he means specifically, but I think we’re all capable of filling in the blanks.
There are responses of ‘Yes, sir’ and ‘Understood,’ but I barely catch them. The words I’m still stuck on are ‘all my girls.’
I’m his girl, too?
Fuck, I’m still too emotionally raw from my heat hormones for this. It’s overwhelming to feel so damn cared for.
“Now, my mate is going to want to meet the three of you properly. Let's all have dinner soon.”
Once we were back inside, I sobbed for a solid half an hour about his reaction.
When an alpha like Tony offers his love so freely for a kid he never asked for, it stops feeling like something’s missing in your heart. Eventually that kind of love can start to heal the heart that someone else broke. The heart that was never his responsibility to heal, but he loved so much that he couldn't help himself.
My men were more than a little concerned by the unexpected waterworks, to say the least. So they called in reinforcements in the form of my best friend.
“Where is she!?” I hear Sable's demand as she shouts at Nick, who left my side only long enough to greet her and his brother. “This is actual bullshit, Nick. She’s gone for days, no text, no call, and you don’t tell me fucking anything!?”
I can’t help it. I start laughing. She’s so fired up that she’s shouting at an alpha twice her size. I don’t have to see her to know she’s jamming her finger into his chest too.
“Alright, kitten, put the claws away. No need to assault the man,” Rhian says, their voices closer now.
When they step into the den and Sable sees me, her eyes go wide. I must look shocking. I don’t think she’s seen me cry all that much, so the sight of my red blotchy face is most likely terrifying her.
“I’ll kill them,” she snarls, turning only a fraction before she’s encased in Rhian’s arms. He might be an omega too, but he’s strong enough to keep her from successfully sinking her nails into any innocent eyeballs.
“I’d really prefer if you didn’t kill my mates,” I say gently, and as the words sink in, her body relaxes. Her gaze snaps away from Nick and over to me. Eyes wide.
“Mates? No fucking way. Seriously?” Her jaw drops, and I show her the marks on my neck. “Oh my god. Tell me everything!”
Sable and I kicked the very reluctant men out of the den, and then I told her absolutely everything. About the fakerelationship. About making it real. I told her how we ended up bonded, without oversharing. I also explained the real reason I was crying, protecting the innocent from her surprisingly sharp nails.
Now, the only person we have left to tell is Kai’s mom. Bee won’t be at the wedding today, so we’re planning to visit her on Christmas to tell her the big news.
The morning goes by fast, and when I start my walk down the aisle ahead of Stella, I see Benson standing beside his brother Rhian in the front row. He smiles, and I keep my eyes on him as I make my way to the front. Once I take my place, I turn my attention to the aisle and watch as Kai grins his way to the best man spot, followed by Felicity, who stands in front of me.
I can’t help but let my eyes linger on the two of my mates.Fucking hell. They both look incredible in their suits.
“Everyone, please rise for the bride,” the officiant says, thankfully capturing my attention as the guests all stand, turning to watch Stella make her entrance.
I knew what was happening, but nothing could prepare me for the sight of Nick walking his little sister down the aisle as he fights to hold back tears. My ovaries scream at the same time that my uterus demands he impregnate me right this second.
Stella glows. She’s stunningly beautiful, and her joy is infectious. Her mother sits just beside her brothers, and after Nick kisses his sister’s cheek and places her hand in Val’s, he leans down and hugs his mother. The best part of this moment is feeling him through our new bond. His joy and strength. How happy he is, but also the sense of relief he’s feeling.
By the time Stella and Val finish their vows, I’ve stopped trying to hold my tears back.
When the ceremony ends, we head over to grab drinks during cocktail hour before heading into the reception area, which is set up under a massive white tent. Since Stella and Val have theirown table, the rest of the bridal party are split between a few others. I’m with my mates, as well as Sable and hers, along with Stella’s mom.
“Alright, everyone!” The DJ calls through the speakers a bit later.
The guests quiet down, all of us turning our eyes to the center of the tent as he directs a bright light to it.
“The bride has made a special request tonight,” the DJ continues as Stella walks to the center of the dance floor, stopping in the spotlight as she glances around, clearly looking for something—for someone.“Can I have Stella’s big brother Nick join her on the dance floor, please?”
My mate's eyes go wide, and I feel the panic through the bond when everyone turns to watch him. Guessing what’s coming, my face aches from smiling so wide as I usher him to move. He shouldn’t keep his sister waiting. He clears his throat, nodding, and crosses the dance floor to take his place beside Stella.
“Traditionally this is when we have the father-daughter dance, but tonight, Stella would like to share this special moment with her big brother, Nick,” he finishes as the music starts playing.
Kai pulls me out of my chair and into his lap as I lose my marbles and start crying while watching Nick dance with Stella. It’s so fucking sweet.
