“Don’t you worry. You’ll be just fine,” Gabriel promised. “Hey, you’realreadymarried to Lorenzo! You’ve done this before, you have it in the bag. Hell, I haven’t even been marriedonce.”
“You never asked!” Dante exclaimed.
“You two aren’t married?” Raja asked, eyes widening in surprise.
“Nope,” Gabriel said with a smile. “We just never thought it was necessary, you know? It was our personal preference.”
“Huh…” Raja murmured. “If I told my mom I was getting mated to an alpha and having a baby without getting married, she’d probably kill me.”
Gabriel grinned and rolled his eyes. “I’m glad she’s your mom and not mine, then.”
“Man, you guys are lucky to evenhavea mate,” Ryu said, pouting. “All of my friends are finding them before me! No offense, Lorenzo, but I definitely thought you’d be the last out of all of us to find an omega.”
I quirked a brow. “Gee, thanks.”
“Ryu, I know we don’t know each other that well, but you seem like a nice alpha. I’m sure you won’t have any trouble getting a mate if you put in the effort,” Raja said. “Plus, you’re pretty hot. No offense.”
Ryu laughed. “None taken. Why would I?”
I curled my arm around Raja’s waist and pulled him closer. “It’s my wedding day and Ryu is showing up and begging for compliments from my cute omega,” I complained playfully.
Raja rolled his eyes. “Lorenzo, of course I think you’re hotter. I’m having your baby, also, if you haven’t noticedthis.” He gestured to his belly, which was swollen but fit nicely into his specially tailored suit.
“Oh, I know, I’m just teasing,” I promised.
I noticed now that Eka and Kali were waiting by the raised platform. Koto had taken his seat and stopped fussing. The stream of people had ended, and I assumed everyone was waiting for us.
“Well, Raja… Shall we go get married? Again?” I asked.
He linked his arm with mine. “Yes.”
Dante, Gabriel and Ryu assumed their seats close to the front row. All eyes were on us. Slowly, we made our way up the aisle. I’d walked on this same wooden deck hundreds of times, but never had it felt so grand.
Raja’s hand tightened on my arm. With all these people watching us, I didn’t blame him for being nervous. I had to remember that he originated from a small village, and that he’d only began seeing the outside world very recently. This was all so new to him. I was struck by how brave my mate was, and it made me love him that much more.
“It’s okay. You’re doing great,” I soothed him under my breath.
We reached the end of the aisle where our parents waited. A surge of familiarity ran through me. Eka and Kali stood in the same positions with the same proud expressions they did the first time. Now, my alpha-father stood alongside them. I knew he must have been sad to miss my first wedding, but he understood that I couldn’t have told him about it given the circumstances at the time. Nonetheless, I was excited for him to experience at leastonewedding ceremony.
We paused in front of them, standing together as one. The entire deck was silent in waiting. Only the breeze in the soft wind chimes created a sound.
“Raja, my son,” Eka began, lowering his voice so the crowd couldn’t hear. “You are nervous this time, are you not?”
“Yes,” Raja admitted. His grip on my arm was still tight from anxiety.
A wise smile crossed Eka’s face. “Then that is how I know this ceremony is truly meaningful for you.”
Raja’s eyes widened. “Huh?”
“The first time, you were calm and calculated, because at the time, it did not mean much to you. But now, I can see the genuineness in your eyes,” Eka said.
Raja blushed, probably embarrassed that his father read his emotions so precisely. “The first ceremonywasmeaningful to me, though. At least, it is now.”
Eka chuckled softly. “I know. Now, let us begin.”
He walked to the edge of the platform to address the crowd. “I would like to thank the people of Cinderhollow for welcoming us with open arms. You have been nothing but kind, and for that, we greatly appreciate it.” He turned to us. “This is the second wedding ceremony for my son, Raja Kesuma, and his alpha mate - the Silver Beast - Lorenzo Drakinus. The circumstances of their meeting took them on an amazing adventure that neither of them will forget soon… And the adversity they experienced will serve to guide them together in the future, as a couple.”
He paused and gave way for my father to speak. My throat tightened as he smiled at us before beginning. “As a father, I’m grateful to be able to witness my son’s wedding ceremony. I’m happy to see him with his mate, who he loves, and who loves him in return.”
