The group laughed, and Sera left Caesar’s arms and hugged Fallon, then said goodbye to the stallions.They watched them leave, and then they turned and walked back into the park.
“Can I interest you in some time alone?”Caesar asked with a low voice.
“You certainly can.In fact,” she said, “I’ll race you.”
With a quick goodbye shouted to Sunny and the others, she and Caesar raced to the employee cafeteria, down the stairs and into the lions’ private living area, before tumbling to the bed and driving each other wild.
They declared it a draw, both of them winners.
Which was just the way it was supposed to be.
The afternoon sun bathed the norms’ paddock in golds and oranges, highlighting the canopy of trees that had turned to the brilliant fall colors as November had come at them in all her natural glory.There were no safari vehicles on the tour, no park patrons or VIPs; the whole safari was closed for the day for the wedding, while the rest of the park was open with security staffed by other shifters filling in for the lions.
Caesar adjusted his suit jacket and glanced at the arbor full of white roses and dark green ivy, which Sera and the pride females had decorated the day before.Rows of chairs in two sections were filled with the pride, the stallion herd, and the alphas and their mates.
Even the norms were watching from a distance.
This wasn’t just a wedding, it was a celebration of their survival and new beginnings.
The music started and the maintenance shed doors were drawn open by two pride members.Sera came into view, radiant in a champagne-colored dress that brushed her knees.On either side, Sunny and Fallon had linked arms with her, their faces glowing with happiness.
Caesar’s breath caught in his throat as he met Sera’s eyes.
They walked forward, stopping in front of him.
Joss, who was officiating the wedding, said, “Who gives this female to this male?”
Sunny and Fallon said, “We do.”
They kissed Sera’s cheeks and took their place nearby to stand as her bridesmaids.
She stepped up to Caesar and took his hands, tears glistening in her eyes.
Joss smiled at them.“Friends and family, today we gather to celebrate the joining of Caesar and Sera.”He spoke of love and promises, of the future that lay before them.
As the ceremony moved forward, Caesar hardly heard the words.He just saw Sera.The way the breeze lifted a few strands of dark hair from her face.The shimmer of unshed tears.
The way her hands squeezed his.
They exchanged rings, promising to love each other in this life and the next.
“You may kiss your bride,” Joss said.
Caesar didn’t wait.He pulled her gently to him and kissed her, and she kissed him back, both their beasts purring in happiness.
Cheers erupted from the crowd, and even Tank let out a bellow that sounded a lot likecongratulations.
Caesar and Sera were husband and wife now.
Truly joined in every possible way.
* * *
Under twinkle lights and colorful fall leaves, the bears had set up tables of food, with rows of tables and chairs decorated with a fall theme.The bears had outdone themselves with the food.
As music played, Caesar and Sera danced together first, her hand in his, her cheek on his chest.They talked quietly, sharing their love and happiness, the world slowing down to just the two of them.
Then they parted, her dancing with his sons one by one and him dancing with her daughters.
