Chapter 151: Chapter 151
As the winter bled into spring, the sky grew more explicit and the clouds turned bright, unlike the gloomy days we had so far. I was nostalgic seeing the snow gone, but spring was a time of rebirth, a new beginning that I eagerly welcomed.
Striding down the aisle, I twisted my head, staring at the faces that gazed at me and smiled. There were Alphas, betas, and omegas everywhere, and every single one of them sported an expression of joy and pride. Never in my life did I expect that this day would come, but it's happening.
In the very front row, I spotted my father, my chest tightening painfully. My stepmother passed away a year ago, finally succumbing to her illness. Cara, along with her husband, had visited her in the last few days, but she humiliated both of them, not wanting to see their faces. I received the same treatment in the past, but still, it saddened me that she passed away while staying the same spiteful, narrow-minded, snarky person.
My sister and her husband were on the second row, grinning back at me. We finally met during the funeral, paid respects, and I told her the truth. Even after that, Cara did not hesitate to hug me and considered me her sister. We promised to stay in touch and see more of each other from that day onwards.
As for my mother, she became our official pack member. Jade was enthusiastic and invited her to work together to fight against people like Reece in the future. She's doing well these days. I thought with a quirk of my lips, watching as she sat next to my father. They were holding hands.
It made me happy; after all these years, her life was getting back on track.
Wiping my sweaty palms against the dress, I had my head still bent down, not daring to look straight ahead until I was about halfway down the aisle.
As I tilted my head, I saw Aiden, clad in a tight-fitting black suit at the end of the aisle. His hair was slicked back aside from one curl over his forehead, cheekbones gleaming under the light. The Alpha looked so handsome, lips curving in a smirk as if he knew the effect he had on me.
"Hello, love," He seemed to mouth from a distance, and my lips tugged into a smile of their own accord. For a moment, we watched one another, his brow arched over a demure grin, as I worried my lip, feeling every inch of the love I held for him tingle in my bones.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw Caden and Ellen standing on either side of the platform. After months of teasing, the Alpha trainer finally admitted his feelings for my friend. I was over the moon for them, especially after knowing how long Ellen had been waiting for the moment.
As the pack trainers, they are also held in high regard, acting second in command. Speaking of whom, Liam, the beta, now officially my brother from another mother, stood next to his best friend. Liam's wife was also in the front row with their pup, keeping an eye. Their pup was a menace, keeping them on toes.
Ria and Damon waved at me from the left side of the seats, the ones reserved for friends. The beta changed for good, now a mother of twins. She finally moved on and was trying to mend her friendship with Aiden. I think they still have a long way to go, but it's getting there.
I took another unsteady breath as I finally reached the end of the aisle, turning to the people standing in front: Alexander and Ann, the Alpha and Luna of the Pack. The two of them had it tough, sorting out the differences and working as friends. As the head of the pack, they never let their problems interfere with issues handled them with much grace.
Aiden had difficulty forgiving his father, but after a while, he gave in, now trying to work on creating a healthy relationship. I couldn't be more enthusiastic about that, knowing how much he has yearned for a family all this time. Just like I did.
Tiny arms suddenly wrapped around my legs, stilling in the spot. Peeking down, I couldn't stop the smile from breaking on my lips. Without any hesitation, I picked the pup in my arms, smoothening a hand down his black tux.
"Mummy." He garbled, wrapping fat arms around, burrowing his nose in the crook of my neck, his breath almost tickling me. I heard coos and awws from behind; no doubt there were all for his adorableness.
"Aro." I sighed, rubbing a hand down his back while staring at his father. "What's the matter, pup? Sleepy?"
"He couldn't stay away from his mummy," Ann said with a giggle, her eyes fond as she watched her grandchild. "His dad had to pull him back a few times from running away."
Staring at my three-year-old, I shook my head. The pregnancy was a tad complicated, as expected, but we made it through. I held on, my body healing quickly as soon as I birthed Aro. He was my miracle. Jade and my mother were left in awe, especially as they saw healer qualities in him right from the beginning.
We didn't rush on having another pup, trying to take our time with Aro to make memories. Aiden insisted that he would not take the position of Pack Alpha anytime soon as he didn't want to miss out on anything. His son came first above everyone, something I cried about because he was so nervous about us having a pup.
My Alpha proved to be a pillar for me throughout all this, staying by my side and helping with Aro.
"He hasn't seen his mother from quite some time now," Aiden murmured, patting his son's back, immediately coming to his defence. I was busy with Ann, overlooking all the preparations needed for the evening ceremony.
I hummed, shaking the pup softly. "Aro, love, come on now! We need to stand with dad."
Groaning under his breath, the three-year-old got down, wrapping his fingers around my pink finger. Along with Aro, I stood next to my mate as he began to scent us, his comforting woody scent overtaking my nostrils and soothing the distressed pup.
I could feel his nerves through the bond, but the most prevalent emotion and scent radiating from him were pure, unadulterated happiness.
It was his official coronation. Aiden will be Pack Alpha, and I'll be his Luna. Alexander and Ann were going to pass their throne with the duties and responsibilities of the pack. All these years, I learned nits and grits from Ann, watching her work.
We stood in a circle. Aiden held his hand out, and I took it, facing him with a barely concealed smile.
In the background, Alexander was speaking words about our duties, the bond we shared and the future. They're nice words, and I appreciated them, but it's a little hard for me to concentrate on that with Aro and Aiden, dressed in matching blazers, beaming at me.
After marrying Aiden in place of Cara, I thought that my life was headed to doom. For a while, it did, but things finally turned my way, and we were standing here together, as a couple in love. We fight, of course, we do, but it's always solved in a day or two, and we are back to being in love.
Slyvie and Zain were in our past and stayed there, something we couldn't be happier about. Neither of us tried to open that chapter again.
"Are you both ready?"
"Yes." We said in unison.
"Repeat after me."
Nodding, we couldn't take our eyes off of each other, grins widening. As we repeated the words his father asked us to, our eyes turned misty. It's a long journey here, but we made it.
Aiden reached over and cupped my face in his hands, holding me as if I was his most precious possession. My hands clutched at his bicep in the hopes of gaining some stability over my shaking legs, but then his thumb dug over my bond mark.
"I love you, Rose."
I met his eyes, emotions coursing my body, realising how he went from loathing me to loving me.
***
The End
***