Mated To An Enemy

A snowy forest path lit up by golden lanterns carved with symbols of the moon and the stars. Fairy lights hung over the trees’ lower branches, and a stone trail led to a natural archway in the trees.

Walking through the archway, more fairy lights and lanterns lit the way, while an aisle made of potted white cherry blossoms in full bloom and a simple white runner led to the altar.

A stone platform in the center of a natural grove where the moonlight shone brightest. Unlike the Grove of Remembrance, this place was not entirely sealed off and silent. There was always sound here, the sound of running water.

Lily’s Rest was a magical place for the wolves of Winter. A stream of water that never froze, even in the harshest blizzards. The small rapids were surrounded by mushrooms and lilies of the valley, the flower of every bride in Winter.

In the stories passed down through the generations of Winter, this was known as Lily’s Rest because this was the place where the Luna Lily, the first Luna of Winter had died.

Every mate bond was honored here as a tribute to her bond with Alpha Geri.

Galen looked out to the lilies and the water that reflected the starlight from above. It was a beautiful place.

“You remember your lines?” Caleb asked.

“I have spent every night for the past week saying them repeatedly to myself until I made myself hoarse so…. I’m not sure,” Galen laughed.

Caleb laughed.

“Are you really that nervous?” Caleb asked.

“No, yes. Maybe?” Galen laughed again. “It’s not like I am desperately looking for an exit, though I do know where they are in case Bell tries to run.”

Caleb smiled.

“I’m nervous that I will forget what I want to say. I’m terrified that she’ll change her mind. On the other hand, I’m excited and anxious for this to be done so I can just be her husband,” Galen smiled._.

“So… yea… pretty nervous.”

They shared a laugh, and then Caleb grabbed Galen’s shoulder.

“I’m happy for you,” he said. “Jealous as hell that you get to marry your girl, but also happy for you.”

“Thank you, Brother.”

“Always, Brother.”

They hugged, and then there was a murmur in the crowd, and soft music began to play.

Caleb took his place beside Galen, and Galen pushed down his nerves and straightened his bowtie. Then, focusing all his attention on the natural archway at the end of the aisle.

As the full moon shone at its brightest, Ashleigh stepped through the archway, her hair pinned up in three braids that flowed into the loose curls of the lower half of her hair.

The dress she wore was a dusty rose, long sleeve with an asymmetrical cut. Simple and elegant, her pick.

She walked down the aisle and took her place on the opposite side of Caleb, turning back to wait for Bell’s entrance.

They didn’t have to wait long.

Axel and Wyatt stepped through the archway in their black suits with grey vests. Wyatt wore a full black fur-lined cape. While Axel wore a fur mantle of grey over one shoulder.

They both reached their hands out towards the archway. Two delicate hands reached out and took theirs.

Bell stepped out in a full white fur cloak; the hood was drawn up, masking her from sight.

Axel and Wyatt guided her to the aisle. Where Axel gently pulled down her cloak and removed it from her shoulders.

There were delighted murmurs and a few gasps.

But it was Galen who stared with his heart beating loudly in his ears and a bright smile on his face.

Bell took a step forward.

Her gown sparkled with each step as the moon’s light reflected off the scattered moonstones decorating her dress.

It was long-sleeved with an exposed back and a simple design. But Corrine had made sure that her mother and grandmother’s circlet complimented the dress perfectly.

Corrine waited at the start of the aisle. She smiled, handing Bell the bouquet of lilies, kissing her on each cheek before she continued down the aisle with Axel and Wyatt.

When she reached Galen, her heart was racing, and the smile on her face felt like it was etched there for eternity. The love in his eyes filled her with everything she never knew she was missing.

Axel and Wyatt kissed her cheek, and Axel stepped back to his seat while Wyatt moved past Galen to perform the ceremony.

Galen reached out to Bell. She took his hand and joined him on the altar under the moonlight.

***

Offerings were made, and prayers were spoken.

“Now, let us hear from those who wish to make this bond, who pledge themselves to each other,” Wyatt said. “Bell?”

“Oh… starting with me…” she whispered nervously.

Galen squeezed her hand and smiled at her. Promising her with a look that everything was right as it should be.

She took a deep breath.

“Galen,” she began. “I have spent most of my life scared of one thing or another.”

She swallowed and took another deep breath.

“I have hidden behind sarcasm and flirtation. I have avoided real conversation or connection. And I have been successfully avoiding living my life for a very long time.”

There was soft laughter in the crowd.

“They know,” Bell smiled, tilting her head towards the audience. More laughter.

“But then, this great, big, blonde, adorable puppy came into my life,” she smiled.

Galen laughed.

“He made me see things about myself that I didn’t know I could. Made me believe that I could do things I had long given up on. He made me care, about him, about me.”

Bell paused and sniffled.

“Now, he’s making me cry in front of so many people because he made me believe that we can be happy together for the rest of our lives. So, I hope you’re proud of yourself. Because now I look like a blubbering idiot in front of everyone I know.”

Chuckles and sniffles echoed throughout the audience. And Bell herself had tears falling from her eyes.

Galen smiled and wiped her tears away.

Bell took another deep breath, letting it out slowly.

“You are the man I love. You are the future that I see. Galen, you are the man and the future that I choose, for me.”

Taking a final deep breath, she smiled at him.

“Ok, his turn, stop looking at me now,” she laughed.

Wyatt smiled proudly at Bell and then turned his attention to Galen.

“Galen, it’s your turn.”

Galen nodded and turned back to Bell.

“First, thank you. For choosing me,” he said softly. “You have no idea how truly lucky I feel to be the person you, Bell, have chosen.”

Bell sniffled again and took a shaky breath. Galen squeezed her hands reassuringly before continuing.

“I know tradition dictates that on our engagement, I should have given you a handmade weapon to show my devotion to the defense of our home. And then taught you how to use that weapon so we could share in a hunt as a promise that I will provide for you the rest of our lives.”

“That’s true. You owe me,” Bell said.

Galen laughed.

“I didn’t make a weapon because wielding a weapon is not what you want. You use your hands to heal, to rebuild, to mend. And that is something that I respect and honor as a part of you.”

Bell closed her eyes as more tears fell. Then, again, Galen wiped them away for her and waited until she looked at him.

“I am devoted to you and the life we will build together. I will defend you and our home against anything this world might throw at us, and at the same time, you will give me support and keep me going when I don’t think I can anymore. Together we will grow our life, family, and home.”

Bell nodded as she listened to his words.

“I love you more than anything in this world, Bell. Now and forever, I am yours.”

Bell let out a soft sob. Galen gently rubbed his thumb on her hand and wiped her tears with his other hand.

“We have received the blessing of the Goddess under her shining light. These wolves have given their oath to each other, witnessed by us here on this sacred night. As Alpha of Winter and surrogate father of the bride,” Wyatt smiled. “I declare the start of the union between Bell of Winter and Galen of Summer!”

Shouts of excitement went up.

“Go on now, kiss your bride!” Wyatt laughed at Galen.

Galen smiled. Needing no further prompting, he took Bell in his arms and kissed her like it was their last.