“Isn’t she gorgeous?” Nadia cooed at Mary who seemed like she was close to tears, scrutinizing me intently. She has recovered a little from her heartbreak.
“She looks more than beautiful,” she acquiesced to what Nadia asked.
“You two step aside so I can finish up before the King comes in to cause any troubles again,” the modiste said. Of course, Alonso couldn’t let anything stop him from seeing me this morning, not even after Rebecca threatened him that she would report to the community council of elders that he broke the rules and came to see the bride before the wedding.
He was strong-headed, as if we didn’t sleep together last night. I couldn’t do anything but stand there, smiling sheepishly, in lack of what to say. He was frustrated when they opened the door and allowed him see me but couldn’t come near me. That was the deal.
When I saw him fully dressed in his King’s regalia, he stole my breath away. I don’t know how I’m supposed to be married to such a demigod and live long when every time I see him, my lungs constrict as I fought to continue breathing. Among the species of wild breeds of wild wolves, he was exceptional.
And then he goes to narrow his eyes sexily in a plea and I think I might just die. Gad! This is really happening. I am getting married! To the love of my life. If someone told me that this would be my life last year, I would think it was all a sham. But here it is, happening before me. For the first time, something is working in my favor.
“You know, if you go shedding tears like this and ruining my makeup, I might have to cake your face with flour to keep things in place,” the poor modiste-who was also playing the role of my make-up artist, complained.
I chuckled and sniffed, raising my eyes up to will back the tears I didn’t notice were falling until she drew my attention to it. “I’m sorry,” I said, and this time when I chortled, it dissolved into a sob. “I really don’t care about this makeup, anyways,” I concluded as my friends hurried toward me. “I am just too overwhelmed it is truly happening. You would never understand what this mean to me.” I sobbed hysterically, to the woman’s apparent amazement.
“Shhhh,” My friends shushed and hugged me. “It’s okay, Danika, this is happening, and unless you truly want to go and wed the King in a puddle of tears and disastrous makeover, then you have to hold your water pot at bay…” Mary quipped, eliciting a relaxing sigh from me. I think it’s the pregnancy hormones turning me into a soppy Bambie.
“I am truly marrying him?” I asked, lifting from them.
They were nodding, including Rebecca that has become close to me in a way during the week. “It’s truly happening, Danny.”
I gave a single nod and fanned myself with my hands. “Okay…”
The wedding was full blast more than I expected, with the town priestess present to perform the traditional rite. Pack members were shocked when they saw me emerge as the King’s bride. There was an uproar that later broke into applause, showing they were in support of me. I have never known the form of delight I felt at that moment.
“I do,” I said in answer to what the priestess asked and the King wore me the diamond ring. Tears fell down my face in tides and intensified when he said, ‘I do’ and I wore him his ring. Before the priestess would finish declaring us husband and wife, he packed me into his arms and crushed me to him in a heart-stopping hug.
“I love you so much, Munchkin,” he said, his voice carrying into the air and galvanizing more applause from the now sappy audience.
“Not as much as I love you, Ally,” I returned, shaking against him in a sob.
The rest of the festival that was carried out in the palace, it was encompassed by eating and drinking, as well as attending to high-ranking wolves that were in attendance. I was very happy to meet them and expressed it by playing the role of a good hostess, and they expressed theirs verbally by acquiescing their support for the choice of me as the Luna Queen, as well as wishing us good tidings in ruling the Kingdom.
Alonso later addressed the pack members and officially declared me his Luna Queen and ordered the pack members to accord me the respect that comes with the role. It was an epic moment for me as everyone, including delegates from diverse packs and the high-ranking wolves all bowed, with only the King and me standing.
I stood there in wonder, still dazed that this was happening. Of course, trust Alonso and being security cautious. Everywhere was brimming with all the pack security elements to make sure the wedding takes place without any hiccup.
Later when Alonso pried me off the council of women Hybrids who has been on my hair to join their group and stirred me towards the entrance to the mansion possessively, I saw Mrs. Dolly smiling widely and coming toward me and diverted to go to her when Alonso’s arm halted my motion.
“Be nice, Ally,” I said in a hushed tone to him as Mrs. Dolly reached us and took me in her outstretched arms.
“I am very delighted on your behalf, Danika, my King.” She bowed her head slightly to him and when I didn’t hear him reply, I needled his right rib with my elbow.
“Thanks,” he grumbled and I smiled at Mrs. Dolly my apology on his behalf.
She gave me a hinting eye gesture that I understood and tapped Alonso’s hand holding mine which he was reluctant to let go but had to, though he didn’t go away.
Mrs. Dolly hugged me to her once more as a detour and said, “They have left.”
I nodded in understanding. The other day after I saw Mrs. Dolly and her grandson with Paisley, she had explained that he came to confess to her his transgression and she had merely forgiven them because she had no choice. He was still her favorite grandson. She gave them some funds for support and a place in her home since his mother wouldn’t accept him marrying the King’s chosen mate (they saw it as a treasonable offense).
“Thanks for your help,” I said, patted her hand on mine when we tore apart.
“Thanks for your support,” she conceded. “You are one of a kind and exactly what this Kingdom needs…” Her eyes flicked hesitantly to the King that had advanced closer, not giving me breathing space. “I had a premonition last night I will like to share with you…” She hastened to say, her cheery face metamorphosing into a concern.
“What is it?” My eyes widened.
“It’s about Alfred.”
“What! What ha….”
“Okay, enough of this! Let’s go, Munchkin.” Alonso grabbed my waist and pulled me away, turning back to Mrs. Dolly to snarl, “Stay away from my family.”
I twisted about as we walked away, with frightful eyes and mouthed to her, “I will come by tomorrow.” And she nodded.
What premonition could she have seen about Alfred? Oh, Gad! I fear so much for that brat!
If only I knew the premonition would ruin my wedding night!
…