I Am the Alpha and the Omega

The Royal Wedding (well sort of)

Over dinner, the families chatted as though nothing had happened. Having recovered from her injuries, Ariadne was given the green light to have the wedding on the day after she was discharged. It was agreed to hold both the civil marriage and the Elemental marriage bringing Arron's family into the pack on the same day as each other. The ceremonies were quite different and had their own specific rituals which Freya and Felix were explaining to their newest family members who listened eagerly.

With hatchets buried, both families were working together to make the wedding perfect, the dark cloud that was looming over the pack had dissipated for now and the negative aura quelled. Freya had also spoken with Esme who was going to start training Kiona every day for a few hours now that school had also finished.  Freya still needed a chance to examine her and Esme's visions and she promised herself she would get straight to it - after the wedding.

The following morning when Ariadne was to be discharged, an interesting thing happened.....

Ariadne had packed everything up and was ready to leave; she was waiting for Arron to come and collect her so she was reading a book. The door to her room slowly creaked open and out popped a hand by the ground holding a bunch of lilies, above it popped out another hand with a large boutique bag and seconds later a third hand popped out with a ring box positioned carefully in its open palm. Curious, Ariadne walked over to the door and  she pulled it open; suddenly all three brothers appeared tumbling forwards over each other landing on the cold, hard, stone floor. Ariadne giggled at them.

    "I knew I shouldn't have been at the bottom," grumbled Alastair. "Watch the bouquet!" he growled smacking Arron and Alex irritatingly as they lay on top of him using him as a mattress.

    "What are you doing here?" Ariadne chuckled, helping them to their feet.

    "We have decided to stage a wedding rehearsal, since we messed the real one up!" Alex proclaimed.

    "A rehearsal?" Ariadne asked, confused.

    "Yes Ari, you will get ready exactly as though it is your wedding day and pretend everything is happening as it should, for practice," Arron explained. "It's a great idea and we get to spend more time together."

    "Arro we have the rest of lives to spend together," Ari replied, rolling her eyes unenthusiastically.

    "A few more hours won't hurt," he grinned.

Suddenly the most delicious smell wafted into the room, a scent of honeysuckle and orange; Doctor Azalea strolled in to check on Ariadne one last time. Alex's wolf Azzuro was very excited, Alex felt confused.

    "MATE! MATE! IT'S OUR MATE," Azurro howled excitedly.

    "So Ariadne, how are you feeling today? Are you -" Azalea started to say checking Ariadne's vitals when she felt a couple of strong arms grab her from behind which pulled her backwards into a hard chest. "WOOAAAH!" she cried out.

Ariadne's jaw dropped momentarily and then closed into a a smile.  Alex had pulled Azalea into a tight hug, his eyes were black with silver flecks like Arron's wolf Albus. Azalea couldn't understand what was going at first then she felt her wolf Zara yap at her to stop struggling and enjoy their mate's touch; they both had waited long enough.

    "Looks like Alex will finally understand what I go through whenever I see you," Arron smirked, looking at them.

    "To me, it looks like Azalea is going to need to take some time off," Ariadne laughed.

Alastair was feeling a little left and was standing to side awkwardly.

    "Come Alastair, help me get Ariadne back to pack house, we can let these two have the room," chuckled Arron seeing how uncomfortable his brother was. "Just make sure you both come to the wedding rehearsal!" Arron called out.

Alex held his hand out in acknowledgement. The three of them left to prepare for the rehearsal while the two new lovebirds spent some time getting to know each other.

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Everything was ready that afternoon, for the wedding rehearsal, and in the marquee all the guests and pack members were ready too, waiting for the bride to make her appearance. The groom stood suited and booted at the end of the aisle where also the King of Werewolves, King Rupert stood. He had conveniently decided to appoint himself to officiate and preside over the wedding ceremonies.  All eyes were on the house, waiting in a peaceful silence, that is until they heard the pitter patter of little feet; the flower girls were making their entrance. There were four little girls in floral dresses from the Wynchwood and Alverii clans with four little boys in little tuxedos with them walking in timed rhythm to the classical music that played for them. Kiona was the first flower girl who proudly led the way, keeping in with the time Freya taught her.  It was so cute watching the little girls count the time as they took each step and sprinkled flower petals.  The last flower girl a chubby little toddler was losing her patience and began flailing around and eventually sat down in the middle of the aisle crying because everyone was looking at her. The chubby little boy accompanying her who was not much older also sat down and started crying. It was one of the cute little moments the photographer captured, as they both sat there bawling their eyes out like an angry old couple until their embarrassed parents crept in, apologising for holding up proceedings and did the rest of the flower petals carrying their babies in their arms. Thereafter followed the bridesmaids and maid of honour in all their finery.

Suddenly the music changed and the band played a triumphant, uplifting piece of music which caused everyone to stir and look back at the house.

    "Ladies and gentlemen, would you please be upstanding for the bride," King Rupert announced.

The usual din accompanying the rising of several hundred people from their chairs followed and quickly quietened down. All eyes turned to look at the angel that stood at the top of the aisle, outshining everyone in the room. She had her veil down, her arm locked around her father's, she gazed downwards demurely looking exactly as she was, as pure as the heavens in heart and soul.

Felix gently led his daughter down the aisle and whispered to her to look up. He told her to hold her head high, that he was proud of her and that she represented all that was good in their family, in their culture and in their lands. Felix wanted to tell her how much he would miss her, but he didn't want to make her cry. The aisle seemed to stretch on for miles Ariadne thought, her heart was beating rapidly through her chest and her father squeezed her arm as he sensed her nervousness. Before she even realised it, they stepped up onto the little stage where Arron stood with King Rupert. Felix lifted her veil and folded it back over her hair. He gave her a loving kiss on her forehead and placed her hand into Arron's.

    "May you both always be this happy," Felix said, placing his hands on both of their heads and then he stepped aside to sit with the rest of his family.

Ariadne looked around at the number of people in the marquee and how dressed up everyone was, she was very confused.

    "This is a full dress rehearsal!" she said, smiling at Arron.

    "Yes my love, everyone is here to support you in your recovery," he replied, smiling and squeezing her hand.

    "Ladies and gentlemen," started King Rupert. "We are gathered here today to witness the matrimony of Ariadne Aurora Wynchwood-Alverii to Arron Albus Westwood-Persepolet. It gives me great pleasure and it is a great honour for me to preside over this ceremony. Marriage is a very special bond of love, faith, trust, compromise and many other things. It brings out the best in us and enables us to strive every day to be a better person. Someone once told me, 'an argument a day keeps frustrations at bay' and I will simply say to you Arron dear boy, while communication is key to a good marriage,  the key to a good and HAPPY marriage is to remember that your Luna is always right and that she knows best."

There was a loud appreciative laugh from the audience at this stage. King Rupert beamed looking rather pleased with himself.

    "No life without wife!" came a shout from the audience which caused another round of laughter.

    "Right you are my friend," King Rupert called out in good humour. "The couple have decided to write their own vows so I will now let them speak."

    "Ari let me go first, you have heard my vows countless times while you lay in hospital unconscious and conscious. All I wish to add is that like the letters the Alpha and the Omega, my life begins with you and my life shall end only with you. I am the luckiest man in this world and I thank you Moon Goddess every day for blessing me with Ari. I must have been a very good man in my previous birth to deserve a woman like you. I promise to protect you, to look after you and treasure you for the rest of my life."

Ariadne was trying her hardest not to cry. 'This is only a rehearsal!' she cried out to herself. 'Why does this feel so final, so real?' she thought.

    "Arro, you are everything and more that I could have ever dreamed for in a mate. Every day you redefine the meaning of love. You treat me like a Queen, of course not the The Queen, forgive me Your Grace," she added looking at King Rupert who chuckled in response. "Arro you give my life meaning and purpose, you support me in all the ways I could wish for. You allow me to breathe, to dream and to develop and grow. You give me everything I ask for without complaint. You have become so loved by my family and that is testament to the kind of person you are as my father is a very hard man to please."

The audience laughed at this agreeing with her, Felix rolled his eyes and made a dramatic gesture like an angry Alpha.

    "You are the very best of men and I promise to love, care for and cherish you til the end of days. I-I-I love you Arro."

Ariadne's eyes glistened as she fought to keep the tears back and she looked away for second. King Rupert called forward the ring-bearers. Alex stepped forward and the chubby little boy (Ariadne's little nephew) who was crying in the aisle earlier, also stepped forward.

    "Arron, present her the ring and state the vows," Rupert said.

Arron took the ring, and held it by Ariadne's ring finger and said the vows.

    "I, Arron Albus Westwood Persepolet, take you, Ariadne Aurora Wynchwood-Alverii, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part. With this ring I thee wed."

Arron placed the ring onto her finger.  Ariadne recited her vows and placed Arron's ring on his finger.  King Rupert held out two certificates and asked them both to sign them. Ariadne looked at Arron in confusion but followed his actions. they both signed the two certificates which King Rupert then validated with his signature and the Royal seal.

    "You are now husband and wife, you may kiss the bride," came the proclamation.

Before Ariadne could do anything, Arron took her into his arms, dipped her low and gave her a passionate kiss. The guests all cheered in approval and stood armed with petals and bubble blowers. Arron lifted Ariadne back up and cupped her face smiling.

    "I just couldn't wait Ari, I love you my wife,"  he whispered, and Ariadne finally realised she had been set up.