Chapter Seventy Two

I woke up wrapped up in the firm embrace of my handsome mate. I smiled at his sweet face that was patiently waiting for me. “What time is it?” I asked.

“About 30 minutes after your first summons of the day,” he chuckled. His nose moved to my neck as his hands began to roam my body.

“What does that mean?” I asked, starting to get distracted.

“Lily has been up for almost an hour and apparently being away from Damien last night has her all worked up. She linked me 30 minutes ago to get me to send you down to her,” he explained.

“Is she okay?”

“Mmm. I am sure she will be for the next 10…. Or…. 20 minutes…” he said kissing my neck. I giggled at his ministrations. He moved my shirt enough so that he had access to my collar bone as his mouth moved. I hummed in appreciation.

Before anything could get more heated, we heard banging on the door. Liam paused momentarily before continuing. The banging continued. “Arghhhh,” he finally groaned as his head came up.

I giggled. “I guess she won’t be okay,” I said, still laughing. He gave me a dangerous look.

“Come on, Alpha Boy! Give me the Luna and no one gets hurt!” Came Lily’s voice through the door.

“You know, she’s the only person in this whole pack house that gets away with talking to me like that…” he grumbled.

“Awww, don’t kid. You’re a big softy, My Alpha,” I said with a smile. His eyes darkened. “No, no, no. No funny business. The bridesmaids are doing her makeup while I do her hair. And we need to steam the dress.” Liam gave me a pouty face.

“Liam open the door! Let her go or I will kick your butt!” Lily yelled again as she continued to pound on the door.

“I could take her…” he grumbled as he rolled off me and retrieved a shirt. I got up and slipped on some sweatpants. He headed to the door as I pulled my messy waves into a floppy bun atop my head.

“You could have given me 10 more minutes. She is MY mate,” Liam said to an irritable Lily as he opened the door.

“And it’s MY wedding day,” Lily said, crossing her arms. “Blushing, best-friend bride beats mate today,” she said sticking her tongue out. I laughed from behind Liam.

“Alright, you two. I love you both now let's get along,” I said from behind Liam. He turned to me pouting like a puppy dog.

“But, baby,” he said sticking his lip out. He wrapped his arms around me. I looked up into his clear blue eyes.

“Aww. My mighty Alpha, it is time to leave me. I am sure Felix is already on his way. You should go do whatever it is the groomsmen will be doing until the wedding. I will see you at the ceremony though,” I said pecking his pouty mouth.

“Fine,” he said, hanging his head. He perked up and showered me with kisses before he let go of me. He left me smiling at his sweetness.

“The suits are already in our room and Damien is waiting. Austin should be coming anytime,” Lily called as Liam left the room. Lily rushed in and pulled me into a hug. “Thank you so much for helping this week and today. I have been going absolutely crazy. I am so excited and nervous,” she said to me. Over her shoulder, Katy, Betty and Felix stood in the doorway waiting for Lily to be ready.

“Of course, Lil. Where else would I be?” I said. She broke away from me and turned to everyone in the doorway.

-

The girls and I used Liam and I’s room to get ready. The boys were getting ready in Damien and Lily’s room. Katy was the Maid of Honor and Betty the only other Bridesmaid. I wasn’t a bridesmaid simply because we didn’t have the time to get the dress or another groomsmen to match. Lily, Liam, and Damien didn’t want to tell me Jacob had flat out refused to be the third groomsmen if he was paired with me. I had overheard Damien, Liam, and him arguing about it outside Liam’s office one day. Felix had given me a sad look as we stood outside the door. I did not mind though. I would be sitting with the parents in the front row.

We pampered Lily for a bit before we all started getting ready. Lily’s mom had sent someone up to do Lily’s nails. Once that was done, the girls went to work on her makeup, and I started doing her hair. I wasn’t a professional or anything, but she had asked me to do it. She said my hair always looked ‘effortlessly elegant’ which made me giggle. Once Lily was all done, I helped the other girls get ready as well. Felix begrudgingly sat near the door the entire time at Liam’s request I am sure. He would be joining me at the wedding until after the ceremony.

Once Lily and her bridal party had all their hair and makeup done, Lily and I helped Katy and Betty into their dresses. Felix decided to step outside the door now. They were gorgeous light blue dresses with silver swirling on the busts. They had only one strap with skirts that flowed down to knee length in the front and floor length in the back. They had matching silver heels as well that brought the whole look together.

I left Katy and Betty to help Lily into her dress while I went to quickly get myself ready. I went to my closet and pulled out the long sleeve wrap dress Lily had gotten me to match everyone. It was silver with sequin designs on the skirt. I was so thankful for the sleeves so I would not be cold.

“How are you doing, sweetheart?” Liam linked me. I smiled.

“We’re almost ready. I miss you,” I linked back.

“I would be happy to come save you.”

“No, stay down there. I won’t actually get dressed if you come up.”

“But that is the way I like it.” I could hear the lust even through the link.

“Can you send Austin up soon? Felix should go get ready too,” I asked sweetly.

“Fine,” he said.

I got dressed quickly so I could do my hair before it was time. A photographer was coming to take before pictures about 30 minutes before the ceremony started. I emerged from the closet to find Lily’s mom and Mrs. Hale in the room with everyone.

“Oh Azalea, there you are! Darling that dress is beautiful!” said Mrs. Hale. I gave her a warm smile.

“Well, Lily picked it out, so all credit goes to her,” I told her.

“Liam will love it,” she said warmly, making me blush.

“I just need to slip into the bathroom for a minute to do my hair,” I told her.

Austin came in then. He winked at me as I escaped to the bathroom and everyone talked while I finished getting ready. The photographer came and took lots of photos. Felix came back as he wrapped up and Austin took the photographer back down to the boys to get pictures there. The moms left with them. Lily was fidgeting nervously in front of the mirror.

“You okay?” I asked coming up behind her.

“Yea, just nervous,” she said quietly.

“What are you nervous about?”

She sighed. “Before Damien and I found each other as mates, no one ever looked at me twice. Yea I had a few close friends, but it seemed like I never held anyone’s attention for very long. I guess some part of me is waiting for him to forget about me too,” she said.

“Oh, Lil. That will never happen. Every time you are in a room with Damien, his eyes are one you. When you walk in the room, his attention goes to you in an instant. You have him wrapped around your finger and I do not know that anything has ever made him happier. He told Liam he hopes the pup is a girl who looks exactly like her mom. Damien is your forever and you shouldn’t worry about it,” I told her.

Her eyes teared up. She turned around and hugged me tight. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Felix came into the room. “Luna, it is time for us to go down,” he said in a flat tone.

“One day he will loosen up,” Lily laughed as we separated.

“You ready now?” I asked with a smile.

“Yea,” she said with a radiant smile. “Let’s go.”

Lily, Katy, and Betty followed Felix and I downstairs. They waited in the hall while Felix and I went to take our seats. As soon as we sat down, someone behind us grumbled about the wall that just sat in front of them. I giggled as I noticed a blush go across Felix’s face. Soon enough, Damien, Liam, and Austin filed in to stand in front of the alter. Liam looked incredibly handsome in his suit. He winked at me and I could feel myself blush. I really hope I never stop feeling like this around him.

Soon the music started, and it was time to begin. Katy and Betty came in and then everyone stood and waited patiently for Lily. Lily entered and while everyone had eyes on her, I turned to look at Damien. I have never seen him so happy and amazed. His eyes were brimming with tears and I was sure they were of joy.

After the ceremony, the bridal party exited for photos. I stayed with Felix while the hall was quickly converted to seating for the reception. I helped Mrs. Hale and Lily’s mom get the hall in order, but I was interrupted by Felix.

“Miss Lily is asking for you,” he said.

“Oh, okay. Let’s go,” I said.

He led me out of the hall and onto the back terrace. It was cold out, but Liam was immediately by my side. “Lily wanted pictures with both of us,” he said with a smile.

“Of course,” I said smiling at him.

“I missed you,” he said smiling down at me.

“I missed you too.”

“You look incredible, sweetheart.” I smiled at his words. I tilted my face up and his came down to mine in a tender kiss.

Lily and the photographer positioned us for multiple pictures. Everyone else went inside while the pictures were taken. Some were of the four of us and some were of Lily and I together. Finally, Lily asked for a few pictures of Liam and I together. We went along with it, changing positions as directed.

We were standing next to each other while the photographer snapped away when I felt Liam move. I diverted my eyes to him only to see him kneeling and facing me. “What are you doing?” I asked quietly. He smiled sweetly.

“Azalea, you are the love of my life. In every way you challenge me to be a better man and Alpha. You never fail to amaze me and surprise me. I know things have not been the best for us and I still have a lot to make up for. I am hoping you will give me that opportunity by marrying me,” he said as he produced a ring box from his pocket.

My hands covered my mouth in shock. I looked around to see Damien with his arms around Lily and them giving us a knowing smile. Of course, they helped him plan this. I looked back down to Liam. He opened the ring box to show me the beautiful diamond ring inside. “Liam…” I said breathlessly.

“What do you say, baby? Will you be my Luna?” he said with a smile.

Words would not form in my mouth. Tears were welling up in my eyes. I nodded my head enthusiastically. He smiled impossibly larger. He shot up, scooping me up into a hug and swinging me around in his arms. He smashed his lips to mine in a fervent kiss. When we finally broke apart, I realized the photographer had captured everything thanks to their plan. Liam set me down and pulled the ring from the box. I held out my hand as he slipped it on my finger.

“I love you so much, Azalea,” he whispered as he grabbed my face and kissed me again.

“I love you too, Liam,” I said when he let me go. I wrapped my arms around his neck and melted into his embrace.

When we finally pulled apart, He looked down at me and said, “As much as I want to disappear to our room with my fiancé, we should probably head in. It's cold out here and everyone is waiting for us and the happy couple.”

I smiled and nodded. He wrapped his arm around me as Damien and Lily joined us. We headed into the hall while Damien and Lily waited to be announced. We sat down at our table at the front of the hall facing everyone. Liam stood to announce the bridal party. Once everyone was seated, we began dinner.

After dinner it was time for speeches. Damien stood up first. “Thank you everyone for joining us today. I could not be happier to marry the love of my life surrounded by all our friends and family. Before we get to the toasts for the evening, there is someone else I need to congratulate. It is my pleasure to inform everyone that my best friend and Alpha has proposed to his mate and she has accepted. Everyone put your hands together for the future Mr. and Mrs. Liam Blackfur!” Damien said happily. My cheeks flamed. Liam stood and pulled me up with him. He wrapped his arms around me.

To my surprise, everyone in the hall clapped and cheered. I was shocked as I looked around. Even the former Alpha and Luna were clapping. Liam leaned over and kissed me, earning more cheers. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

Liam and the Maid of Honor made toasts to Damien and Lily followed by their parents. After all the toasts, Damien and Lily had their first dance. Then the cake was cut and served, and everyone began to move around the hall. Liam took me to the dance floor, and we danced for a while. He was incredibly graceful and made it look like I knew what I was doing.

We inevitably reached the point where we were stopped by endless people to congratulate us on our engagement and for them to talk to Liam about various pack related things. I stood by his side for most of it. Finally, I needed to use the restroom.

“Liam, I need to run to the restroom,” I linked him.

“Okay, I will take you,” he linked back.

“No, stay here and talk. You are better at all this than I am.”

“Are you sure? I don’t like you being alone. If you can wait a minute, I will get Austin or Felix.”

“No, no, no. Don’t bother them. I am not leaving the pack house. I will be back in a few minutes.” I gave him a smile. He pecked my lips before he let me go.

I made my way out of the hall and towards the bathrooms. Luckily, no one stopped me. The bathroom was empty when I entered. When I was washing my hands, the door opened. I looked up to see Gwen standing behind me. I blanched slightly.

“If it isn’t the newly engaged Luna-to-be,” she said in a nasty voice.

“Gwen, please, I don’t want to do this,” I said quietly. She was standing between me and the exit so running away was not an option.

“Oh, but I do. Not only are you a wolf-less traitor piece of trash, but you also wiggled your way into becoming Luna and now Liam proposed to you. How exactly did you manage to convince Liam and the rest of the pack that you aren’t a traitor?”

I shook my head. “Please stop…”

“No, I won’t! Liam is supposed to be mine!” She sounded a little crazy now. She stepped towards me. “I’m a Beta’s daughter! He is an Alpha! It makes sense!” She continued to advance. “We should have been mates. I should be on his arm. He should be proposing to me!” I backed up into the sink as she got within arm’s reach of me. “But no, the Moon Goddess fated me to a loser who rejected ME immediately! Then she gives the one who should be my mate to a worthless hag like you! And to top it all off, I get sent away from the pack by Daddy dearest because I don’t agree with all this! You are so lucky that hunter caught me before I got to you that night. But sadly, your time has run out.”

I looked down at her hand and she was holding a knife. “Liam, help,” I tried to link.

“G-Gwen, you r-really d-don’t want t-to do this....”

“That is just it; I really do. I have wanted to do this for a while.”

“Think about this b-before you c-can’t take it back. L-Liam is my m-mate… I n-never wanted t-to hurt y-you…” There was pounding on the door that took her attention away from me for a split second.

I made a grab for the knife, but my hand got sliced. “Ah!” I yelped as I clutched my hand. The cut burned like someone had caught it on fire. Her attention back on me now, she smirked.

“I wonder how long it will take him to get through that door? I honestly did not know if I would get this chance after yesterday. I am surprised he left you alone at all. Does he really think you could do anything against me?”

I could hear Liam’s muffled shouts on the other side of the door. The pounding on the door was getting harder like he was trying to break it down. My hand burned and the cut was oozing blood.

“It was dumb luck too. I guessed that he would have a guard on you at all times. Not like an Alpha has time to babysit. It has to have crossed his mind how weak of a Luna he will have in you… having to have a guard at all times… unable to defend herself even from a little knife…” she slashed the knife at me. I brought my arm up, catching the blade with it instead of my face. My arm burned and bled from the knife’s contact. A strangled scream escaped my lips. The banging on the door was getting louder; the door shook under the force.

“I was just going to take care of you last night. Especially after watching you play nice with my parents all night. What did you think? You could waltz into my pack and take my mate and family?”

“Please, Gwen…” My arm was on fire.

All at once, the door burst open and Gwen lunged at me. I managed to duck out of the way, but the knife caught me again, this time across my shoulder. I fell to the ground and immediately tried to scramble away. There were four bodies over us in an instant. I felt warmth surrounding me as I opened my eyes to Liam pulling me to him. Turning my head, I could see Austin standing in between us and Gwen. Felix and Damien had Gwen held down.

“Get her out of here now! Restrain her!” Liam shouted. Austin moved to help Felix and Damien. They pulled a kicking and screaming Gwen to her feet and out of the room. Liam’s attention turned to me. “Show me the cuts,” he said quickly. He knew exactly where they were; he had to have felt them.

“We need to get these looked at,” he said somberly. Everything still burned but I did not want to move just yet.

“Wait,” I said. I had an idea. “Just hold me for a minute,” I told him. I held onto Liam as his arms wrapped securely around me. At least he never hesitated when I asked him to hold me. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the cuts. A warm sensation flowed through me and the burning began to subside. After a couple minutes, there was almost no pain. I opened my eyes and examined my palm. The cut was almost completely healed.

“Did you just…” Liam asked, baffled.

“I think so…” I said, also surprised. “I didn’t know if it would work. But something in me told me to hold onto you and try it….”

“You really are full of surprises…” he said. He buried his face in my neck. “I was so worried when you called for help. Then I felt her cut you. Azalea, I thought I was going to die if I couldn’t get to you.”

“But you did. You always do…” He lifted his head and kissed me tenderly.

“I have to go deal with Gwen. Do you want Felix to take you upstairs?” he asked once we broke apart.

“Does this have to be done now? The wedding…” I did not want to ruin Damien’s night or the wedding. It had been such a wonderful day to end with something so sad.

“Yes, baby, it does. She attempted to take your life. I could hear the things she said to you. She is troubled and a danger to you and this pack. She can’t go unpunished this time,” he said.

“What do you mean by this time? And what did she mean by ‘the hunter got to her’?” I asked.

He sighed. “She tried to get to you while we were apart before. Before I could come apologize and beg you to come back, she went after you. The hunter got to her first. He left her half dead at our borders. She was found in time that she suffered no lasting issues. I warned her to never come near you or try anything again. Declan decided to send her away after that. That is where she has been since before you got kidnapped by Kol,” he explained.

“Oh,” I said.

“I need to take care of this now. Do you want to stay with me or go upstairs with Felix?”

“Can I stay with you?”

He smiled. “I think I might prefer that.” He stood up, pulling me to my feet. When he let me go, I swayed slightly, feeling extremely tired. “You must be drained from the healing,” he said holding onto me.

He scooped me up into his arms. We left the bathroom and Felix appeared at our side. “She has been restrained in your office,” he said gruffly. He eyed me in Liam’s arms.

“She’s okay,” Liam said to him. He nodded and directed his eyes forward. Apparently, Felix had grown a soft spot for me. We got to Liam’s office door and I stopped him.

“Wait,” I said. “Let me walk,” I asked.

He looked at me concerned. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “It's not like you or Felix are going to let me fall.” I wanted to walk in there and show her she did not get to me. I wanted to show her I was stronger than she thought. Liam set me on my feet. After a moment, I got my bearings and nodded to him to tell him we could enter.