Chapter 84: A New Season

ASTRID’S POV

The day was already looking promising and it had barely started.

I woke up on the right side of the bed. Though honestly, even if I’d woken up on the wrong side, I still would have been happy. That day had more than enough reasons for joy.

It was my wedding day. Every lady wolf’s dream.

To get married in front of so many witnesses ... it was such a beautiful, significant thing. I had to go check that everything was in place exactly as I’d ordered it.

I was the first one up. The people who’d done Ethan’s bachelor’s party the night before were still deep in sleep over at his place. I headed to the kitchen to see what I could put together.

I flipped on the lights.

"Happy wedding!"

It hit me square in the face and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

"You scared the shit out of me ... thank you very much," I said, pressing a hand to my chest.

They burst out laughing. "You actually thought we were sleeping," Liam said, shaking his head.

"What else do you need to start getting ready for your wedding?" my assistant Ivy asked, already bright-eyed and ready to work.

I pulled her aside and started walking her through the final aesthetics for the venue. Mid-conversation, Ethan came out of his room and just like that, the whole house came alive again.

The wedding was scheduled for 11:00. Ivy left to collect the last few things I’d requested, and everyone else filtered out to go home and get ready.

Within five minutes, the house was empty.

Just me and Ethan.

"Come here, baby." He pulled me into him.

"You know what today is, right?" he asked.

"Of course I know. I can’t exactly forget my own wedding," I replied.

He kissed me softly on the lips. "I can’t wait to become one with you today," he said.

"I’m more impatient than you are. Trust me," I smiled.

"How can you be so sure? How did you even measure that?" he challenged.

"Because I’m the lady here. It’s completely normal for me to be more hyped about the wedding."

Ethan laughed, but he still wasn’t backing down. And just like that, we were arguing ... a proper back-and-forth that went nowhere until he finally threw his hands up and headed to the bathroom.

"Yes, better for you, husband," I called after him.

"We’ll finish this later," Liam’s voice floated from somewhere. "I have a wedding to attend."

He was genuinely hilarious.

I bathed right after Ethan and got myself together, then prepared for my parents’ arrival. I’d booked a car to bring them to Ethan’s place before the ceremony. We’d agreed on that ... me and Ethan. They had to meet him properly before we walked down the aisle.

It didn’t take long before they were at the door.

I was ready. Ethan was ready. We welcomed them with warmth, and they looked absolutely stunning in the outfits I’d chosen for them.

"Mom, Dad ... welcome." I pulled them both into a hug.

My dad reached over to shake Ethan’s hand while my mom pulled him into a full embrace. She was a hugger. Always had been.

"Congratulations, Astrid. You got yourself a fine wolf," my mom said with a grin.

We all laughed.

"A fine one indeed," my dad added. "I wish you both the very best of this adventure."

They settled in and we talked through a few last details about the ceremony. I loved how easily my parents opened up to Ethan. That had always been a quiet fear of mine ... one I hadn’t said aloud ... but they dissolved it without even knowing it. I loved them so much for that.

It was time to go.

The wedding car had arrived. The wedding detail had both our outfits sorted and ready. My parents’ car was also waiting to take them to the venue.

We began to move.

The car Ethan and I stepped into was specially designed and customised for the occasion. Our names were on the plates.

Astrid and Ethan.

"Thank you so much, love," I said and kissed him right there in the car.

When we pulled up to the venue, everything was perfectly set. Even from the outside it was breathtaking ... flowers everywhere, decorations layered in colour and elegance. The guests who’d been at the bachelor’s party were all still present. Seeing that ... knowing they’d stayed ... filled my chest with something warm and full.

The entire arena was draped in balloons of every colour imaginable.

We stepped out of the car in our wedding attire and the crowd erupted. Screaming, cheering, the kind of noise that makes your heart swell.

The government official assigned to join us in matrimony was already in position.

Ethan’s groomsmen flanked him as he walked. My bridesmaids surrounded me. My dad held my hand the entire way to the platform.

What an honour. What a thing of pure joy.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Ethan’s face. And he couldn’t take his eyes off mine. We were locked onto each other every step of the way ... right up until I reached him.

"Astrid Ironheart, do you take Ethan Allen to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the official began.

"Yes, I do," I answered. No hesitation. Not even a breath of it.

"And Ethan Allen, do you take Astrid to be your wife?"

"Yes, I do," Ethan said.

"Do you promise to love, cherish, provide for, and adore your wife for the rest of your life?"

"Yes, I do." And I saw it in his eyes ... the sincerity sitting right there on the surface, not hidden at all.

"Astrid, do you promise to love, support, and stand by your husband all the days of your life ... in sickness and in health, in stress and in comfort?"

"Yes, I do," I said again.

Then we were asked to make our vows.

Ethan went first. He spoke about prioritising me, about doing everything in his power to keep me happy. He said it all with such quiet certainty that I didn’t doubt a single word. Not for a second.

But I wasn’t about to let his vows outshine mine. I brought my full A game.

I promised to love him and serve him. To do everything to make him happy in return. And most importantly ... to give him little pups.

"By the power vested in me by Bloodmoon, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

He kissed me like he’d just found something he never wanted to lose. I kissed him right back. I was his now ... his prized possession ... and I had never been prouder of anything in my life.

Awwn rippled through the crowd, followed by heavy, thunderous applause.

We stood at the front as people filed past with their gifts. My mom and dad came up to congratulate us and take a picture ... one that I already knew would be among my best memories. After them, Ethan’s friends ... then the ladies, including Ivy.

Having all of them around me on that day felt like more than I deserved. I was grateful for every single face.

We danced back to the dressing rooms and changed into something more relaxed. Then it was time to really get the party going.

Outside, the whole area had transformed ... drinks everywhere, soft music drifting through the air. Ethan held my hand the entire time, like he had no intention of ever letting it go.

"Let’s welcome the newest couple in Bloodmoon ... cheese!" Liam announced as cameras clicked and flashed all around us.

We made our way to our seats. The party carried on and hummed around us beautifully.

Then Ethan leaned in close and whispered in my ear.

"I love you."

I smiled so hard my cheeks ached. We both laughed as they called us to the dance floor.

I already knew it was going to be an adventure. And I was so ready to enjoy this ride called marriage ... every messy, wonderful, unpredictable part of it.