the cello and violin start playing one of Leyla’s favorite pieces—Grace and Beacon offered to play for us—I take a deep breath and look toward Leyla. Emilio, Sophia’s Dad, is walking her down the aisle. When she sees me holding Carter, her eyes brighten, and her smile widens. This is what I live for, her happiness, and erasing all the sour moments that she’s lived—including our past.
“Thank you,” she tells Emilio.
“My pleasure,” he says and gives me a stern look. “I trust you’ll treat her the way she deserves.”
“Have I told you you look beautiful?” I ask, brushing her lips with mine.
“You two look adorable,” she says, her voice is dreamy.
“I hate to break the moment,” Nyx clears her throat. “I don’t want to rush you, but it’s chilly out here. Only you two would organize an outdoor wedding in winter.”
“Better than a parking lot,” I defend myself.
Leyla glares at me and says, “Too soon, Aldridge.”
Nyx begins the wedding, and when the time for the vows comes, I hand Carter to Hayes and grab Leyla’s hands with mine.
“I wish I could promise you that nothing terrible is going to happen, but I can’t control the future. What I do promise is to be your rock when things are crumbling. I’m here to promise you a life of abundance. An abundance of love, support, laughs, passion, and adventure.
“I promise that I’ll try my best to be the man you deserve. That when I hurt you unintentionally—because I’m imperfect—I’ll make sure to seek your forgiveness and help you heal. This time I won’t let my pride take over my heart. I promise to cherish you, Carter, and all the children we will have in the future.”
Tears roll down her eyes.
She sniffs, “My big guy. You’ve been my family for a long time. We had a strange beginning, a scary middle, and a heartbreaking ending. The best thing about real life is that we can restart with a fresh chapter. We can create a better and stronger beginning—one where we both get to decide what happens next.
“I promise to fall in love with you every day. To come to grow with you as we continue this journey together. To hold your heart and protect it the same way you protect our family. I promise to be supportive. The way you are with me. I’ll never stop believing in you—in us.
“Thank you for choosing me as your mate. Thank you for being my wolf.”
After we exchange the rings, Nyx says, “By the power vested in me by God and the state of Oregon, I pronounce you husband and wife.”
I nearly crush her in my arms, but I contain myself and just hold her tight, pressing my lips to hers. We kiss tenderly. It’s a new promise. A new day. A new beginning where we make vows to never let each other go. Even those we don’t voice out loud. This time around, we will be careful with each other’s hearts.
We’ll love fiercely and protect our family and our love from everyone.
As we all walk toward the house for the reception, I notice Jerome Parrish. He wears a formal suit. Did Leyla invite him to the wedding?
When I approach him, he says, “Congratulations.”
“You weren’t invited,” I grunt.
“And here I thought the invitation was lost in the mail, silly me,” he answers, and Leyla laughs.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
He pulls two envelopes from his jacket and hands them to us.
“Is it because of the wedding?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Read the letter, and you’ll figure out why I’m handing this to you.”
I stare at the letter, and it’d be easy to open it, but I have a deal with my brothers. The decisions we make together matter. They are promises among us that I don’t intend to break.
“Thank you,” I say, nodding.
“Why don’t you stay and celebrate with us?” Leyla says.
I freeze because, really? She’s inviting the enemy to stay and dine with us?
“I wouldn’t want to impose,” he answers.
“Please,” she insists. “There’s always room for another person.”
“Thank you,” he says, walking ahead of us.
“Why did you do that?”
“We still have a year to go, and he’s going to be around for that length. I think we can be friendly with him. It’s not his fault that your dad was bored and decided to create chaos, is it?”
She makes sense, and now that the anger is subsiding, things look so much different. Parrish isn’t the enemy. Just a tool my father is using from