Chapter 65

With one last happy moment, I bring this story to a close. Thank you everyone for reading it as I was writing it. It was a wonderful experience. I hope everyone enjoys it after it is finished as well. Thank you, everyone.

(This is the last chapter. There is also the epilogue that will be posted with this chapter.)

On a majestic winter day, New Year's Eve to be exact, Marnie was putting on her mother's gown. It wasn't a normal, everyday gown, though. It was an off-the-shoulder, tea-length dress of a very delicate fabric that seemed to flow with her movements. It was white with tiny white and crystal flowers that sparkled brightly no matter what kind of light they were in.

Her hair was up in an elaborate braided half-up, half-down style, with little white flowers woven into the design. She wore her mother's diamond necklace and earrings. Her shoes, though, made Adira sigh with laughter. They were bright red silk heels with diamond accents.

Adira decided to wear a red silk organza dress, so Marnie's shoes wouldn't stick out as much. When they were all done and ready, Duncan knocked on the door to walk his sister to her groom. He looked dashing in his tuxedo and red tie—another thing Adira added. Adira took the front, holding Marco's arm. They walked to the main dining room, which was transformed into a ballroom.

In the center of the room, surrounded by white roses and crystals, stood her mate, her forever love. Ashton was standing with his best men, Archer and August, all of them wearing black tuxedos with red ties. The highest pack elder stood with them, waiting for the bride to join them; they were all smiles as well.

There were pack members who were friends and family, but that was all. Marnie wanted a small ceremony. Even though it was small, the pack decorated it with every white flower they could get.

When they got closer to the altar, Ashton looked almost like he was going to cry. Marnie had a huge smile on her face; she was radiant as she came down the red carpet aisle to Ash. Duncan put his sister's hand into Ashton's to tell everyone that he approved of this joining, and then stood next to Adira and Marco on the bride's side.

Their hands were bound together with silver and gold cords, representing the moon and the sun and all that is between, making their vows of love for all the world to see.

The ceremony was beautiful and perfect. Duncan even arranged for a photographer to come in from town to take pictures. Once all the formalities were done, the bride and groom went upstairs to change for the party. No one said anything when they didn't come back down for two hours.

The party was huge. There was a large bonfire outside. The main party was inside because of the cold weather. Dancing and drinking, fun was had by all. Marco was happy because everyone was getting along. They counted down to the new year.

After that, the party started to slow down, and it was time for the newlyweds to go to the start of their honeymoon.

When the party was over and the guests had all left, the bride and groom were to go to the bridal cabin in the woods. Everything was provided for them; they would stay there for three days. Then they were going to go to Ash's family for a little bit.

What they didn't know was that there were several pranks waiting for them when they arrived. For one, their clothes were all gone. Someone thought it would be funny to decorate one of the bedrooms like a bordello, complete with a vibrating bed.

They managed to find them all, except one. They did find it, just not before it found them.

Ashton and Marnie were halfway into their passion. Marnie turned back the covers because they wouldn't need them for a bit. Ashton backed her up to the bed, and together they fell onto the sheets.

Marnie gave out a squeak as Ash started to move her into position. Stopping, Ash looked at Marnie, and she started to laugh. He was a bit confused until she got up and took the sheets off the bed. Someone put really coarse sandpaper under the sheets.

Once all the pranks were taken care of, the happy couple were finally able to make love not only as true mates, but as husband and wife.

Though Ash vowed to find the one who thought the sandpaper would be funny. Marnie was over the moon happy, explaining to Ash why there were so many pranks waiting for them; he still vowed to pay back for the sandpaper. Marnie didn't have it in her to tell him that there were probably more waiting for them.

She left him naked on the bed while she went to the bathroom to get changed into a surprise for Ash. It was something that Adira got her for her bridal shower. Marnie thought that it was a bit too much away from her comfort zone, but she trusted Adira.

She came out wearing a red lace corset, with red lace garters holding up red thigh-high lace stockings. Her hair was down; she didn't wear any panties. She was bare just for him. She could tell that he liked it; his eyes started to glow a golden color.

He was already under the covers. After he watched her walk around the room and do a little dance just for him, he pulled back the covers to show her the results of her teasing.

She put one foot on the bed and slowly rolled down one stocking; then she did the same to the other one. It was driving him crazy. He was so hard right now, it was becoming painful.

When she stood up to start taking off the corset, he pulled her to him by her hips. He ripped off the corset, leaving her bare for him. Her eyes went dark as she watched him; he could smell her desire. She never felt more beautiful and sexy as she did in that moment. It was just her standing before him. He loved her no matter what; she loved him the same.

He gently pulled her to the bed and into the arms that will hold her no matter what, forever.

Duncan and Adira were laughing when they remembered their prank, wondering how they enjoyed the extra coarse sandpaper in their bed.

Duncan was wondering if they had taken a shower yet? He shut off the hot water valve in the basement. That should cool things down for Ashton—a little present from your brother-in-law, a nice welcome to the family.

It was actually Apollo's idea to turn off the hot water. Duncan was still laughing when they reached the Pack house. It was their own fault for deciding on getting married on New Year's Eve.

There was a long-forgotten tradition in the pack that those who get married on the eve of the new year are tempting fate. So, as a countermeasure, it is up to the pack to prank them as many times as possible on their wedding night, so that they had already faced many hardships before fate could throw any of them in their path.

Duncan knew that it was an old wives' tale, but when he was reminded of it by an Elder, his horns sprouted, and the devilish thoughts overtook him. He shared it with Adira, and she shared it with the entire pack.

Wait till they get into Ash's jeep to go to his Pride. I think one of the pups left a dead fish under the seat. It is also filled with helium-filled condoms for when they open the doors.

Pranksters had free rein to let their imaginations run wild. It was the most fun anyone in the pack has had in a long time. Even some of the younger pups were in on it. Mostly it was the elders.

When they were finally ready to leave to go to Ash's Pride, they would be running to get away.

Unfortunately, Duncan had shared the information with Ashton's brothers, and they thought that since they were his brothers, it was their duty to make sure that fate doesn't give them any more trouble.

Duncan and Adira sat together in the pack house. The living room was still decorated in all its Christmas glory. They were enjoying sitting close to each other next to a roaring fire in the fireplace. They were talking through their mind link, sharing each other's thoughts and memories.

Sharing the hopes for the future and the love for each other and their pup, wondering how he will grow, who he will take after, and how he will be with his younger siblings.

They sat there watching the last of the pack members coming in from the party, they looked at each other and smiled.

Watching the last of the embers of the fire die down, they were happy, they were content. They knew that whatever fate has in store for them, they will come through it well, as long as they had each other and the pack.