Crossing Paths With The White Wolf

Helios P O V

I fidgeted with the neck tie of my suit, cursing. I was hot and sweaty and felt like I would have giant pit stains by the time it was time. I had already stuck tissues in there and replaced them twice. I couldn't embarrass myself like that.

"Helios, you're going to be fine," Markus told me as Gonzalo finally took pity on me and fixed my tie. I nodded and went to the window to look outside. It was silly, really, to be this nervous, but I wanted this day to be perfect for her. The packgrounds looked beautiful. Elegant yet bright with the different types of white and blue lilies adorning the area. Did they turn off the air conditioning? I was seriously baking in this suit. After waiting for half an hour in the stuffy room, I felt a hand on me and I looked up to Gonzalo smirking at me.

"It's time. Everyone's ready," he said. I stood up and followed everyone down the stairs. I got to my spot and waited nervously. I heard the music start and the bridesmaids started to walk out. Suddenly, she appeared next to me.

She is a vision in white and blue. Her dress was simple and strapless. A modified empire waist to accommodate her figure with intricate white beading along the entire top of the dress. It started out white, then an ombre effect started half way down to end in a deep royal blue that matched her eyes. I smiled at her, telling myself I shouldn't cry.

"Are you OK?" she asked me. Always concerned for everyone but herself.

I laughed, "I should be asking you that question."

"Are you ready?" She said as the bride maids' music ended.

I held my arm out and then stopped. "s**t, one second," I chuckled as I pulled the tissue from my armpits and threw them into the trashcan.

She laughed at my blushing face and I couldn't help but smile. "You look beautiful Celeste," I told her, trying to stop my eyes from misting up as I held out my arm for her to take. She pulled her arm through mine.

"You're looking pretty handsome yourself, brother. Maybe next time we go to a wedding, you're the one on the other side of the door," she teased.

We heard the music start playing again and she sobered up for a moment, "Thank you, for walking me down the isle. I couldn't imagine anyone else doing it."

"I am beyond honored that you asked me. You're one of the people I cherish the most in my long life. You are one of the biggest blessings I've ever had in my life," I told her as we started walking down the isle toward Markus, who I could see had his mouth hanging open with nothing but love in his eyes.

"If I cry before I say my vows, it will be your fault," she whispered and I heard her sniffle.

"Just remember what Tuli means in Tagalog and you'll be fine," I teased, and she let out a chuckle. Natalia had mentioned their conversation a while ago.From NôvelDrama.Org.

"Oh goddess, you better not tell Markus," she giggled.

"Your secret is safe with me," I whispered back, happy that she wasn't sniffling anymore. I handed her off to Markus and joined my beautiful mate in the front row. She laced her fingers through mine as we watched Markus and Celeste exchange vows. 'Are you OK, handsome?' she asked.

'So you think I'm handsome?' I faked surprise.

'Handsome, hot, annoying, brave,' she said.

'Way to sandwich that insult in there, mi vida,' I laughed at her.

'Well, you know, gotta keep that beautiful head of yours from getting too big,' she countered.

'Oh, so you think I'm beautiful too? You should have added that in there too.' I said smugly.

'You're impossible,' she chuckled.

'Impossible to resist.' I said and when she looked at me, I wagged my eyes at her and she had to put her hand to her mouth to not laugh. I decided that was a close call and put my attention back to the ceremony.

The party after the ceremony was loud and wonderful. There were bouncy castles and games for the kids, lots of food and a huge dance floor in the middle. It wasn't really my scene, but the energy and happiness in the air was contagious and I made sure to dance with Natalia. I enjoy slow dances more, but I let her drag me to the floor whenever she wants. I like seeing her happy. She's let her guard down around others a lot more now. She still struggles with her past, but we're both a work in progress and I love her the more for how she's letting me evolve along with her. All of the misunderstandings we had at the beginning really laid a path for us to finally learn to communicate and share all of ourselves with each other and others.

Celeste was asleep by 9 and Markus carried her to their room. Since we'd volunteered to drive them to the airport in the morning, we decided to walk back to Guardian Moon. As we walked under the full moon, I thought about everything that had happened in the last few months, the last 16 months and what awaited our future. We took down another lab earlier this month, rescued another 5 shifters and two vampires in Georgia. Another two groups were on their way to the last 2 locations in the country and then we would move on to abroad. The two vampire warriors were due to arrive in a week and I was nervous to see how that dynamic would affect our current process. The recruits were working hard and a few were out in the field, but most still needed a bit more before I felt they would be safe.

The website for our new venture had gone live about a week ago. The website was a place for small packs, sanctioned or un-sanctioned and in danger, could ask for help without having to pay for the services. The council would be providing us with an allowance, but most of it would be on a voluntary basis. My old warriors were more than happy to help and all the shifters we had rescued had also signed up for these assignments.

We were getting word out and hopefully new pack members would begin to trickle in. Anyone in trouble, in need of a new start, anyone looking to redeem themselves, could find a place here. It wouldn't be easy, but it would hopefully be worth it for them, like it was for us. Two recruits, that had signed up because they had experienced loss, had already asked to join, eager for a fresh start.

My life couldn't get much better than this. Well, mostly...

"Penny for your thoughts?" Nat asked me as she squeezed my hand gently.

"Just reflecting on all the changes. I feel like we have not really had a chance to breathe yet, absorb it all. Things keep changing," I smiled at her.

"Yeah, it's a change for both of us old people. We spent so much time stuck in one mentality. I like this change though. I look forward to seeing where life with you takes me. I fought so hard against myself and what I thought was a curse. It's liberating now, knowing we are making a difference. We have a purpose, Helios. You gave me that," she said, as she hugged me. I stopped and kissed her deeply.

"Te amo.(I Love you.)" I said, as we pulled back and I put my forehead to hers.

"Y yo te amo a ti. Tu eres mi vida (And I love you. You are my life.)," she whispered.

I brushed my lips with hers before I gave her a squeeze and pulled back. I pulled out the ring from my pocket. I picked it out last week when I picked up my suit. It was a 5 carat pear amethyst on a platinum band. "Marry me?" I asked her. I had considered going down on one knee, but I wanted her to look in my eyes, not the ring. The ring was only a symbol. The love. That, she would only see in my eyes. Her eyes teared up before she nodded and threw herself in my arms. After a mind-blowing kiss, I set her down, put the ring on her finger before I lifted her up into my arms and jumped to the front of the packhouse. I ran us up the stairs and into the bedroom, discarding as much of my clothes as I could on the way. I would never get enough of this woman. Gonzalo POV

I watched Helios running past the door to the kitchen and shook my head, chuckling. I should have known they wouldn't last very long at the party after Markus took his sleepy mate away. I yawned, and made the chamomile tea to see if it would help me sleep. I haven't had a good night's sleep since I saw Queen Karissa again. She'd brought up a lot of memories I had tried to bury. She still looked so much like her sister but with a personality that couldn't be more different.

I went back to my room and tried to get some work done on my laptop. Then I tried watching some TV. Then tried to get some work again. The f*****g tea wasn't working, sleeping pills weren't working. Nothing was working to keep the memories from haunting my days and dreams. I went over to the window and watched the moon sneaking out from behind a cloud. You gave them all mates. Do I not deserve one too? It would solve all of my problems, if I could just move on.

I waited, and I could feel Dario, my wolf, waiting nervously to see if she would answer. He was just as desperate to find our mate. After everything we've seen and lived in the last few months, we were both willing to believe she might answer. I shook my head when I got no answer. Not sure what I had expected, but still somehow disappointed. I wasn't the one with a direct line to her. Maybe we could ask Celeste and Kara if they had any idea if I would ever have one. I turned everything off and set my alarm. We had a lot of work. At least that was a good distraction. The path the moon goddess has set for us was important, and I was glad to be able to balance the scales in our favor.

The mood goddess won't abandon us. I have faith. - Darius said again. It was all that was holding us together lately as we watched the people I loved the most find their happiness in this new world we were in.

I woke up to find a text on my phone and my heart soared with hope when I opened it.

Celeste: Have patience. Things will work out, my vision hasn't changed.