Sold To The Billionaire Alpha
Chapter 66

Orchid

“Orchid, what are you doing?” Whispered Bisa as she found me hovering near the closed entrance doors to the grand hall of the mansion.

Inside the hall a path lined by frost flowers led to Orion and his best man Perseus. I spotted Harper behind Perseus as one of the groomsmen. Heath was standing beside his son. I craned my neck, trying to see through the inch-wide gap in the double doors. It took all of my strength to hold them ajar. They were heavy ten-foot-tall mahogany doors varnished to perfection.

“I’m making sure of something,” I whispered back to Bisa.

I glanced at Bisa. She looked lovely in her bridesmaid gown. I had chosen an A-line silhouette for all the girls in a light material so that they would all be comfortable as some of them were pregnant. There were in all different shades of the same dress as I had wanted nude colours specific to the girls. I was so happy with this choice. They looked lovely in their nude dresses with Rose in a light rosy beige, Bisa in a mocha brown, Kat in a chocolate brown, Daisy in a sandy beige, Holly in a rosy medium beige, Star and Hesper both in a golden beige, and Friday and Raelynn both in a golden honey colour.

I smiled at them as they gathered around me. I continued spying on those in the hall. My heart almost skipped a beat when I glimpsed Orion in his tuxedo, a dazzling grin on his handsome face.

“Where’s Fox?” I hissed at Bisa, feeling panicked.

He was not anywhere in the front row. I needed him between me and Orla’s line of vision. I could see Orla’s curtain of blonde hair in the middle of the front row. Orion’s Dad was keeping his arms around her firmly. After much debate about whether or not she would even be allowed to come, a new debate had started regarding whether or not she had to wear handcuffs. She had been permitted to not wear them after much pleading from Heath, Orion’s father and Perseus. I took a deep breath, puffing out my cheeks a little.

“Fox is there,” said Bisa, pointing to him and widening the gap in the door an inch.

I breathed a sigh of relief. He was standing at the alter on the far end from Orion. I had not even known he was a groomsman too. He should be. I was glad to see him up there. I would not have my Dad if not for him and Friday. Our circle of friends had grown in a very short space of time. In fact, we did not really have a circle of friends per say before this with the exception of my two human friends.

I continued spying until I had spotted almost all the people I was looking for. We had wanted to keep it intimate but because of who Orion was and who I was becoming that had not been an option. We had to invite certain people for the good of the pack and its alliances even if I had never met them and Orion was not particularly close with them. I was happy all our newly found family members were here. I spotted my twin cousins, Timothy and Titus, arguing animatedly with another set of twins.

“Those twins with my cousins look like Fang, Friday’s and Raelynn’s brother,” I said to Bisa.

“They’re also our brothers,” said Friday, coming over. “Fallon and Fargo.”

“I’m shocked they came on such short notice,” said Raelynn. “I knew Katrina was stressing over what to wear cause she did not have enough time to get a custom fit gown.”

“They never turn down a chance to eat, drink and party,” said Friday.

“Who’s Katrina?” I wondered.

“Our sister-in-law,” said Friday and Raelynn in unison.

“In my case, she’s my sister-in-law on both sides,” said Raelynn.

“Huh?” I said, confused.

Raelynn laughed.

“She’s married to my twin brothers but also my husband Ezra is her brother,” explained Raelynn.

I gasped. That meant Fallon and Fargo were also mated to a vampire just like Raelynn was. I spotted Katrina. Oh yeah, her look screamed vampire. She was pale as the moon and wearing a dark grey dress that was a shade or two shy of black. She wore a deep red lipstick that complimented her well. Her twin mates were golden skinned and dark haired in contrast to her pallor and platinum blonde tresses. They were all beautiful people. I was still getting used to being surrounded by these immortals all the time.

“Am I immortal?” I wondered, my eyes going straight to Holly. “I’m half mortal, you know, half human. Will I just live very long?”

Holly grinned.

“If you weren’t immortal before, you’re certainly immortal now,” she said, gesturing towards Orion’s mark on my neck.

I felt the silvery mark and looked at Holly’s neck where Harper’s mark was in plain sight.

“Werewolves can gift immortality to their mates even if the mate is fully human so that they never have to live without them,” explained Holly.

I recall Orion mentioning something similar back when I had thought I was human. It had been at Rose’s wedding actually when he had first pointed out Orla to me.

“You ready, Kiddo?” Said Talus, coming into the hallway.

I nodded.

“Cue music in 3, 2, 1, go,” said Mina, speaking softly into her headset.

“Ok, cue our adorable little petal pooch,” said Tina, sending the tux-wearing dog walker down the aisle with Mighty. Orchid petals fell from the little basket on my Mighty’s back as they marched up the aisle. The cats were not going down the aisle as I could not get them to even come when I called them. I honestly had no idea where they were half the time because I’d never lived in a place so big with pets before. Thankfully, Orion had helpers specifically appointed to cat and dog duty so I knew they were safe and accounted for. They usually made it back to my room after sundown so that they could wake me up several times each night. Orion was lucky he was such a heavy sleeper. Everyone simpered at Mighty’s petal pooch job. I grinned.

My bridesmaids were to walk down the aisle next escorted by Orion’s groomsmen who had exited the hall to line up with them. Orion remained at the alter, standing there alone. I could see he was fighting back tears as I peeped through the crack in the doors.

“Orchid,” hissed Tina.

I jumped.

“We need to clear the doorway, Hun, about to start the procession,” said Tina apologetically.

I glanced behind me and noticed my huge wedding ball gown and I were blocking the double doors completely. I moved aside and Talus held my right hand. My human father held my left hand. I squeezed both of their hands as my nerves began to get the better of me. They both gave me a reassuring squeeze back.

I watched the procession leave the hallway in pairs and walk down the aisle. Rose was escorted by Perseus, Bisa walked arm and arm with Fox, Friday walked between Thaddeus and Maze, Harper escorted his Holly and Star walked with two of the Quads on either side. Heath and Hesper were going to sign our marriage certificate as witnesses but they said they were “too old to be in the bridal party.” My eyes went to the teenaged-looking Hesper in the first row. Too old my a*s.

“Ok, Orchid, it’s your world today, we’re all just living in it!” Said Mina with a wink.

My heart began to race.

“I’m a little self conscious,” I whispered anxiously.

“Harper gave me this for you,” said Tina, quickly handing me a flask.

“Oh, um it couldn’t hurt I guess,” I said, taking a swig of the flask after reading the label which simply said:

Drink up cuz! You’re welcome! Think of it as an unofficial wedding gift. Love Harper.

That reminded me. I had yet to open any of may wedding gifts but they had been pouring in since the invites had been sent out.

“Feeling better?” Asked Tina.

“I doubt the alcohol will kick in that fast…” I began but that was when it hit me.

That had not been alcohol. It must have been some kind of potion. I felt disoriented for a second but when that cleared I felt this intense sense of calm coupled with an undeniable euphoria. I felt like I had found inner peace and won a gold medal all in the same moment.

“What is this?” I asked Tina, feeling spellbound as I held up the flask.

“It’s a little potion he whipped up for you,” said Tina.

“He called it Elixir Three E,” said Mina.

My anxiety was definitely gone and for that I was grateful. I fiddled with the note and realised he had written on the back.

Enlightened, Enraptured and Enchanted.

“Makes sense,” I muttered, knowing that I should would have felt a bit annoyed about being enchanted if I had not been enchanted.

I was too at peace to be upset. I flicked the paper away and headed for the double doors. I could feel the skirt of my white ball gown flowing around me with every slight movement I made. The material of my veil was just as light and airy as the fabric my wedding dress was made of. Talus quickly covered me with my floor-length veil. Mina handed me my bouquet of white orchids. I linked arms with my birth father on one side and the one who raised me on the other.

The doors opened up to reveal me standing there. The hallway had been dimly lit but the hall was bathed in sunlight. The sunlight streamed onto my dress revealing how the fabric of my veil and gown shimmered. I kept my eyes on Orion as I walked slowly down the aisle gripping Talus’ arm in particular for dear life. My bridesmaids were beaming at me. I had wanted to do something special for this day and I had also planned to cool my nerves by focusing on something else (before I knew Harper had that covered.) I felt the pulse of the bouquets lining the rows of pews on either side of me. I synchronised them and I let them expand. As I passed each row, the lattice of blossoming flowers I was fashioning inched along with me. The guests gasped. Many of them were filming me and the growing lattice of flowers. I blushed a little but the potion kept me from feeling embarrassed or shy. I could see Orion’s gaze fixed on me, his eyes glistening with unshed tears just like mine. I supposed the potion would not stop me from crying tears of joy.

When I reached Orion, I hugged my human father first.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered to me as he hugged me tightly. “I know you’re happy with Orion and I’m so happy for you but I’m sorry. My bad choices were mine. I had no right to treat you like a possession to be gambled with. I want you to know I started a Gambling Anonymous programme to get some help for my addiction.”

His words brought more happy tears to my eyes. I appreciated his apology. He had also never spoken of gambling negatively before, denying that it was a real addiction though it had caused us significant strife in the past. I was proud to hear him admit he needed to control it.

“Thanks for saying that,” I said softly.

He cupped my face.

“Thanks for finding it in your heart to still let me have the privilege of walking you down the aisle,” he said.

I nodded. Truth be told, I felt sorry for my human father. I knew it could not have been easy to find out that I was not his biological daughter because of Mom’s one-night-stand. It also had to be difficult watching me become close with my birth father.

“Of course, you are just as much my father as Talus,” I said.

He kissed my forehead. I turned to Talus and hugged him tightly.

“If Orion ever tries that making you jealous thing again let me know immediately! I’ll snow-globe-hop here in a heartbeat! I’ve got your back!” He muttered.

I could not help but giggle.

And if he ever, ever, EVER tries putting you in the dungeon again, I’ll bring every Hawthorne here and make a raucous. There’s more where that came! You’ve barely met half the family if so much! Said Talus in my mind.

I nodded.

Thanks, Dad. I’ve got your back too! I said.

He grinned. He hugged me again and gave me a l*p-smacking k**s on both cheeks.

“I’m so glad I found you,” he whispered before he let go.

“Me too,” I whispered back.

He took my hand and offered it to Orion who seemed dazed as he stood, staring at me wordlessly.

Orion

She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. As I looked at her, everyone else seemed to fade away and blur in the background. It was just me and Orchid in that moment as she walked down the aisle towards me.

It was Talus who snapped me out of my daze. He cleared his throat loudly. I looked at him and realised he was handing me Orchid’s hand.

“Sorry,” I whispered, taking her hand. “I got a little awestruck for a moment,” I chuckled softly.

Talus took a long, hard look at me. He was stone-faced. He took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. He clapped his hand on my shoulder.

“Take care of my girl. Love her more than you love yourself. Cherish her above all else. Make her your top priority,” he said softly but sternly.

I nodded.

“I will, I do,” I murmured.

No more silly games. Not a single one. I’m watching! He said in my mind.

I squirmed a little. I knew what he was talking about. He had found out about me trying to make Orchid jealous in the past. I had never done that since. I had just wanted to prompt her interest in me but I could not have chosen a worse way to do so. I had been such a jerk and a fool back then. Thankfully, I had learnt quickly how to be a decent partner.

I will never put Orchid through anything like that ever again! She is all I want. Even then, she was all I wanted, I said privately.

“I know you love her but don’t ever forget to show it,” he said aloud.

“I won’t forget,” I vowed. “Ever!”

Talus nodded and took his seat. A few guests were craning their necks to look at Talus’ expression now that he was sitting down. Clearly, they were curious about our conversation.

However, the vast majority of guests, myself included, were now staring at Orchid in her dress. She was a vision. She was wearing a white ball gown made from a light airy material. Her skirt twirled around her with every slight movement. Her veil was sheer and just as long and delicate as her dress. I reached for the gauzy material, grasping it gently and lifting the veil to reveal Orchid’s beaming face. I cupped her face and mouthed, “I love you.”

The officiant was one of the former pack leaders, a former Beta. I could barely take in a single word of his speech. Everything besides Orchid was a blur. I could scarcely believe we had made it to this moment. It had not been easy but it had been worth it.

Before I knew it, we were repeating the traditional wolf wedding vows for fated mates in my pack. Heath acted as our ring bearer and handed us the wedding bands.

“I, Orchid Whimsy Hawthorne, vow to be a lifelong or eternal blessing to my fated mate, Alpha Orion of Cold Moon, as fate intended. I vow to love him and to allow myself to be loved by him, to protect him and to accept his protection, to accept him and to cherish his acceptance, to be faithful to him and to acknowledge his faithfulness, to respect him and to inspire respect from him by upholding my integrity and promoting his. May we honour the needs of our linked wolves and may we be one in mind and spirit though we are two in body,” said Orchid, repeating the vows bit by bit as the officiant fed them to her.

“Orion, do you accept Orchid’s vows as the truth?” Said the officiant.

“I do,” I said solemnly.

“Do you accept Orchid as your fated mate, lawfully wedded wife and rightful Luna?” Asked the officiant.

“I do, absolutely,” I said.

Orchid was beaming. She slipped the yellow gold wedding band handed to her by my Uncle Heath on my ring finger.

I love you, Orchid, I said in her mind.

I love you, Orion, she replied.

I went next, looking into her eyes as I repeated my vows after which she answered the officiant’s questions.

“I do,” she said finally, signifying the end of the vows.

Heath handed me Orchid’s crown. I was already wearing mine. Hers was much more delicate. It was yellow gold and embedded with white diamonds like her wedding band. She looked radiant in it, like the Queen she had always been.

“By the power invested of me and in the presence of your fellows, I now pronounce you husband and wife and Alpha and Luna of Cold Moon!” Thundered the officiant theatrically.

Everyone cheered.

“You may now k**s the bride,” said the officiant.

I cupped Orchid’s face while she wrapped her arms around my waist. Our lips met and heat flowed through us as the guests cheered even more loudly. I was the luckiest Alpha alive. My wolf roared triumphantly within me to show just how much he agreed. I bought a bride but that bride brought me to my senses. I was abolishing the auction and the ordering of girls. In our pack, my Luna Orchid would be the last girl sold to an alpha, or anyone else for that matter. True love was not for sale.

Orchid

I thought back to the day I had been brought here. I thought all the way back to the morning of that day. My heart had been shattered by my past. I had not known it was to be mended by my future. Now, I knew. My heart was whole again. Orion had picked the pieces up and put them back together. It had taken some time for him to get it right, to put every piece in its rightful place and stitch it all together. By the time he was done, I had fallen in love again and this time, I was loved in return.