- Afterwards -

I never thought about getting married. I never pictured myself a bride wearing a white princess dress standing in front of the alter with hundreds of people watching. So when Greyson told me our Wedding would be a small private ceremony in his backyard, I didn't freak out like my mom and Charlotte did.

"You literally married a dog." Charlotte seethed between clenched teeth. "As your sister AND maid-of-honor, I can't let this happen. The backyard?! Who the hell would want their wedding surrounded by giant trees! There's no scenery, no magic, no romance!"

Sighing, I grab both her shoulders and look her directly in the eyes to stop her talking.

"Charlotte, it's not your wedding."

She looked at me with irritation and groaned. "It's YOURS, I know! But if you won't do anything to make it special than I will!"

I shake her hoping she would listen. "Charlotte, it is special. I'm marrying the man I love. That's special enough for me. Besides, isn't marrying a werewolf unique enough? No one else can say they married the future Alpha."

She pressed her lips together as if trying to hold back what she wanted to say.

"Leave it alone. Greyson said he would take care of everything." I told her.

"He won't even let me see his arrangements. Greyson has people guarding the back doors. Have you seen their backyard?"

I nodded my head. "Yeah it's a rather large space considering that's where some of his pack men train. It's practically the size of a basketball court." Perfect for a small wedding.

"Is he going to at least put decorations up?"

I shrug. "Not sure. I told you already I don't have any details."

It was like her eyes were going to budge out of their sockets. "Your wedding dress...did you get to pick it out?!"

Huh..."You know what, I haven't even picked one yet." I chuckled.

It was kind of hard to go to the mall when you're not permitted to leave the territory. That was something I still needed to get used to. I wasn't particularly found with the idea thatI would be trapped her the rest of my life.

"ARE YOU INSANE? You're getting married in 3 days and you don't a dress yet?" She was literally pulling the roots of her hair. The more Charlotte yelled the more she reminded me of our mother.

"I'm sure Greyson has that planned out too."

"You're going to let a man handle your wardrobe?" She yelled at me.

"Charlotte, please. Stop screaming. Calm down."

Her hands fisted. "I'm going to talk to Greyson right now!"

She pivoted and slammed the door on her way out. "Charlotte!!" I ran after her.

She headed up the stairs to Greyson's study and walked in on him having a meeting. Bennett sat on the edge of the table looking over his shoulder at Greyson who was sitting on his office chair. Vincent had his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned on the wall. When he saw Charlotte storm in, he immediately straightened prepared himself for her wrath.

Leo was there also, still bandaged, but now able to walk around without pain. He stood next to Greyson with his hands over his hips, brows pulled together in concentration. When he saw Charlotte, he glared over at his little brother as if saying, deal with her.

"Can we help you?" Greyson addressed Charlotte.

She marched closer to his desk and slammed her palm on the surface of the wood.

Bennett didn't want to be near her line of fire. "Looks like we are down here. I'll see you all later." He mock saluted his son.

When he saw me his face brightened with a warm grin. "Celeste." He leaned down and pressed his lips on my temple. It was a fatherly gesture he would often times give to Lexie  and now me.

"Dad." I blushed at the nickname he wanted me to call him.

His gin widened to a large smile, then he patted my back before exciting the room.

"We need to talk." Charlotte said to Greyson.

"So it seems." Greyson clasped his hands together and rested his elbows on the table. He looked over her shoulder at me with a questioned look. What's this about?

Vincent hovered next to her. "Charlotte, now is not--

"Don't but in." She snapped at him and Vincent muted in command. He was still trying to earn her good graces after he accidentally marked her.

Leo rolled his eyes at him, but remained silent.

"I want details about the wedding. I want my sister to have an amazing wedding. She deserves the best."

"And I agree." Greyson interjected.

Charlotte continued to ramble. "There has to flowers, fairy lights, a four tower cake, she needs a veil, a bouquet...do you have rings?!"

Greyson lifted his hand. "Charlotte stop." He turned his head to Leo. The two had some sort of mental communication because Leo nodded his head and went to get something from the bookshelf.

Leo placed a bind on the table between Charlotte and Greyson. Charlotte watched silently as Greyson turned the binder and opened the cover. With a gasp, Charlotte flipped through the pages. Right when I took a step to see what they were looking at, Vincent blocked my view with his broad back.

"What is that?" I asked more to myself.

When I finally was able to stand close enough to see the binder, Charlotte flipped it shut like a Venus fly trap catching it's prey.

She turned around with a satisfied look on her face. She snacked her arm around mine and began to pull me along with her. "You're right , he's got it covered. Let's go."

If what Charlotte saw in that binder was able to placate her grievances then Greyson must have had something interesting planned.

It was my turn to be curious.

Shimming out of her grip, I looked at my husband to be. "Mind sharing a little bit of those details with me?"

A wicked smile formed on his face. Testing me. Teasing me. "Not a chance."

"Not even one small detail?"

"You will find out in three days." He said and Charlotte, the little traitor, ushered me out of his office.

"You are going to love it." She assured me. "I know I did!" She squealed.

For the next three days until the wedding, she continued to giggle overtime she passed me as if she held a dirty little secret that only she knew.

***

That night - 2 nights before wedding.

Gran was the only one who returned to her house because according to her she couldn't stand the nightly howling.

The rest of my small family moved into Greyson's home and had there own living quarters in the guest wing. Greyson and I weren't permitted to share a room, upon Mother's request and like a true gentleman he complied to my mom's wishes without compliment (much to my astonishment). I thought maybe he would put up a fight.

Staring at the bedroom ceiling, I wondered whether Greyson was awake in his room. No matter what I tried, I just couldn't fall asleep. Charlotte slept like the dead next to me on our queen sized bed. She was offered a room to herself but she refused to leave my side.

Mom slept in the room next door, but Trent was placed in a different section of the house because he was still a new wolf being monitored. He seemed to be doing better at controlling his strength and temper.

Just the other day Charlotte and him had a meaningless argument about groceries. Mom, Charlotte and Leo were going to take a trip back to town to help stock food inventory. Mom wanted to join Leo and the other pack members for the excursion because she wanted to personally pay for our family's portion of the bill.

Bennett had told her that necessary purchases for the pack, like food and medical supplies, are paid for by a private saving account and she didn't need to pay with her personal cash.

Mom refused to accept the free accommodations.

My mind was working like clockwork. My thoughts wouldn't stop and I wasn't going to sleep anytime soon. Slowly, I got up and tip-toed out the room.

The only light in the hallway was coming from two windows. As I walked across the hardwood floors, I brushed my fingers across the wall. It smelt like the forest in this house. Each room had a distinct smell. Greyson's room smelt like frosted trees, mint Leaf, and cedar wood.

The guest room that I shared with Charlotte smelt like vanilla and jasmine due to Charlotte's lotions. Part of her smell had rubbed off on me.

I missed Greyson's room. It felt comfortable and in the past few weeks, it felt like home.

With no destination to go, I wondered around the house just listening to the darkness. I was as quiet as a mouse. Smiling to myself, I pretended to be a stealthy wolf walking across the forest searching for her prey.

What was it like to be a wolf, I wondered.

Wolves had an amazing sense of smell and hearing. Did that mean if someone was awake right now they would hear me if I passed by their room?

I wonder if Greyson was awake...

Where was his room again?

This house is too big.

While thinking about whether I should walk by Greyson's room, I tip-toed downstairs. I decided to go to the kitchen to get a glass of water.  I didn't bother putting the light on because I was afraid that someone would wake up and see me walking around the kitchen.

I got glass from the cabinet and headed to the fridge to get the pitcher. Suddenly out of nowhere my thigh brushes against something silky. I almost dropped the glass in my hand. The crash would have surely woke the whole house up.

Then something that felt like a feather duster lightly hits the back of both my thighs. My left palm covers my mouth before I yelp.

I turn around and slowly walk backwards. My back collides with the wall and i have no where else to go.

Then to my horror, something or someone licks my knee. My teeth grind together as I stop myself from screaming like a banshie.

"GREYSON, that better be you!" I hiss between teeth.

1...2...

Two glowing dots...like fireflies.

Deja vu

His massive canine body rubbed against my skin and I was pressed against the wall.

"Greyson, this is uncomfortable." I tried to nudge him away with my arm.

I hear what sounded like a wolf chuckle.

He puts some space between us, then a sew minutes later I feel him hovering hear me in his full height--human and asked as a new born baby.

"Please tell me you aren't walking around your house naked."

Greyson smirks. "Give me a second. I tossed my clothes somewhere in the floor."

It was a good a good thing it was too dark to see anything.

"You know, I head you walking through the halls." I groaned mentally. Everyone with super canine hearing could probably hear me too. "What were you doing?"

"I should ask you that."

I walk inch by inch worried I'd collide with him in the dark.

"I couldn't sleep." He said.

"Same."

"What's on your mind?" He asked.

"What's on your mind?" I asked back.

"I asked first." He said cockily.

"A lot of things. Mostly what awaits us after we get married."

Greyson doesn't say anything. He was probably processing what I just said.

"Celeste..." He says softly. He grabs both my wrists and I'm surprised that he was able to see me. Then I remembered he had night vision abilities. His hands slide higher until his palms spread across my back. I'm pressed closer to him. My lips are pressed into his collar bone. He's wearing a cotton t-shirt that smells like laundry detergent, but He also has his smell on him.

"I'm a little anxious." I tell him.

He starts to sway us back and forth.

The movements lull me to close my eyes and hug him back.

"I understand how you feel." He says.

"You do?"

"Of course." He hugs me tighter and His lips brushes the side of my temple.

I turn my head to rest my cheek on his chest.

"I don't know what's going to happen and I'm scared about what's going to happen to us."

His fingers start playing with strands of my hair.

"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of everything. I'll be very gentle and I assure you that ur going to experience no pain at all."

Wait what...?

"What are you talking about?" I push him away and out embrace brakes.

He hesitates. "You meant the wedding night right?"

My face heats up and my heart pounds harder.

Oh my god. I don't know whether I should be embarrassed or shocked.

"I was talking about all this, Greyson. You becoming Alpha, me dictating by your side. What Remington said, how my family is adjusting to our new life in this small little town...There is a lot of things making my head spin. That is the last thing on my mind."

Though, since he mentioned it, it was now the top on my list of thoughts.

"Oh," awkward silence.

"If we had our wedding night here, wouldn't everyone here us?" why did i just ask that?

my face gets hotter and i feel like i'm sweating through my clothes.

"They probably heard you say that now." He whispered though it was no point in doing so really.

Someone kill me.

On the bright side my sister and mom couldn't here. But then Trent...

I hope to god he still sleeps like a log. He would torment me if he heard this.

"Let's have this discussion another time." Greyson said.

"you-you know I have feelings for you." My voice was soft when i said it but i now he could hear.

"You mean, 'I love you'. You've said it before. Don't sugar coat it..." Once again he has me wrapped into his arms and I melt into his embrace.

I try again. "I...Love you, Greyson. And when i thought I would never see you again, I felt so crushed. When Remington said he wanted to kill you I felt so angry. I never thought i could care for someone other than my family so deeply that it kind of shocked me."

He touched my cheek and his thumb rubbed back and forth on on my check bone.

"When I took you that night my intention was to steal a bride. I never expected to feel such a pull towards you. It was like my wolf knew exactly where to go once you were within his line of scent."

He pressed his nose into my hair. "You smelled so tantalizing. I felt drunk on you and i didn't even know you. When I climbed into your room I teased you a bit."

i recalled him brushing his wet nose on my leg. I believe he licked me! Just like what he did earlier.

i smacked him playfully. "i can't believe you licked me?!" i laughed.

He leaned down and kissed my cheek before the tip of his tongue poked my skin.

"Greyson!" i squealed making him laugh.

When I recoiled to avoid his second kiss my hips pressed closer to his and our legs tangled together.

"I never thought one woman could wrap me so tightly around her little finger." He muttered. "I would do anything for you Celeste. I'm at your mercy, wifey."

His words melted my heart. I wasn't very much used to such affection, but with Greyson it was something I was learning to love. My stomach tickles when he tells me how much he cherishes me. I feel like I don't want to be separated from this man.

"I'm not your wife yet." i point out.

"A few days doesn't make a difference. You are mine."

His lips press into mine. The kiss was hard and demanding, probing and encouraging at the same time. Greyson took control moving my arms around his neck before placing one hand around my back and the other cradling my head.

I didn't know if i was breathing or not. My head started spinning.

"breathe Celeste." he said between our kisses.

I grunted in response, then finally he stopped and rested our foreheads together. Both of us panting.

"You need to practice. I'll be an awesome teacher." he joked.

i jabbed him with my finger on the stomach which was hard as stone.

"Shut up."

"You didn't say it back yet."

"what?"

"the three words."

"Please and Thank you?"

"Very funny, but that's four."

I giggle and he adds another quick chaste kiss on my lips.

"I love you, Greyson." I say. "That's Four." i point out. "so what is the three words your looking for?"

He smirks. "How about, "Greyson, marry me?"

"Aren't we already?" i ask him.

"We sure are, but..."

"But what?" He totally was going off on a tangent and i didn't know where he was going with this.

"I want you to ask me to marry you."

I look at him like he's crazy and i was sure he could see the look on my face.

He laughs at my expression. "Traditionally the man asks the woman to marry him, but I took you against your will."

"You kidnapped me." I corrected him.

"I took you with good intentions."

I roll my eyes. "What intention would that be?"

"To seduce you." He whispers near my ear and it tickles my check. "To make you learn to love a a man like me, despite my flaws. To show you that you have a strong spirit. despite any tough situation you always pull through. You're a fighter Celeste and only I am the guy capable of being yours truly."

He sounded like some Romeo wanna be.

"You are so corny!" I groan, half embarrassed by his antiques.

"Ok, fine you're right. I'll stop, but in all seriousness i want you to marry me without feeling like it's an obligation to wed me. We both know that we are  being forced into this in three days. As much as i love you i don't want you to feel uncomfortable commuting to spending all eternity with me."

"A wedding is too soon." i say and he waits for me to continue. "however i know with all certainty that i never want to leave your side. it's better to get the wedding over with. i know i'm going to want to be with you...i can't even sleep without you near by."

he hugs me again. "Glad i'm not the only one."

"If you really want me to say it...'Greyson...Will you marry me?'" it was so odd saying it.

He laughs. "that's five words! But my answer is YES."

He lowers his lips to mine again and we savor each other. Hands roaming, legs intertwined and bodies pressed so tightly together we looked molded together.

"Looks like your mine for the taking."

I smile against his lips.

The beast stole his bride and she gave him her heart forever.

___

A/N: Hi guys!!! Wow I "finished".

Moving on...this is not the end. After reading many of your comments in the last chapter, I decided to create a sequel because there were too many unanswered questions and Celeste and Greyson's story just isn't over. It's my fault for not tying things together and making a solid conclusion. I will be posting the new book once I figure out what to call Book 2. It will start with a interesting prologue. and the first chapter is their grand wedding. Many of you following me on Instagram already saw a piece of that prologue which I have already deleted.

PLEASE COMMENT HERE on what you think needs a little more clarification in the next book.