Athena's Human Mate

Chapter 48

In a blink of an eye, the day had arrived that she would marry the love of her life. Athena Calliope Phoenix had a nice ring to it. Mrs. Roman Phoenix, she said it out loud when she was alone for weeks, anticipating the day with excitement.

After the rehearsal and dinner, Emma whisked her away to Kathy's house, claiming it was bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other until the wedding. Athena thought it was silly, but Roman seemed to like it. Unfortunately, she had a hard time sleeping without him. Charlotte went and got one of his shirts for Athena to wear and a pillow with his scent on it.

Her bridesmaids helped her get ready, doing her hair and makeup. Her mother joined them an hour before they had to leave for the ceremony, having a set amount of time to spend together today.

Roman put the finishing touches on his tuxedo, he decided to wear black with a red tie and cummerbund. To his surprise, Athena's mother brought him a red rose pin.

"Nick was right, you do look like a wolf." She straightened his tie, "I trust you'll treat my daughter better than my mate has." She looked up into his eyes, and took his hand in hers. "You're nervous," she smiled gently at him.

"I can guarantee I'm nothing like her father." The disgust rolled off his tongue. "I don't know why I'm anxious, I love her more than anything." Michelle nodded at him, "what are you doing?" He glanced at their hands.

"Showing you what a Luna can do. We have the ability to calm and soothe other wolves besides our mate. Even if you're human, you're still a Luna and possess the same capabilities. Have you not noticed that before?"

"Sometimes, but I thought I was the only one who felt it, I didn't know it helped others."

"Athena was never meant to be a Luna, I tried to teach her things but she lacked the capacity. You two will do great things together, you complement each other so well. I'm so happy she found you, she couldn't have picked a better mate." She kissed his cheek, "I'm off to check on her, see you soon."

Then she was gone, leaving him to wonder what else she could tell him. He cursed those damn restrictions again, knowing after today he won't see her in a long time. She was the kind of mother he wished he had. Shaking off those unwelcome thoughts, he followed Kyle to the cafeteria to get married.

Standing on the stage alone, he watched the girls walk down the aisle, looking lovely on their proud papa's arm. Emma came into view, her big belly not hidden by the deep red dress, he could see how Kyle doted on her. Then the music changed and he stopped breathing.

The vision in white coming towards him scattered all his thoughts. It was as if she floated on air, next to her Gramps. He couldn't say what type of dress she wore or the flowers in her hair, she was the most beautiful creature on the planet. Her eyes stayed on his, green transfixed on brown, he felt the immense love coming through their bond with no idea if it was her, him or both. Probably both.

Kyle bumped his shoulder to get him breathing again. Taking her hand, he kissed the fingertips then the back. He mouthed the words 'I love you' countless times, and she responded in kind. He knew the minister was talking but he heard none of it until they were to say their vows. Traditional human vows seemed strange to use in this situation so they made their own.

"I, Luna Roman Alexander Phoenix, take you, Alpha Athena Calliope Knight as my wife.  I promise to be by your side for the rest of my life and probably beyond. I promise to comfort you, to be your rock, your confidant, your soul mate.  I promise to never go to bed angry, to work through the downs and rejoice in the ups.  I promise to be the best husband I can be, till death do us part."

He blinked the tears back while she wasn't as successful.  He slipped the wedding ring on her finger, the engagement diamond now surrounded by the platinum band on either side, swirling together like a hug.  His own ring matched hers, having an engraving of the starburst in the middle.

"I don't think I can top that," Athena took the handkerchief Emma held out and gently patted her tears, making the crowd giggle.  She sniffed and placed her hands in his once more.

"I, Alpha Athena Calliope Knight, take you, Luna Roman Alexander Phoenix as my husband.  I promise to love you, with all my heart and soul for the rest of my life.  I promise to share my life, body, and feelings for eternity.  You are my rock, my calm in the stormy seas and I promise to be the same for you.  You complete me in ways I could never imagine, you are my soul mate and I promise to be the best mate to you.  I love you."

She slowly pushed his ring on his finger, feeling their bond grow even deeper, forging their souls closer than before.  Staring into each other's eyes, they missed the part where they were announced husband and wife.  Clapping broke out along with shouts to kiss, which they were happy to comply with.

Hand in hand, they stepped off the stage and down the aisle to the back of the gathering.  They rushed through the cold to the gym, which also underwent a transformation into a dance hall.  Alpha Derek and Henry jointly paid for a professional photographer, who also used video, as a wedding present.  While the bridal party posed for multiple pictures, the cafeteria was rearranged for seating, the food was brought out along with the tiered cake.

Don, as the eldest wolf, was given the honor of introducing the couple.  "Starlight Moon, a warm welcome to the newlyweds, Alpha Athena Knight-Phoenix and Luna," he was interrupted.

"I proclaim my name is now Alpha Athena Calliope Phoenix.  I take my husband's name only."

"My apologies," he bowed to her and she smiled wide at him.  "Alpha Athena Phoenix and Luna Roman Phoenix!"  The sound erupting was earth shattering, claps, stomps, hoots, hollers and howls raised the roof.

They gorged on beef wellington, bacon and sage stuffed chicken, wild Alaskan salmon, and a variety of gourmet side dishes.  As soon as the bride and groom sat, Emma tapped her wine glass, telling them they had to kiss.  Which was throughly enjoyable until clanking started every two minutes.

When the majority of the pack was finished, Emma herded the couple to the wedding cake.  It was decorated with red and black roses, while the main color was white.

"It's too pretty to eat!"  Athena said but she and Roman sliced into it together.

If you get that on my face or my dress you'll be spending the night alone.  Athena warned Roman when she noticed the glint in his eye.

I wasn't going to do anything...he tried to say but by her expression, he knew she meant it.  He then gently placed a bit of the flavored confection in her mouth.  Same goes for you, wife.

She considered him a moment then smashed a large portion in his face.  She laughed and he shoved another piece in her, smiling and laughing together.  They settled down after Michelle handed napkins to them, a twinkle in her eye.

Once everyone had some dessert, they all headed over to the gym for music and dancing.  Roman held his wife close and moved them around the floor with grace, both of them in heaven.  The 'I love yous' never stopped all night then it was time for the guests to leave.

"I know you'll take care of each other, I'll still worry because that's what mothers do but it'll be easier now."  She hugged both of them, placed her hands on Roman's face and kissed him.  "I couldn't have asked for a better son."  She said then got in the car, leaving him stunned.

"I look forward to seeing you both this summer at the games.  It will be the most interesting one yet."  Alpha Derek shook hands with Roman and Athena.

"I'm glad we were able to be here, I can see how happy you both are.  Congratulations again!"  Alpha Henry also shook their hands before getting in with his mate.

The next morning the newlyweds left for a private villa in St Barths for a week.  They made it back a few days before Emma gave birth to a bouncing baby boy, naming him Roman Ajax Williams.  He was the splitting image of Kyle.

Of course, after he was born the pack turned their eyes on the Alpha.  Or, more importantly, her stomach to figure out if she was expecting.  She hated telling others her private business, but she didn't want anyone to think something was wrong with Roman.  She decided to make a short statement at the end of March that she was on birth control for the foreseeable future.  Disappointed faces greeted her, but there wasn't anything she could do, even if she wanted to start a family with her husband.  They were both content to spend time with each other and the pack.