The Deadline

~Chapter 22~

5 years later

She stares at the mirror for another minute. Making sure everything about her is perfect. Her hair up in a messy bun styled gracefully with the most gorgeous headpiece. Her makeup kept on minimum, just enough to cover any imperfections but not too much, her natural beauty is enough. Her long white dress flows perfectly on her body, just barely tracing her curves.

She smiles and puts on her shoes. It's time to go. Everyone must be waiting for her. And the last thing she wants is to keep them waiting. She steps out of the house and sees Caleb waiting for her in front of the car, eyes on the phone. But when he catches that distinctive rosy smell of hers, his eyes immediately spot her and a smile is spread across his face. The same reaction every time, she thinks to herself and smiles even more.

She walks up to him and he hugs her carefully, leaving a soft kiss on her lips. He opens the passenger door for her and she climbs in, making sure to tuck her dress with her.

"Why are you always taking so long to get ready, mom?" Colton asks from the back seat. Caleb gets in the car and starts the engine, he looks at his son from the rearview mirror and smiles.

"Women do that kiddo, you'll get used to it when you grow up," he says and starts driving.

Colton leans forward between his parents' seats and taps his mother's shoulder.

"When I grow up I want my mate to be as beautiful as you, mom. And I don't care how long it takes for her to get ready" he says smiling and Emma leans down to leave a kiss on his cheek.

"Your mate will be the most beautiful of all, honey, I'm sure about that" she smiles and Colton sits back, thinking of his mate.

He is just four years old but sometimes he proves to be the smartest person in the room. He's just like his grandpa, according to Caleb, but has the wittiness of his mother and the perseverance of his father. Full of joy and happiness and purity. And now that his little sister is on the way, he is as protective of his mother as his dad.

Emma rubs her big belly smiling at the thought of Colton playing with his little sister at the back yard. She is sure that even if something happens to her and Caleb, Lydia will always have her big brother to take care of her.

Caleb slows the car down, bringing it to a stop in front of the big mansion,that is now the new pack house, and the Alpha family steps out of the car. Colton walks first towards the building and immediately finds his aunt Faye who was waiting for them with his older cousin Alexa. He and his cousin walk inside together while Faye informs Emma and Caleb about who is here and who is yet to show up.

"Kyle is on his way, he had a problem with the car but he'll be here any minute now. Everyone else is inside" says Faye and Caleb nods.

"I'm here!" shouts Kyle climbing the stairs. "Sorry, that thing wouldn't start, I'm taking it for service tomorrow morning!" he says and they all walk towards the big doors.

"Okay, now that the Beta is here let's go inside. Faye, Kyle you go first and then me and the birthday girl will make an entrance" says Caleb winking at his wife.

"Okay. See you inside" Faye and Kyle walk inside and Caleb pulls Emma closer.

"Happy birthday again, baby" he says leaving a tender kiss on her lips.

"I still don't get it why you had to throw such a big party for my birthday, but thank you" she smiles and kisses him again.

"Because I can" he winks and guides them inside.

Everyone is clapping and cheering when the Alpha couple appears and Emma immediately gets bombarded with wishes and happy birthdays by every pack member she walks by. She smiles and thanks everyone until they reach the center of the big hall and turn to face the crowd.

"Thank you, Nightshade pack, for coming here tonight and for all the love that you give me on this special day. Please know that I am deeply touched and honored to have your affection and your trust" she announces and everyone cheers.

"We've been through a lot as a pack, but being here today means we are strong enough to get through anything that falls on our plate! Tonight not only do we celebrate the birthday of my beloved wife, Luna Emma, but we also celebrate the enlargement of our pack and the insertion of the former Moonshine pack. We are overjoyed to welcome you all to our big family. Enough said, though. Let's have some fun!" announces Caleb and the crowd cheers. Music starts playing and everyone starts dancing and having fun, as the Alpha suggested.

The new pack members had already found their place among their new pack and everything went smoothly. This night was just to make their arrival official, and of course, to celebrate Emma's birthday.

Emma searched the room for her son and niece, and found them dancing with the new pups from the Moonshine pack. She smiled and thought what a great Alpha Colton was going to become. Kids his age would be afraid of something new and probably avoid any contact with it. But he gave the good example for the rest of the Nightshade pack pups who all joined in with their little Alpha and made the newest members feel welcome.

And to think this all was possible just because someone changed her mind 5 years ago when she was ready to jump off that bridge. Had she done it she wouldn't have Colton now. Or this amazing big family that loved her despite her flaws.

She turned her gaze to that someone who changed her life. Butterflies filled her and a sense of joy overwhelmed her. The same reaction every time, she thought to herself and smiled at the irony.

Caleb changed her life, saving her from doing the worst mistake she could ever do.

As if he sensed her eyes on him, Caleb turned to face his love, and smiled when he saw the adoration on her face.

"Thank you" she whispered, just for him to hear.

"I just threw a big party, it's no big deal"

"Not just for the party. For everything. For all these years. This," she pointed to everyone around her "this is what you gave me, and it's the best birthday gift I could have ever asked for" she smiles and leaves a kiss on his lips.

"The pleasure is all mine" he answers and she laughs at his comment.

So they went on dancing and laughing and kissing, and living a life full of love and friends and family.

For what is life without all these, anyway?

The end

Thank you all for supporting this story, for your votes and comments. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Live, laugh, love!

Kisses
-Antigoni😘💋❤️