_______________________

ONE YEAR LATER

_______________________

"Are you ready, sweetie?" my mother asks with a watery-eyed smile as she gives me a final once over, fidgeting with a stand of my hair draped over the front of my shoulder whilst trying not to disturb the transmitter of my cochlear implant. The implant was one of the newest additions in my life and although we still had some teething issues with it, it was already making a world of difference.

My stutter has already significantly reduced - especially with the help of my speech lessons - which in turn is making both my schooling and therapy sessions easier to handle as I am able to communicate more effectively. 

Grayson had been hesitant of the idea when Teresa had first presented it to us due to the fact that I would have to have minor surgery, but after much consideration, he had come around to the idea and I had gotten them about a month ago.

I watch as my mother continues to fuss over me, her slender frame beautifully styled in a cornflower blue chiffon tea-length dress, her dark hair twisted into an elegant updo, pride beaming from her rosy cheeks.

"I th-think so," I reply with a grin, clutching the bouquet of brightly coloured flowers tightly in my hands to stop them from shaking. Today is the day. In a matter of moments, I'm going to be Grayson's wife and I couldn't be more nervous and excited. I am already his mate and the Luna of his pack, but this means just as much to me.

"You look stunning, Acacia," Rose says with a grin as she holds my mother's phone up so that Claire can see me whilst Bella, Ruby, and Hayden stand by her side, the likeness between Rose and Bella very evident. 

The twins are carbon copies of each other with their dirty blonde hair and crystal blue eyes, the same eyes they share with their mother, although her hair is darker than theirs. Grayson, however, has taken more after their father with his dark hair and grey eyes. Their whole family are truly stunning creatures.

Ruby and Hayden - Levi and Bentley's mates, whom I had gotten to know quite well over the past year - are also truly stunning women. Ruby with brown hair and green eyes like me, although her hair and eyes are a few shades lighter than mine, and Hayden, with her brilliant ginger hair and blue eyes.

Rose had chosen to wear a scoop-necked knee-length chiffon dress in a shade of navy blue that complimented my mother's dress whilst Bella stood like a goddess in her cinnamon-rose-coloured bridesmaids' dress, Ruby in a blush pink dress and Hayden in basil green dress. All of the women matching the colours of my bouquet, with the small sprig of baby's breath in their updos.

I smile at Claire through the screen and my heart aches a little. God, I miss her.

Sadly, Claire couldn't make it in person due to her schedule with the Council. She had tried her hardest to get out of it and I had been upset at first, but knowing that Claire is happy and living her dream just as I am finally living mine is more important. Plus, technology these days is so advanced that she could still be with us, even if it wasn't in person.

"You really do! I'm so sorry I couldn't be there," Claire says, her bright smile faulting as a wave of guilt washes over her face.

"It's okay Claire, I pr-promise," I start, turning my attention to the phone. "You are doing r-r-really important w-work, and th-th-this is just one day, it's not th-the end of th-the w-world."

"Plus," Bella, chimes in with a grin. "We are having the whole wedding filmed so you two can always watch it together at a later date when you have time off, Claire. Hell, we can turn it into a whole watch party with all us girls if you really want to."

"Oh, I love that idea... Let's do that!" Claire chirps, her smile brightening again.

I giggle at her response before casting my gaze back to the floor-length mirror in front of me, almost not recognising the reflection staring back at me. 

Over the past year, I have come leaps and bounds with my health, surprising everyone including myself at how well I have recovered. I am no longer the underweight, shy, helpless woman that I was when I first escaped Zane's evil grasp. 

My body has considerably filled out and my still slender features are now full and bright. All of my wounds had healed perfectly, leaving only a few faint scars here and there. Currently, the only thing decorating my body was Grayson's mark which he enjoys keeping obnoxiously dark, much to my mild embarrassment.

Wedding dress shopping had been one of the best and most frustrating days of my life because all of the dresses I had tried on had been so beautiful. However, in the end, I had fallen in love with a beautiful ivory dress that has an elaborate beaded lace bodice that flows seamlessly into an a-line skirt with a thigh-high split and pockets. 

The beading sparkles in the sunlight that is pouring through the window behind the mirror as I inspect the marvel that is my dress one last time. I truly look like a princess, with my hair pulled up into a wavy half-up half-down twist with flowers adorning it and my veil flowing out of it in a giant river of tulle. I just hope that Grayson loves it as much as I do.

I'm brought back to reality as my father walks into the room, looking very put together in a beige suit jacket and pants, a cornflower blue dress shirt to match my mother's dress, and a dark navy bowtie.

"It's time... Are you ready?" he asks, with a nervous smile. 

I look around the room at everyone, the butterflies in my stomach suddenly going at a million miles per hour.

"Yeah, I'm r-r-ready" I smile as I take my mother's hand and walk over to meet my father. Rose and Bella quickly file out of the room as my father gently takes my bouquet so that I can loop my arm through his.

We carefully make our way down the stairs in an effort for me to not stand on my dress before walking outside as the string quartet begins to slow their piece and people stand for our entrance.

Suddenly, everyone's eyes are on me but the only person I can see is Grayson. He stares back at me with a mixture of emotion painting his face. Everything feels like a dream - I truly can't believe he is mine.

He is wearing the most incredible black suit with a blue tie and he honestly looks like some kind of god. If it weren't for the hundreds of people around us, I could have just stopped and stared at him for hours.

Beckett, Levi and Bently are standing next to him whilst Bella, Ruby and Hayden stand opposite them, waiting for me and Grayson's father William stands at the alter. William had offered to officiate the wedding because usually it was the job of the Alpha, but Grayson can't officiate his own wedding and I had wanted my father to be able to watch, so William was the perfect person for the job.

Everything snaps back into reality as we make it to the end of the aisle, my father shaking Grayson's hand and my mother kissing his cheek before they both hand me over to him.

"Hi Princess," he says huskily, a smile creeping onto his face as he takes my hands in his and gives them a gentle squeeze. 

"H-hi," I stutter back with a nervous grin, my heart running at a million miles per hour. 

"You are absolutely breathtaking... I love you so much."

"Th-thank you, Gr-grayson. I love you too."

Next to us, William gently clears his throat, watching us with an amused expression. Heat rises to my cheeks as I realise he would've heard everything we were just saying.

"Are you two lovebirds ready? Or would you like another minute?" he asks quietly, looking between us and then out to the hundreds of pack members watching us.

"No, we're good," Grayson starts with a grin, not taking his eyes off me. "The sooner we get through the formality of it all, the sooner I get to spend the rest of my life with my beautiful wife."

I stare back at him with a smile as tears spring to my eyes, my heart bursting with happiness. Never did I imagine my life could be as wonderful as this and yet here I am, standing before the love of my life with all the time in the world.

After everything I've been through, all the pain and suffering, I deserve my happy ever after and now I'm finally getting to live it.

_________________________________

Hey Guys,

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go to the next author's note to find out everything you need to know for the future.

Thanks,

Allamy xx