"Say you love me every waking moment. Turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you need me with you now and always. Promise me that all you say is true. That's all I ask of you."
~Phantom of the Opera, 'All I Ask of You'

~~~

*Ryland's POV*

"Are you sure this is going to zip up?" Ronnie grunts as she fights with the zipper on the back of Lyn's pristine white dress.

"Yes!" Lyn exclaims in offense. "I tried it on just last week!"

"A week makes a big difference for a pregnant wolf," Ronnie points out, eyeing the swell of Lyn's stomach. "Especially when you're ready to pop at any moment."

The Luna rolls her eyes at that. "Oh, please. I still have another week or two. The pups aren't coming out today."

"Careful, you might jinx yourself," I grin, gripping Lyn's arms to keep her steady as Ronnie battles with the zipper.

"Got it!" Ronnie cheers, and Lyn sighs in relief. "Just don't eat any cake. I don't think this dress while survive if your belly grows any more."

"Ha-ha," Lyn responds sarcastically. "Ry, can you help me with my veil?"

I nod my head, grabbing the sheer fabric attached to a delicate tiara. "I can't believe my best friend is getting married today!" I squeal. "This is so much more exciting than when you became Luna."

Lyn laughs. "Agreed. Although, you did meet Landon that night."

"That's true," I agree with a nod, placing the tiara on her head and letting the veil cascade over her soft brown curls. "There! You look beautiful."

The bride beams, turning to look at herself in the mirror. Her hair is pulled halfway back as the curls fall delicately down her back. Her dress is sleeveless, decorated with a thin satin sash wrapped around her middle, between her chest and her prominent stomach.

From what Lyn has told me about pregnancy, I'm so glad I'm a guy. While humans are pregnant for nine to ten months, wolves are only pregnant for three months. That's a lot of growing and stretching that has to take place in a short time frame, especially when wolves are prone to carrying multiple pups at one time.

Ronnie kneels on the ground, helping Lyn slip her shoes on. A pair of soft white ballet flats, which will hopefully be more comfortable for her swollen feet. As Lyn's maid-of-honor, Ronnie is wearing a lavender floor-length dress. The dress is sleeveless as well, proudly showing off the mark Ronnie carries on her shoulder.

"If you need anything, you let me know right away," Ronnie tells her sternly. "If you need to sit, then sit. Don't push yourself, not when you're so close to your due date."

"And ignore what Ronnie said earlier," I chime in. "If you want cake, eat some fucking cake. It's your wedding, you should have some fun too."

"Guys," Lyn giggles. "Everything's going to be fine. But thank you. I'm glad I have friends like you two with me today."

Smiling, I lightly peck her cheek. "I'm going to find Landon. Try not to trip while walking down the aisle."

The girls swat me away, making me laugh as I leave the room and head down to the fourth floor of the pack house, where the wedding ceremony will be held in the ballroom. A large wooden arch in set up at the front, with white tulle winding around it. There are white roses lining the aisle, and twinkling fairy lights hanging from the ceiling. I spot Landon standing with his family, looking stunning in his blue suit. From across the room, I can see the way the coloring of his suit makes his oceanic eyes pop, completely enrapturing me. He senses me staring at him, turning his head in my direction and flashing a brilliant smile. I grin widely, heading over to join him.

"Hey, honeybee," Landon greets me with a soft kiss. "You left this morning before I woke up. I missed you."

"I missed you too," I say, feeling a bit shy in front of his family. Isabel and Victor smile warmly at me as Landon continues to fawn over me.

"You look very handsome," he compliments as his eyes rake over my fitted red suit.

"As do you," I smile, watching his cheeks heat up.

"Ryland, it's so good to see you," Isabel says, wrapping her arms around me in a motherly hug. "You two need to come around more often. I think I see more of your brother than I do of you."

I chuckle. "You can always tell Kai to go home if you get tired of him. Xander's welcome to hang out with him at our house."

She waves me off. "Nonsense. It's a pleasure whenever he drops by."

We continue chatting until the lights flicker, signaling that it's time to take our seats. Landon and I sit in the front row, right beside Lyn's mother. Leon is first to walk out, looking dashing in his black tux. His dark red hair is swept back neatly, and he looks happier than I've seen him thus far. His father stands at his side as his best man, absolutely beaming with pride.

The music begins, and Ronnie walks down the aisle, holding a bouquet of white roses. She throws a wink at Lia, who blushes from where she sits in the row behind us. When the bridal music begins, everyone rises respectfully and watches as Lyn makes her appearance.

Even though I saw her earlier, I can't help but tear up over how gorgeous she looks. Her father, Antonio, escorts her down the aisle with watery eyes. When they reach the end of the aisle, Antonio kisses his daughter on the cheek before placing her hand in Leon's.

***

Music shimmers in the air as couples dance across the ballroom. The reception swiftly followed the ceremony, which I bawled through the entire time. Lyn and Leon are in the middle of the dance floor, slowing swaying to the music as Lyn rests her head against her husband's chest.

"Care to dance?" Landon asks, holding his hand out to me.

"With you? Anytime," I respond with a grin, taking his outstretched hand. On the dance floor, I loop my arms around Landon's neck as he placing his hands on my lower back. We sway together, getting lost in one another's embrace.

Humming, I rest my head against his shoulder. "Say you love me."

"I love you, honeybee," Landon whispers, brushing his lips against my forehead.

I smile. "Say it again."

"I love you, baby. So damn much."

"I love you too," I murmur, lifting my head to connect our lips. Landon moans softly, tightening his hold on my waist. I smell his growing arousal, and I also feel it pressing against my hip. "Behave yourself."

"Then don't be a tease," he growls, moving his hand down to grab my ass. I gasp and smack his chest, making him laugh.

"Holy shit!" Leon shouts, causing everyone to look in his direction. Lyn is standing there with a shocked expression as water pools at her feet.

"Damn it, Lyn, I knew this would happen," Ronnie sighs, overly calm. "Alright, everyone! Reception's over! The bride is in labor, so go home."

"Labor!" Landon and I shriek in unison. Ronnie gives us a droll stare.

"Her water just broke," she says flatly. "Leon, do you guys have a wheelchair?"

The Alpha stammers, unable to tear his eyes away from the puddle of fluid on the ground. Ronnie sighs again, looking towards Silas and Celeste.

"Hello? You guys don't expect her to walk to the doctor, do you?"

"N-No!" Celeste speaks up, clearly buzzing with excitement. "We should have one somewhere..."

Lyn cries out, clutching her stomach. That snaps Leon out of whatever trance he was in as his wife suffers through a contraction.

"Screw a wheelchair," he growls, scooping Lyn up in his arms. "Let's go!"

Leon carries Lyn towards the stairs, followed by their families. Ronnie waves for me to come along, and I grab Landon's wrist to drag him with me. I am not missing the birth of my best friend's pups.

Our group races to the pack doctor; Silas having already mind linked her so that she could prepare the room for a birth. Everything happens so quickly; the movements blurry as everyone frantically tries to help Lyn.

Ronnie and her mom quickly help Lyn out of her wedding dress and into a gown. Once she's situated on the bed, the doctor shoos all of us — except for Leon — out of the room. Our group migrates to the waiting room as Lyn is examined.

"Shit, man," I pant, wiping a bit of sweat from my forehead. "That was fast."

"I had a feeling she was gonna pop soon," Ronnie snickers, plopping down in one of the waiting room chairs.

"How long does labor usually last?" Landon asks the other mothers in the room.

"Every woman experiences labor differently," Lyn's mother, Lucia, answers. "Sometimes it can last over a day. For me, once my water broke, Roselyn was born within a few hours."

"I labored with Easton for twenty-three hours," Celeste tells us, and our jaws drop. "Leon was easier, since he was my second pup. I think I only labored for eighteen hours with him."

"Eighteen hours?" Landon squeaks. "Damn, I feel bad for my mom now. Maybe I should buy her some flowers after this."

***

Five hours later, the doctor arrives in the waiting room to tell us that the birth was successful.

"Two healthy boys," the doctor announces. "The mother is recovering nicely, and is okay for visitors. Please talk quietly, since the pups are sleeping and Luna Roselyn needs her rest."

We follow her to the recovery room where Lyn is propped up on her bed, cradling a small pup wrapped in a blue blanket. Leon stands beside her, holding another pup in his arms. I coo, trying to get a peek at their adorable faces.

"Roselyn, they're beautiful," Lucia praises quietly. "Do you have names picked out?"

Lyn nods. "The pup that Leon's holding is Casimir Antonio Butler."

Antonio grins, heartfelt tears streaming down his face.

"And this little guy," Lyn says, looking down at the pup in her arms, "is Cassius Easton Butler."

Celeste gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. Landon purses his lips, and I can tell he's trying his best not to cry.

"Thank you," Silas whispers, staring in awe at the pup. The infants are handed to their grandparents, who weep tears of joy and coo over their grandchildren. Lyn sighs, laying back against her pillow.

"How do you feel?" I ask her.

"Exhausted," she murmurs, closing her eyes.

Leon presses his lips to her forehead. "You were incredible, baby. So strong. I'm so proud of you."

Lyn smiles faintly as her husband pulls the blanket up around her shoulders, allowing her to comfortably fall asleep.

"Congratulations," I whisper to Leon, and he turns to me with a smile.

"Thank you. I'm glad you both were here. Ryland, I'm sure Lyn really needed you today, and Landon... I'm happy you're here. Easton would've loved his nephews."

Landon releases a shaky breath. "Yes, he would've. He also would've taught them swear words, or showed them the best places to hide cigarettes."

Leon chuckles breathily. "He would've been the irresponsible yet fun uncle. I'm glad the boys will have you though. You can be the uncle they run to whenever they're in trouble."

"I'm... their uncle?" Landon echoes, his voice wobbling.

"Of course. You're still my brother," Leon grins shyly, and Landon abruptly pulls him in for a tight hug. Our bond hums as Landon is filled with an overwhelming  amount of happiness. He pulls away from the new dad, and I wrap my arms around his waist.

"You should get some sleep," I tell Leon. "We'll all watch over the pups for a while."

He nods, settling down on the small guest cot. Landon and I walk over to where everyone is gathered around the pups. The boys squirm around, yawning and stretching. I hold my finger out, smiling when Cassius latches onto me.

"I want one," I whine, looking up at Landon with puppy dog eyes.

He chuckles nervously. "Uhhh... we can talk about that later."

Everyone laughs, turning their attention back to the little bundles of joy that have already won our hearts.

~~~

Sooooooo sweeeeeeeeetttt 🥺🥺🥺

Landon and Leon are making so much progress and it makes me SO HAPPYYYYYY

Thoughts?!?!?

Q: Would you rather have a son or a daughter?
[I have a daughter so I would love to adopt a baby boy one day]

See you next time for the final chapter!
-Gumbie