MOONLIGHT: NEW VERSION

TWENTY-NINE

Two weeks later and with a week to spare, Luca and Rosa were already up and heading towards the dining room and breakfast. Today was going to be busy. The day everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived. It was the Alpha and Luna's wedding ceremony. The ceremony was going to be in the backyard. Elder Gabriel would officiate the tradition that started at five-thirty in the evening. As everyone continued their day, Rosa was the most nervous as she contemplated today's event later in the evening. Luckily, the weather was warmer but cooling down for tonight's celebrations. Luckily for Rosa and Arianna, Gianna, who agreed to stand up with the other women when she returned to the pack and be the Beta female, Emma had found their outfits when Emma had taken them all shopping a week beforehand. They all had entered the specialty wedding boutique store next door, where they had previously purchased dresses for the Luna ceremony. They looked around at the dresses. None appealed to either of them. Rosa saw behind her a mirror in front of her. She gasped at the dress when she saw it and said to Emma, Gianna, and Arianna, "This is the one," Emma looked at where she was pointing and saw the dress, then nodded her head in agreement and replied, "Definitely, it is gorgeous and breathtaking try it on," she said to her. Rosa heads towards the changing rooms as Emma and the others follow her. Rosa arrived at the large fitting room. She was trying on the dress after going inside the fitting room. Emma and the girls stayed outside and waited for her to come out. A few minutes later, when she came out and had the dress on to show Emma, whose eyes widened when she saw the dress on Rosa, Emma then said to her, "Yes, that's the one. The Alpha won't know what hit him when he sees you in that dress!" she exclaimed. Rosa looked into the mirror and loved the long, elegant, soft, off-the-shoulder dress combined with ivory, nude and blush colours, embellished delicate beaded appliques, and a sheer neckline. It was perfect, and it even came with a matching veil. Rosa nodded in agreement with her friends, returned to the changing room to remove the dress, and returned to her regular clothes. Rosa and the girls then went to find their dresses. They finally found dresses with a beautiful lace bodice and embroidered-lace applique over a sheer mesh, forming the off-the-shoulder bodice that flows over the waist and hips—a sweetheart scalloped lace neckline. The design of the dresses is made from a jersey fabric with a long skirt flaring into a classic floor-length mermaid skirt that ends with a lovely train. The girls head toward the cashier to pay for the dresses. After Emma and the others tried on their dresses, they all spent the rest of the day finding shoes and other personal things for Rosa before getting some lunch before they all headed home. When they returned from their three hours of going shopping and putting everything away with Emma's help in her and Luca's room. Rosa's exhausted. She said, "Thank you" to Emma and the girls, thanking her for her support today and saying she would lie down and rest for a few hours before dinner. The girls replied, "No worries, and you're welcome." They left her room so she could rest. Seven days later, everyone went about their regular duties except for Rosa's help to finish any last-minute details for the upcoming ceremony. There was no afternoon training session that day, so all those attending the ceremony had enough time for their duties in the morning and were ready for the ceremony. The kitchen staff were equally busy, if not even more active, preparing the food for the big feast after the ceremony to celebrate the new-married couple. The team in the kitchen could get everything ready by five in the late afternoon. Perfectly cooked and sliced roast lamb and pork kept warm until the ceremony and photos were over. The roast vegetables stayed warm in the ovens, the beans were waiting for them to cook in the boiling water for blanching, and the kitchen staff waited until the last minute for the gravy to prepare before serving. The cake makers would then take the wedding cake into the hall before the reception. The cake itself was round and had four tiers covered in ivory icing. It had pink roses surrounding each level. The sides of the cakes had unique patterns. Someone had put the multiple bottles of pink champagne on ice to chill and the bottles of ice-cold water in the refrigerator. Everyone helped with the decorations that someone had done earlier in the day. It looked spectacular with everyone helping. After assisting the others with any last-minute details, Rosa was in awe of what they had achieved in organising everything for the wedding. The chairs for seating were gold with pink chiffon material in one section for the ceremony. Someone had the aisle covered with scattered pink and ivory-coloured rose petals from where the chairs started and headed towards the pink-draped chiffon and pink and ivory rose-covered pergola. Someone else had decorated the back of the chairs with pink and ivory flower balls hanging off the chairs. The hall transformed from a bare hall into a beautiful, remarkable sight. Someone had the tables decorated with ivory-coloured tablecloths and napkins. There were also tall pink and ivory-coloured pillar candles in gold candelabras on each table. Someone had put small clear vases on the tables filled with pink and ivory roses, while somebody had set the tables with gold cutlery and pink with gold-rimmed bread and butter plates, teacups, and saucers. There were also square pink and gold-rimmed salt and pepper shakers and a matching sugar bowl. The glassware was pink and had gold edging around the rim, too. Someone would light all the candles up before the wedding ceremony was over and before everyone arrived for the reception. Guests would receive personalised pink, gold-rimmed champagne flute glasses with the wedding couple's names and the wedding date engraved. The wedding favours to go with champagne flute glasses are miniature bottles of pink champagne. The florist had delivered the flowers mid-morning and kept them calm in the refrigerator until they needed them, which would be in a little while. Rosa then noticed the time before rushing off. It was time to get ready. She rushed to the guest bedroom and saw that Emma and the others were waiting. Rosa had locked away their dresses and belongings from prying eyes. They quickly entered the room. While Rosa entered the bathroom, she showered, quickly washing her body before getting out and drying and moisturising her body with rose-scented body lotion. Rosa promptly put on her wedding undergarments and then put the robe on to have her makeup and hair done. There was a knock on the door, and Emma and the others entered the room. The girls saw Rosa was ready and waiting for them to dress in their silk robes, which the bride had presented as gifts. Each girl rushed into the bathroom dressed in the extra robes left behind the door and went to have their makeup and hair styled. Rosa thought about Luca and his groomsmen as they were finishing getting ready. They were getting ready in their room with Gabriel. Giovanni would come soon to escort her down the aisle. The girls then toasted Rosa with non-alcoholic champagne before putting on their dresses and placing the miniature pink-coloured roses with gypsophila in the flower crowns on their heads. They picked up their pink and ivory rose bouquets. Rosa put on her rose gold tiara with pink crystals in front of her veil. Emma had curled, pinned some of her long hair, and left the rest down. Emma had done the other girl's hair plus her own. Rosa looked at them in admiration; Rosa had to get dressed quickly. She went to put on her dress and came back out for help with the zip at the back. After putting on the veil, she picked up her matching bouquet. When the girls saw her in her entire wedding ensemble, they said she was the most beautiful bride, and they could not wait to see the look in their Alpha's eyes when he saw his bride. The videographers and photographers they hired belonged to the pack were busy taking photos and recording them from when they were ready to go before Giovanni escorted them down. Thirty minutes later, there was a knock at the door, and Rosa said they could enter. It was Giovanni. He escorted her to Luca, who was waiting for her to arrive at the altar. When he saw her, his eyes widened at how beautiful she was, and he told her so. Rosa blushed at the compliment before taking his left arm with the three girls trailing behind them. As they got to the French doors near the back door, the three girls went first, and in order, it was Rosa's turn before long. With the support of Giovanni, she could walk toward her future husband and their future together. The videographers and photographers took photos and recorded them from when they left the bedroom as they slowly and carefully made their way to the ceremony. Before she walked down the aisle and everyone stood up, Rosa looked towards the altar and saw Luca and the other men grinning next to him. The look on their faces said it all, especially Luca's. It was priceless, including Elder Gabriel's reaction. He was like Rosa's second father and part of her family. Rosa was so happy that he agreed to officiate their ceremony. They reached the end, and Giovanni held her hand to his Alpha after kissing her cheek. And then stood behind them and waited for Gabriel to start the ceremony. He came forward and waved his hands. The congregation then returned to their seats. Elder Gabriel then talked about the couple and how far they have come. He was proud of how they managed the situation and came out top. The Elder then started saying the vows to them both, "Does anyone here who does not support these two people in marriage speak up now or forever be silent?" No one said anything, so he continued, "Who gives this woman to her future husband?" he queried, waiting for a response. Those who were present shouted out enthusiastically, "We do!" Elder Gabriel asked the couple, "Do you, Luca and Rosa, take each other as husband and wife, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, in trust, faithfulness and with honour until the Moon Goddess calls you home?" he asked them both. Luca and Rosa then looked at each other before turning back to the Elder and declaring in unison, "We do," they roared so the pack could hear them. The Elder said, "I declare by the Moon Goddess, I now pronounce you as husband and wife. Alpha, you may now kiss your beautiful bride," he said. Luca did just that with enthusiasm, grinning, making Rosa laugh at his antics. They then walked back down the aisle as the congregation stood up and cheered and clapped for the newly married couple. They walked down the aisle and headed towards the photographer and videographer's people, who waited patiently for them while everyone else was heading towards the hall. An hour later, the photographer and videographers finished taking their wedding photos and recording their videos and left for the reception in the hall. Luca and his wife Rosa spent quality time together before heading there themselves. They arrived at the reception fifteen minutes later. Before they entered, the Elder stood up and picked up his glass of pink non-alcoholic champagne that someone had placed around the tables. Cold iced water in other glasses sitting on the different tables and said to them all, "Please welcome Mr and Mrs Luca Ferrera," as he gently tapped the side of the glass. The congregation joined in, congratulating the couple. Luca and Rosa thanked him and the others for their warm welcome and congratulations, and he thanked everyone who helped make this day possible. Luca also thanked his groomsmen for standing up with him and for their support. He then turned his head towards the girls and thanked them for standing up with his wife on their special day and showing their support. The girls smiled at the acknowledgement from the Alpha. Luca finished his speech by thanking everyone who came and announcing that dinner was ready. As soon as he sat back down, they served straight away the food so that it was still warm and not too hot to eat as someone did everyone else. As dinner continued, members approached and congratulated them, including her old boss, Gianna Gallo. They both thanked them for their kind wishes and words. Before long, it was time to have the first dance as husband and wife. Luca helped Rosa out of her chair and led her towards the dance floor, where they danced to Glenn Miller and His Orchestra's "At Last" song because, as the song suggested, they were back together after all these years apart. They drifted on the dance floor, kissing each other here and there as all the male wolves wolf-whistled when they did. Rosa blushed at the attention while Luca grinned, thinking the same thing. They sat back down when the song finally finished playing. More members came forward and congratulated the pair as they returned to their seats. And they both acknowledged the members who wished them well. Rosa was careful while eating since she had been eating for two now. She was still nauseous with certain foods. Otherwise, Rosa was eating well. Drinking ginger tea and nibbling on crackers kept the morning sickness at bay. Rosa felt a tap on her shoulder. She saw Elder Gabriel holding his hand; it was time for the bride's father to dance, and Gabriel had offered to dance with her since her father was no longer there. Rosa took his hand as he helped her up and out of her seat and then led her back to the dance floor before dancing to Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable" song. Rosa thanked him for the dance because they had dedicated the dance and the music to her parents. Gabriel then returned her to her seat and her husband after thanking her for the dance. Rosa returned the thanks and her appreciation to the Elder as he returned to his chair. As the night progressed, and we took turns dancing with Giovanni, Stefano, and Constantino, it was time to cut the cake. They both head over to the table that holds the beautiful cake. They then take the knife with the pink- and ivory-coloured ribbons tied around the handle and cut into the cake before taking a slice and feeding the piece to each other before Luca kissed her again. The wolf-whistling started up, also embarrassing her all over again. Luca was grinning but concerned for his mate. They then sat back down, and the festivities continued throughout the night. Two hours later, Rosa was trying not to yawn. Luca agreed it was time for them to retire for the night. But she told everyone that they could stay and celebrate. Before they left, they did the garter. They threw her bouquet to the single pack members, as the videographers and photographers were still continually videotaping and taking photos after leaving. Luca then takes her hand, leads her out of the hall, and picks her up in her wedding attire before placing her in an SUV. Their bags were in the back of the car. Luca headed toward the new home they inherited from Rosa's father when they mated. After a thirty-minute drive, they arrived at the house. Luca gets out of the car, goes to her side, and helps her. He then picked her up in marital style again. Rosa hung on his shoulders as he walked up the footpath to the front door. They then stepped over the thresh-hold and entered the living room, where he put her down before returning to the car and retrieving their bags. Rosa went to the bedroom and lit candles, remembering their last time there. Regaining their luggage from the vehicle, Luca entered the room and placed them on the daybed under the window. Luca then heads towards her and puts his arms around her before kissing her thoroughly and removing her dress. Before long, it was in a heap on the floor, leaving Rosa in the undergarments she had purchased for this special occasion. Luca's eyes widened when he saw her and what she was or was not wearing. He licked his lips in anticipation as he stripped off his clothes before picking her up and gently placing her on the bed. They did not stop making love until the early hours of the morning.