ATTICUS
"Finally," Sebastian says from behind me as Patrick helps me into my jacket. I smirk as I fix it, looking at my reflection. I'm wearing a sage grey suit with a white shirt that I've left open without a tie—as she will mark me tonight, and I don't want to make it harder for her to access.
"Good things come to those who wait." I smile to myself, thinking I'm lucky to have Adriana. I haven't seen her all day, and that is partially due to my sister's wanting to keep Adriana from me until tonight.
It's incredible—and also intense—to experience how restless I feel, and how strong the need is to be near her. Yet at the same time, it's terrifyingly beautiful how deeply I desire her.
"Well, you aren't getting any fucking younger, so it's good that you finally found her or I'd have thought you'd stay single for your entire life," Sebastian remarks.
I smirk. "You'd have liked that."
"Oh yeah—no mini Payne in the asses walking around," he says, making me scoff. But I look in the mirror. Children… I didn't even consider it, but as an alpha, yes, we'd need to continue the line at some point.
"All in good time. I plan to enjoy the time with my mate for a while before popping kids like you and Zaia."
Zade now walks in. He's in a black formal shirt and pants, but unlike Sebastian, he's not wearing a tie or jacket. "Alright, how long does it take one man to get ready?" he asks, looking at me.
I glance at him. I may never be able to thank him fully, but he protected Adriana when I couldn't. If he hadn't arrived back then, it could have been worse—I'm fully aware of that.
He cocks a brow when he sees me simply watching silently. But before either of us can speak, Sebastian's phone rings.
"I'll see you outside," he says, giving us both a nod and leaving the room.
"Leave us, please," I say to Patrick.
He lowers his head before turning and leaving, closing the door behind him.
"Thank you," I say.
He simply stares at me blankly before looking away for a second, then nods. "So she told you."
I nod. "Yes."
"She hides a lot, so it's good she shared. I'd assume you already knew she was hiding something?"
I slip my hands into my pockets. "Yeah, I did." And Adriana protected Zade by keeping the truth from him, knowing if he did something to protect her, he would suffer. "I hope you know that she cares for you dearly," I add.
He smirks. "I know. Not jealous are you?" he mocks.
I narrow my eyes. "No."
"Good, because she is one of mine, and I will always protect her no matter what," he says—his way of saying he cares too.
I smile. "Well, she's now mine, but I won't say don't, because the more people that are there for her, the better. Just as I'll be there for Valerie," I say as our eyes meet.
He nods. "I'm glad she told you before tonight. So shall we go? We shouldn't really keep her waiting. I need to get to my woman."
"As do I, but I also want to thank you for something else. There's something Adriana said about you refusing to hurt a woman—and that is how you lost sight in your eye."
He clenches his jaw as he looks away.
"She said it in passing," I add, wanting to make that clear she didn't betray his trust—yet at the same time, I can't tell him why she mentioned it. "Was that woman Valerie?"
He looks at me, our eyes meeting—but refuses to answer.
So it was.
"Doesn't matter."
"Does she know?"
"No, and I don't plan to tell her. She doesn't need to know."
I nod. I respect that. She would just feel guilty. But I have to admit—Zade and Adriana are similar in many ways.
"I understand, but thank you."
He doesn't reply, and we both step out of the room together where Linette, Andrew, and Patrick usher me to the main hall, which is decorated lavishly. I can proudly say they took it up a notch—fit for our Luna.
Soft music plays, and the guests are in a mix of purples, blacks, and dark pinks. The waiters wear dark green uniforms that match the leaves perfectly, paired with dark purple shirts.
I'm curious to see what my Luna is wearing. No doubt she will look beautiful. I stand at the bottom of the steps, glancing at my watch, wondering how long before I'll get to see her when the lights dim—and a few dim lights focus on the double doors at the top of the stairs.
My heart races as the door opens to reveal Adriana—looking out of this world.
My breath catches in my throat as I simply stare at the beauty that stands there, smiling faintly. The warm glow of the lights glitters off her skin and jewels on her dress.
The announcer says something, but I can't focus. The only sounds filling my ears are her racing heart, her shaky breath, and the sound of her heels as she slowly ascends.
She's wearing a satin dress in the palest shade of ivory—the bodice is covered in silver embroidery with scattered pearls. It has a slit from the thigh down, showing off her long, sculpted leg. There's a long satin skirt with a trailing overlay that flows behind her like liquid moonlight. She wears a pearl bracelet on one wrist and a single ring on her right hand.