They made love over and over until the sun finally came up painting the sky in buttery vanillas and neon oranges. They were exhausted and hurt all over but they couldn't stop smiling.
Kade was sitting on the steps of the pack house when Daniel and Eva approached after shifting back and pulling on some clothes an omega had been kind enough to grab for them. At first Daniel thought he was hallucinating again when he saw the familiar shock of dark hair and steel grey eyes before realising that his best friend was very much alive.
"How?" Daniel asked incredulously.
"Dagmar." Kade shrugged with a crooked smile.
Bethan revealed everything about Ethan and herself from their heritage to Ethan's cruelty and lust for power. It quickly became clear that Ethan had been the mastermind behind everything and that Bethan had just been another victim of her brother's wickedness. The rogues following him were either killed or detained by the warriors when they came to find Eva and Daniel. Those who survived were questioned before being put on trial by the council of Alphas. The bodies of the Emerald pack victims were never recovered. The rogues who had taken the bodies had been killed and the van that they had used was stolen so they weren't able to track it.
Eva couldn't help but take pity on Bethan. The girl had been through so much by the hands of her own family. She thought she'd meet resistance when she suggested to Daniel they let Bethan join the pack but surprisingly Daniel was receptive to the idea and agreed.
Now with the mating bond complete, Eva was officially Luna but they agreed to hold off on any form of ceremony until things had settled down. There still so many fresh wounds and so much to process. That didn't stop Daniel and Eva taking a much needed vacation though. Once the investigation into what had happened was complete, the couple headed down to Cornwall, stopping a few times along the way to check out the sights, meet with some other packs and to make love.
The cottage they found was perfect and for five blissful days they got to watch the sea crash over creamy sand-filled beaches and eat local seafood. By the end they were nut brown and sore again from making love on every surface they could in the cottage and a few places outside.
"Do we have to go back?" Eva sighed as they lay in bed one late afternoon, golden light pouring in through sheer curtains that billowed in the sea breeze. "I haven't learnt to surf yet."
"We left Kade in charge." Daniel pointed out, his fingers brushing over his mate's naked hip.
"He'll be fine." Eva smiled. "We could just stay here and farm seagrass."
"Seagrass?" Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"Mhm." Eva smiled lazily. "Samphire is really popular right now."
"How about when we retire?"
A lazy breeze danced through the trees and grass carrying the scent of summer with it. The weather was holding up and as the late afternoon rolled in, the azure blue skies cleared of any clouds leaving the buttery light of the sun to filter through the patch work of leaves.
Somewhere in the meadow of long grass and wildflowers, children pranced and giggled. The boys all wore button down shirts and dress trousers while girls wore dresses of varying shades and crowns of flowers. Their bare feet bounced over the dry earth as they played, enjoying themselves while the adults mingled with a buzz of excitement in the air.
After weeks of investigations and sorting out the devastation left in Ethan's wake, Eva and Daniel agreed to a formal union ceremony. They were happy toforgo it but they knew the packs needed this and so agreed to celebrate their love with a ceremony and of course, a party. The omegas had certainly outdone themselves, turning the meadow into a summery wonder with flowers and fairy lights. There were tables, a band, a dance floor and of course, drinks.
"Okay done." Maria breathed, her handscoming to rest on her small baby bump as she watched Eva. "Do you like it?"
Eva's auburn hair cascaded over her naked shoulders in loose curls. In the later afternoon sun the silky tresses lit up in shades of toffee, molasses and subtle reds. On her head was a crown of chrysanthemums, corn flowers and baby's breath in soft shades of blues and white.
"I love it." Eva smiled, standing from the vanity to hug her friend. "Thank you."
A soft knock on the door interrupted the moment, both women turning as the door opened and Nora stepped in, her tears welling into his eyes when she saw her daughter standing in her union dress. It was perfect for a scorching summer's day. Creamy patterned lace and cotton made up the flowing skirt before nipping into a laser-cut empire waistline with plunging v-neck and back and delicate spaghetti straps. Eva looked like a goddess with her golden skin and thick hair. The very image of a strong and powerful Luna.
"Oh you look gorgeous." Nora gasped. "Wait until your father sees you."
"We should get going." Maria spoke up."It's almost time."
The packhouse was deserted now that everyone was outside enjoying the sun. It had truly turned out perfectly for the summer solstice and Eva smiled as the warm sunlight touched her, warming her shoulders and arms.
The moment she stepped into the meadow, the hum of chatter settled to nothing under the melody played by the band. Ahead, at the front of the rows of seats and curious eyes on both packs, stood her mate, his ocean blue eyes closing a circuit with her mossy green hazel eyes. The moment their eyes connected, Eva felt the warmth of love spread from her chest out into her body. The young Alpha stood tall, his broad shoulders and chest covered in a white button down shirt with the top two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off the intricate patterns of his inked skin. Beside him stood Kade in a similar white shirt and grey suit trousers attire, a pleased smirk playing on his lips as he watched his two friends finally tying the knot.
When Eva was finally in front of them, Kade pressed afriendly kiss to her cheek.
"You look beautiful, Luna." He smiled before stepping away, leavingEva to blush from the compliment.
Eva's heart swelled when Daniel came to stand in front of her, his blue eyes remaining transfixed with hers as his tattooed hands took her unblemished ones, both of them smiling. Behind them the packs watched on as Axl stepped up as officiator, his orange hair and beard trimmed and as bright as flames under the summer sun.
"My friends," Axl started. "I have been given the honour of overseeing this union between our Alpha and Luna. Some of you will have had the joy of watching Daniel Wolfe grow into a fearless leader who would sacrifice anything for his pack and is a perfect example of what a leader should be.
That earned a round of soft laughter from everyone.
"So it is my pleasure to read the rites of these two star-crossed mates and bear witness to this wonderful union of souls." Axl smiled fondly at his daughter, Eva returning the smile as Axl began the ceremony.
The celebrations went on well into the night. The midsummer night air remained comfortably warmed as the packs danced, ate and drank. Children frolicked between the thousands of fairy lights hanging between the trees and the canopy of the stage where the bands played happily. Daniel and Eva had been practically inseparable, craving each other's touch and company, both basking in the glow of their union and the love that surrounded them.
Their pack was safe and it was because of them.
"Guys," Kade came over now dressed in jeans and his biker jacket that had been cleaned and returned to him onceit was discovered he was alive. "I'm going to head out."
"Now?" Daniel asked in surprise, standing and helping Eva up from the picnic blanket they were sprawled out on.
"Stay safe, brother." Daniel muttered as he drew Kade into a brotherly hug."And call if you need any assistance."
They were silent as they watched Kade disappear into the darkness before Daniel turned to his mate, sliding his arms around her waist as he stared down at her adoringly. "We don't need to have kids right now." He assured her.
"I like where your mind is at." Daniel chuckled,lifting one hand to gently cup Eva's cheek as he pressed a slow kiss to her lips. "I love you."
She smiled, looking up into those stormy blue eyes. Less than a year ago Eva had been reeling from the loss of her partner and unborn baby, unable to let anyone else in. But Daniel had come crashing into her life and turned it upside down, proving to her that she could reconnect with someone and that taking the risk of potentially getting her heart broken again had been worth it. She knew now that this was her destiny and she couldn't imagine life any other way.
"I love you too." She replied softly."And I always will."
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A/N thanks so much for reading this far. There is one last chapter to come and then that is this story done! feel free to follow me on insta @zaydawattswrites for updates on chapter, a sneak peak and what I'm working on next and also I'll posting about the stories I'm binge reading!