The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 195

Athena

I stared at the ceiling of Sarah and Orion's guest room, watching the early morning light creep across the white paint. My hand rested on my belly, feeling the gentle movements of our babies—who apparently had decided that 5 AM was a great time to practice gymnastics.

"Your daddy isn't here," I whispered to my stomach. "And I miss him already."

It had been less than twelve hours since I'd last seen Tristan, but it felt like an eternity. After the mating ceremony—which had been absolutely perfect and magical and had left both of us in tears—tradition dictated that we spend the night before our human wedding apart.

I'd protested, of course.

"But we're already mated," I'd argued as Orion had literally escorted me out of our house last night. "Our souls are bound for eternity. What's the point of not seeing each other for one night?"

"Tradition," Orion had said firmly, though I could see he was trying not to smile. "And anticipation. Trust me, seeing each other at the altar will be even more special."

"I hate tradition," I'd muttered, but I'd gone with him anyway, back to the room I'd stayed in before Tristan and I had moved into our house.

Now, lying here alone in the pre-dawn darkness, I had to admit Orion might have had a point. I missed Tristan with an intensity that was almost physical, which meant that seeing him waiting for me at the altar was going to be overwhelming in the best possible way.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I grabbed it eagerly.

Tristan: Can't sleep. Missing you. This tradition is terrible.

I smiled, typing back quickly.

Me: I know. Baby is awake too. I think they miss you.

Tristan: Tell our baby I miss them too. And their beautiful mother. Just a few more hours.

Me: Longest hours of my life.

Tristan: Worth it though. When I see you walking down that aisle...

Me: Don't make me cry before I even put on makeup.

Tristan: Can't help it. I love you so much it's making me poetic at 5 AM.

Me: I love you too. Now try to sleep. We have a long day ahead.

Tristan: Yes, Mrs. Hayes.

I set my phone down with a smile, that name still sending a thrill through me. I was already Mrs. Hayes legally. But today was about celebrating with everyone we loved, about standing in front of our family and friends and declaring our commitment in a way they could all understand and witness.

The mating ceremony had been for the wolves, sacred and powerful and binding in ways humans could never fully comprehend. Today was for everyone else, for Kiara, for our human friends, for the pack members who wanted to celebrate.

I must have dozed off eventually because the next thing I knew, Sarah was shaking my shoulder gently.

"Wake up, bride," she said softly. "Big day today."

I opened my eyes to find her smiling down at me, already dressed in a robe, her hair in curlers.

"What time is it?" I asked groggily.

"Eight," she said. "The hair and makeup people will be here in an hour. Leah and Kiara are already downstairs having breakfast. You need to eat something."

"I'm too nervous to eat," I protested, but my stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "The babies disagrees. Come on, up."

She was right, of course. I was eating for three now, and nerves or not, our babies needed fuel. I dragged myself out of bed and downstairs, where Leah and Kiara were indeed sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by bagels, fruit, and what looked like every breakfast pastry known to mankind.

"There's the bride!" Leah exclaimed, jumping up to hug me. "How are you feeling? Did you sleep? Have you talked to Tristan? Is he freaking out?"

"Leah, let her breathe," Kiara said, laughing. "She just woke up."

"I'm fine," I assured them, sitting down and immediately reaching for a bagel. "Couldn't really sleep. Yes, I texted Tristan this morning. And yes, he's freaking out a little, but in a good way."

"Derek said he and Orion stayed up half the night with him," Leah said, spreading cream cheese on her own bagel. "Apparently he kept pacing and checking his phone and asking if it was time yet."

I smiled at that mental image. "Sounds about right."

The next few hours passed in a whirlwind of activity. The hair and makeup team arrived exactly on time—Monica had recommended them, and they were absolute professionals. They set up in Sarah's master bedroom, transforming it into a temporary salon.

I sat in the chair, eating strawberries and trying not to fidget as they worked their magic. The makeup artist was doing something with highlighter that made my skin glow, while the hairstylist carefully curled and pinned my hair into an elaborate updo that looked effortlessly romantic.

Sarah, Leah, and Kiara were getting ready too, their bridesmaid dresses hanging on the closet door, a beautiful sage green that complemented my wedding colors perfectly.

"I still can't believe you're getting married," Leah said, watching the stylist work on my hair. "I mean, I know you're already married, and mated, but still. You're getting married."

"I know," I said, my stomach fluttering with butterflies that had nothing to do with the baby. "It doesn't feel real."

"It's real," Sarah assured me. "And it's going to be beautiful."

When they were finally done with my hair and makeup, I stood and looked in the mirror.

And immediately started crying.

"Oh no, honey, don't cry!" the makeup artist said in alarm. "You'll ruin your makeup!"

"I can't help it!" I wailed, staring at my reflection. "I look..."

"Beautiful," Leah finished, coming to stand beside me. "You look absolutely beautiful, Athena."

She was right. The woman in the mirror looked like something out of a fairy tale. My hair was swept up in a romantic style with small white flowers woven throughout, real flowers that matched the ones I'd worn at the mating ceremony.

Soft tendrils framed my face, and the hairstyle showed off my neck and shoulders perfectly. My makeup was flawless but natural, making my gray eyes stand out and my skin glow. They'd even done something to make me look like I was lit from within.

"Tristan is going to lose his mind," Kiara said, grinning. "Like, actually lose it. Derek's going to have to hold him up."

"Stop, you're making me cry more," I said, trying to fan my eyes like the makeup artist had instructed.

"Okay, no more crying until after the ceremony," Sarah declared. "We need to get you in your dress."

The dress was hanging in the guest room, carefully covered and waiting. I'd known the moment I saw it that this was the one.

Sarah and Leah carefully helped me step into it, then slowly zipped it up the back. The fabric settled around me like a dream, and I turned to look at myself in the full-length mirror.

And burst into tears again.

"Athena!" all three women said at once.

"I know, I know," I sobbed. "But look at me!"

The dress was everything I'd ever wanted and more. It was ivory rather than pure white, with delicate lace sleeves that came to elegant points over my hands.

The bodice was fitted, with intricate lace detailing that drew the eye without being too busy. The neckline was a sweetheart cut that showed off my collarbones.

But the most beautiful part was how the dress accommodated my growing belly. The empire waist flowed gracefully over my rounded stomach before falling to the floor in soft, romantic folds.

Instead of trying to hide my pregnancy, the dress celebrated it, making me look like some kind of ethereal goddess.

"You look like a princess," Kiara breathed, her own eyes suspiciously wet. "An actual, real-life princess."