The wedding took place six weeks later. The crew was investigating a human trafficking ring that was centered somewhere around the New York area. Kids and women were being shipped to several different parts of the world. Jared was going to be part of the team to find out who was behind this trafficking ring and to rescue the kids. We wanted to be married before he left.
I remembered thinking at one time that Jared was invincible. I hoped so. The idea of him continuing to go on his missions terrified me. I don’t know how I could go on living without this brave man in my life. Yet, I would never say a single word to stop him. This was a part of who he was. And, of course, selfishly speaking, where would I be if Gage’s wife, Luka, hadn’t been okay with Gage participating in the rescue mission. Jared would continue to save lives.
Luka and I had become good friends. She was amazing. She had three little bear shifters that she had to keep up with. Luka was a very successful author, and she continued to write her novels even after taking on life as a wife and mother of shifters. Seeing her manage everything so easily gave me hope. I wanted a pack of little wolf shifters, too. Luka said that the babies could be humans, too, instead of shifters, but that would be awesome as well, as they would still be a part of Jared.
I waited in the wings, waiting for the bridal song to begin, holding tightly to my father’s arm. He loved Jared as much as he would his own son. They got along great together. They also cheated at Spades well together, but I hadn’t figured out how yet.
I peeked around the corner of the curtain and saw my handsome man standing there, waiting for me. He was so tall, with his beautiful mane just long enough to brush the collar of his black tuxedo and curl.
Anxiety gripped my heart, and I had a hard time swallowing. I wasn’t nervous about pledging my life to this man whom I so dearly loved. I was nervous that I would somehow let him down by not being the kind of wife he wanted or needed. He thought I was brave, but sometimes, I wasn’t. He thought I was strong. But sometimes, I was weak.
Jared must have heard my thoughts and felt my anxiety because he turned in my direction and winked. My heart settled down immediately, and my breathing returned to normal.
My father, who misinterpreted my anxiety, tried to reassure me. “He is a great man. He loves you deeply. You guys will be great together.”
“Thanks, Daddy,” I said.
The bridal music came on, and everyone stood up. I walked slowly down the aisle on the arm of my father, who gave me away to the man who fulfilled me and made me whole.
After the usual beginning, the chaplain said, “I understand that you both have written your own vows. Jared.”
“Elise, you are my world. I promise you my unconditional love, my support, and my complete devotion. I promise to always love you, honor you, and cherish you, even during the uncertain future, which we will face together. I vow to always be caring, truthful, and faithful. I am looking forward to being by your side throughout this lifetime.”
The chaplain then turned toward me. “Elise, your vows.”
“Jared, I am proud to call you my husband. You are an incredible man who is willing to put down his life for people he has never known. You are willing to stand up for your principles and morals, no matter what it costs you. You helped me grow and to learn about myself. You have helped me find strength and courage that I never knew existed. I value you for who you are, and I vow to stand by you and your actions and decisions. I know that our love is strong enough to withstand the challenges we will face. I am honored to stand by your side, now and for always.”
“Jared, do you take this woman, Elise Cunningham, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
“I do,” He answered, in a husky voice, his beautiful silvery eyes staring into mine.
“Elise, do you take this man, Jared Randolf, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
“I do,” I said strongly, and I meant it with every fiber of my being.
“What God has brought together, let no man pull asunder. By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Jared barely waited until the chaplin finished before he started kissing the bride. He kissed me so soundly that I forgot where we were. The world and all the people in it began to fade away. In this world, there were only Jared and me.
That is until Gage tapped on Jared’s shoulder and whispered, “Save some of that for the bedroom.”
With great reluctance, Jared let go of me. We turned to face the crowd, and everyone cheered.
The reception was wonderful. Everyone had a great time. I was pretty sure that I saw my father flirting with a woman. He certainly danced with her enough. That made my heart swell. He had been so lonely after Mom left, and I didn’t know whether he simply didn’t trust women or lovers, or if he just wanted to wait until I was on my own before he dipped his toes in the water again. Although he had never been sentimental, he certainly had always been there for me.
At one point, when I saw Jared, Gage, Damien, and Lucien with their heads together, I pulled Luka aside.
“I know that they’re over there talking about their next mission. As much as Jared loves me, he is antsy to go and save those kids, as I guess all of them are. How do you handle the young ones and knowing that he might not come back?”
“One day at a time, my sister. You will have to believe in him and in the will of the universe. Now that he has a reason to come back in one piece, he’ll work much harder to keep safe.”
About that time, their little meeting broke up. Gage approached Luka and turned to me with a smile. “I was wondering if I could cut in and take my wife out on the dance floor?”
I curtsied. “Be my guest.”
They laughed and turned away from us, hand in hand.
Jared grabbed my hand and pulled me over to a secluded part of the dance floor. He held me tight, and I cherished every moment of being held in his arms.