The Alpha's Rejected Silent Mate
The Alpha’s Rejected Silent Mate Chapter 164

Winter POV

I’ve never felt so nervous before in my life. Behind me, Willow gives a wide smile, pausing to glance at me in my dress.

“You look beautiful Winter” she says warmly, her voice full of approval.

I look in the mirror, staring at my reflection, my hand automatically going to my swollen stomach. I barely recognise the woman looking back at me.

My ice blonde hair is tied up in an elaborate updo, thanks to Willow’s efforts, curls dangling down my neck. My dress is a cream colour with a sweetheart neckline and no straps, coming in tight underneath the bodice but flowing out, over my baby bump. I wear some nice bejewelled flat sandals to go with and I’m wearing a simple locket as my jewellery, that finishes just above my cleavage. Kai had given it to me and it was sentimental to me. It was the only thing I wanted to wear, along with a tiara to hold my hair in place.

Willow was to be my only bridesmaid, wearing a lovely pale pink dress that had spaghetti straps and flowed down her lithe body. Her hair was in a simple ponytail with ringlets and she looked divine. She’d helped me get dressed and ready and I couldn’t be more thankful for her calming presense. I felt a small pain in my back and ignored it. It was most likely braxton hicks, something that had happened several times in the last month. I heard a knock on the door and called out “come in”, Simon opening the door and poking his head through.

“Are you ready yet Winter?” he asked with a smile, looking eager.

I give a small nod. I’m nervous as all hell. Simon can sense it, because he bounds over and gives me a hug, careful to avoid squishing my large stomach. “You look gorgeous” he says, and I relax.

Simon is such a sweetheart. “I’ll go and get Drake and Damien” he murmurs and darts back out the door, in his suit, looking extremely adorable.

Milly wanders in, wearing a cute pink flowergirl dress to match Willow. Her blonde hair is tied back and she’s wearing the cutest white sandals with the dress. She holds a basket or rose petals in one hand and is beaming from ear to ear. Jinx walks in behind her, fidgeting with his vest that goes with the suit he’s wearing. He looks uncomfortable, but smiles at me happily.

“Winter is beautiful” Milly informs Jinx, who nods and takes my hand.

I smile down at the two little cherubs.

Damien and Drake come sauntering in, both clad in matching suits, their hair neatly groomed back, looking comfortable and extremely handsome. Langdon was with Kai, his best man of course. But I had wanted my brothers to walk me down the aisle, as they were far better than a father in my eyes.

“Well shall we go?” asks Drake, taking hold of an excited Milly’s hand.

“Um guys” I say quietly, seeing how nervous Sarah is “where’s Johnathon?”

“Here” blurts out a panting voice.

I frown at Johnathon who looks a bit out of breath, adjusting his tie, his face slightly flushed. “Sorry, sorry, I took a little long to get ready” he pants, rushing towards his mate who looks very relieved “but I’m here now.”

“Brilliant, now can we go” blurts out Damien.

I scowl at him but give a small nod. Together we all walk down the stairs, the inside of the pack house decorated with flowers everywhere for this auspicious occasion. At the front door is a table, laden with bouquets and buttonholes for the men. I grab hold of my bouquet, purple, pink and white silk flowers, while Willow is handed hers by Johnathon. Milly’s given a small one and Damien puts Jinx buttonhole on for him. We were all ready and my nerves were feeling shot.

It was time. My heart was pounding wildly in my chest. I felt frozen in fear. If it wasn’t for Sabriel’s quiet encouraging voice in my ear, I might never have gathered up the courage to continue. As it was, I heard the music start in the distance and knew that someone had mind-linked Kai to begin. Drake opened the front door and a white runner ran from the length of it to an archway further up where Kai and Langdon were waiting for me. Milly went first, hand in hand with Jinx, swinging her basket around and flinging rose petals everywhere, including on some unfortunate guests. Willow was next and she sashayed down the aisle, holding tightly to Johnathon’s hand, keeping in time to the music, until she reached the archway and then she seperated from Johnathon, going to the opposite side and waiting, while Johnathon joined Kai and Langdon.

Simon, Drake and Damien stood beside me on each side, looking proud as punch. “Winter, are you sure about this?” asked Drake softly “because if you have any doubts at all, say the word and we’ll whisk you out of here, faster than you can blink.”

Simon, Drake and Damien stood beside me on each side, looking proud as punch. “Winter, are you sure about this?” asked Drake softly “because if you have any doubts at all, say the word and we’ll whisk you out of here, faster than you can blink.”

I have to admit that I appreciate the sentiment. They are overprotective of me but I love it. Even Simon is. We’ve gotten close over the last few months. But all I could think about was Kai and how he was waiting for me. I might be scared but I had no doubts about what I was doing. I had wanted this more than anything.

We all link arms and begin to walk down the aisle, my hands clutching my bouquet tightly. The pains in my back have continued, but I grit my teeth and smile, willing the pain to go away. For braxton hicks they sure are persistent. I stare at Kai, taking in his handsome face and the tuxedo he’s wearing. He’s slicked his hair back and his scars stood out as a result, but I didn’t mind. His scars were a part of him and I thought they just made him look even manlier. Not that I was going to tell him that of course. He was fidgeting slightly, but I saw his eyes widen as he saw me and then he puffed his chest out and stood tall.

The minister stood a little distance away, watching the proceedings with a bemused smile on his face. Damien, Drake and Simon all stop as we reach the archway. Damien gives me a hug and a k**s on the cheek “I love you little sis” he tells me, joining Langdon.

Drake does the same “love you” he murmurs in my ear, hugging me tight.

Simon gives me the last hug and a hasty peck on the forehead. “you are stunning” he whispers, darting off to join his brothers past the archway.

I finish the walk alone, Kai reaching out a trembling hand and gathering me close. Ignoring the minister completely, he leans down and gives me a k**s, pressing his lips gently to mine, one hand sweeping a stray curl of my hair back over my ear. The crowd begins to whoop and holler in excitement, while my brothers merely look amused at the situation.

“Ahem” coughs the minister, forcing myself and Kai to pull back reluctantly “perhaps we could get through the ceremony first” he suggests smiling.

I blush, Kai just laughs out loud. “By all means minister go ahead” he encourages, tucking me under his arm. I have to push him a little to walk over to poor Willow who’s all alone, turning around to face him. Kai sighs.

Man that minister is a bit of a party pooper isnt’ he? Would it have hurt to let you guys k**s just a little more? Prude.

I don’t think he was being prudish Sabriel, I agree, we should have waited until the ceremony was over.

Where’s the fun in that? Besides Kai looks do damn fine girl. I just want to jump him, oooh those muscles of his, I’m drooling over here.

Well that’s all you’re going to be doing. I’m not jumping my mate during a wedding for heavens sake.

It would give the guests something to remember. It’s not like shifters are prudes.

Yeah, no. Thanks but no thanks Sabriel, you’ll just have to keep your horniness to yourself.

Fine, but that man’s getting lucky tonight, I’m warning you.

Warning received, now shush.

“Ladies and gentleman, we are gathered here today, to witness the union between Winter and Kai” begins the minister, oblivious to my small discussion with Sabriel. I barely hear the rest of the words, the pain in my back intensifying to my displeasure. It distracted me somewhat from the ceremony as I forced myself to keep a fake smile on my face and to prevent myself from wincing or grimacing in pain, which would have just freaked Kai out. We exchanged rings and spoke our vows, myself feeling a little on autopilot, time passing by in a whir. Before I knew it, the minister was finally saying “you may now k**s your bride.”

The crowd cheered as Kai grabbed me and pulled me in, kissing me a little more passionately, his tongue delving inside my mouth as I felt butterflies in my stomach. The sparks were flying between us and I gripped his arms tightly, revelling in the feel of his body and his muscles. He was so strong and yet he treated me so gently.

“Alright, enough” Langdon says from behind Kai, laughing a little “you still have a reception to get through.”

I blink, somewhat in a daze and pull back, looking over to see that most of the crowd have dispersed over to the marquee where we were holding the reception. “Oops” I mutter sheepishly.

Milly giggles, dropping her basket and dancing around, Jinx awkwardly trying to copy her. Willow gives us a small wave and points at the marquee as I nod, Johnathon walking beside her.

“I’m not sorry” Kai says indignantly, glaring at Langdon “she’s my wife. I mean look at her, she’s absolutely gorgeous, like a damn goddess. How am I supposed to resist that?”

I almost glow from the compliment.

“You’ll have plenty of time to do that after the reception” Langdon shoots back, his tone brooking no arguments. He folds his arm and stares Kai down.

“Fine” grumbles Kai “you’re no fun” he sulks as I giggle.

Damien and Drake take hold of Milly and Jinx, beginning to walk to the marquee. Damien calls over his shoulder “see you in there” with a wide grin on his face. The children are squiriming in excitment, Damien and Drake having to hold them rather tightly from what I could see.

“I want to offer my congratulations to you both” Langdon says pleasantly, giving me a hug and a k**s on both cheeks while Kai glowers at him.

“Thankyou Langdon” I tell him sincerely.

He turns and shakes Kai’s hand, before giving him a heartfelt hug as well.

He was just about to turn away when a sharp pain shot through me and I doubled over groaning. I feel something wet and sticky dripping down my leg and Kai gives a loud shout.

“Kai” I say weakly, staring down at myself in shock, feeling his arms around me as he picks me up and cradles me tightly to his chest “my water just broke.”

“I can see that” he says tightly as I begin to let out a scream, feeling a contraction hit me “why didn’t you say anything you fool?”

Langdon is already rushing to the marquee to alert my brothers and help with Milly and Jinx.

“I didn’t want to ruin the wedding” I tell him feeling like an i***t. “Plus I thought it was braxton hicks.”

The pain was excrutiating, but the contractions were far apart, so I knew we had time. Still, Kai started to break into a jog, ignoring the fact I was leaking everywhere. There was a grim expression on his face, but his eyes softened as he stared at me. “Today we’ll have two things to remember” he mutters “our wedding anniversary and possibly the same night you gave birth to our children.”