The Rogues Who Went Rogue
Chapter 142

After Margaret managed to compose herself, she cleared her throat, looked into Tate's eyes that held so much love and assurance, and began reciting her own set of vows, "Tate, when we met, I thought that our bond wasn't going to last. I thought that a rejection would follow, from you or me, or even from the both of us. You haven't the faintest clue of how relieved and happy I am that I've been proven wrong. Very wrong."

"I was wrong to think that our bond is a mistake; I was wrong to judge you based on the title you inherited; and I was wrong to think that you could never love me the way I didn't know I needed to be loved. Never in my wildest dreams could I've imagined falling in love again, and never did I think it was someone as perfect as you are, Tate. I held so much hate from my past, carrying it throughout my life, even scaring away a few acquaintances with my untamable inferno, yet you never judged me for the scars that some people would criticize and frown upon, and you certainly didn't run away."

Some laughter from the audience followed as Tate chuckled lightly before smiling broader. Margaret continued, "There's this...thing that you do. I'm not sure if it's the way you look at me, how you touch me, the things you say or the way you speak, it just...soothes the flames, and I know for a fact that it isn't solely because of the mate bond. You have a way of making me feel...safe to be at my most vulnerable with you, to let out any sadness or vent off any frustrations. I love how you make time to sit with me whenever I need a listening ear, how you drop whatever's in your hands when I peek into your office and insist that you want to hear me out first. Your presence itself is a constant assurance that I'm never alone. In anything."

"I was convinced that I was a damaged soul, doomed to living a life filled with dangers and darkness that I would have to fight through on my own, that I have to lead on my own. At that time, my only hope was that my daughter would have a better life than the one I was forced to live. It was fat hope seeing that she was born a rogue, but I never stopped hoping. It didn't occur to me that my prayers would be answered in the best possible way - through you."

Tate's animal cooed as his own eyes began pooling with tears. Margaret proceeded to say, "I love the way you interact with our daughter. It's amazing how you try so hard to bond with a child that isn't yours by birth, and I especially love that you can get her to do things that I clearly cannot."

Tate and Margaret's eyes went to Stella, who rolled her eyes in response, making the attendees erupt in another round of laughter. Tate shook his head at the teenager with a proud but slightly irritated smile, and Stella grinned and chuckled at his reaction.

When the bride and groom's eyes returned to each other once more, Margaret vouched, "I promise to barge into your office or onto the training ground and pull you out of there whenever I can feel that you need a break; I promise hear you out whenever you need a listening ear; and I promise to be with you whenever you need me to be."

She then added a line that wasn't in her original draft, "Thank you for welcoming me into your heart despite my past, despite what I am, and I love you too, Tate."

After exchanging the rings that were made from rose gold and brown diamonds, the officiant pronounced them husband and wife. They shared a sweet kiss and the attendees burst into a round of loud cheers and wild applause.

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In the middle of the wedding banquet, the wedding planner announced that it was time for the bouquet toss. The single females who wished to be the next one to walk down the aisle gathered at the open space next to the banquet tables.

Gerella had heard about this tradition before, and was excited to see her first one. A thought came to her: maybe she could even be in her first one! Her eyes shone in anticipation when she gave Toby's hand a squeeze and asked, "Can I go?"

"Of course. Go ahead." Toby pecked a kiss on her temple before she sprinted to join the rest. Lucianne was next to Toby, and there was a knowing smile that couldn't be blocked by her sipping the water from her glass.

Toby muttered, "Goddess, I hope this works." He downed the last of his wine before getting up, and Lucianne hastily got up too. She already missed his first kiss with Gerella. She wasn't going to miss this. Xandar took Reida out of the baby highchair and into his arms, following Lucianne to make sure that she wasn't exerting herself with the excitement that was about to come.

The females got ready, and Margaret's back faced them. One, two...

Before the toss came, Margaret turned back around, walked straight to Gerella, and placed the bouquet in her hands. Gerella didn't know what was happening. This was not what she remembered from the tradition at all. She then felt someone taking her right hand. Her blue eyes darted to the source, and found a smiling Toby getting down on one knee.

She was so shocked that she didn't hear the creatures around her gasp and squeal. Her mouth gaped when Toby took out a small jewelry box from his pocket, opened it to reveal a light blue diamond adorned by onyx diamonds along the band, and began, "Ella, from the first moment I saw you on the beach, I knew that I had to get to know you. You are one of the bravest creatures I met; the kindest I've ever known; and the most beautiful person I've ever seen. I promise to give you only the best as my mate." His hand holding the jewelry box inched closer her way when he asked, "Ella, will you marry m-"

Before Toby completed his sentence, Gerella exclaimed "YES!" as she threw herself at him, making them both fall onto the ground when Gerella pressed her lips against his, and there was a mixture of chuckles and cheers from everyone who watched. When their lips parted, Toby looked into her joyful eyes when he muttered, "Ella, as much as I love what you're doing, I really do need to put the ring on your finger before I can feel at ease."

Gerella chuckled lightly before sitting herself on the grass next to him, and he took her hand before slipping it into her ring finger, after which he let out a relieved sigh and planted a sweet kiss on her lips, thanking her after he did it.

When Toby helped Gerella up, Lucianne and Xandar were the firsts to congratulate them, followed by the alliance members and everyone else.