"Goin' to the chapel and we’re gonna get mar-air-air-ied…" Papa P kept singing the same stanza of some old-school song while he adjusted my tie and brushed imaginary lint from my shoulders. “Goin’ to the chapel of love…” When he finally nodded with satisfaction, Pax came darting in from left field and attacked me with a boutonniere.

"Hold still, dammit." Pax's eyes gleamed as he held up a long-ass straight pin. "It won't feel good if you get poked with this, so calm your shit and let me get your boutonniere in place."

"Since when have you ever been against stabbing someone, little bird?" Zeke grinned as he walked by while Pax got the pin in place. The hubbub in my dressing room was making me want to rip my hair out and climb the walls.

Pax's hands stilled as he tilted his head to the side and studied me for a moment. "Are you nervous about getting married? You're already mated, Whale. This whole human-style shindig is just a bit of frivolity. I don’t get why you'd be stressed about it."

I shook my head. "It’s not the wedding. It’s just that this is a really small space for so many bodies, don’t you think?"

"Ah." He nodded knowingly. "Apparently this is part of the tradition. One's friends and family gather around and make their life hell before they tie the knot, or so I've been told."

"Then they’re doing a good job," I said dryly.

Papa P saved the day just then. He walked in, clapping his hands. "Okay, I just checked and everybody is in their seats. It's showtime, gentlemen. You alphas need to get your asses out to your seats. I believe that you were assigned baby duty during the ceremony?"

Pax spun around with an eagle-eyed glare. "That’s exactly right, Papa P. Why aren't you assholes out there with your children? There's nothing more for you to see here, so move along. The show starts at the main chapel in five minutes. Asses in seats, boys. Asses in seats."

Zeke held both hands out in a playful challenge. "What are you going to do, little bird? Pull big purple on us if we don't move fast enough?"

"Big purple is the least of your worries, alpha. I have no problem slicing everybody else. You? No. You will go on a sex fast. Obey or don't obey, it's up to you. But I have a wedding to run and you’re stressing out my groom. Now get."

Zeke paled. "Sex fast? Is that even a thing?" He looked back and forth at our buddies. "I enjoy fast sex, but I don't think I'd like a sex fast quite as much."

In the blink of an eye, that long, glittery purple knife found its way into Pax's hand. "You boys really want to let my mate put you in jeopardy? I like all of your mates, they’re my friends. I really don't want to have to apologize to them for hurting you."

Levi chuckled as he made his way out of the room. "Yeah, I don't want to start a war between you and Cody. That could get ugly."

As my teammates filtered out behind Levi, Noah gave me a thumbs-up while Ezra pretended to draw a knife across his neck and Boomer held both fists up and threw his fingers out like something was exploding. Zeke stole a kiss from Pax on his way by and then the room went blessedly silent until Preston came bursting in.

"I just double-checked the reception area. Want to hear some horseshit? They got the color wrong on the cake! I specifically told them that I wanted cream frosting with seafoam green accents. What you think I got? Mint green and eggshell white. What the actual fuck, you know? Tacky, tacky, tacky. After I'd worked so hard planning a beautiful wedding, one vendor had to screw the pooch. Honestly, I don't know how professional planners put up with this kind of crap."

"Take a breath, Preston," Pax commanded calmly while clicking on the comm he wore in his ear. "Cody, are you in position? Roger that." He gave me a thumbs-up as he headed toward the door. "Cue the musicians to begin the processional music. Groom A is on his way."

"You're supposed to be following him," Preston said to me in a stage whisper. "He’s still got that knife in his hand, whether or not he's aware of it. You might want to shag ass, as Noah would say."

Pax paused in the doorway and looked back over his shoulder as he slid the knife into some hidden sheath that was camouflaged by his tuxedo pants. "I'm always aware when my knife is in my hand, it would be irresponsible not to be—but it's probably best that I put it away for the ceremony. I wouldn't want to be tempted to use it on anybody who ruins our schedule."

Preston followed us as we headed toward the chapel. "Why are you guys getting married here? If it were me, I would've done a forest wedding so that you could shift and maybe have your first run as a married couple afterward."

I shook my head. "This is where Matthew's parents got married. He wanted to have our wedding here. Since they've both passed, it's like having them here for his special day."

Preston fanned himself. "I can't believe I never asked that before. That is the most romantic fucking thing I've ever heard. And how sweet? OMG, I absolutely love it. Wait until David hears."

My brother was waiting just outside the door of the chapel for me. He gave me a slow nod as I approached. "Nice, very nice. That silver-gray tuxedo really works on you."

"Are you freaking kidding me right now, Cain? I thought we were friends, dude. How can you be so uneducated with the color palette? That is Gainsboro gray. Silver gray is much darker in tone." Preston huffed out an exasperated breath. "Honestly, I'm working with plebeians."

"Preston, why don't you flutter off somewhere and check on some flowers or do something worthwhile? We all have our jobs to do, and fucking with the best man and groom isn't yours." Pax was in drill sergeant mode at this point.

Before I knew what was happening, I found myself at the front of the chapel with Cain at my side. I grinned at the sight of my big, alpha teammates sitting on the front row with their laps full of babies. The bossman wore a sling across his chest with Isaac cuddled up against him. Yeah, our team had definitely come a long way. Boomer and Levi had infants climbing in front of them while Ezra had Timothy and one of his daughters in his arms and Noah was doing his best to wrangle the older kids and keep them quiet.

My attention was pulled from the guys when the music began to play a little louder and the doors at the back of the chapel opened. Amy was her daddy Preston's exact mini-me as she all but pranced down the aisle like a perfect, blonde angel. Her lace and taffeta gown probably cost more than the entire wedding, but the dainty diva did look precious as she delicately scattered pale pink rose petals along the aisle.

Cody and Levi's twins came next as the ring bearers. Cain snorted while I smothered a laugh as they both tucked the satin, heart-shaped pillows with our rings tied to the center under their arms like footballs and sprinted down the aisle.

Cody cleared his throat loudly to get their attention and silently pointed to where they were supposed to stand. David came next, and thankfully helped corral the twins when he took his place on the opposite side of the altar. My breath caught in my throat when I saw my mate enter the chapel at last.

His tuxedo was a few shades lighter than mine—although I wouldn't be stupid enough to try to name the shade. Now that his hair had grown back in, his russet curls gleamed under the soft light from the chandeliers. When he made it to the altar and took his place beside me, my hands shook as I reached out for his.

He smiled affectionately and clasped hands with me as we turned to give Cody our attention. He flashed us a wink and began the proceedings with a serious tone.

"Dearly beloved…"

The rest of the ceremony was a blur. I was glad we’d hired a guy to film this because I knew I wouldn't remember much of it except for the feeling of Matthew's hands in mine as we stood there and said vows promising the same commitment that our claim marks gave proof to. By the time we finally exchanged our rings, I was ready to drag him out of there and find the nearest closet to yank his pants down and take him so I could bite into my claim mark all over again.

"…by the power vested in me by the almighty Internet as approved by the state of Illinois, I now pronounce you two husbands. You may each kiss your groom." Whatever Cody said after that was lost to the ages as I finally got to press my lips against Matthew's.

After a kiss that probably went on a little too long, judging by the loud clapping and wolf whistles from the peanut gallery, Matthew broke our kiss and whispered against my lips. "I have human coworkers here, tell your wolf to back off—your eyes are a little gold right now, Shakespeare."

He tucked his hand in my arm as we turned to face our guests and Cody announced us for the first time as Mr. and Mr. McKiernan. As we made our way back down the aisle, I smiled at the sight of Timothy curled up against Uncle Ezra's chest, along with a couple of his slightly bigger cousins. As Matthew and I led the recessional march out of the chapel and toward the small hall where our reception would be held, I couldn't help but think about how good my life was now.

So many years of worrying and struggling and stressing just to make it through the day and now here I was with a mate—and husband—who was the other half of my soul, as well as a perfect pup of my own. And I had my brother back in my life, a fact I was beyond grateful for, even though he came along with an occasionally annoying brother-in-law. My three precious nieces were just the icing on the cake. And then there was my team, and their mates, and their families.

My vision blurred and I wondered for a moment if I was having a stroke or if my glasses were dirty, when Matthew stopped me outside of the chapel doors and turned to face me. He removed my glasses and wiped a hand over my eyes as he lovingly smiled. "Are you crying, Shakespeare? Was it that depressing to marry me?"

"Is that why my eyes got blurry? I figured it was either the glasses or a stroke. Odds were good either way," I blurted out randomly.

Matthew threw his head back and laughed. "Yes, tear-filled eyes have a way of making your vision blurry. Now tell me why you were all choked up."

Grabbing his hips, I pulled him snug against me and kissed his neck. "I was just overcome by how good my life is now. I guess this is what happy feels like?"

Matthew kissed my ear. "This is exactly what happy feels like, Shakespeare. Now quit waxing poetic before you make me cry too."

"What's the holdup, gentlemen? I'm holding everybody inside until the two of you move your asses along to the reception hall." Pax had his head stuck out between the chapel doors giving us the evil eye for throwing off his schedule.

"Sorry, buddy. My mate and I just needed a moment. Feels were happening." I flashed my oldest friend a wink and a cheesy grin.

Pax rolled his eyes. "Feelings. Blegh. Don’t you know that all the mushy stuff just leads to more pups? Now hurry up, we need to get things moving along." He softened his order with a wink of his own.

That little guy was every bit as soft a touch as me, he just hid it well behind knife blades and sharp wits. Matthew shook his head as we rushed off to the reception area. "I truly do not understand how the two of you coexist in that small office of yours without killing each other."

"It's easy. We get each other, that's all."

Matthew snorted. "In other words, you both speak the same code."

"Something like that," I agreed as I slid my arm around his waist and headed toward the party to celebrate our happily ever after.