Catherine found that Valentina had preparations well in hand for the evening. She was helping with some last-minute selections regarding food setup when she was told her friend Sera had arrived. Catherine rushed out to greet her.

“Oh, my God, Catherine, you look amazing.”

“Sera, it’s great to see you. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

“Are you kidding me? Thanks for inviting me. I’m glad to see you so happy because I’ve been having the most amazing time. An all-expense shopping spree for you and then your man has them send me the things I was interested in when I wouldn’t let him pay me for my time.”

Catherine laughed. “That’s my Marco. I have found he always finds a way to get what he wants... including me.”

“Yes, as I recall you wanted nothing to do with Marco DeMedici and were quite adamant about that.”

“What can I tell you, he’s rich, handsome, and great in the sack.”

“Well, that would certainly do it for me,” she giggled. “This place is every bit as mind-blowing as I’ve heard.”

“And you haven’t seen the interior, the gardens or had anything to eat.”

“Yes, but I did get the case of wine with instructions that I was to order more when I needed it.”

They were walking up the steps to the house, when another motor was heard and Catherine saw Griffin pull up.

“Hang on tight, Sera. I need to go see Griffin.”

Griffin smiled at her broadly. “Catherine, it’s good to see you.”

She ran down the steps, throwing her arms around him and hugging him close.

She whispered in his ear, “I owe you a debt I can never repay for saving him from those butchers.”

“You repaid that debt in full when it was your presence that drew him back from abyss. He lived for you, Catherine.”

“Fine, then I want to know more about that rather debauched night the two of you spent in Germany.”

Griffin could barely conceal his shock that she had any knowledge of that night.

“When I was transitioning, I saw Marco and me together during many lifetimes and a brief snippet of the two of you in Germany.”

Griffin laughed. “No, if I tell you, should I ever find a mate, he will tell her. So my fair Catherine, my lips are sealed.”

She linked her arm through his. “Come and meet my friend Sera.”

“The woman you were with when Marco finally spotted you.”

“Finally?” Sera asked, having overheard his comment.

“Yes. Marco had seen Catherine in his dreams for years. So when he finally spotted her at the restaurant, he wasted no time in trying to court her. I understand she was not all that impressed at first.”

“He would be awfully hard to resist for most of us, but Catherine says he’s great in the sack.”

Griffin laughed and linked arms with Sera as well. The three of them entered the house together as Marco came out of his office. Before he could object to Catherine walking arm and arm with Griffin, she had left Griffin to join her mate’s side and kissed him, whispering, “I missed you.”

“And I you,” he responded.

“And how long has it been since you last saw one another?” Griffin asked with a huge grin.

“Far too long. At least several hours,” said Marco.

“Two,” said Giovanni. “They have been apart a little less than two hours.”

Sera and Griffin laughed. Sera turned to Griffin. “Ain’t true love grand?”

“Yes, and apparently all-consuming.”

“Careful, Griffin. My Catherine has a rather nasty habit of evening the score when she thinks she has been wronged.”

“Giovanni,” said Catherine. “Would you be a dear and ask Valentina to join Sera and me up in Marco’s and my bedroom?”

“It would be my pleasure, Madonna.”

“Madonna?” asked Sera.

“An honorary title for the head of the family’s wife... me!”

Sera giggled and whispered to her, “He didn’t waste any time, did he?”

“What can I say... he’s that good,” she whispered back.

They ran up the stairs together.

* * *

Marco watched them go before turning to Griffin. “Any other news?”

“On Shannon? None. But I did get the information to your brother Tony in Rome. He said he’d put out feelers for you.”

“I appreciate you coordinating this for me. With Catherine transitioning, my focus has had to be elsewhere. I owe you.”

“Consider it a wedding present. She is truly glorious, Marco.”

The alpha of the DeMedici smiled. “She is and is well worth the time it took me to find her and to bring her home. Now come, Luca is anxious to meet with us.”

They were entering his office as Valentina walked past them, headed up to Catherine and Sera.

“Valentina, will you take my ring up to my mate. I have hers and wanted her to have mine.”

“Of course,” she said brightly.

“And did Gio arrange for the fireworks?”

She grinned. “They will be able to see them from the space station.”

“Those are to be a surprise, Valentina.”

“Yes, Alpha,” she said, running up to join her friend.

“Think she’ll tell her?” asked Griffin, nodding to Valentina.

“I doubt it. She wants our ceremony to be special as does everyone else in the pack. The surprise will delight Catherine.”

“I heard Giovanni call her Madonna?”

“Yes, our pack has already fallen under her spell as well.”

“This does not bode well for you, old friend,” said Griffin, grinning. “I fear your mate will never be a quiet and demure mate. In fact, I think she may well be an alpha.”

Marco laughed. “You are right on all accounts. My Catherine will never be the sweet submissive many alphas want. She herself is an alpha although hasn’t recognized it yet. I plan to spend the rest of my life enjoying her wild spirit.”

“I’ll remind you of that the next time she tries to break your nose.”

They both laughed and went to join Luca in Marco’s study.

* * *

Valentina joined Sera and Catherine in the latter’s closet.

“Sera, this is Valentina. She organized the closet and I suspect helped put together the shopping list. Valentina, this is Sera who did all the shopping.”

“You did a wonderful job,” said Valentina. “I think everything you picked is perfect, especially the ivory lace with the sweep train.”

Sera grinned. “I didn’t want to assume, but I thought it might be nice to have just in case.”

“It’s gorgeous,” said Valentina. “Have you pulled it out and looked at it, Catherine? It may be the most beautiful gown I’ve ever seen. And if you want, I know where the DeMedici veil is kept. It’s been in the family for centuries.”

“Catherine, if it goes with the dress you have to wear it. What a wonderful tradition. Besides it’s the only time a woman can wear a veil and not look like an idiot.”

“I’ll run and go get it.”

“Thanks, Valentina. And thanks for all of the work you’ve done putting this celebration together. Sera and I will be out on the balcony. Grab the veil then come and sit and put your feet up.”

“Back in a flash,” Valentina called as she sailed out the door.

“They seem to have taken you in remarkably quickly.”

“I make their fearless leader happy and he loves me, that’s all they needed to know. I was worried they would resent the American woman just sweeping in... but they didn’t.”

“I have to say I was still a bit concerned until I saw your face. It’s so obvious that you’re happy and madly in love as is he.”

Catherine nodded. “Yes, I am very lucky.”

Valentina rejoined them with the most exquisite veil made of a gossamer-like silk with a small lace detail on the edge. The color was a perfect match for the gown. She put it on the bed and then joined Sera and Catherine on the balcony.

“I checked with the household staff. They assure me they have everything under control.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” laughed Catherine. She poured wine for her friends and looked out over the vineyard. The view from her balcony was commanding and magnificent.

The three women spent the afternoon chatting as if they were old friends merely needing to catch up with one another.

The ceremony was to be at sunset with dinner, feasting and dancing to follow. They watched as a beautiful ceremony site was set up, as well as an outdoor dining area and dance floor. In addition horses had been groomed and carriages cleaned and shined so that guests could take a moonlit ride through the vineyard.

Catherine shooed both women out of her room about ninety minutes before the ceremony was to begin and asked that Valentina show Sera to her room. She was sitting on the edge of their bed when there was a discreet knock.

A man who could only be one of Marco’s younger brothers stepped in.

“I’m Tony and you must be Marco’s Catherine.”

“So he keeps telling me,” she said, smiling and getting up to greet him.

He took her outstretched hand and used it to draw her into a hug.

“My big brother has always been able to get the most beautiful women, but with you, he has outdone even himself.”

“And you would be his youngest brother and one of two who did nothing to stop him from forcing your little sister to run. Shame on you,” she chided.

He laughed. “Marco warned me you weren’t a fan of some of our traditions. You and Gia will adore each other. I plan to be home for a few days. I’m hoping you, Marco, and I can talk.”

“Have you heard something about Shannon?”

“Nothing specific, but a rumor. I want to talk to you before pursuing it. But let us talk of happier things. My brother will be annoyed if I have done anything to dampen your mood. And you know what he’s like when he’s annoyed.”

“Yes, but somehow I doubt he takes you over his knee.”

Tony laughed. “You are correct. That he reserves only for his beloved mate.”

“Pfft. He keeps telling me that as well.”

Tony turned serious for a moment. “You don’t doubt that you have his whole heart, do you?”

She reached over and touched his arm. “Not even for a moment.”

He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

“Welcome to the family, Catherine. We’re all so happy he finally found you. Now I can set myself up as the consolation prize since he’s off the table so to speak.”

Catherine’s smile grew broader. “You are no consolation prize, little brother. And any girl who doesn’t see that is blind, stupid, and beneath your notice.”

There was another discreet knock and one of the household staff, who introduced herself as Maria, asked if she could be of assistance getting the Madonna ready.

“I’ll be with Marco at the altar. I’m telling you as I’m sure you will only have eyes for my brother.”

“I fear, my dear Tony, you are right. For me, he eclipses all others.”