The initial shock of Dakota’s departure rippled through the great hall like a stone thrown into still water, but as the minutes passed without further drama, the guests gradually settled back into the celebration.
People whispered among themselves about the younger Winters sister’s fragile state, about how overwhelming crowds must be for someone still recovering from traumatic memory loss, about how understandable it was that she had needed air.
Maya stood beside Ethan at the front of the hall, her smile fixed even though her eyes kept drifting toward the doors Dakota had disappeared through twenty minutes ago.
She told herself her sister just needed space, needed time to process whatever had triggered that pale, devastated expression before she’d excused herself.
“She probably went home to rest,” one of Maya’s aunts said kindly, patting her arm.
“The poor dear looked exhausted.
All these people must have been too much.” Maya nodded, accepting the explanation because it made sense, because it was easier than acknowledging the strange tension that had crackled between Dakota and Ethan before her sister fled.
She was probably reading too much into it anyway.
“Shall we proceed with the banquet?” her father asked, approaching with calm authority.
“The caterers are ready, and our guests are getting hungry.” “Yes, of course,” Maya agreed, forcing her attention back to the celebration, back to the man beside her who would soon be her bonded mate.
Ethan’s hand found hers, his fingers lacing through hers with familiar warmth, and Maya squeezed back gratefully.
Whatever strange moment had passed between him and Dakota, it was gone now.
This was her night.
The staff began ushering guests toward the elaborate dining hall.
Long tables, draped in elegant linens, stretched the length of the room, set with fine china and crystal that caught the candlelight and threw prismatic rainbows across the walls.
Floral centerpieces, white roses, and deep blue hydrangeas matching Maya’s dress, added color and fragrance.
Maya and Ethan took their places at the head table, and Cooper settled between them in a specially prepared chair.
The little boy had recovered from his earlier tears, distracted by promises of cake and attention from pack members who found his enthusiasm charming.
“Speech!
Speech!” someone called out, the request quickly taken up until the entire hall was chanting.
Ethan stood smoothly, his hand still holding Maya’s as he faced the assembled guests.
His expression was composed and warm, showing no trace of whatever had passed between him and Dakota earlier.
“Thank you all for being here tonight,” Ethan began, his voice carrying easily across the hall.
“Maya and I are honored by your presence, by your support, and by the joy you’ve brought to this celebration.” Polite applause rippled through the crowd.
“When I first agreed to this match,” Ethan continued, and Maya felt a small twist in her chest at the reminder that their relationship had begun as an arrangement rather than romance, “I expected duty and alliance.
What I found instead was partnership, companionship, and a woman whose strength and grace continually surprise me.” He turned to look at Maya directly, his silver eyes warm with what appeared to be genuine affection.
“Maya has brought light into my life during a period of darkness.
She’s helped me raise my son, has supported me through challenges, and has shown me that second chances at happiness are possible even when you think everything worth having has been lost.” Second chances.
The words echoed strangely in Maya’s mind, carrying weight she didn’t fully understand.
Second chances implied first chances that had failed, implied loss that preceded finding her.
But Ethan rarely spoke about Cooper’s mother beyond acknowledging she’d died.
“So tonight,” Ethan said, raising his glass, “I want to thank Maya for choosing me, for accepting both my son and me into her heart, and for agreeing to build a future together that honors both our families and our packs.” The hall erupted in applause and cheers.
Maya stood to join Ethan, accepting a glass and raising it to acknowledge the crowd.
“Thank you,” Maya said, her voice not quite as strong as Ethan’s but carrying sincerity.
“Thank you all for your support.
I know that bondings arranged for alliance don’t always become love matches, but Ethan and I have been fortunate to find a genuine partnership in what began as an obligation.” The speeches continued, the first courses arrived, and the celebration flowed with ease.
It wasn’t until they were well into the main course that one of Maya’s brothers finally voiced the question lurking at the edges of everyone’s awareness.