MOONLIGHT: ORIGINAL EDITION

Two weeks later, with a week to spare, Luca and Rosa were already up, heading towards the dining room and eating breakfast. Today was going to be busy. The day everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived. It was the Alpha and Luna's wedding ceremony. The ceremony and the reception were going to be in the backyard. Elder Gabriel would officiate the tradition that started at five-thirty in the evening.

As everyone continued their day, Rosa was the most nervous as she contemplated today's event later in the evening. Luckily, the weather was warmer but cooling down for tonight's celebrations.

Luckily for Rosa and Arianna, Gianna, who agreed to stand up with the other women when she returned to the pack and be the Beta female, Emma had found their outfits when Emma had taken them all shopping a week beforehand. They all had entered the specialty wedding boutique store next door, where they had previously purchased dresses for the Luna ceremony. They looked around at the dresses. None appealed to either of them. Rosa saw behind her a mirror in front of her. She gasped at the dress when she saw it and said to Emma, Gianna, and Arianna, "This is the one," Emma looked at where she was pointing and saw the dress, then nodded her head in agreement and replied, "Definitely, it is gorgeous and breathtaking try it on," she said to her. Rosa heads towards the changing rooms as Emma and the others follow her. Rosa arrived at the large fitting room. She was trying on the dress after going inside the fitting room. Emma and the girls stayed outside and waited for her to come out. A few minutes later, when she came out and had the dress on to show Emma, whose eyes widened when she saw the dress on Rosa, Emma then said to her, "Yes, that's the one. The Alpha won't know what hit him when he sees you in that dress!" she exclaimed. Rosa looked into the mirror and loved the long, elegant, soft, off-the-shoulder dress combined with ivory, nude and blush colours, embellished delicate beaded appliques, and a sheer neckline. It was perfect, and it even came with a matching veil.

Rosa nodded in agreement with her friends, returned to the changing room to remove the dress, and returned to her regular clothes. Rosa and the girls then went to find their dresses. They finally found dresses with a stunning bodice and embroidered lace applique over a sheer mesh. The off-the-shoulder bodice flows beautifully over the waist and hips, featuring a sweetheart scalloped lace neckline. The dresses were made from jersey fabric and had a long skirt flared into a classic floor-length mermaid skirt, ending with a lovely train. The girls head toward the cashier to pay for the dresses; after Emma and the others try on their dresses, they all spend the rest of the day finding shoes and other personal things for Rosa before getting some lunch before they all head home. When they returned from their three hours of going shopping and putting everything away with Emma's help in her and Luca's room. Rosa's exhausted. She said, "Thank you" to Emma and the girls, thanking her for her support today and saying she would lie down and rest for a few hours before dinner. The girls replied, "No worries, and you're welcome." They left her room.

Seven days later, everyone went about their regular duties except for Rosa's help to finish any last-minute details for the upcoming ceremony. There was no afternoon training session that day, so all those attending the ceremony had enough time for their duties in the morning and were ready for the ceremony.

The kitchen staff were equally busy, if not even more active, preparing the food for the big feast after the ceremony to celebrate the newly married couple. The team in the kitchen could get everything ready by five in the late afternoon. Perfectly cooked and sliced roast lamb and pork kept warm until the ceremony, video and photos were over.

The roast vegetables stayed warm in the ovens; the beans were in the water, waiting to be blanched. The kitchen staff waited until the last minute for the gravy before serving. The scents coming from the kitchen made everyone look forward to their meals.

The cake makers would then take the wedding cake into the hall before the reception. The cake itself was round and had four tiers covered in ivory icing. Pink roses surrounded each level. The sides of the cakes had unique patterns. Someone had put the multiple bottles of pink champagne on ice to chill and the bottles of ice-cold water in the refrigerator.

The florist had delivered the flowers mid-morning and kept them calm in the refrigerator until they needed them, which would be in a little while.

The pack had transformed the backyard into three areas. In one area, chairs for seating were gold with pink chiffon material in one section for the ceremony. Someone had the aisle covered with scattered pink and ivory-coloured rose petals from where the chairs started and headed towards the pink-draped chiffon and pink and ivory rose-covered pergola.

Somebody had transformed another area into a beautiful, remarkable sight. Someone had the tables decorated with ivory-coloured tablecloths and napkins. There were also tall pink and ivory-coloured pillar candles in gold candelabras on each table.

Someone had put small clear vases on the tables filled with pink and ivory roses, while somebody had set the tables with gold cutlery and pink with gold-rimmed bread and butter plates, teacups, and saucers. There were also pink and gold-rimmed salt and pepper shakers and a matching sugar bowl. The glassware was pink and had gold edging around the rim, too.

Someone would light all the candles before the wedding ceremony and before everyone arrived for the reception.

Guests would receive personalised gold-rimmed, pink-coloured champagne flute glasses with the wedding couple's names and the wedding date engraved in gold. The wedding favours to go with champagne flute glasses are miniature bottles of pink champagne.

The last area was close to the second as someone had installed a large dance floor and supplied the technology and the music.

Rosa then noticed the time before rushing off. It was time to get ready. She rushed to the guest bedroom and saw that Emma and the others were waiting inside. Rosa had locked away their dresses and belongings from prying eyes.

She quickly entered the shower and rushed, washing her body before getting out and drying and moisturising her body with rose-scented body lotion. Rosa promptly put on her wedding undergarments and then wore the robe to have her makeup and hair done in a half-up, half-down style.

The girls saw Rosa was ready and waiting for them to dress. Each girl rushed into the bathroom, dressed in the extra robes left behind the door. They went and sat down, waiting to have their makeup and hair styled. Rosa thought about Luca and his groomsmen as they finished getting ready. They were getting ready in their room with Gabriel. Giovanni would come soon to escort her down the aisle. The girls then toasted Rosa with non-alcoholic champagne before putting on their dresses and placing the miniature pink-coloured roses with gypsophila in the flower crowns on their heads. They picked up their pink and ivory rose bouquets with touches of gypsophila.

Rosa put on her rose gold tiara with pink crystals in front of her veil. Rosa looked at them in admiration; Rosa had to get dressed quickly. She went to put on her dress and came back out for help with the zip at the back. After putting on the veil, Rosa picked up her matching bouquet. When the girls saw her in her entire wedding ensemble, they said she was the most beautiful bride, and they could not wait to see the look in their Alpha's eyes when he saw his bride. The videographers and photographers they hired belonged to the pack were busy taking photos and recording them from when they were ready to go.

Thirty minutes later, there was a knock at the door, and Rosa said they could enter. It was Giovanni coming to escort her down to the altar. When he saw her, his eyes widened at how beautiful she was, and he told her so. Rosa blushed at the compliment before taking his left arm with the three girls trailing behind them. The three girls went first and in order with their partner as they got to the French doors leading to the outside. Rosa's turn came before long. With the support of Giovanni, she could walk toward her future husband and their future together. The videographers and photographers took photos and recorded them from when they left the bedroom as they slowly and carefully made their way to the ceremony.

When she arrived at the wedding venue, everyone stood up before she walked down the aisle. Rosa looked towards the altar and saw Luca and the other men grinning next to him. The look on their faces said it all, especially Luca's. It was priceless, including Elder Gabriel's reaction. He was like Rosa's second father and part of her family.

Rosa was so happy that he agreed to officiate their ceremony. They reached the end, and Giovanni handed over her hand to his awaiting Alpha's hands after pecking her cheekily on her cheek. And then sat down and waited for Gabriel to start the ceremony.

He came forward and waved his hands. The congregation then returned to their seats. Elder Gabriel then talked about the couple and how far they have come. He was proud of how they managed the situation and came out top. The Elder then started saying the vows to them both, "Does anyone here who does not support these two people in marriage speak up now or forever be silent?" No one said anything, so he continued, "Who gives this woman to her future husband?" he queried, waiting for a response. Those who were present shouted out enthusiastically, "We do!" Elder Gabriel asked the couple, "Do you, Luca and Rosa, take each other as husband and wife, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, in trust, faithfulness and with honour until the Moon Goddess calls you home?" he asked them both. Luca and Rosa then looked at each other before turning back to the Elder and declaring in unison, "We do," they roared so the pack could hear them. The Elder said, "I declare by the Moon Goddess, I now pronounce you as husband and wife. Alpha, you may now kiss your beautiful bride," he said. Luca did just that with enthusiasm, grinning, making Rosa laugh at his antics.

They then walked back down the aisle as the congregation stood up and cheered and clapped for the newly married couple. They headed towards the photographer and videographer's people, who waited patiently for them while everyone else was heading towards the reception area. While the others waited for Alpha and Luna to return, someone started playing the chosen music while the Alpha and Luna had their wedding pictures and videos taken.

An hour later, the photographer and videographers finished taking their wedding photos and recording their videos and left for the reception. Luca and his wife Rosa spent quality time together before heading there themselves. They arrived at the reception fifteen minutes later.

Before they entered, the Elder stood up and picked up his glass of pink non-alcoholic champagne that someone had placed around the tables. Cold iced water in other glasses sitting on the different tables and said to them all, "Please welcome Mr and Mrs Luca Ferrera," as he gently tapped the side of the glass. The congregation joined in, congratulating the couple. Luca and Rosa thanked him and the others for their warm welcome and congratulations, and he thanked everyone who helped make this day possible.

Luca also thanked his groomsmen for standing up with him and for their support. He then turned his head towards the girls and thanked them for standing up with his wife on their special day and showing their support. The girls smiled at the acknowledgement from the Alpha.

Luca finished his speech by thanking everyone who came and announcing that dinner was ready. As soon as he sat back down, they served straight away the food so that it was still warm and not too hot to eat as someone did everyone else. As dinner continued, members approached and congratulated them, including her old boss, Gianna Gallo. They both thanked them for their kind wishes and words. Before long, it was time to have the first dance as husband and wife. Luca helped Rosa out of her chair and led her towards the dance floor, where they danced to Glenn Miller and His Orchestra's "At Last" song because, as the song suggested, they were back together after all these years apart. They drifted on the dance floor, kissing each other here and there as all the male wolves wolf-whistled when they did. Rosa blushed at the attention while Luca grinned, thinking the same thing. They sat back down when the song finally finished playing.

More members came forward and congratulated the pair as they returned to their seats. And they both acknowledged the members who wished them well. Rosa was careful while eating since she had been eating for two now. She was still nauseous with certain foods. Otherwise, Rosa was eating well. Drinking ginger tea and nibbling on crackers kept the morning sickness at bay. Rosa felt a tap on her shoulder. She saw Elder Gabriel holding his hand; it was time for the bride's father to dance. Gabriel had offered to dance with her since her father was absent. Rosa took his hand as he helped her up and out of her seat and then led her back to the dance floor before dancing to Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable" song. Rosa thanked him for the dance because they had dedicated the dance and the music to her parents. Gabriel then returned her to her seat and her husband after thanking her for the dance. Rosa returned the thanks and her appreciation to the Elder as he returned to his chair. As the night progressed, Rosa took turns dancing with Giovanni, Stefano, and Constantino before returning to her husband.

Before long, it was time to cut the cake. Luca and Rosa headed over to the table that held the beautiful cake. They then took the knife with the pink and ivory-coloured ribbons tied around the handle and cut into the cake before taking a slice and feeding the piece to each other before Luca kissed her again. The wolf-whistling started up, also embarrassing her all over again. Luca was grinning but concerned for his mate. They then sat back down, and the festivities continued throughout the night.

Two hours later, Rosa was trying not to yawn. Luca agreed it was time for them to retire for the night. But she told everyone that they could stay and celebrate. Before they left, they did the garter. They threw her bouquet to the single pack members; it was funny that Stefano and Gianna had caught the garter and the bouquet as the videographers and photographers were still continually videotaping and taking photos after leaving. Luca then takes her hand, leads her out of the hall, and picks her up in her wedding attire before placing her in an SUV. Their bags were in the back of the car. Luca headed toward the new home they inherited from Rosa's father after they mated.

After a thirty-minute drive, they arrived at the house. Luca got out of the car, went to her side, and helped her. He then picked her up in marital style again. Rosa hung on his shoulders as they walked up the footpath to the front door. They then stepped over the threshold and entered the living room, where he put her down before returning to the car and retrieving their bags. Rosa went to the bedroom and lit candles, remembering their last time there.

He skillfully removed her dress until it was in a heap on the floor, leaving Rosa in the undergarments she had purchased for this special occasion. Luca's eyes widened when he saw her and what she was or was not wearing. He licked his lips in anticipation as he stripped off his clothes before picking her up and gently placing her on the bed. They did not stop making love until the early hours of the morning.