Xander POV: 

This is ridiculous. How many are there?  I linked, sighing in frustration and pausing the sewing as I waited for a response.

Twenty at least. We took out two and four more showed up. Don't worry, Alpha. We'll keep it under control, Felipe assured.

The lengths they were going to get to my Addie were insane. There had to be something else going on besides the obvious. This was way too much effort; especially when I had guards, especially when I had hardly been away from her. They should be taking the hint but if anything they were trying harder. Something else was definitely going on.

Katie, you have eyes on my Luna? I asked.

I waited for the response, unable to focus until it came in.

Yes, Alpha. She's perfectly fine. No vamp has entered the building. We have guards outside the windows, as well.

I blew out a steadying breath and returned to working on the veil. Another message came in, just from Kaden. Relax. We won't let anything happen to her.

His assurance did little to help me so I voiced my concerns. If anyone would understand it was Kaden. He and Tess were closer to me than anyone else and that meant they were closer to Addie too.

Something is wrong, I linked. They shouldn't still be trying so hard to get her. It was only effective until I had her. Now that I do it doesn't make sense they'd keep trying.

Maybe they're hoping she'll pull another disappearing act? Kaden suggested.

My heart stopped at that.

I want more guards with eyes on Addie, I linked to all of them. I don't want her going to the bathroom without someone being able to see her feet under the stall. Understood?

I got a response of 'yes alpha's' but it didn't help. What if she did run away again? She had to understand the threat now, didn't she?

Shit. I had to tell her about the vamps last night and the ones today but I'd wait until we left the wedding. I didn't need to ruin it for her. I took a final steadying breath and held up my handiwork. I examined it closely but I was certain no one would be able to tell it was ever damaged.

I rose from the desk and made my way over to the room they were getting ready in. I knocked a couple times and waited for an answer. Tash opened the door at the same time an older woman came around the corner and gasped, pointing at the veil.

"What are you doing with that?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.

I saw her last night. Tasha's mom. I think.

"Mom, he was ju-" Tash started, her face pale.

"The photographer was so taken with the veil and the meaning behind it he wanted individual pictures of it. Tasha was nervous to let it go alone with a stranger so I stayed with him the entire time to ensure it was safe," I interjected, smiling at the woman.

Goddammit, I forgot her name. I only knew her as Tasha's mom. She was almost convinced by my smile but walked over and examined the veil closely. I could hear Tasha's heart stop. I gave her a reassuring smile but she still seemed nervous. Finally, her mother lifted her eyes to me and smiled, setting her hands on my face and placing a kiss on my cheek.

"How sweet you are. It looks just perfect," she said, taking it out of my hands delicately.

Tasha sighed in relief behind her mother, falling back against the wall before putting her hands together and mouthing 'thank you' a bunch of times. I smiled and nodded as her mother shooed Tasha back in the room.

The door closed and I didn't manage a peak at Addie but I at least smelled her. Goddess, she smelled good. I turned and started towards the chapel. It was starting to fill now. I didn't make it far before I heard the door open and smelled her even more. I turned just as she grabbed my hand.

"How did you do that?" Her brows furrowed. "It looks perfect."

"I told you. Better than you could imagine."

I had another smart ass comment to make but as I turned and fully saw her, my breath caught. She wore a black dress, the sleeves were long and laced, ending past her wrists. The entire dress was lace, I realized. Underneath was a layer of black fabric but it ended short on her thighs so only the lace covered from her upper thighs down to her knees.

My eyes finally made my way to her face. Her hair was down, curled and pinned to one side. She had more make up on than usual but still not a lot. Just enough to emphasize what she already had.

"What?" She asked, a pink tint to her cheeks.

"You're stunning," I said, stepping forward and placing my hand on her cheek.

The pink turned to red and she turned her face away to hide but I held her in place.

"Don't. Let me look at you. You're so beautiful," I breathed, brushing my fingers down her cheek.

Every beautiful thing I'd ever seen in my life paled, couldn't even compare to the woman in front of me. My mate. Perfect and beautiful in every way.

"Thanks," she said, biting down on her lip. "And um... Thank you so much for fixing the veil. You really saved the day."

"Anything for you, love," I said, setting my hand on her waist.

She looked up at me with a whole mixture of emotions I couldn't possibly place. She finally smiled lightly and lifted on her tiptoes, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

"Try not to growl at Alex's brother when we walk down the aisle. He'll be rushing to his boyfriend's side the minute it's over," she said, stepping back and walking backwards to the room she came out of.

"Try not to rip off Lucy's head," I countered.

"Lois," she corrected, giggling.

"Doesn't matter," I shrugged. "Only interested in one of the bridesmaids. Any tips on getting her attention?"

It was adorable to watch her actively try to not smile at me. Sometimes she pulled it off. This time she failed miserably.

"You're not doing so bad without advice," she said, biting her lip before turning and rushing into the room.

Despite the danger outside I couldn't help but chuckle. She managed to make even the bleak things feel better.

It felt like ages before the wedding actually started. I sat in the back row but there were guards at every window and door of the building. No one was getting in or out without being seen. Certainly no vamps were getting anywhere near my Addie.

I waited impatiently for her to come down the aisle and was not disappointed. They added a flower to her hair and she walked with a bouquet. I didn't tell her where I'd be sitting but her eyes found mine the moment she stepped on the aisle. I smiled at her and she gave me a small smile before focusing on her task.

The wedding seemed to go on and on. Human weddings were so much less personal than werewolf weddings until they got to the actual vows. Addie's eyes kept drifting to mine and I made sure to have my gaze waiting for her each time. It wasn't hard since I couldn't take my eyes off her anyway.

The things I wanted to do to her in that dress...

Oh, I wanted her out of it. The image at the forefront of my mind currently was her having it on still while I slid into her. God, I bet she felt amazing. I wouldn't need much encouragement to take her right here in the church. In the bathroom, in one of the offices, it didn't matter where.

I had to adjust myself several times and tried to focus on anything else. I should be focused on the danger outside. I was, but staring at her for this long was affecting me. My urge to mate with her and mark her grew every day. I wished she could understand it. I just wanted us to be whole.

The wedding ended and she gave me another smile as she walked down with Alex's brother. They started outside and I jumped from my seat.

Big group heading outside with your Luna in it, Do not lose track of her, I ordered.

Yes, Alpha.

I went out as soon as I could and the second I was outside, I could smell them. The bastards were still hanging around. My pack had been picking them off but because it was the middle of the day, we had to be cautious. I found Addie in the aisle of people that formed outside, waiting for the bride and groom to come out. I walked up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her back into my chest.

I breathed a sigh of relief. As long as I had her, nothing would get to her. She looked back at me and smiled then frowned.

"You okay?" She asked, turning towards me.

"Fine," I answered with a smile. "Hardly awake. That was very long."

"You're telling me. My feet hurt," she pouted, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

"Not used to heels?" I chuckled, glancing down.

"I hate heels," she groaned, handing me a bottle of bubbles.

It must be what they were doing instead of rice since I saw several people with them. Addie faced the front again and I wrapped my arm tighter around her, lifting her up slightly. She squealed and turned her head to look back at me. "What are you doing?"

"Saving your feet," I said, placing a kiss on her ear. "The fact that I get to feel you pressed against me is just a side-benefit."

"You don't have to do that," she giggled.

"I'm sorry, maybe that wasn't clear. I really like having you pressed against me."

She turned a hundred shades of red before looking forward. "Fine, but set me down when she gets out so I can blow properly."

"Blow the bubbles or...?"

"Oh my God, Xander!" She hissed, smacking the hand that was holding her up.

"What? I thought you might want to blow her a kiss," I teased.

"Sure you did," she said, shaking her head.

I chuckled and leaned my head against hers. She let me stay that way, not pulling her head away from mine. Yes. She might be starting to accept me.

I did as she requested and set her down when Tasha and Alex came out. We blew bubbles and they ran to the car which took off in a hurry once they were inside.

I kept my hand around Addie's waist as we walked to my car. The drive to the reception was short and she had to go off for pictures but I stayed within sight as my pack surrounded the area, picking off vamps any chance they had cover. There were still too many of them and having her out in the open for pictures was putting me on edge.

It felt like ages when she finally started walking back to me, leaving Tasha and Alex for individual pictures. I took out my phone as she got closer so she wouldn't feel weird that I'd been staring at her this whole time.

"You didn't have to wait out here, you know. You could've eaten," she said as she approached.

I slipped the phone in my pocket and offered her my arm. "Eat without you? Some gentleman I'd be."

She smiled and took my arm, shaking her head. I led her inside and we sat at a table with the other bridesmaids. Our food was served but she kept getting up to help with everything. Helping grandparents get drinks, watching kids so family could eat, adjusting bridesmaid's make-up and hair, diffusing a family fight, getting everyone seated. She barely sat and her food went untouched.

I stood to slow her down and insist she eat since she hadn't since breakfast but someone pulled me into a tight hug.

"You are the best of the best of the best. I don't know anything about you but I'm just gonna say now I approve," Tasha gushed, squeezing me tightly.

"It was nothing. Glad to help," I answered, chuckling and returning her hug, albeit much less enthusiastically.

"It wasn't nothing. You saved the day. Seriously, thank you," she said, pulling back and placing a kiss on my cheek.

"Seriously dude, diffused a breakdown, can't thank you enough," Alex said, coming in for a hug as well.

"Happy to help. Congratulations, you look wonderful together," I said, returning the hug and stepping back.

Tasha started to speak but my eyes darted around the room for Addie. I had eyes on her a minute ago and now I had none. My heart started racing.

Who has eyes on the Luna?  I linked.

The response came in slow. I could barely hear what Tasha was saying.

We thought you did. We're looking now. Don't worry, Alpha. No one has gone in the building.

Fuck.

"Are you still there?" Tasha asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry," I said sheepishly. "I'm just looking for Addie."

"You've got it bad for her, don't you?" Tasha asked, setting her hands on her hips.

Goddess, now was not the time to get a talk from the best friend.

"You've no idea," I said, giving her my best smile. "Excuse me while I find her, would you?" I said, stepping past them.

Someone talk to me, I linked.

A vamp got inside but we have it under control.

How the fuck did that happen??

I rushed out of the room, following her scent. I went down one hallway, then another and another until finally I spotted her leaning against a wall, talking to Travis. The vamp was behind them but Katie and Felipe had hands on him, pulling him out the back door quickly and quietly. I sighed in relief and rushed towards her, grabbing her hand.

"Don't walk away like that," I growled. "You scared me."

"Whoa, what the hell, dude?" 

I internally groaned. Travis. The actual true best friend and the one who'd only just recently stopped fucking my mate. I turned my eyes to him. Now was not the time to have to deal with this bullshit.

A/N:

Heyyy guys surprise! Bonus chapter because we hit 11K reads!! So excited!! Thank you SO much for the comments and votes! You guys are the best :D Drop a comment to let me know what you think of this chapter!

What do you think these vampires are up to? >.>

What did you think of Xander and Addie's moments?

How do you think this meeting with Travis is going to go? 

Until Friday lovelies <3