Serene’s POV

The limited guests who had been invited arrived by the afternoon, they mostly consisted of friends and families of Shumal and Lavaria Sensei. Ralph and I were on reception duty, we were carrying floral wreaths which we offered to guests to be worn on their heads, and led them to their seats. The path was lined with floral petals of white and green flowers, complementing the theme we had chosen.

Father and Kilamin had been invited as well but recently there had been ruthless attacks on our realm by vampires and creatures. Now that the Wampir Realm had fallen under Meliana, there was no more stopping vampires from hunting our kind for our high-quality blood. So father and Kilamin had been extremely busy keeping the peace and safeguarding our people.

I had adorned the magnificent dress with matching high heels and jewelry, my hair was side braided and a huge teal flower decorated them from the left side. There was a smile that I didn’t let falter as I received all the guests.

I stole a side glance and found Zeph conversing with the live band we had arranged, he was supposed to sing with them. So he was giving them last-minute instructions as they were settling down.

His handsomeness took my breath away, the backcombed silky raven hair was slightly wet. He had chosen to wear classic folkel attire instead of the usual one. The black overcoat he was donning fell to his hips. It was open from the front and revealed his frilled white tunic underneath. The lapel of his coat had silvery embroidery. His black trousers hugged his toned legs and his black high-heeled shoes gave him a tantalizing appeal.

It was impossible to peel my eyes off him and just as he turned to face me, our gazes met momentarily before I averted them and focused on the task at hand. I knew he was watching me.

"You should talk to him, I think he has returned to his senses after the cold shoulder you have given him for the past few days," Ralph whispered, seeing us stealing glances at each other. Ralph had been quite upset due to our fight and he had reprimanded Zeph. He had always taken me as his little sister and wouldn’t even allow his best friend to hurt me.

"I don’t want to, he has hurt me and he was the last person I was expecting to hurt me after everything we have been through," I whispered back while fiddling with the wreaths in my hand.

"Relationships are difficult, only proper communication can smoothen them out. We all need each other in these times. Talk to him for me, please. I promise he will behave." Ralph offered me a slight smile and I nodded at him.

After receiving the guests I checked on the caterers and everything had been arranged as I had instructed. Every plate, every spoon, and every glass was perfectly placed.

As the sun began to dip under the horizon, hundreds of tiny white lanterns with yellow flickering light came alive. They had been hung with the arcs and canopy. The scene became almost magical.

Lavaria Sensei was first to arrive with his long-tailed white coat, a small bowtie, a frilled white shirt, and matching slacks. He looked like the epitome of perfection. His signature smile played on his lips and he held a white flower in his hands for his bride-to-be.

Everyone stood up to welcome him as he made his way to his parents who hugged him followed by his younger brother, who seemed like a ditto copy of Lavaria Sensei just much younger. He seemed a few years older than us.

Lavaria Sensei then took his seat on the raised platform and the guests went one by one to greet him. Artins and Mariela Sensei had taken their seat along with Lavaria Sensei and according to the traditions, he would marry off the couple.

The band began to play melodious tones through their instrument as all of us girls lined on one side, waiting in anticipation for Shumal Sensei to arrive.

Ziva had enchanted the surroundings to give it a feeling as if the raised platform was right in front of a magnificent waterfall with water droplets sprinkling under the sun to form a rainbow all across.

Soon the music changed and Shumal Sensei emerged through the curtains of flowers specifically designed as an entrance for her. Her parents accompanied her on both sides. The elegant long dress we had chosen fitted her perfectly and her hair was neatly tied in a messy bun with beads and tiny white flowers. She wore light pink makeup and a pair of emerald earrings.

I had never seen her look so beautiful and happy, she waved at us and sent us flying kisses. "Awwww," my girls squealed in return and we sent kisses back and showered her with flower petals. The magic was in the air, magic was everywhere today as she glided past us and headed for her groom.

Lavaria Sensei was beaming with pride and fulfillment, looking at his wife to be and this filled my heart with warmth. He offered his hand when she reached the platform and her parents handed her over to him. The crowd cheered as they stood facing each other, with content smiles and sparkling eyes. Lavaria Sensei offered the flower to Shumal Sensei and she accepted it with a small bow.

Artins Sensei had brought a red silky cloth with him. He instructed with a smile: "Shumal place your hand on Lavaria’s." She did as she was told and we all watched with anticipation. The band had gone quiet.

Artins Sensei wrapped their hands in the cloth and offered them both a small drink out of a tiny glass. Both took sips from it. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Artins Sensei then gave his small sermon and asked some mandatory questions.

"Lavaria of Stonewall Pack do you take Shumal Arta as your beloved wife?"

"I do," Lavaria Sensei replied with a heartwarming smile making Shumal Sensei blush.

"Do you promise to take care of all her needs and share equally what is yours with her?" Artins Sensei continued with his questions.

"I do,"

"Do you promise to remain faithful to your wife?"

"I do," he replied without taking his eyes off the woman he was marrying.

The same questions were asked of Shumal Sensei and the same answers were given by her. Artins Sensei then removed the red cloth and Mariela Sensei handed them both reddish silver sashes which they both spread around each other’s shoulders.

"The ceremony to tie the two souls together has now been completed, may the newlyweds keep the flames of undying love lit forever. You can now kiss each other but keep it light, as kids are watching." Everyone burst into laughter at his last statement and both Lavaria and Shumal Sensei had their cheeks crimsoned as they slightly kissed each other.

Hundreds of tiny white birds carrying white petals flew over them and showered down the petals. This was courtesy of Mariela Sensei and Ayrden. The view was so breathtaking that guests sprang up from their seats and clapped loudly while nodding in appreciation.

Shumal Sensei raised her hands and stared up at the magnificent birds with a hearty laugh. The music started again and someone shouted:

"Let’s dance," and people began to head over to the dance area we had created. Lavaria Sensei led Shumal Sensei to the middle and they began to sway with the rhythm of the music, followed by other people who began to pair up and dance.

Ralph took Alvene while Cainos had Ayrden in his arms, and Tanzil and Mikasim followed in pursuit. Zilver had been sent on missions in Lycanus Realm so he couldn’t make it to the wedding, so Ziva stood by me.

"Serene, you should dance with Zeph. Whatever it is, have it in your heart to forgive him." Ziva whispered to me with sadness filling her eyes and I could sense, she missed Zilver.

"If he wanted to dance, he would ask," I replied with a hint of sarcasm.

"Boys are idiots, they tend to say idiotic stuff from time to time. Just ignore them." She added giving me a small smile, I just nodded at her.

Then I heard his voice as he began to melodiously sing the song he had prepared for the occasion. The air became turgid with emotions as his hearty voice echoed all around us and I couldn’t help but turn to stare at him, he was already staring back at me, those dark cold eyes were shimmering with emotions and for a second the world disappeared as I found myself lost in his magnetic voice and haunting eyes, he seemed to have cast a spell on me.

Someone’s voice pulled me out of the trance he had cast. "Princess Serene, would you give me the honours of dancing with you?" A strong masculine voice reached my ears and I turned to see who it belonged to.