“That’s adorable.” Tristan laughed. “See? You’ve got more family than you think. Just not the blood kind.”
“The best kind,” Cece agreed. “Now, let’s talk color schemes. I’m thinking something that plays off both your wolf colorings…”
“Absolutely not,” Billy said quickly. “As much as I love my animal side, and I know Cord does too, I’d like a bit more color than the white, black, and browns of our animal halves.”
“Fair point.” Cece didn’t look remotely discouraged. “Then what about jewel tones? Midnight blue would look incredible with Cord’s coloring, and you could do silver accents...”
Billy let his friends’ enthusiasm wash over him, occasionally contributing his own thoughts but mostly just basking in their excitement. He’d learned a long time ago that his friends could have something organized in the time it took him to find the paper to make a list.
His phone buzzed with a text from Cord:Mission going smooth. Thinking about you. Bullet says to tell you he’s already planning his best man speech.
“Oh, gods,” Billy said, showing them the message. “Bullet’s gonna make Cord die of embarrassment, isn’t he?”
“Absolutely,” Cece and Tristan said in unison.
“It’ll be perfect,” Tristan added. “Every good wedding needs at least one speech that makes the groom want to sink through the floor.”
“What about wedding parties?” Cece asked. “I mean, obviously we’re your…” he stopped, suddenly uncertain. “I mean, if you want us to be...”
“Of course I want you both to stand up with me,” Billy said, reaching out to squeeze Cece’s hand. “Who else would I ask? You two are the only reason I even met Cord in the first place.”
“Dibs on planning the bachelor party,” Cece said immediately, then paused. “Do alpha and male omegas have a bachelor’s party? Or is it more of a... pre-wedding celebration thing?”
“Whatever it is, no strippers,” Billy said firmly. “Cord would literally kill anyone who touched me, and I’d rather not have our wedding preceded by murder charges.”
“Fair point,” Tristan agreed. “Maybe just a nice dinner? Some drinks, some embarrassing stories about you...”
“Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?” Billy asked, but he was grinning.
“Because you know us too well,” Cece said cheerfully. “Now, let’s talk honeymoon. Somewhere warm? Mountain cabin? City break?”
Billy’s cheeks heated. “Cord mentioned maybe going to the coast. He knows I’ve never seen the ocean.”
Both his friends went quiet for a moment, and Billy knew they were thinking the same thing he was - about all the things he’d missed out on, all the experiences his parents’ rejection had stolen from him.
“That’s perfect,” Tristan said finally. “Your first time seeing the ocean should definitely be with your mate.”
“Romantic walks on the beach,” Cece sighed dramatically. “Sunset dinners, sleeping in, no missions or work deadlines...”
“It sounds nice,” Billy admitted. “Really nice.”
His phone buzzed again. This time it was a photo from Cord - him and Bullet making faces at the camera, clearly bored with whatever surveillance they were doing.
“Your alpha’s a dork,” Cece observed, looking at the photo. “I approve.”
“He really is,” Billy agreed, his whole face soft with affection. “He bought me a hot chocolate sachet when he came back from that mission, all because he felt bad about not being able to get me a proper hot chocolate in the middle of the night.”
“If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is.” Tristan agreed.
They spent the next hour going through wedding inspiration photos, arguing good-naturedly about centerpieces and menuoptions. Billy found himself actually getting excited about it, imagining walking down an aisle toward Cord, seeing that proud, possessive look his alpha got whenever he called Billy his mate.
“You know what?” Billy said suddenly. “I want to do it soon. Not like next week soon, but... I don’t want to wait a whole year or whatever. We’ve already mated. We’re buying a house together. I want to make it official in human terms, too.”
“Spring’s only a few months away,” Cece pointed out. “Totally doable if we start planning now.”
“The house should be closed on by then, too,” Billy mused. “We could have the reception in our own backyard if we wanted. Keep it simple.”
“I love it,” Tristan said. “Your first party in your new home being your wedding reception? That’s beautiful.”
