Awakening (The Magic of the Black Forest Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

bright and early with Matt and James. With the guys not here yet and us ladies still having to get ready, we needed all the help we could get. They made sure all the final touches were completed and set up the music. They also started escorting people from the front of the house to my backyard. The wind chimes were ringing every time someone came up the drive. The relaxing sound soothed my soul so I didn’t undo my spell.
    We were in my bedroom putting on our dresses for the last time when the butterflies in my stomach started to flutter. Familiarity and the feeling of home calmed the butterflies, and I knew Bradley was on the premises. The closer he got the faster my heart raced, pounding against my chest. My chest filled with warmth as I dashed to the window to get a peek of my fiancé. Unfortunately, the guys were quicker. They were already gone. Hoping to get a glimpse of my fiancé from the back window, I raced to the kitchen.  Instead of seeing Bradley, I saw all of our guests and by the size of the crowd, it looked like everyone we invited came to watch our nuptials. Holding my stomach, I tried to keep the rippling waves of my anxiety at bay. Suddenly, it felt like I was going to pass out.
    My hands dampened as my anxiety grew. Trying to gain control and prevent myself from hyperventilating, I inhaled a series of deep breaths. Nothing seemed to help calm my nerves.
    Aunt Susie walked through the back door, across the kitchen and stopped right in front of me. “This is from Bradley.” Reaching out she grabbed both my shoulders and pulled me into a warm comforting embrace. Minutes later she let me go and handed me a piece of paper. With trembling hands I read the words breathlessly aloud, “For all of eternity, my Natalia. See you soon. Love, Bradley.” Colleen, Melissa and I all started crying… But not my aunt.
    “I’m going out there to slap the shit right out of him.” Hearing my Aunt Susie cuss made us all bust up laughing.
    “Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful day.” Grinning wildly, I shouted, “Let’s go get me married!”
    “No, not yet! We still need something old, new, borrowed, and blue,” Melissa said as she handed me a beautiful silver necklace that had a white wolf dangling from it. “The wolf was made by a local Indian tribe. They believe that the wolf carries the spirits of their ancestors and that it will give you strength. So there’s your something new.”
    “Thank you, Melissa, it’s beautiful. It looks like Seager.” Spinning around, “Please, would you help me put it on?” The intricate wolf howling at the moon was carved out of bone. The eyes, made of turquoise, seemed to give a spiritual effect. The lengthy sterling silver necklace set the wolf pendant dangling perfectly just above my cleavage.
    After pulling a small jewelry box from her purse, my aunt walked across the room and handed it to me. “I was going to give this to you later, but here’s something old.” Whilst I opened the box she explained its history, “Your grandmother gave both your mom and I a matching set of pinky rings. Your mother gave her ring to their good friend and lawyer, Harvey, for safekeeping. He recently gave it to me to pass it on to you. Wear it with pride.”
    It was a beautiful silver ring with an ‘L’ on it. My hands were shaking again terribly sliding it on my left pinky. To my relief, it fit. Hugging my Aunt Susie, I thanked her for the gift and for her coming into my life.
    “Okay, now it’s my turn.” Colleen laughed like a little girl as she presented me with my something borrowed. “You can borrow my bracelet that Jesse gave me on our wedding day.” It was a white gold charm bracelet that had two grizzly bears dangling from each side. “I want it back before you leave for your honeymoon.”
    “I will, I promise. Thank you, Colleen. I’m honored.” Overwhelmed with emotion, tears escaped, streaming down my cheeks. Quickly, so to not mess up my makeup I