Chapter 229: Stop Worrying And Trust

After weeks of rigorous physical therapy, my heavy leg cast was finally gone. I could walk well again, the faint limp almost entirely vanished, and my body was feeling strong, healthy, and rested.

But my mind was a completely different story. My heart was pounding a frantic, anxious rhythm against my ribs, and my head wouldn’t stop spinning. Everything was moving so fast.

​I knew deep in my soul that marrying Reid wasn’t a mistake—not even close. But as the venue buzzed around us the night before the wedding, a dark, nagging voice in the back of my head kept whispering: Is Reid the one making a mistake? Is he giving up too much for me?

​Pregnancy hormones were cruel like that, taking every buried insecurity and amplifying it until it felt overwhelming.

​My mother had noticed my quiet, distant stare almost immediately. She had pulled me aside into a quiet alcove of the estate, taking my trembling hands in her warm ones.

​"You know," my mom had started softly, a tender, nostalgic smile on her face, "I never expected you to turn out to be an omega, Kain. For years, I truly thought I’d see you bring a woman home one day... I never imagined I’d be watching you put on a white coat to be the bride."

​She smoothed the back of my hand, her eyes shining. "I’m not complaining, sweetie. I was just shocked. And so, so happy. You’ve always been so alone, Kain. I saw it, even when you tried to hide it under your hockey gear and your captain’s authority. I worried about my boy every single day."

​Her words echoed what Marina had told me months ago in that quiet restaurant—the exact same fierce, protective relief that I had finally found a place to rest.

​"Knowing you met someone you could lean on... someone who looks at you the way Reid does," my mom whispered, "it made me so happy that I didn’t even care about the risk to your secret."

​"I’m sorry I made everyone worry so much," I had whispered, looking down at my shoes.

​My mother laughed, a warm, melodious sound that instantly cut through the heavy air. "Well, it’s all in the past now. You’re entering a wonderful family, you’re going to be a mother, and you’re going to be happy. That’s all I ever wanted for you, Kain. And I know everyone else in that room feels the exact same way."

​She reached up, gently cupping my chin to make me look at her. "So stop overthinking like you’re trying to calculate the trajectory of a final shot on goal. Stop worrying. Just... trust in everyone. Trust the ones who love you, and trust the man who promised to stand by you."

​I lifted my head, my eyes drifting across the courtyard. Distance away, standing by the patio edge with a drink in hand, was Reid. The second he caught me looking, a broad, utterly goofy grin broke across his face, and he raised his hand, waving at me like a massive, dorky Golden Retriever.

​A breathless, genuine laugh spilled out of my throat.

​"Alright, Mom," I breathed, wrapping my arms around her in a tight, deep hug. "Thank you."

​That night, my chest felt lighter than it had in months, freed from the invisible burdens I’d been carrying. I didn’t mention a word of my foolish anxieties to Reid. I didn’t need to. I trusted, without a shadow of a doubt, that even without knowing my silly fears, he would be the absolute best partner, Alpha, and father he could possibly be.

​Then, the morning arrived—and the chaos reached its glorious peak.

​I sat in a chair for hours while an army of stylists went to work on me. I had to wear a crisp, tailored white tailcoat, sitting still while my hair was styled to perfection and subtle makeup was applied to my skin. I’d had light makeup done before for commercial shoots and franchise ads, but this was on an entirely different level.

​This wasn’t makeup designed to look rugged or intimidate an opponent on a poster. This was makeup crafted to win the hearts of every single person who laid eyes on me.

​When the attendants finally stepped back with proud, breathless sighs, I stood up and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling mirror, completely freezing in place.

​"Is this... me?" I whispered.

​My hands were still rough and calloused from years of gripping a hockey stick, no doubt. My shoulders were still squared and my frame toned from decades of elite athletic training. But looking at my reflection, there was almost no trace of those harsh, battle-worn edges left.

​The soft white of the tailcoat hugged my broad shoulders and tapered waist perfectly, highlighting the subtle, healthy glow of my face and the soft radiance of my eyes. I looked ethereal, noble, and completely breathtaking.

​Off to the side, the makeup artists and attendants blushed furiously, exchanging giddy, victorious looks. They had truly outdone themselves.

The doors opened and the rest of the family filed into the room, their faces instantly lighting up as they caught sight of me.

​"So pretty!" Chloe and Chleo echoed in unison, hands clapped over their mouths.

​"Gosh, I think I almost fell for my own brother," Kalvin joked, making the rest of my brothers burst into a wave of quiet, fond laughter.

​My mother stepped forward, reaching out to gently hold both of my hands, her eyes glistening with tears. "You look wonderful, dear."

​"Thanks, Mom," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

​Marina stepped in right behind her, a beaming Jennifer beside her smiling with pure excitement. "My brother looks good in everything," Marina confidently claimed, crossing her arms with an affectionate smirk. "Even a wedding tux."

​Then my father stepped up to my side, offering me his arm. "Come, the guests are waiting. It’s time to walk you down the aisle."

​I looked at him, the quiet pillar of our family, and gave a steady nod, slipping my arm through his.

​We walked down the long corridor together, stopping right in front of the grand chapel doors. As we waited for the cue to open them, my father finally broke the silence, his voice low and heavy with a warmth he rarely put into words. "Kain... I have nothing against you being an Omega. Whatever you become, it doesn’t matter. You are still my son, and you are still my joy."

​"Father..."

​"But I don’t trust Alphas regardless," he continued, staring straight ahead, "and I never wanted a life with them for any of my children. But at this rate, it couldn’t be helped."

​I had always wondered what his deep-rooted beef with Alphas was, but I never had the courage to ask. Not in the past, and certainly not now.

​He turned his head slightly to look at me, just as the heavy wooden doors gradually began to part. "Regardless, know that you always have a home with us. If Reid McCoy shows even the slightest bit of change, forget him. And if you can’t, I’ll help you. I’ll come get you myself. I’m giving him one chance, Kain. One chance is all he has. He doesn’t get another."

​Bright, warm light poured out from the chapel, bathing us in a golden glow. I squinted my eyes for a second before they adjusted, and my gaze landed directly on Reid standing at the altar.

He was frozen, staring down the aisle like he had just watched a fairy walk out of a fairyland, his jaw slightly slack and his dark grey eyes blown wide with complete, reverent awe.

​"He better not mess it up," my father continued quietly.

​My lips curled into a sweet, understanding smile.

​"I understand," I said softly, stepping forward into the light as the organ music swelled through the grand hall.

​I wanted to believe there was no mistake in our union, no miscrossed fate. I believed that we were truly made for each other, and that the spark burning between us right now would never go out. Instead, it would blaze into flames of deeper, unshakeable passion.

​"I don’t think there’s anything to worry about, Father," I whispered, holding my head high as every eye in the room turned toward us. "I trust him. So... trust me."

My father gave my arm a firm, grounding squeeze, his stoic face softening into a quiet, proud smile as we took our first steps down the aisle.

​The chapel was magnificent, filled to capacity with towering floral arches, glowing candlelight, and every person who mattered in our lives.

On the left side sat our team—the Serpents looking uncharacteristically sharp in tailored suits, though Russo was already dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief.

On the right, my family and Brad and Fidora stood side by side, watching with soft, tearful smiles. It seemed she couldn’t miss it, even if she didn’t like me.

Reid was her only child, after all.

​Every step I took felt light, free from the heavy burdens of the past.