CHAPTER 202: RAPHAEL & LAILA’S WEDDING

It was Raphael and Laila’s wedding celebration. Eleanor had a rather busier day than usual.

In the morning, after dropping Freya at school, she rushed to Heron House, where the local registration office was located. Teresa, Maya, Lily and a few other Heimdall employees were already there, representing Laila’s side of the family. On the other side, Dominic Blanc, Juliette Blanc, and a few other senior members of the Blanc Clan stood in for Raphael.

They received serial number two for the day. After the first group exited the marriage suite, their party was called in. Under the guidance of the staff, everyone took their seats while Laila and Raphael stood before the marriage desk.

The room, though modest in size, held an elegant air... clean cream walls, delicate white roses in crystal vases, and rows of cushioned chairs arranged on either side of a simple oak table at the front.

A registrar, dressed formally in a navy blazer with the city crest on the pocket, stood waiting behind the desk. Behind him, the official Union Jack and Manchester’s city flag stood proudly on polished brass poles. A small digital screen displayed the date and the words:

"Marriage Ceremony – Laila Monroe & Raphael Blanc"

Laila wore a graceful ivory midi dress that complemented her beauty. Her long hair was loosely pinned back, a few wisps falling softly around her composed face.

Raphael was dressed in a finely cut charcoal suit, his silver cufflinks catching the light as he adjusted his collar. He stole a glance at Laila from time to time, a quiet affection in his eyes.

The registrar smiled gently. "Shall we begin?"

Both bride and groom nodded in affirmation.

"This is a legal marriage ceremony under the laws of England and Wales," the registrar began. "Today, two people stand before witnesses to make a commitment to each other, witnessed and recorded here at Heron House, Manchester."

She gestured to both sides. "Are you both ready to proceed?"

"Yes," Laila answered, her voice clear and unwavering.

"I am," Raphael replied, softer, but just as sure.

The registrar continued, "Please repeat after me... I, Raphael Blanc, take you, Laila Monroe, to be my legally wedded wife."

Raphael turned slightly toward Laila, his gaze steady.

"I, Raphael Blanc, take you, Laila Monroe, to be my legally wedded wife."

Then it was Laila’s turn, she repeated after the registrar, "I, Laila Monroe, take you, Raphael Blanc, to be my legally wedded husband."

The registrar smiled again. "Do you, Raphael, promise to love, support, and stand by Laila through all of life’s seasons?"

"I do."

"And Laila, do you promise to love, support, and stand by Raphael through all of life’s seasons?"

"I do."

They signed the official marriage schedule, the thick pen gliding over their names, Laila Monroe and Raphael Blanc... inked into permanence. Eleanor and Dominic stepped forward to sign as witnesses, each leaving a deliberate, elegant signature.

The registrar lifted the signed document with ceremonial care. "By the powers vested in me by the Registrar General, I now declare you husband and wife under the law. Congratulations."

The room filled with gentle applause.

Juliette approached with a perfectly folded silk handkerchief in hand. "Welcome to the family, Laila Blanc," she said with a subtle, graceful nod.

Laila smiled... a calm, quiet smile. The kind that spoke of storms weathered and peace finally found. She placed her palm over her heart, then bowed to Juliette with the proper werewolf respect due to Raphael’s mother.

"Thank you, Mother."

***

After the official marriage ceremony ended, the party moved to Hawksmoor Manchester at Deansgate. Juliette Blanc had booked the entire restaurant for an intimate lunch celebration.

The restaurant served its renowned British steaks and fresh seafood, along with a variety of side dishes carefully selected by Juliette in advance.

For nearly two hours, the gathering enjoyed good food, quiet laughter, and warm conversation among close friends and family.

After the celebration, Eleanor and her group returned to Heimdall Tower to tackle their piled-up work, while the Blanc Clan headed back to their ancestral home... bringing the newly wedded bride and groom with them.

***

The Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa had been transformed into a fortress of elegance by Clan Blanc for the night’s grand event. Its sandstone walls, illuminated by a hundred golden lanterns, seemed to hold their breath in anticipation of the gathering. Since all the guests would be from the supernatural world, Clan Blanc’s own event management company took full control... releasing all human staff and remodelling the venue to suit their traditions.

Tonight was a double celebration. Primarily, it was the wedding reception of Raphael and Laila, but after the two young wolves’ success in the competition for the Trial of Yggdrasil, the clan decided to merge both victories into one night of triumph.

The main reception hall had been stripped of its usual soft, modern décor and dressed in the Blanc Clan’s colours... deep crimson banners stitched with black thread, each bearing the crest of a rampant wolf howling at the moon.

The banquet hall, set to host the event, glowed under a cascade of dazzling, colourful lights. At the center, long banquet tables were laid with traditional copper plates, polished knives, and great chalices waiting to be filled.

Raphael Blanc stood by the arched entrance with Laila, his mate and now bride, their hands clasped. Her gown caught the light like water over ice, her long dark hair braided with silver chains that glimmered when she moved. Raphael’s pale, frost-coloured eyes swept over the growing crowd, catching each familiar face. His posture remained formal, as demanded by the patriarch’s presence. From across the hall, his grandfather Dominic Blanc, the clan’s unyielding patriarch, watched with a gaze sharp enough to cut stone.

Dominic sat like a sovereign at the head table, broad-shouldered despite his age, tall and unbowed by time. He wore the long black ceremonial coat of the alpha line, his jet-black hair gleaming beneath the lantern light. His word was law; tonight, he was the anchor keeping the volatile tides of the clans in check.

Raphael’s mother, Juliette Blanc, played the perfect hostess. Her velvet gown trailed behind her like spilled ink as she moved gracefully between groups, greeting each guest with a measured blend of warmth and authority. Her husband had been gone for years, but she bore the weight of her role without a hint of faltering.

The first to arrive were the Raynor Clan of Manchester, led by their formidable clan head, Fiona Elizabeth Raynor. She wore an elegant royal navy gown, perfectly tailored and trimmed with silver thread that shimmered subtly as she moved. Her style was understated yet commanding... high collars, fitted gloves, and heirloom jewellery passed down through generations. A single pearl rested at her throat, and on her hand gleamed the signet ring of the Raynor crest.

At her side was Eleanor Elizabeth Raynor, the young miss and future clan head, fulfilling her duty by standing beside her matriarch. She wore a perfectly fitted purple gown for the occasion, paired with a diamond necklace and earrings. She looked strikingly beautiful, yet her natural, emotionless expression stood in sharp contrast to the lively celebration, creating an invisible distance that kept people at bay.

Upon seeing them, Juliette Blanc stepped forward, placed her hand over her heart, and bowed. "Welcome, Clan Head Raynor and Young Miss Raynor. Thank you for joining our celebration."

Raphael and Laila also stepped forward, bowing respectfully. As a subordinate clan, the Blancs naturally had to show deference, but the Raynors had always treated them well. Besides, the three... mother, son, and daughter-in-law... were currently working under Eleanor, which made their welcome warmer and more respectful.

Ethan had not come to the event. He was at home with Freya, as Eleanor did not wish to expose her daughter to the other clans attending the celebration.

More than twenty members of the Raynor Clan followed behind Fiona and Eleanor. They returned the greetings before Juliette led them inside, guiding Fiona to the table where Dominic Blanc was seated.

Heavy-footed and boisterous, Ciaran Raynor arrived wearing a greatcoat of dark wolf fur. Ciaran, a classmate and long-time friend of Raphael, had always shared a good relationship with him.

"Raphael!" he roared, arms outstretched. "I heard you kidnapped your bride from Russia!"

Raphael stepped forward, smiling. "Ciaran, it’s good to see you."

"Good? It’s a relief!" Ciaran gripped Raphael’s forearm in a bone-crushing handshake. "Among us friends... you got married first... and to a human woman! Now we can seek our partners openly. You showed us lights!"

He turned to Laila with a broad, teasing grin. "Lady Laila," he said with a playful bow, "I heard you beat him silly... and that was when you were still human! We’d like to see you in action again sometime."

His booming laughter carried through the hall as the Raynor youths streamed inside with smiles.

Dominic Blanc rose from his seat when Fiona approached. Bowing respectfully, he welcomed her and offered her the chair beside him, with Eleanor seated on her other side. Juliette escorted the remaining Raynors to the table next to theirs before returning to the entrance to receive the next guests.