Author's POV
The two of them sat there in the garden chair, wrapped in each other's arms. After a while, they both knew it was time to return. Liam straightened himself up, as did Haylie, pulling the straps of her dress back over her shoulders.
Together, they walked hand in hand back to the party. As they reached the driveway, they saw Klinton already waiting for them.
Saying goodbye was harder than either of them had expected, knowing they wouldn't see each other again for over a week.
Liam stood there, tears welling up in his eyes, watching the woman he loved fade into the night until there was nothing left of her but the echo of her departure.
With her gone, it was time for Liam to begin the ceremony to become Alpha.
He quickly changed into different clothes, his sweatpants, and bare feet the only sign of his casual state before the ceremony.