Wolves Part III: Stepan & Miron

7.

A column of police officers on their motorbikes drove along a certain route through the city, all the way from the Blue Ardvark to the city hall. Two bikes stopped at the time, getting ready to block the crossings. They would create a clear passage, one long road without obstructions or traffic lights, and they would need it.

The action didn’t pass by unnoticed. Already, people gathered on the sidewalks, curious to see what would happen. It wasn’t uncommon to see motorbikes and Wolves, but this looked very promising indeed. Near the hall, the final two officers parked at the side. They looked tough, determined, and excited at the same time. One of the citizens couldn’t curb her curiosity anymore. She crossed the street, approaching the officer in duty. “Tell me,” she said, smiling disarmingly, “no one died, I hope?”

The officer chuckled. “No ma’am, we usually don’t bury the dead in the city hall. That’s whole different route, and I truly hope we don’t have to use that one for a long time to come. It’s a wedding.” A voice came of the radio on his shoulder. “Excuse me, ma’am, we have to block the crossing. Stay on the sidewalk, because the column won’t be able to stop.”

“It’s a wedding,” the woman exclaimed as she ran back to her group and the other spectators. The word spread along the line, probably all the way down to the pub. Not long after blocking the traffic, the air got filled with a rumbling sound. It increased quickly. More and more people stopped to take a look. “They’re Wolves!” someone yelled, which was taken from mouth to mouth until everybody knew what to expect. They were used to Wolves, but didn’t often get the chance to see them all at the same time, and all on their motorbikes. It promised to be a great sight. Phones and cameras were lifted, ready to capture the parade.

The Black and the White Wolf, dressed to impress and on their mighty Harleys, were riding at the front. They weren’t wearing helmets, but their mouths were covered with masks and they were wearing sunglasses. They looked threatening, dangerous, just what the public liked to see. Behind them, the black, armored limousine of the Wolves followed at the steady, slow pace. It was impossible to see anyone inside. And behind the limo, all the Wolves were riding two by two. At the very back, a large, black Hummer closed the line. In there, with Hagan behind the wheel, there were the Wolves who couldn’t ride.

When they passed the two officers at the very end of the route, the policemen yanked their helmets off. They lifted it high up in their left hand, and slapped their right fist against the left side of their chest. These two cops were connected to the gang since forever. They weren’t in duty, they had volunteered. As soon as the Hummer had passed, they jumped on their bikes to follow.

Traffic on the crossings had waited patiently, but the cars couldn’t drive away immediately. The spectators took a run towards the city hall, because they wanted to see who would step out of the limousine. The car stood near the entrance, with all the bikes parked in a neat circle around it. The policemen parked nearby. Lin pulled his mask down, and walked to his two officers. “Thank you,” he said with a nod. “Well done, we had no trouble at all.”

“It was our pleasure,” the blond of the two said. “It was quite a show, I promise you. Can we stay through the ceremony?”

“Of course! Philip, honey… You know we will take care of you if you decide to quit the force, don’t you?”

“And to follow the footsteps of Bobane? I don’t know, Lin…”

With a smile, Lin hugged him for a moment. “Give it serious thought. You too, Axel, you know we would love you in our midst.”

The dark-haired cop nodded. He answered the hug, but not the smile. “Thank you,” he said instead.

“Alright. Now step aside, boys, it’s getting started…” Lin raised his left fist and shouted for silence. The sudden silence was deafening, it seemed as if the whole town held their breath. He joined Lon at the limo, and the Black Wolf opened the passenger door at the back. “And thus it begins,” he grinned, helping Stepan out.

Lin offered his hand to Miron. The gray-haired Russian stepped out, and staggered as he saw the enormous crowd. Lin immediately steadied him, tensing his hand and pulling his sunglasses down to look him in the eyes. “They’re here for the spectacle,” he said, voice low. “Not to judge you. I want you to forget your past, Miron. You are about to marry your best friend, your lover, and you will no longer live in shame or fear.” His eyes turned white, with Miron unable to look away. “Once that ring is on your finger, you will never feel anxious anymore. As for right now, all you will feel is excitement.” He knew he was succeeding as the other’s expression changed from nervous to relaxed. They both smiled, as if Miron mirrored Lin. “You are ready,” the White Wolf concluded. He put his glasses back on, and pulled Miron with him to Stepan. “Marry these men, Lon…”

“It’s my pleasure and duty, my love…”

Inside the town hall, in the great room, all the Wolves had found a seat. Lon took his position at the front. Although he was certified and an official, he refused to wear the attire required for the job. As always, he was dressed in his usual black jeans, his shirt, and the leather vest with the logo of his gang. He would use his wrench to seal the vows. Still, this wedding would be as official as the next.

Only the Wolves were sitting down. The two police officers had to stand, and they were at the back, watching the ceremony with interest. “Have you ever dreamed about standing there, in front of Lon?” Philip whispered to Axel.

“Eh, not really,” Axel whispered back, shrugging distractedly. “Need a man for that,” he added with a soft snort.

Philip agreed, and he shut up again. To be wed by Lon, they needed more than just a man. It required a Wolf. And single Wolves were extremely rare. Unless… He could quit the force and allow Lin to introduce him, Philip pondered, as he looked at how Stepan and Miron exchanged the rings. At the kiss, a sigh escaped him. He had witnessed weddings before, and they always gave him a melancholic feeling. He could be a Wolf… All he had to do was say goodbye to the police force. If only he had one more reason than being allowed to join the gang.
*

During the ceremony, Miron only had eyes for Stepan. Of course he heard the words, spoken by Lon, and he chuckled at the gentle jokes. But in his mind, he replayed the past thirteen years, since they had met. When it was time to make their vows, he took a deep breath. “Finally,” he simply said.

Stepan laughed, shaking his head. “Finally, indeed… I’m glad we waited, baby, and thank you for your suggestion about escaping. Finally, we are free. And I can’t think of a better way of spending the rest of my life, than with you. Will you wear this ring forever?”

“Damn right I will…” Miron looked at how the broad statement ring slid around his finger. The inscription was on the outside, Stepan’s name in Russian letters, in relief. They had kept it rather simple, but it still screamed at them. Miron’s hand trembled a bit when he gave Stepan his ring, but he managed not to drop it.

Lon had to silence the room, as the men had begun to cheer and applaud loudly. “You are now husbands,” he declared. “Officially. Give each other a kiss, darlings, to seal your promises.”

That kiss was the sweetest Miron had ever tasted on his lips. Stepan held his face between his hands as if he never wanted to let go anymore, and they stood together until Lon plunged his wrench down on the wood.

*****