“You know what the problem with you is? You’ve always been the pretty one. You’ve never had a girl tell you no, so you don’t understand that sometimes you gotta, you know, sell the goods. Chicks tell me no all the time. But I get more fox than a chicken coop because I’m persistent.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying, you go after her, shit-for-brains. And considering she’s a werewolf, I wouldn’t do it gently. Be the alpha. Take her back.” Nate crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes.
Kyle turned the sparkly paper between his fingers. It took him less than a minute to make up his mind. Bounding from the bed, he snatched a suitcase from his closet, opened drawers and shoved clothes into it as fast as he could move. He pulled on his shoes as he stumbled with it toward the door.
“Don’t you dare leave this dog here. I’m not taking care of it,” Nate said, pointing at Milo.
“Milo, come.” Kyle slapped his thigh. The mastiff jumped from the bed, tail wagging, and pattered after him. Man and dog slipped into the world like fallen sycamore seeds spinning on the wind, searching for a welcoming place to lay down roots.
ChapterThirty-Six
“You’re going to look like a snow queen,” Becca said.
Laina’s human friend and assistant finished zipping the tight waist of her fur-trimmed dress. The first snow of the year had blanketed Rivergate Manor in a thick layer of white that morning, hiding every imperfection in the garden that would serve as her aisle and altar. She supposed Becca was right; the white fur cuffs and hem of her dress, along with the diamond tiara that held her veil, fit the winter wonderland royalty motif. But even Becca had no idea that the chill in the air penetrated straight through Laina’s skin, all the way to her heart.
“Thank you for doing this,” Laina said.
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Since I found out you were a wolf, I’ve been dying to see this place. I’m so happy for you. All the time you were gone, I prayed they’d catch that asshole and you’d be able to come home. I never thought you’d find a husband too.”
Laina gave Becca a small smile and nodded toward the door. “It’s time.”
Her human friend led the way to Rivergate’s courtyard, the snow-covered garden overflowing with flowers brought out minutes before. They’d only last for the ceremony in this chill, but they were beautiful. Over Becca’s shoulder, Laina saw Cameron in the traditional belted wool robe of her people. He wore deep blue, Rivergate pack’s signature color, the insignia of three parallel lines on the back to match his tattoo. She knew the ancient garb was probably scratchy and uncomfortable, but it was necessary for the ceremony. Both her dress and his tunic had one detachable sleeve that would be removed so that once they were married, thePreotka, or priestess, could carve Cameron’s Rivergate tattoo under her phoenix tattoo and vice versa, forever uniting their packs through marriage. Children of their union would be able to choose which of the original packs to belong to upon their first shift.
The music started, and Becca strode down the short aisle, an icy breeze stirring her hair. Laina picked up the pillow holding two enormous fangs, one from the original ancestor of Fireborn pack, the other from the original ancestor of the Rivergate pack. Resting it on her upturned palms, she carried it to the altar and set it down beside Preotka Artemis, who was dressed in her crimson ceremonial robes.
When the music stopped, Preotka Artemis raised her hands. “Welcome, wolves, to the binding of Cameron James of Rivergate lineage and Laina Flynn of Fireborn pack. It is my honor to—”
The door at the back of the gardens slammed shut, and a large man with a very large dog stood at the top of the aisle. “Stop this, Laina,” Kyle demanded, staring her right in the eye. “You will not marry him.”
Inside her head, Laina’s wolf whimpered, not out of fear but out of the desire to submit to Kyle’s demands, to go back to that place where she felt warm and safe in his arms. “What are you doing here, Kyle?” She meant to sound firm, but the words came out like wisps of smoke.
“I’m here for you. You can’t marry this guy.” He stepped forward, Milo heeling perfectly at his side without a lead.
“Why?”
“Because you love me. You’re mine. You promised yourself to me.”
“Kyle…” Laina couldn’t find any words. Her entire being was nothing but emotion. She wanted so badly. Wanted him. Ached to run into his arms.
“How is he here?” Preotka Artemis asked softly, referring to Rivergate’s enchantment.
“I don’t know,” Laina whispered. Her eyes darted to Cameron, whose expression was curiously blank.
Kyle held out his hand, only a few feet between them now. “Come with me. I know this isn’t what you want.”
Her eyes burned, and she blinked repeatedly. “I can’t, Kyle. It isn’t…allowed.” Her eyes darted around the garden. “Cameron, I..”
But Cameron wasn’t paying any attention to her. Instead, he was looking quite dreamily at Kyle.
Kyle held out his arms and turned in a circle, the light catching on the scar on his face. Alex had put that there. It was a scar Kyle had earned defending her, a brutal-looking memento of the sacrifice he’d made for her.
“Let me introduce myself. I’m Kyle Kingsley. My mother was a wolf, and I’m a human hybrid. I fought Alex Ravien Bloodright and lived to tell the tale.”
There was a collective gasp from the crowd.
“If anyone challenges my right to marry this woman—should it be her will to have me—please stand and allow me the opportunity to change your mind.” He made a beckoning motion with his hands.
