“Angelle mentioned that the bride usually has the ceremony in her own community. This is Tempest’s community. And if Brandt wants anyone from his people to be here for the ceremony, you can bring them here.”
“I suppose I could see if they’d mind.”
“I’m sure if they understand how much it means to you, they’d be okay with it. We, however, are not okay with it being for us,” Boon said.
“I owe you an apology. I did promise I’d keep it small and informal, but I went the opposite direction.”
“It’s fine. As long as you don’t put us on display. We don’t like being around a lot of people, Lily. You know that.”
“Yes, I do. I guess I just didn’t realize how much I felt left out of Tempest and Brandt’s life.”
“Tell her. Tell them. They’re used to being the focus; they’re the Alphas of their shifter clan. And Eli will be right there with them. We’ll just be attendees — for a little while.”
“You better stay longer than a little while.”
“We’ll see.”
“Fine. How about you help us set up while you’re here?” Lily asked.
“I can do that, but I’m just making sure you understand. If we get here and there’s a wedding we’re supposed to be a part of, we’re leaving. I’m also reminding you that you need to talk to Tempest before you plan her wedding.”
“You’re being very difficult today, as well as uncooperative,” Lily said.
~~~
Angelle knelt on the ground and peered closely at a cream colored mushroom growing on the trunk of a tree. She looked at the small book she carried with her, opened to a page with a sketch of a mushroom that just might be of the same variety. She looked at the large mushrooms once more before she held the book out next to them. “That’s gotta be the same thing,” she said to herself. She sat back and looked up the trunk of the tree to the very top. It was only then that she realized the direction of the sun had changed, letting her know more time had passed than she realized. “Better get back,” she said, standing and brushing the dirt off her knees, then her bottom.
She closed her book, and very carefully cradled it in her hands as she made her way back through the woods in the direction of her home. Angelle smiled. Home. Something she wasn’t sure she’d ever share with a mate. She was still wearing that smile twenty minutes later when she finally made her way out of the woods and got a sense of where she was. The bank of the bayou that ran past her home was right in front of her, but she’d wandered far enough that she couldn’t see her house. “Follow the water, it’ll take me home,” she assured herself. It wasn’t long before she could just make out the peninsula-like curve of hers and Boon’s land up ahead and knew as soon as she got closer she’d see their home set back toward the middle of their property.
Sure enough, as she made her way further toward where she believed her home was, it eventually became visible. “And there it is,” she said happily, proud of herself for not getting lost. She didn’t hesitate to gravitate right toward the house, running lightly up the stairs and opening the door without hesitation. Then she came to a complete stop, her heart thundering in her ears as she realized immediately, that she was not alone.
“Get out of my home!” Saige shouted, standing up from the table where she’d been sipping a cup of tea. “Leave before I call for help!”
Angelle remained perfectly still, her gaze on the stranger claiming that this was her house, and not Angelle’s. “You’re mistaken. This is my home. You need to go, immediately,” Angelle said, her voice calm and steady.
“Get out! Oh, my gods! What do you want? Don’t hurt me!”
Angelle slowly began walking toward Saige.
“Don’t touch me! My mate will rip you limb from limb if you hurt me!”
“Who are you?” Angelle asked.
“Saige. And this is my home! Mine and Boon’s! We spent the afternoon together planning our wedding! He told me to wait here while he went to go make sure that some human he’d been spending time with doesn’t cause me distress. Wait! Are you that human? You are, aren’t you?”
Angelle nodded slowly. “I am that human.”
“Did you really think he’d mate you? A male like Boon would never settle for such a plain, boring female. He needs fire, excitement, challenge!”
“Is that what he told you?” Angelle asked.
“He didn’t have to. We’ve been fated since we were born.”
“I suppose that’s why you never agreed to mate him.”
“You poor dear. My heart hurts for you, it really does. I can’t stand to see you hurt any more than you are already. Just, go. Go and I won’t even tell him that you came back here. There’s no need to cause yourself any more embarrassment.”
“Why would I be embarrassed?”
