I hate parties,he thought viciously.
Michael hopped up on the stage and gave him a little push. “That was quite a wedding, eh? Let’s give the couple a happy sendoff, shall we? I think we all know by now that Joshua hates being the center of attention. So let’s start putting away these chairs so we can start dancing!”
That broke the awkward spell. Joshua took Kira’s limp hand and led her back toward the exit. Two sets of footsteps followed. Joshua didn’t have to look to know who it was. As soon as they were outside, Gwen stepped up beside Kira, put an arm around her, and led her away while Rafael tapped Joshua’s shoulder and jerked his head in the other direction.
Joshua watched Kira leave, his wolf more confused and frustrated than ever. He turned on his heel and marched away.
“That was something,” Rafael said finally.
“Yup.”
“You sure this was a good idea?”
Joshua shrugged. “It’ll protect her. I don’t care if it makes her hate me even more. I’m keeping her safe.”
Rafael sighed. “I made the same argument with Gwen. But you know what actually helped? Being honest with her.”
“So?” Joshua snarled.
“So, maybe you should be honest with Kira. About everything,” Rafael suggested, softer than he normally would speak.
“No.” Joshua walked faster as though he could escape the scene that had just been performed. He started stripping off his clothes, desperate to get out of this human skin. “I’m not goingto put that on her. It’s not like you and Gwen. I have to prove myself before I start talking about love.”
And with that, he shifted to wolf form. Rafael called after him, but Joshua just ran.
Chapter 5 - Kira
Gwen hugged her tightly. “Just remember, if you need anything, let me know. I’m here and I’ll bring hell down on Joshua if you ask.”
Kira buried her face into Gwen’s shoulder. After Gwen questioned her on this ‘relationship’, Kira hadn’t been able to tell her the full truth. She didn’t want to seem like a pathetic woman who was forced into something she didn’t want, so she’d gone with a part-truth—that the council decided they’d get married. That Joshua was being Joshua, but seemed to think that it was the best option. Rather than tell the truth about walking out of the wedding, Kira had made up a lie.
“There was a misunderstanding. Joshua cleared things up for me. It’s not as bad as it seems. Though I suppose the pack will hate me all the more for embarrassing him.”
Now, Kira closed her eyes tightly and released Gwen before she forced a bright smile on her face. “I know you will. But it’s not necessary, honest. Joshua and I just have to work on our communication.”
Gwen gave her a small, unconvinced smile but didn’t push. “Do you want help with packing up your stuff?”
Pack. Kira stiffened at the word. He would expect her to move in with him, wouldn’t he? She looked around at her home. After living here for so long, feeling like she was barely eking by, she had finally started to establish a feeling of permanence. The mortgage was paid off, and she was just starting to think about what improvements she would make. She’d drawn up a few fun ideas for a library tower addition.
Now Joshua had invaded her life, pushed his way into her circle, and she was a married woman. At least Woods wasslightly more interesting than Smithson. It was a name that held more respect in the pack, at least.
“I’ll see to it myself. I don’t think Joshua and I will be living together like that right away,” Kira said, hedging.
Gwen’s lips pressed together. “Kira… if there’s anything you want to tell me—”
“I mean, we’ll be moving back and forth, you know?” Kira said quickly. She smiled, hiding the turmoil of emotions inside of her.
Gwen hugged her one last time, still looking doubtful. When she was gone, Kira slumped onto her couch. These were the first few hours of her marriage, and they were spent with her groom, who knows where. Not that she wanted Joshua around. If he was really being forced into this marriage as much as she was, then she saw no reason why they needed to live as husband and wife. Oh, it would cause gossip, but that would die away as their living arrangement became normal.
That meant she didn’t have to pack anything. And it meant she didn’t have to wonder where he was. Or if he really was willing to go celibate for this marriage.
Kira huffed and reached behind herself, unzipping her dress. No point in staying all dolled up. In fact, she was going to do something that would require a ton of effort, so she would stop thinking about Joshua altogether.
***
Kira had just finished constructing her fourth set of freezer meals, which she planned to drop off to various members of the pack that would need something quick and easy to eatin the coming weeks, when her doorbell rang. She washed her hands and dried them on her apron as she headed for the door.
A shiver ran down her spine as soon as she touched the doorknob. Her breath caught in her chest. She knew exactly who was on the other side. For a moment, she was frozen, gaze on her hand, not knowing if she should answer or simply pretend like she wasn’t home.
