Willow met Kelsey’s aunt Maggie, who lived in town and had been part of Ezra’s life since grade school. Then she nearly cried all over again when she spotted two of her college friends, Nyesha and Gayle.
“How’d y’all even know about this?”
“Saffron’s got connections,” Nyesha said with a laugh. “So, here it is: you look gorgeous, I want the full story of your romance, and I want to stay in touch, which I should’ve said a long time ago.”
Willow bit her lip. “I suck at that.”
“Yeah, you do,” Gayle said, “but we let you get away with it. No more though, okay?”
“Okay.”
“So how about that Master’s?” Nyesha popped a hand onto one hip. “Married or not, there’s no time like the present for a teacher’s pet.”
“Maybe.” A question for another day.
A few folks left a gift bag or card on an elaborately decorated table at the back. Saffron had bought a chalkboard sign and written in her clear script,presents optional but leave them here if you brought them, along with a smiley face. Two hours into the event, Devin and his wife came to Ezra and Willow to reiterate congratulations and say goodbye. Aaron and Ember followed shortly after.
“I’d love to stick around,” Ember said. “Just too tired.”
Gradually Willow and Ezra drifted to a table and claimed chairs, and her new family joined them—all the Sterlings and their spouses. Just as Willow began to sigh her relief—mingling complete, now to sit quietly for a minute—Ezra straightened in his chair and looked toward the shielding magnolia tree.
“Wasn’t sure he’d come,” he said.
“Of course he did,” Trevor said. “Just not at the height of socializing with humans.”
“Who? What?” Willow stared at the tree, clearly missing something.
From behind it stepped Malachi, the waning sunshine turning his hair an auburn gold. He stood still a moment before stepping beneath the pavilion and making his way to the Sterlings’ table. Several conversations at other tables paused as he passed by, then resumed.
Ezra stood with his hand in Willow’s, tugged her hand, and she stood too.
The alpha’s physical presence made everything around him look smaller. He smiled. “Congratulations again, both of you.”
“Thanks, Mal.” Ezra shook his hand, and then the alpha drew him in close with an arm clasp and a clap on the back.
“Thank you,” Willow said. She hadn’t felt shy around Malachi before, but he looked different among this mixed group of wolves and humans. Bigger, sure, but it wasn’t only that.
He sat at their table and socialized for a good hour while the sun continued to dip toward dusk. But everyone was still in small-town party mode when he stood up from the table.
Willow stood too. “You have to leave?”
“It’s best,” he said and cast his eyes toward the rest of the party.
She followed his gaze. Since he’d risen, many of her friends had turned to stare. A few looked entranced. She whispered, “Are they afraid?”
“They’re uncomfortable.”
He was right. People had begun to fidget in their chairs, to stare and look away and stare again. “Like there’s an uncaged tiger in the room.”
“Or a top-class apex.”
“You shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of that.”
“It’s all right.”
“But isn’t it…lonely?”
His eyes, unexpectedly blue thanks to contacts, crinkled at the corners. “I have my pack.”
