September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)(91)

The wedding party was small. The entire event was cozy, consisting of less than a dozen guests. The Stony pack seemed to be shrinking.

When it came time to take Shaz’s arm and follow Jez and Bryce out the patio doors, a sense of panic struck. One foot in front of the other, I managed to clutch my pink and white rose bouquet and descend the patio steps without falling on my face.

Shaz held tightly to me as if he knew I was afraid of embarrassing myself. Staring straight ahead at Coby made me forget my clumsy fears. He stood in front of the archway with the minister, waiting anxiously for his bride.

As we parted, Shaz gave my hand a squeeze. We lingered for just a second longer and then let go. I took my place next to Jez and turned along with everyone else to watch Kylarai’s entrance.

The setting sun cast her in a pale orange glow. She walked alone, taking slow, even steps. Shaz had offered to give her away, but she had wanted to give herself to Coby. It was insanely romantic. The guests rose as she passed by. She joined Coby at the front and already her eyes shone with unshed tears. The energy jumped between them, creating a warm, loving atmosphere.

As the minister spoke, the rest of us looked on, each lost in our own thoughts. I could feel Shaz’s gaze upon me. Our eyes met and so many things stormed against the dam I’d built inside that I was sure it would come crumbling down.

This would never be us. We would never bind ourselves together this way, declaring til death do we part. Though my spirit was elated with joy for my friends, it mourned the loss of something I had never had to begin with.

My sorrow shone in Shaz’s eyes. It was an unspoken dream our wolves shared, to be mated always. The human within knew better though. In that moment, as we listened to our friends declare their undying love, we were forced to let go of a future that would never be ours.

My wolf didn’t understand. She whined and scratched at my insides, demanding I go to Shaz and nuzzle him, to show him that our love lasted even if our time together didn’t.

Breaking eye contact, I stared at my feet and willed myself not to cry. It was a ridiculous need brought on by the intensity of the moment. Maybe later I would mourn the picket fence life I never knew I wanted. Then again, maybe I never would.

Giving myself a mental shake, I concentrated on my two dear friends. Coby was as handsome as ever in his tux with his short, dark hair combed into place. His hazel eyes were all wolf. He was still new to our kind and easily overwhelmed. He held tight to Ky’s hand.

They seemed to be oblivious to the rest of us. So caught up in their eternal vows, they had eyes only for each other. Again I felt reassured that good things can come of evil. Perhaps it was the greatest trick the light ever pulled on the dark.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister said, closing the Bible in his hands. “You may kiss the bride.”

Coby pulled Kylarai into his arms, kissing her with a tender display of emotion. She touched his cheek with the soft caress of a woman who had found her soul mate.

I did cry then. It was impossible to stop the tears that escaped me. Touching a hand to my face, I was relieved to find them clear and pure. Blood tears at a wedding wouldn’t go over well.

The guests applauded and cheered. A few whistled. Jez leaned in close and whispered, “I’ve never been so jealous in my life.”

I nodded, choked up and unable to speak. She pulled a tissue from her cleavage and passed it to me, turning my tears into laughter.

It didn’t take long for a dozen werewolves to go from serious ceremony to reception party. The guests took their turn lining up to congratulate the bride and groom before hitting the open bar where they helped themselves to drinks.

Kylarai had decided a buffet style was easiest. She was right. The caterers had set everything up and then left.

Speakers placed at varying points around the yard pumped out a lengthy playlist of tunes. Though she’d wanted a live band, it hadn’t worked out due to the short time frame she had to plan.

I lingered near the table that passed as the bar. With a glass of whiskey in hand, I watched my best friend’s face beam. She moved about the yard, making small talk with the same wolves who had demanded I be removed as their leader.

“Are you feeling sorry for yourself?” Jez sidled up with a raspberry vodka cooler in hand. “Because that shit isn’t allowed at weddings.”

My lips twitched as I hid a smile. “Me? No. Of course not.”

“Good. I’d hate to have to slap it out of you.”

The sun had set. Darkness stole into the backyard, broken up by a few strategically placed yard lights. People would start to shift soon. What would a werewolf wedding be without wolves?

“Do you want this, Jez?” I asked, watching Shaz across the yard speaking with Coby. “The whole happily ever after thing.”

She took a long swig from the cooler before answering. “I didn’t think so. I doubt I’m really marriage material. But yeah, I’d like the whole happily ever after. Who wouldn’t?”

“You’re not marriage material?” I laughed. “Well, that makes two of us then.”

“Do you think you’re robbing Shaz of this kind of life?” She followed my gaze to where he stood smiling and joking with Coby.

“No. I don’t think it. I know it.” In a very unladylike move, I slammed back the rest of my drink and promptly went for a refill. What the hell? It was a wedding after all.