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

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.

Jez studied me, curiosity in her emerald stare. “I think you’re wrong. Shaz knows what he’s doing. Don’t be so quick to take the blame for things that are out of your control.” When I didn’t respond right away, she nudged me with an elbow. “Come on, let’s go dance.”

A handful of people had claimed a free part of the yard as a dance space. They danced as couples and singles, spilling alcohol on the dying grass while their laughter echoed in the treetops.

I turned back to Jez. “I don’t think I’m drunk enough for that yet.”

“Well then bottoms up, lady.”

She bumped my drink hard enough with hers to cause whiskey to splash over the side and hit my foot. I squealed and laughed, scolding her for almost spilling on my lovely dress. We were joking around, having a good laugh, which I desperately needed, when I felt that honey sweet energy wrap around me.

I spun around to find Kale standing at the edge of the yard.

Those gorgeous brown and blue eyes lingered on me as he drank in my appearance. Dressed in a black suit, he wore his leather duster and held a small gift-wrapped box in one hand.

I took an extra-large sip of booze before I crossed the lawn to where he stood. “I didn’t expect you to come. But I’m glad you did.”

“I’m not staying long. I just wanted to tell Kylarai how happy I am for her.” Kale’s gaze fell upon the cross lying against my chest. Boldly, he reached to touch it, touching my skin in the process, sending a slight shiver through me. “You wear it?”

“Sometimes. It means a lot to me.” I covered his hand with mine and peered into him. “You mean a lot to me.”

I wasn’t sure why I said it. Perhaps it was the romance of the atmosphere. Perhaps it just had to be said.