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

A few of the Stony pack wolves had spent all afternoon decorating the backyard. Several rows of chairs were lined up before a beautiful flower and vine draped archway. The guests would be facing the end of the yard where the forest could be seen beyond.

Buying property on the edge of town was one of the best decisions I’d made. After living at Kylarai’s, I’d gotten spoiled and needed to have a forest-bordered property of my own. My closest neighbor was on the other side of the tree-lined graveyard that separated us. It was about as private as it could get. A great location for a werewolf wedding.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you shine like this.” I sat on the edge of the tub with a hand-held mirror doing my makeup while sneaking glances at Ky. She was beaming.

“I’m afraid I might pee myself when I get up there in front of everyone. Or pass out.” A hand flew to her mouth, and she gasped. “What if I throw up?”

“Morning sickness?” Jez asked. She wielded a curling iron like a pro, creating perfect spiral curls in Ky’s deep brown locks.

“No. Just nervous. I never let myself believe this would happen.” She giggled, a high-pitched, anxious sound. “I also never thought I’d be thanking you for attacking a stranger on the street, Lex.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “It was my pleasure.”

We could joke about it now, but what I’d done to Coby wasn’t really funny. It made me think of the wolf Shya had forced me to make for him.

Screw that. I can have one damn day without that demon ruining my mood.

“Have you spoken with Shaz since the other night at the Kiss?” Ky couldn’t see my face from her position, but she didn’t have to look at me to give me that mother wolf tone.

“He told you about that, huh?” Carefully I applied eyeliner, creating a dramatic, 60s-style, cat-eye point. Now if I could just make the other eye a perfect match, it would be a miracle. “Shaz tells you everything these days, doesn’t he?”

“He always has,” Ky said softly. “He thinks you’re afraid of how things will change between you two after you…you know, become a vampire. Whenever that happens to be.”

“I am afraid because everything will change. Again. It never stops changing. And I can’t be what he wants. You know that, Ky. Shaz and I will never have what you and Coby have.” I saw the shadow of sadness pass through my eyes and had to look away from my reflection for a moment. Crying off my makeup would be a small disaster.

Ky tsked and shook her head, receiving a scolding from Jez. “You’re out of your mind, lady. Seriously. What you and Shaz have has existed since he was a teenager. It still exists now despite all of the Arys stuff. Don’t be so quick to write it off as doomed.”

I suppressed a laugh when she said, “Arys stuff.” Oh if only it could all be so easily summed up.

“How can it not be doomed? I can’t give him the monogamous commitment he deserves. The last year has been nothing but conflict between Arys and Shaz regardless of the few times they actually get along. Besides, none of that even matters now. Once I turn, Shaz and I will be worlds apart.”

Kylarai was swept up in the romance of her big day. She sounded like a lovesick teen when she said, “Everything happens for a reason, Lex. Trust that. It will all work itself out.”

It sounded completely delusional to me, but I knew better than to say so. Instead I said nothing and focused on finishing my eyeliner.

“I still think you should enjoy it all while you can,” Jez piped up. “Maybe if you got naked with Kale again, he’d stop banging everything that moves and find some peace.” My jaw dropped, and I stared at her as if she’d just revealed the Caramilk secret. Kylarai squirmed uncomfortably in her chair and cleared her throat. Jez did a double take when she noticed my expression. “I’m sorry. Should I not have said that? I didn’t think Kale was still a touchy subject for you two.”

“He’s not,” Kylarai patted Jez’s hand. “Not for me anyway. I think it’s Alexa who finds Kale to be a touchy subject. No pun intended.”

There was a moment of silence before the two of them burst into giggles. I groaned and hid behind the hand-held mirror, refusing to continue this conversation.

“He’s a very intense guy,” Jez mused. “I bet he’s a passionate lover.”

I stood up and set my makeup things on the counter. “In order to avoid this discussion, I’m going to the kitchen to get some champagne. Can I get you guys anything?”

“Oh, Alexa, when did you become such a prude?” Jez scoffed. “It’s just a little harmless girl talk.”

“So nothing for you then,” I surmised, retying the belt of my robe before heading for the door.

“Bring me some champagne,” she called after me, joined by Ky’s request for some green tea.

Pausing in the hall outside my bedroom door, I took a deep breath and willed away thoughts of Kale. Whether she knew it or not, Jez had set loose memories I tried desperately to keep caged. It rarely worked.