It seemed like there was air beneath my feet when I drifted to the grave and sat down in front of him. His expression was fashioned so that he was looking right at me when I sat close enough. Graceful wings draped over his shoulders, his hair unkempt, and the look on his face was content, as if he were eagerly waiting to hear what I had to say. Wes would be forever young in my mind, even as I myself would begin to age through the years into an old woman.
I placed my hands on his. “I got married today.”
For the next hour, I told my brother about his nephew, the pack war, my father, the wedding, tripping over the cat, and even our mom hitching up with Maddox.
I couldn’t be certain, but I thought he smiled a little wider.
Shortly after dusk, I returned to the car and got naked in a cemetery. The dress had left red marks around my hips and neck, so it was a relief to slip into my jeans and a tank top. Austin didn’t want to change out of his swank attire, so I admired him for a little while before falling asleep listening to the radio.
“Wake up, we’re here,” he announced.
I rubbed my eyes and groggily sat up, blinking in the darkness. “Already? How long was I asleep?”
I knew something wasn’t right when I opened the car door. The air was humid and didn’t smell like pine trees. As soon as my feet touched asphalt, I noticed a familiar sign.
“Wait a second. We’ve been driving for over an hour,” I said. My brows furrowed when he seized my hand and tugged me forward. “You brought me to Howlers? Is something wrong? Austin, answer me.”
As soon as we reached the door, he swept me off my feet and carried me over the threshold of a Shifter bar.
“I hope this isn’t where we’re going to consummate our marriage.”
Whistles, claps, howls, and laughter erupted all around us as we moved into the main room.
The entire pack was there, changed out of their dressy attire. Tables were joined together in multiple rows, each dressed with dinnerware and heaps of food.
Drumsticks tapped together from the stage, and the music fired up. Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire” to be exact, sung by the one and only Jericho Sexton Cole. He was in rare form, with dark liner, leather pants, and a sleeveless shirt that said BEST MAN on the front.
Denver climbed onto a table—a straw hat on his head—and started dancing. Not the kind of bootie dancing that warranted a laugh, but something you’d see in a strip club. Ivy swatted him playfully on the butt with her cane, and a glass tipped over as he pulled Maizy up with him and planted a kiss on her mouth. She took off his hat and put it on her own head as their kisses turned to pecks.
I wiggled in Austin’s arms. “You sly little devil. You never had plans to take me to Colorado, did you?”
“You think I’m going to go off and leave our son behind? Besides, I told you I was giving you a Weston-style wedding, and I meant it. I had to stall and drive around the city while they set everything up. I know how you like to sleep at the beginning of a trip, so I was counting on that. We got catered barbecue from the Pit, and Jake is offering unlimited drinks, so feel free to get wild and crazy.”
As soon as he set me down, I backed up into someone.
I turned, and Ben gave me a quick hug.
“Congrats.”
I squeezed him tight before he had a chance to pull away. “I’m so glad you’re back. We’ve missed you.”
“Yeah, me too. Everything’s solid between Wheeler and me now.” He leaned back and threaded his fingers through his hair. “I’ve been working. It’s been… hard, but I kicked the gambling addiction. I don’t even buy lottery tickets.”
“I know. Is your Packmaster okay with your leaving?”
He grimaced and averted his eyes from Austin. “I haven’t really… It’s um…”
Austin clapped his hand on Ben’s shoulder. “You’re welcome to return home anytime. I’ve been keeping my eye on your progress over the years, and I know you’re better now. It hasn’t been an easy road, but we always knew you’d make it back. It was just a matter of your kissing and making up with Wheeler.”
Ben laughed awkwardly. “I’d like that. Not the kissing Wheeler part, but moving back home. I really screwed things up years ago, so I hope you’ll see that I’m a different man now.”
Naya slinked up and squeezed his arm. “I’ll say, but Wheeler will always be a better kisser,” she said with a wink.
I left them talking and weaved through the crowd toward my mother, whose arms were weighted down with a wiggly little man.
As soon as Travis saw me, he reached for me and almost fell out of her arms.
“Hi, baby!” I lifted him up and kissed his cheeks. “How do you like Uncle Jericho’s singing?”
He smiled wide and replied, “Buh-buh-buh-buh.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Izzy rushed in front of the stage and gave Jericho an unchoreographed sample of her sexy dance moves. When Jericho missed a beat, he looked ready to drop his guitar and carry her backstage.
Melody breezed by and rolled her eyes. “Oh, brother. They’re acting silly again.”
Hope smiled and touched the ends of her hair. “I think it’s sweet your parents are so affectionate. Mine are reserved.”
“Sweet is how your mom calls your dad Thunder. Trust me, the last thing you want to see are your parents making out at a bar.” Melody mimed, sticking her finger down her throat.