Page 47 of Return to the Pack

It’s one of those days in Florida when the weather is sublime, and the skies are clear. Not a single cloud mars the sky, and a light breeze gently plays with my hair. It’s the perfect day for a wedding, now that I know what makes up a wedding.

I’m standing at the edge of the Creebay Preserve clearing with Elder Amexaryl, Adolpha, Kato’s mate, Okami, and two little wolf children, waiting for my bridegrooms to arrive. Guests sit in chairs arranged beneath the trees, dressed in their finest clothes. There’s an air of expectancy humming through the pack at this most unusual day when I am to take not one, but four mates. Sure, I’ve heard whispers of gossip and questions floating through the air, but no one’s said anything unkind—not yet, anyway.

Adolpha has threaded purple orchids through my long hair, which has been re-dyed a bluer shade this time. I’m wearing the gown Warrick bought for me, which compliments the flowers and my hair both. It hugs my waistline, plunges to my navel, and cups my breasts, and I think my mates are going to howl when they see me.

I scan the road leading to the clearing, searching for signs of my lovers. Finally, a distant rumbling alerts me to their arrival, and a big, goofy grin spreads across my face. A few minutes later, three shiny motorcycles roar into view, leading the way for Axel’s truck. The truck has been washed and polished, and flags of the Jacksonville wolf pack flap in each corner of the bed.

The motorcycles and truck pull up to the edge of the clearing. The boys rev their engines to the whoops and applause of the pack.

But the vehicles pale compared to their riders and driver who exit from their rides. All four men are dressed in their rented tuxedos with violet waist sashes—they called them cummerbunds—and bow ties.

Warrick and Callan’s hair hangs glossy and abundant around their faces, while Ethan’s short-cropped hair has the sign of the wolf shaved close to his skull. Axel’s is combined back neat and shiny.

They can’t see me behind Adolpha and Okami, but I can see them. The sight of them takes my breath away. They’re all tall and muscular, exuding power and dominance that makes my wolf want to roll on her back and give them her belly.

Elder Amexaryl strides to the podium set before the guests and gestures for the men to follow. Her yellow robes billow about her body, tossed by the breeze. In her hand, she carries a staff with the teeth of fallen wolf warriors dangling from the end, clacking softly together.

She’s radiating magical energy as she stands tall, waiting for the men to take their places.

They stand next to her with their hands clasped loosely before them, in the position of rank—Axel first, then Warrick, then Callan and Ethan.

“Ready?” Adolpha says, hooking her hand into my elbow.

I roll my lips between my teeth and nod my response, overcome with emotion.

“Girls,” she says to the two children, dressed in their pretty white dresses with purple trim—I’m pretty sure one of them is the dress Warrick picked for me first at the shop.

The girls skip toward Elder Amexaryl, strewing wildflower petals on the ground.

Dressed in a loose-fitting dress to cover the baby bump in her belly, Okami follows them, herding them along.

Adolpha nods at me, her eyes glistening. “Let’s go,” she whispers.

We step into the clearing, and a hush falls over the crowd. All eyes are on me as I float toward my four mates.

Each one of them stares at me with emotion brimming in their eyes. Devotion clouds Axel’s eyes. Hunger radiates from Warrick. Ethan winks at me, wolf playfulness and mischief threading through the admiration in his gaze. Pure love shines through Callan’s beaming smile.

When I reach the podium, Elder Amexaryl says, “Please surround your mate.”

My men move around me until I’m cocooned in their masculine energy.

Elder Amexaryl reads a passage from a book on wolf lore. Then in a clear, rich voice, she performs the simple ritual. “Do each of you accept Luna as your sole mate, through love and laughter, through trial and tribulation, in wolfskin and human form, for all of your days on this earth?”

They all murmur their assent.

Axel adds, “In this life and beyond.”

Elder Amexaryl nods. Then she looks at me and says, “Luna, do you accept Axel, Warrick, Callan, and Ethan as your sole mates…”

“I do,” I say, unable to wait a moment longer to claim my mates.

Elder Amexaryl finishes the sentence and then lifts her staff and touches the wolf teeth to each of our heads. “And now, by the power vested in me by our holy wolf spirit, I pronounce you life mates.”

Each of the men kisses me in turn until my cheeks are ablaze.

Then, Warrick grabs my waist and lifts me to his shoulder.

I let out a squeal.