“Lexa Close,” I say firmly. I grab her soft hand in my hard, calloused palm and give her a firm squeeze. Her eyes widen as she looks me up and down, and I can practically hear the dots connecting.
“I’d like to second Heather’s question,” Derrik says, stepping up on the platform around the altar. “You can’t just bring in some random person to lead the pack.”
“It was under the advice of Iris Porter,” Kit answers. “She’s well-known for matching shifters and creating effective, long-lasting partnerships that benefit councils as well as communities within the immediate pack and are good for diplomacy between territories.”
Damn, Kit. You’re so romantic. I’m going to swoon right here.
“I’ve heard of her,” Jones says. “She does have a talent for negotiating very successful marriages. She takes her work very seriously, and considers the needs of the entire pack when she makes a match.”
“I’ve heard the same,” Loretta says, her voice curt. “That’s the only reason I’ll entertain… this.”
She stops talking abruptly, and I’m grateful that she doesn’t finish the thought. Kit takes my hand and moves me closer to the altar. Before I know it, Derrik is speaking the ritual words, both of us have answered, and the pack declares our union complete.
When Derrik says, “You may kiss the bride,” I tense up with indignation, but Kit just leans over and briefly kisses my cheek.
Okay. I didn’t really want to kiss him, but I have to admit I’m a little disappointed.
The council members all introduce themselves to me, but I know I’ll have trouble remembering their names. I’m even more exhausted than I was the day before. I can’t even really remember how long I’ve been on the run for.
Miles of hard running in wild country, then the shock of meeting Kit, the long travel back to Cyan Lock, then a damned shotgun wedding. I need a hot bath, a decent meal, and a big, soft bed.
I follow Kit out of the church back to his truck, questions still circling lazily in my mind. There are things that don’t add up and details I’m curious about, but I put them all aside to investigate later.
So long as the old man isn’t going to come popping out of the trees at me, I don’t care where he is.
I’m surprised when Kit pulls into the wide driveway of a luxurious townhouse not far from the church.
“We aren’t going to your family estate?” I ask.
“No, I don’t stay out there much,” he answers. “I like to be right in the heart of things, and the estate is so distant from town.”
“Yeah,” I say. “Does your grandfather still live out there?”
“He’s dead,” Kit answers tersely.
Well, that answers that.
I follow Kit inside, trying to figure out something to say to fill the awkward silence. I fail miserably, and the space between us gets bigger as it fills up with all the things we don’t say.
Kit leads me up the little spiral stairs to the second floor. The place is compact but still roomy, and beautifully decorated.
Like a fancy hotel suite. Not that I’ve ever seen one.
“Well, here’s the bedroom,” Kit announces, stopping in the doorway and gesturing to the bed. “I’m guessing you’ll want to get some sleep.”
“Thebedroom?” I ask carefully. “Do you mean ‘my’ room?”
Kit frowns. “There’s only one.”
“One what?”
“Bedroom,” Kit snaps, getting frustrated.
I take a slow step back, looking between Kit’s face and the huge, soft bed behind him. It looks like all kinds of heaven, a thick forest green duvet draping invitingly over the edges and mountains of soft pillows. It’s so massive that it almost covers the whole room.
All I want to do is lay down—but with Kit next to me?
The images are in my head before I can stop them. Even though the bed is huge, I see him rolling towards me. I can feel his hands stroking my skin and the heat rising from his body as I press myself up against his chest.
