A knock sounded on the bridal suite and Lucilla opened the door, stepping aside to let Lyssa and Terez carry Becca’s wedding gown into the room.

Seeing her dress, Becca moved to sit up from the couch and winced.

“What did I say about moving too quickly?” Lucilla scolded. “You’re barely healed.” Her eyes flashed to Jaylon stretched out on the bed. “Both of you.”

“Lucilla, I’m fine.” Becca coughed, wincing again.

The older woman frowned. “Nice try, little girl. You may be Prowl Leader, but as council representative in this room, I am ordering you to stay put. Matheus is on his way with the doctor.”

She lifted a hand to wave off the argument on Jaylon’s parted lips. “Don’t waste your breath, Jaylon. Matheus wouldn’t take no for an answer. You of all people should know that. Besides, I agree with him, so you lay yourself back on that pillow and keep still.”

Lyssa and Terez hung the dress on the edge of the closet doors, spreading the full skirt across two chairs.

“I knew it. It’s ruined.” Becca slumped farther into the soft couch. “I was praying the damage wouldn’t be as bad as I thought, but it looks like I was fooling myself.”

Terez curved a finger over her upper lip as she circled the dress. “It’s not ruined, miss. It will take some work, but I think I can get most of the stains out. Sand is hard and blood will be harder, but I’ll do my best.”

“Most of the stains,” Becca murmured back.

Terez nodded. “I’m sorry, miss. Organza is very delicate and if I use too much chemical or too much force, it will disintegrate.”

Becca lifted a hand and let it drop. “All that work ruined because of one delusional creep.”

Jaylon looked at Becca from the bed. “I love that you thought to do something unique and meaningful. The embroidery was a wonderful surprise.”

She made a face. “Was.”

Lyssa slid onto the arm of the couch and took Becca’s hand in hers. “Why not dye it? You could do the whole thing in a rich crimson. The color would definitely cover the stains and make a statement at the same time.”

Becca chewed on her lip but then shook her head. “No. My blood and Jaylon’s blood are one thing, and that’s fine, but the other two? No, I won’t have my dress remotely representative of what Alastair and Giselle caused. Their blood was spilled for greed and manipulation. I won’t have my dress or our day associated with those emotions in even the smallest way.”

Jay nodded. “Becca’s right. I don’t want to give the slightest justification to anyone who supported Alastair and Giselle’s actions.”

Lucilla’s lips parted. “Why would you say that? Have your men found something else?”

He nodded. “There were a few Leap members who sided with Alastair. They helped Giselle. It’s how Reece got free. They’re being held at the moment. We’ve had enough drama for one weekend, plus we still have to wait for Alastair’s Pride to send their representatives. I sent word to them while he was in custody.”

Becca sat up, ignoring Lucilla’s frown. “Three Leap members? Who?” Anger spiked as she looked at Jay for an answer. “It can’t be. I told you before, every family lost a loved one or had someone injured in Alastair’s raid. I can’t believe this.”

Jaylon spared a glance for Lyssa, but looked away before Becca’s eyes had a chance to follow. “All I know is what my men told me. Supposedly, Alastair promised them rank in his pride and they would hold positions of power in the Leap as well.”

She exhaled, sinking back onto the arm of the couch. “More self-interested bullshit. How am I supposed to be the Prowl Leader everyone expects if they won’t even give me the chance? It’s like they assume I’ll fail because I have a vagina and not a package between my legs.”

Jaylon’s eyes found hers. “Not everyone feels that way, Becca. We’ll root out the ones who do and set them right or send them packing. It’s that simple. We’ll do it together. My pack is behind you one hundred percent. When you risked your life to save mine, you proved your true colors to them. Word has already spread.”

He chuckled. “Even the teens are impressed. Especially the females. Matheus told me the ones who didn’t want to come for the weekend are now driving in by the car load. The motels in town are overrun with shifter teens, so much so I had to send a few of my males to keep the peace.”

Becca shrugged. “Curious, eh? Curiosity killed the cat—almost.”

“Not funny, Bec.”

She chuckled softly, wincing again. “Nope, it’s not, but I have to laugh or I’ll cry.” She looked at him stretched out and pale. “What do we do with all these people waiting on us?”

Lyssa let go of Becca’s hand and stood with a clap. “I can answer that.” She glanced at the stained dress and then back to the others in the room. “The condition of your dress notwithstanding, I have some good news. The hotel is willing to juggle things a bit to make this wedding weekend work.”

“How so?” Jaylon asked.

“You and Becca had the venue booked for the entire weekend, so instead of having the wedding and reception tonight, they are willing to hold it on Sunday, instead. They even agreed to adjust the room rate to accommodate another night’s stay if necessary, as long as we agree to pay the extra taxes, fees, and gratuities. Matheus already saw to that.”

“What about the food and the flowers?” Becca asked.

Lyssa turned to her friend. “On ice, so to speak. The menus for all the different parties you planned are being tweaked, and any food earmarked for the reception is being refrigerated along with the flowers.”

Lucilla nodded, adding, “Matheus had them move tomorrow’s beach barbeque to tonight, and the hotel event planners are coming up with something for tomorrow night, leaving you two set until Sunday to recuperate.”

Hands on her hips, Lyssa walked to survey the dress with Terez. “So in other words, you have nothing to concern yourself with except showing up on Sunday.” She pursed her lips. “I think I have an idea that’ll work for this mess.”

Becca leaned back, closing her eyes. “As long as you’re not planning to put me in some hoochie-mama monstrosity or some hippy-dippy, tie-dyed creation, I’m good with being surprised.”

Lyssa clapped her hands again. “Yay! Terez, you’re with me!” She winked. “To the laundry!”