CHAPTER EIGHT
Five days later…
“Are you sure you want to go through with this, kid? I’ve got contacts, a new identity—the whole shebang. I could whisk you away to whatever part of the world you want to live in. Because, from what I can see, he barely lets you out of this house.” Butch struggled with his black bowtie. “That ain’t right. A woman needs to breathe fresh air, especially a woman like you. You love the outdoors.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not that bad.”
Yes, it was.
After my clothing spree the first day out in New City, a train had fucking fallen from the sky. It crashed a block away from us with debris and dust shot toward our bodies. If it hadn’t been for Alaric and Cass shielding my body on the ground, I would have been dead.
Because Cass did die that day.
A piece of metal flew right through his heart and embedded itself into Alaric’s shoulder. That had been a bloody and grueling day carrying a dead shifter fox into an alley until he could regenerate. Funny how the man had herded us away from another shop I was looking at…right where the train had dropped.
I had no doubt he knew he would die.
All that pain to save me.
After that?
I’d been stuck in Alaric’s damn home.
I’d met all of his friends.
But I was still stuck in his home.
There were no apologies given either.
The only reason I wasn’t pulling my hair out was that I understood—as much as I could. Alaric was immortal. He got one mate. Until we had sex, I could die.
And the day after he finds his mate, a train damn near kills her. So, yes, he was protective. And we were both waiting to have sex. As he had said, he didn’t want to rush it.
I guessed our wedding night might be different. It would be for me, anyway. I mean, it was our wedding night.
Butch glared through the window where he could see Alaric talking with his best man, Rune Mason. He shook his head, complaining, “The wedding is even at his house. I see major issues in your future.”
I said patiently, “It will be fine. I’m not worried.”
“You should be,” he barked. “You two still act like strangers half the time.”
“We’re getting to know each other. Slowly.” I shrugged my shoulder, my white wedding dress swooshing as I moved. A blush stained my cheeks. “I…think it’s romantic. He seems to get that about me.”
He huffed, then grouched, “I guess he did pay off that other poor fellow who actually got the high bid. Mr. Wood wants you. There’s no disregarding that fact.”
I snorted, and leaned forward, whispering, “His wood wants me.”
He waved two hands high in the air in exasperation. “Lord above, save me from the younger generation.”
I winked. “And he likes my humor.”
“That is a miracle.”
I punched his arm lightly. “Hey! Shut up. That’s not nice.”
We both noticed Alaric’s attention snap to the window where we stood—the closed window. He stood at least fifty feet away. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw tensed.
Butch snorted. “That man sure is fierce. He will make a good protector for you. No man—except for me—would cross him where you’re concerned.” He hummed and rubbed his chest. “You know, I’m liking him better and better.”
“I’m glad you see the light.” I sighed heavily and patted my dress. “But as you know, this is supposed to be my day. How about we go have a shot of whiskey before this starts. It’ll calm my nerves a little bit.”
He grinned, showing me all of his teeth while he pulled a flask out of the inside of his tuxedo jacket. “I did think of that.” Butch held it out to me, and then pulled it back a smidge when I reached for it. “Just a little bit. I know how much of a lightweight you are.”
I bared my teeth at him, but I only took a shot.
He tucked it back into his suit jacket. “You’ll do just fine, kid. Don’t you worry. Don’t even think about all those famous rich people out there. It’s just you and him.”
I inhaled deeply. Exhaled slowly.
I nodded. “Okay. They’re lining up out there.”
Butch snorted. “I’m glad you talked him into the heaters inside that gazebo. The guests will freeze, but at least you’ll be warm.”
I chuckled as I took the arm he held out to me. “You won’t be too cold. All those chairs out there? Including the one you’ll be sitting in? I also talked him into heated seats. So your ass will be toasty warm.”
“On that note of warm asses, it’s time to go.”
* * *
Ignore the rich and famous. Ignore the rich and famous.
My eyes stayed glued to the man waiting for me in the gazebo. I walked forward a step at a time, careful not to trip on my dress. It was beautiful, but it was long and full-bodied, the sides of it almost brushing the guests’ chairs.
I stopped.
I stared down at my flowers, as if in deep thought.
The music continued to play, but its tune slowed.
I snapped my head back up as my chest pumped.
Not again. Not today!
Whatever it was…it wasn’t me.
I didn’t think I was crazy, not now that magic existed. I still hadn’t told anyone what had happened that first night I’d arrived here. I hadn’t said…
Oh, yes, my body was snatched from me.
I had kept my mouth shut.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have. But I had.
With eyes full of fear, I took a tentative step forward.
I froze in place.
And peered down at my flowers.
I snapped my head back up. I kicked off my shoes and rushed down the aisle before I could be stopped again. I sucked in a large lungful of air, stopping directly in front of my fiancé. I ignored his worried and confused expression, mumbling under my breath, “My shoes were tripping me up. Sorry.”
His features cleared, a grin tipping up the edges of his lips. “You had me worried there for a second.”
I turned like a robot. Away from him.
I bent over at the waist and shook my booty directly in his direction, peering over my shoulder. I winked. “Is it our wedding night yet?”
I lurched up straight, my eyes wide on my face.
Ignore the rich and famous.
Ignore the rich and famous.
I jerked around and grabbed the preacher by his jacket, barking, “Make it quick. Now.” I dropped my flowers and snapped my fingers at him. “Hurry. You’re getting paid for the event. Not by the hour.”
“Faith…” Alaric’s dark brown eyes were enormous on his face. He placed his hand on my elbow, grabbing my attention. He whispered quietly, “Faith, are you okay?”
“I can’t explain right now,” I whispered without moving my mouth. I leaned toward him. “Trust me. We just need to hurry this up.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. He knew something was definitely wrong now. Without taking his gaze off mine, he yanked the preacher closer to us, ordering, “Five minutes. That’s all you get to make us say ‘I do.’”
Preacher man fumbled with his bible, but he was quick on his feet. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Within three minutes, we were married.
Five seconds later, Alaric pulled away from our kiss.
Four minutes later, we were inside his bedroom.
“Explain. Now!” he bellowed. He pointed at the floor, his eyes flicking red then brown. Red then brown. The bear inside of him snarled. “I want to know who has you reeking of fear. And what the fuck was that out there?”
I opened my mouth and cried out in fear, “I don’t know what it is! Something is taking over my body! I can’t control it at all. It just…happens. Since the moment I first knocked on your door.”