CHAPTER THREE
My stomach’s twists and turns like dough shaping itself into pretzels. Today is my wedding day. Instead of feeling nervous, I’m excited. I peer at my reflection and turn my head from the left to the right, studying the tumble of hair falling around my face. Tiny diamond pins add sparkle here and there. My eyebrows are flawless, my make-up is on point and my lips are just the right amount of shiny. I barely recognize myself. Most of the time, I run around with nothing but Chapstick and sunscreen on my face. This is a once in a lifetime occasion. So, I endured their beautification rituals.
I’ve been plucked, waxed and buffed like a car for the occasion tonight. I slip on the white and gold mask that matches my cream and gold dress. It’s show time. Nerves rise. My hand trembles. The delicious ache at my core reminds me of just how compatible Ridge and I are. The anxiety recedes. I put on my fierce face. If I want people to accept me as their Queen, I need to look and act the part. I step away from the mirror and walk out of the hotel bathroom. We’ve resurrected one of the hotels forgotten and neglected. With a lot of elbow grease, enchantments and every decoration we could get our hands on, we breathed new life into the gray monstrosity.
Ridge whistles long and loud. “Que Magnifique.”
Heat floods my cheeks to spread across my chest and collarbone. I've never felt as beautiful as I do right now. He makes me feel like a schoolgirl going on her first date. The intensity visible in his piercing blue eyes is humbling. This man could have anyone he wanted. With his angular face, wolfish ice blue eyes, Cupid ’s bow lips and thick blonde brows, he is model handsome. But it’s his strong personality, sense of humor and animal magnetism that made me open my heart. The thought frightens the shit out of me. I slam the door shut on that terrifying theory and smile. I'm falling fast. It's only a matter of time. I realize it, but I don't have to examine it just yet. “I could say the same about you,” I say giving him a slow once over.
He’s downright edible in a white suit that hugs his broad shoulders and tapered waist. The color highlights his tan skin and makes his cobalt eyes pop. “I want to give you something.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver chain with a round charm in the center.
I gasp as recognition kicks in. It’s the Pack’s emblem. A howling wolf stands majestic and proud beneath a full moon, etched on a silver disc.
“Today you take your rightful place beside me as my mate and become the Pack’s Queen. I want to welcome you in the way of the olden days. I have no mother or father left to present it, so I give this to you.”
My heart swells. “Thank you, Ridge.”
He smiles, almost shyly. For all his power and boldness, a coyness lurks beneath his tough exterior.
The small vulnerability tugs at my heartstrings.
“May I put it on for you?”
“Please.” I turn and pull my hair to the side. The cool stone comes down and rests above the swell of my breast—it gives me a sense of peace.
He tenderly kisses my neck and steps away.
“I have something to give you too. It’s a part of the exchange we don’t do in front of outsiders.” I bit at the inside of my cheek.
“Is this where we connect our spirits?”
“Yes, if you wish it. It’s optional.”
“I want everything that will bind me to you, Delta.”
I smile. “I feel the same.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Give me your hand and open your heart and mind.” I hold up my hands, palms up.
Ridge places his hands in mine and a surge of energy shoots through us.
I feel it to my core, this man is meant for me, and I for him. The flow that transfers back and forth between us is good and energizing. I close my hands around his and let the words come to me. “I take your hands in mine and bind our open hearts and minds. Our spirits entwine, our souls kiss and our hearts align.” As the words spill from my lips, power rises around us.
Wind enters the room, pulling at my hair and clothing. The scent of flower blossoms permeates the air and I know our union has been blessed. I push up on my toes and his lips meet mine. The energy inside me is unleashed. It shoots from me and into Ridge.
His body jerks and he growls low.
I feel his beast rub against me like a cat. He’s accepting me. My limbs shake. Ridge wraps his arms around me and keeps me upright. It’s like being rolled over by something far larger than myself. I take a shaky breath.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I think so. Was that…?” I trail off. I’m not sure what to call it.
“My beast? Yes. I would’ve warned you, but I didn’t think that would happen. Not with you being a witch. It’s something I’ve only known shifters to be able to do. Feel one another’s animals. The good news is…he likes you.”
“If that’s liking, I don’t want to know what hate feels like.”
“No, you don’t,” he agrees. “Do you need more time?”
“Non, Let’s go and get the festivities underway. I can feel the anticipation. They know we’ll be announcing something big here tonight.”
“Oui. Come, Mademoiselle.” He offers me his arm.
I giggle. He’s a kaleidoscope of emotions. Each turn reveals a new layer. It’s exhilarating and a bit frightening in the best way possible. My stomach is full of butterflies as we leave the hotel room. We both agreed it was important to make our entrance together backed by the pack and my people. Today, I’ve seen more witches and priestesses than I’ve seen in years. Everyone is ready for a change.
I only pray we can deliver this to them.
We step outside the room, and everyone is lined up in the hallway. I gather strength for what’s to come from my mother, Eloi and Grand’Mere. I feel the acceptance, love and energy from my kind flow into me and around us.
His pack watches me from behind sharp eyes. It’s their way to reserve judgment until I have proved myself.
I respect that, so I nod my greeting.
They lower their heads in a show of respect.
I feel Ridge’s pride swell. He may not have wanted this position, but he does a damn good job at it, regardless.
We reach the top of the stairs and the endless sea of people steals my breath.
They are like glittering jewels in the best Mardi Gras getups they could find. Brilliant purple peacocks, tiny glittering green faeries and wolves in gold fill the space. They all are the reason we’re joining these two great houses.
“Welcome to the first and certainly not the last Mardi Gras celebration since the war,” Ridge calls out.
The enthusiastic response sweeps in like a tidal wave of sound.
Their happiness is infectious. I laugh, soaking up the positive vibes zinging through the room like fireworks.
Ridge holds up a hand and the crowd quiets. “Delta and I are pleased that you’ve come out and lent us your trust. This is more than a celebration. It’s the dawn of a new era here in New Orleans and soon, we hope the rest of the southern portion of the United States.”
Murmurs begin to travel through the crowd.
“She and I will be married today, in front of all of you.”
A deafening wall of silence drops.
I hold my breath.
Ridge squeezes my hand.
I gaze at him.
Give it a second. He mouths.
I turn my head back to the crowd. Evil and Danger. The darkness is so bad—it turns my stomach. I lift my hand and throw up a barrier.
A millisecond later, a wolf slams against it. Petite and all white, its clearly a female.
My blood boils.
Ridge releases my hand. “Fern!” he bellows. His voice is distorted and sounds odd.
I then realize he’s in the middle of a change. My chest heaves. “How dare you attempt to ruin what was meant to bring peace?” I shout. The lights flicker and a wind rises.
Two more wolves attack from the left and the right. Wolves charge forward from behind. Their furred bodies fall to the stairs beside us. The chaos is a mockery of what we wanted.
Ridge rips the throat out of the upstart who led the attack. It’s bloody and gruesome, but like the jungle—only the strong survive. You can’t be seen as weak, or the attacks will continue until you perish.
You must make them fear you.
I understand and accept this. If it’s fear they need, I will deliver in spades. I glance down, and the white fur turns to red. “Bring me her heart.”
Ridge obliges, tearing the red organ free and brings it to me.
I caress his stained muzzle. “Thank you.” I hold the organ up, ignoring the scarlet droplets ruining my gown. “Let all with foul intentions fall to the floor. We shall have war here no more.” I feel their life forces link to the heart that pumps in my fist. “We will have order or we will have your head on a platter.” I close my fist around the hard tissue and extinguish those who plotted against us.
Their bodies drop on the stairs and lie still. A few more in the crowd join them.
Ridge retakes his human form beside me, looking as fresh as a daisy in his spotless suit.
I pout at him. “You didn’t even get a speck of blood on you.”
He winks and turns to the crowd. “Now, you see how serious my mate and I are about keeping the peace. Too long, this place has lived on the verge of war and ruin. We’ve lost all trust. Together, we can restore this city to what it once was. If you oppose us, you will meet your end. We are fair rulers. Don’t mistake this for a weakness, you can exploit.”
I remove the bodies from the building with a thought and pile them up outside. In seconds, they’re turning to ash. I feel my mother’s powers working over me and I smile. She always was better at cleaning spells, than I. “Now, that you understand how things are to be…” I clap my hands. “…Let the party begin.”
The music begins and slowly but surely, the enthusiasm returns. This city needs a leader. We’ve given them that. The rest will fall into place as time continues.
“You’ve seen me kill. Truly, no secret is left between us.”
His voice is meant to sound mirthful, but I can hear the concern buried beneath the dark humor. “You brought me that bitch’s heart, my Alpha. What more could a woman ask for?”
“My Queen.” He bows his head.
I curtsy. Faith has brought us together and as a unit, we will guide this city back to normalcy.
Ridge takes my hand. “What do you say we enjoy our wedding day?”
I lace our fingers. “I’d like that very much, my Alpha.”
The End