"You are absolutely stunning, Trina Marie Walden," Tallan said, love swelling in her heart for her baby sister.

She watched as Trina's smile grew in the mirror in front of them. In the reflection, Tallan saw her baby sister in her wedding gown, a glossy white satin with small touches of lace and pearls. Trina didn't need much to make her beautiful, though. A thinner, younger, stunning replica of herself, Tallan had never been jealous, always content to sit in the shadows, help her little sister shine, achieve, since before she even realized that was what she was doing.

Trina liked to throw around the old maid card when trying to get Tallan to come out of her shell, to take her nose out of a book, or come home early from work. Tallan took it as a term of endearment by now. She found nothing wrong with throwing one's life into one's work. In fact, this ethic made her a woman she could be proud of, culminating in her point to existence, her reason for being in the world.

As a psychologist, the gratification of the work sustained her, gave her the connection to humanity she needed. When the work became tough and draining, this thought process gave her an excuse to dig in, to study harder, to have something to fight for, a higher level to strive to achieve. Everyone needed to love and to be loved. Tallan simply showed her love through listening and subtle suggestions that made her patients feel as if they'd come to the solution on their own. Pride in one's accomplishments went a long way, for her and for them.

It had always been enough. With a big family and black panther pride, her heritage gave her the strength she needed, the connections to others, the love that sustained her, filled her enough to offer to others such a gift. She needed nothing else.

What the mirror also reflected was the way in which Tallan hid behind her sister, not caring to see her own well-rounded body in her burgundy bridesmaid dress. Not that she hadn't come to terms with her curvy figure and her looks long ago. She had, but she didn't need to stand out in a crowd. One could have the self-confidence to love themselves as they were without flaunting, contrary to popular belief. She didn't need the limelight. She didn't need to turn men's heads. She needed to support her family, her pride, and her patients. Her looks didn't affect any of that. Loving her roles in life, comfortable in her own skin, she'd found contentment even if no one else around her could accept that she had.

"If only I could but see you as happy, my sister," Trina managed, a laugh interrupting her words before she could finish, the joke getting funnier to her every time she used it.

While this amused Tallan, also touching her heart, she feigned her distain.

"You dare to attempt to quote Jane Austen to me, again, and poorly this time around, too, I might add. Well, sweet sister, I appreciate the attempt, both in speaking to me through a dearly loved novel and in the sage advice. Though you butchered the line, words, and delivery, I shall give you a pass because it's your wedding day. You focus on you, dear sister of mine. Today is your day." Tallan gave her sister's shoulders a squeeze, as the door opened to the room they had used to dress in.

Their mother walked in, shoulders square and her back ramrod straight, confident in herself. A stunning, fierce, and exceedingly intelligent woman, her panther always hovering close to the surface, protecting her young, she made a formidable appearance whenever she walked into a room. She gave most of the men in the pride a run for their money, though few, save their father, dared challenge or correct anything the woman said. He didn't even try very often, though more out of exhaustion they all assumed than anything else. He wasn't one to be trifled with either, so if she upset him in any way, he made note of it. While meddling parents, still active in all of their children's lives, they had a good marriage, and example to them all of the slight balances it took with the push and pull, the compromises. Work. Marriage, hell all relationships took work. Looking at her sister, she knew the woman she'd become knew that, too. Her and Lyle would be fine.

"It's time. The pride awaits. Let's go now," her mother instructed from the doorway, turning on her heel with the last word to walk away, fully expecting to be followed without a word said otherwise.

"Mom, doesn't Trina look beautiful," Tallen said, her eyes wide, signaling her mother to compliment her sister before they went though all she could see was her back already.

"Of course, it goes without saying," she stated with no tone to her voice at all as she whirled on them again. "Now, come. We mustn't keep the pride waiting. It is time one of my daughters wed, even if it is the youngest."

This whole day was to be a Jane Austen novel, apparently, the youngest not able to marry until the oldest did. With all of them out in society at once, it could hardly lead to sisterly relations, she quoted in her head, knowing her own quote to be lacking in exactness. She'd just have to read the book again, or maybe watch the movie when she got home tonight. The thought brought a bigger smile to her face. She took her mother's dig in stride, shaking off, literally with her head, then the rest of her body following. She moved behind Trina to follow her to the door as her mother again turned sharply on her heel to walk away. To lead, actually. Stopping in the hall, the older woman turned back again to scold Tallan into coming out first, as she needed to align herself with the best man to walk first down the aisle.

Doing as bid, Tallan stood up tall, or as tall as her five foot five frame allowed, to move to stand parallel to the best man who towered over her by at least a foot, making her look more like a dwarf in a short fancy dress. The ceremony small, as Trina had wanted, they'd chosen to also break a few wedding rules. For some unfathomable reason, Trina had insisted that the best man escort her sister, the maid of honor, down the aisle, rather than waiting by the groom. After this adjustment to the proceedings surely meant to give her old maid sister a few minutes with a man, though Tallan viewed it as more of several minutes in hell, the rest of the ritual would carry on as society dictated. Following her brutal obligation, their father would escort Trina down to her soon to be husband, Lyle.

Only to please her baby sister, Tallan looped her arm through Luke's, a bear shifter, and Lyle's best friend since boot camp who had somehow managed special leave from his current assignment to be here for the wedding. Though how he'd pulled that one off she still had no clue. She looked away when he grinned at her, keeping herself stiff, a forced smile on her face, and looking toward the end game: the end of the aisle in the great hall they used for pride business.

The building had been in the pride for decades now, having one great big room for gathering, along with a series of small offices in the back in which they had just used to dress and primp themselves for the wedding. The pride had access to the hall for whatever they deemed necessary, and this would not be the first time it had been used for a wedding. The ceremony short, performed by the alpha and pride counsel, the rest of the guests stood to either side of the room without chairs. It allowed for them to easily gather in a semi-circle around the couple for the nuptials, and then clear way for tables to be set up in the same area for the reception.

In place of pew or aisle chair decorations, each female standing there now had been given a small bouquet of flowers that resembled the large bouquet held by Trina.

Tallan had thought Trina's cascading flowers of purple, white, teal, and burgundy, full of calla lilies, hydrangeas, and orchids a stunning choice. Now, seeing that arrangement all over the hall, she mused her sister had an eye for this sort of thing and felt grateful the beauty gave her something to focus on other than the fact everyone in the room stared her way. Her own small bouquet accented her burgundy dress, which her sister had also chosen, having done much better than 'the purple potato sack' Tallan had originally picked. Her sister's words, of course.

At first, Tallan had scoffed at the dress with a crisscross bodice, empire waist, and full short skirt topped with taffeta and lace. Standing here now, ignoring Luke's frequent glances that had bordered on gawks and ogling, she breathed a bit easier, having seen how the dress not only pushed up her large breasts, but also accented each of her curves. More comfortable in simple dresses and sweaters for work—the style of a sweater to her meant long, big, and soft, one that could double as a blanket when needed—or a pair of cozy jeans with the same style sweater for anything outside of the office, she'd have never tried such a dress on had it not been to please her sister. She never wore flashy colors either, earth tones only for this raven haired, full-figured woman. However, she'd given in just for the day, for her sister's sake. Thankfully, she believed Trina would only marry once.

Her keen hearing relayed the soft, muffled behind hand gasps that rippled throughout the room as she filled the doorway. She'd take even the unexpected positive words regarding her appearance, surely spoken only out of surprise, as compliments to get her through the torture of walking down an aisle with all eyes focused on her. Heat flushed up her neck, making her pale skin blotchy, she assumed. And, everyone knew red and burgundy clashed.

She couldn't wait for her sister to make her grand appearance and gather the attention for herself for the rest of the day. No one gave her a second look with Trina around, and that's the way she'd come to like it. Wallflower or behind the scenes support roles suited her just fine.

"I've got you, babe," the bear clasping her arm whispered, moving his other hand over to pat the back of Tallan's hand.

"Who are you, Sonny or Cher?"

"What?"

"The song. You know the song, I've Got You Babe?"

His puzzled look showed he wasn't much into old music. She shook her head, faced forward, and waited for the signal from her mother to begin their walk. Yet, the woman took forever to strut down the aisle herself, not going to give the one in charge of the music the signal to begin the song until she was seated, her time in the limelight over.

"Let me rephrase. You look like you would rather be just about anywhere but here. So, just hold onto me if you need to. I'll get us there. You know, metaphorical support, not physical."

She shot him a side eye glance as if to tell him to shut up before saying, "Yeah, I got it the first time, but I'm good. Thanks anyway."

"Sorry, just trying to be a gentleman to a lady in need."

"I'm never a lady in need. Remember that."

The song she knew to be their signal to walk began, at least ending this moment of torture only to replace it with another. As they moved, if she heard one more comment about how she should dress differently, in more flattering clothes like this dress, or how she really needed to get herself a man, she was going to hurt someone. She held back for her sister, secretly plotting revenge, or counting up how many times her sister was going to have to take her out for a movie and or dinner before she paid her debt.

By the time the reception started, same room, tables brought in while a few pictures were taken outside of the bride and groom, and caterers had brought in the food, Tallan breathed a sigh of relief to have the day at least half over. She'd go home and jump straight into pajamas at this point, fuzzy robe, thick socks, as the night air cooled and streamed through her window. She preferred to be fighting off a good chill with heavy clothes than trying to cool down with barely anything on, but she always wore more than the weather demanded to cover up, and that only compounded the problem. Luckily, her sister chose to get married in the fall.

Dreaming of that moment cuddled up in front of the television or with a book, she hadn't noticed that Luke had come up next to her. So, she jumped when he spoke, forcing his first words to her to be an apology she had to graciously accept though she had had it with the fake politeness of these events.

"May I have this dance," he said, his hand out, a smirk on his face that brought a scowl to hers.

"Excuse me?" she answered, a huff following her spat out words.

"It's time for the traditional dance. Your sister and Lyle are already out on the floor. Your mother's scowl says she is impatient for you to join in. I'm again, just trying to help, though I get you don't need it."

She looked up at the dance floor. Shit. She'd clearly daydreamed her way through the pomp of the ritual dances beginning. With an animated sigh, she reluctantly flattened her palms down on the table to push herself to standing. Glancing at his still outstretched palm, she rolled her eyes as she gave in and palmed the offered hand.

"I get it. This is torture for you, this whole event, not just me, but Trina asked me to remind you that this is for her, her day."

"Yes, anything for Trina. She plays that card against me often, knowing she has the one soft spot in my heart."

"From what I hear, from her and Lyle, you have many, are there for everyone, but never for yourself other than your need to stay home on the rare occasion you have any down time from your save the world goals."

To her glare, he continued, "These are all positive things. Compliments if you didn't recognize them as such. Trina said you were impossible to give one to. My apologies, I only meant that I've heard many nice things said about you. Trina said she is so lucky to have you, in fact doesn't know what she would do without you, and Lyle feels himself lucky to be part of this family now."

She sighed rather than respond with the awful retorts raging in her head for this bear shifter, and gave in as much as she could manage when they hit the dance floor. As he pulled her in closer than need be for this obligation dance, she ignored the tingling all up and down her front where their bodies touched. Had to be one too many glasses of wine, she mused as she caught her mother's scowl right before the woman turned away.

This had to be tough on her mother to see her with the bear shifter, especially given her brother Jason had shown up to the wedding with his significant other, an eagle shifter named Micah. Their cross species relationship had been the subject of many a family argument in the past months. Trina had only won the fight to allow Jason to bring Micah to the wedding on the fact it was her day, and her mother would take a back seat in the planning of it. A hard won fight only her sister could manage to win against their mother. Parents shouldn't have favorites, but at the moment, hers did. Trina had done right by the family, not only married, but to another panther at that.

She, along with Jason and Trina, knew the talk would rage all around the room about the couple, but didn't care. The sisters were happy that their brother was happy and in love, even if their parents couldn't come to the same feeling about it.

As the Luke turned her around the dance floor with little effort, given his hulking frame, she blamed her dizziness on her thoughts and the brutish way this beast man handled her body. It were as if she didn't weigh anything at all while in his arms. Not letting that odd occurrence go to her head, she attempted to refocus on her contempt of this man, for no other reason that he was a bear and she a panther. Not that she agreed with her parents old-fashioned thoughts on the subject of panther only marrying panther, but she didn't care to date anyone, let alone a someone that would cause more family strife.

The dance could not be over fast enough for her. The never-ending song her sister had chosen continued on as she swore it seemed Luke held her tighter, closer to him each second, crushing her breasts against his hard chest and abs, making them spill even more from the tightness of her dress. She looked up to see him appreciating the show, and used her arms to put a few inches between them, trying to control her need to push away from the man completely and run like the wind into the night. Her panther fought for control. She may have to shift and get in a run when she returned home if this kept up.

"I'm sorry, Tallan, have I done something to offend you other than enjoying this dance that you were apparently loath to participate in? Trina warned me you would only dance with me out of obligation, but I have to confess to wanting to dance with you. You are stunning in this dress."

"Let me stop you right there, bear boy. You need not feel the obligation to compliment me, too. Just dance. It is all you have to do in the here and now. No talk necessary. Honestly."

"You think I just gave you a compliment out of obligation? Damn, have you seen yourself in a mirror today, woman? This dress...wow. It hugs all of your amazing, womanly curves just right. What man wouldn't want to hold you in his arms, hope for more."

"In reality, only you, if you or I are being honest. I don't turn heads. If I did at all today it was simply because the old maid of the pride, not by age but by choice of lifestyle, well, she wore a tight-fitting dress rather than a dumpy sweater or old t-shirt. It was the uncommon factor that wowed them, not my looks. I'm both aware and fine with that."

"I'm hurt, and offended," Luke said.

She complimented him on the genuine way his face reflected hurt, his eyes darkened, his face downcast. "You'll get over it," she said, her voice softening despite her. "Trust me."

As the last note played in the over long song, She pushed herself from his arms the second she could and headed straight for the makeshift bar in the corner of the room. She planned to devour a stiff drink alone, wait for the cake cutting and enjoy a slice of heaven she more than deserved for her troubles today before running off for the night. The two glasses of champagne she'd consumed so far had not cut it.

However, it seemed her sister spoiled her best-laid plans once again as she found herself cornered. Tallen scowled in response to Trina's tight, almost smug grin, crossing her arms instead, though this didn't stop her sister one bit.

"Thank you for everything today, sis," Trina said once she got close enough not to have to shout over all the conversations going on in the room.

A bunch of shifters together to celebrate always got rather loud. She'd grown used to it long ago, just as she did the ringing in her sensitive ears that followed these celebrations like after she'd attended a concert. Of course, she'd only gone to a concert on one occasion, to please her little sister when it had been the only way her parents would let her go. She'd never stop doing for Trina, even if she gripped about it. She usually didn't. Today had just been a bit much. Though, so much she'd joyfully, with a full heart, sacrificed for her sister's happiness, and she'd continue to do so for years to come.

"Of course. Anything for you, sis. You know that, and take advantage of it, but this time, really, you owe me once you get back from your honeymoon. I want dinner, dessert, a movie, maybe more," Tallan said, giving her sister a little nudge. "I hope today was all you dreamed it could be."

"It was and more. Now, if only I could see you but so happy."

"Oh, give it a rest with that quote already. Jane Austen is rolling over in her grave."

"It's true, though. I want to see you happy, Tallan."

"I am happy. I don't need a man to achieve such a state. I am ecstatic that Lyle makes you so blissful your face may break from that smile you have been wearing all day, but I don't need the same in my life. I am doing fine on my own."

"I want better than fine for you. You do so much for everyone else, I want you to have someone who also takes care of you."

"I can manage that just fine on my own, too," Tallan said with a sly wink.

"Yes, I'm sure you can." Trina chuckled. "So, how was your dance? You two looked close."

"You mean my forced dance with the bear shifter? You want to give mom a heart attack already? I think she would go through the roof if two of her children married outside our own species."

"She'll get over it if she wants to maintain a relationship with her children. And we both know she does. It's our ace in the whole. As I've told Jason several times, she is just flexing her muscles now, making her point. Once she comes to miss the closeness she once had with her son, realizes that he is not giving up Micah, especially after almost losing his mate once and nearly driving himself over the edge, mom will come around. I know she will. She will make it a hard won fight to save face, but she'll come to accept the relationship."

"Says the girl who married a panther." Tallan rolled her eyes. "Regardless, this is a pointless conversation. I don't want a man right now, and even if I did, it wouldn't be bear boy."

"Ah, a pet name already." Trina grinned, her eyes flashing with mirth.

"Stop it, Trina. Don't make me yell at you on your wedding day," Tallan feigned irritation in her voice, though in truth some had seeped in at this point in the evening.

She'd completed all her obligations, most with a smile outside of that dance, the dress, so in her opinion she'd be in the clear soon. Finding her joy in helping, making others happy, today it had been a bit much for even her. Something had stirred her up. Something she couldn't put her finger on, nor cared to identify, only ignore until it went away—the whole clutching in her stomach, the jitteriness in her bones, the lack of oxygen in the room. She hated crowds. Had to be it.

"You'd never yell at me. We all know it. Now, I want you to meet someone," Trina said, grabbing her sister's hand.

Tallan's fingers stiffened, refusing to curl around her sister's hand as she stood her ground, refused to move an inch despite the tugging on her arm.

"I will not be fixed up tonight. Don't think the whole lonely maid of honor thing happened to me today. You have no in here. I stand firm on that."

"Oh, I don't think I do. Heaven knows you will not change, not give an inch when it comes to men. I see bear boy's woeful face after just one dance with you. It's a woman anyway. Shit, Tallan. Chill."

"Okay," Tallan said on an exaggerated sigh, letting her feet move as she allowed her sister to drag her across the great hall through the throngs of people.

Trina navigated the room quickly, having already made the rounds with Lyle. The pair of them only received exaggerated nods and pasted on smiles, rather than anyone stopping them to talk. Her sister had that affect on people, getting them to give into whatever she wanted. Her beauty, inside and out, she used as her weapon. Trina has both in spades. Even with a bit of sweat from dancing messing with her makeup, and curls having made their way out of the updo she'd paid a pretty penny for this morning, her sister stunned, outshined most in any room. Of course, despite any obligations, anyone could see that Trina was on a mission, so they stepped aside willingly, more into their drinks than conversations at this point in the day. Panthers knew how to party. No one would ever argue that. A wedding was only another excuse to get drunk and carry on in human form like the animals they were inside.

As Tallan heard voices reach a higher pitch to their right, no one batted an eye. What would any panther event be if not for at least one, maybe two fights, friendly fire grown out of had due to some ill-timed slurred words and a short hold on their beasts wanting to play, too.

They stopped suddenly, interrupting a conversation yet to happen she assumed, judging by the look on the women's faces: eyes squinted, mouths set in tight lines. An almost solid tension filled the space, and she figured her sister had sensed it, too, and stopped to dispel it. A gift of Trina's, without the fancy college degree in psychology Tallan had, she could calm people, make them see reason. It even worked on their mother from time to time, for a few moments at least. A miracle in and of itself Tallan could only marvel at.

"Tallan, this is Gerri Wilder and Samantha Morgan." Trina gestured to each woman as she spoke their names.

Tallan had heard of both of them. Gerri, a short woman with silver hair cut into a smart bob that just graced the bottom of her ears, owned a dating agency that specialized in matches between shifters. Her record for successful matches was beyond legendary among the prides. Samantha was her newest project, paired with the wealthy Ian Michalson, a cousin of theirs. So far, this had been the talk of the last few weeks among the pride. The pair didn't seem to be hitting it off, though they had been seen together enough times. Rumors of the renowned Gerri being off her game had circulated, though the woman didn't seem too concerned about this. It'd been said this powerful than life, confident as hell lady always had something up her sleeve, something she knew or sensed that no one else could. In Tallan's opinion, Gerri would have been good in the psychology field had she not been so bent on meddling in peoples love lives, even though her success rates were top notch.

Tallan followed through with her end of the introductions, happy to help with the interruption to a brewing discussion that she felt in her bones was not going to go well. A shifter thing or a psychologist thing, the body language, the waves of emotions coming off Samantha, who she'd heard it rumored to be a witch, didn't lie. In fact, something crackled over the woman, a fierce energy. Self-preservation maybe. Tallan recognized it well.

"Gerri, I think you should work some of your dating magic on my sister," Trina said, not looking back to face the shock and horror that sent a burn to Tallan's cheeks.

"Oh, good luck with that," Sam said to Tallan with a huff of a laugh.

"I'm sure Gerri has a plan for you, Sam. Although I will admit to wondering what is up with this match, Gerri is always right in the end," Trina gushed, her hands on Gerri's arm only increasing the look of confidence on the dating agency legend's face.

"I plan to break her record," Sam said, defiance in her voice.

Tallan sized up the other curvy woman in the room. Her match through Gerri, Ian, was the one man every single woman in her pride wanted to land, save for her. She liked this Sam immediately, sensing camaraderie with the witch, not just in size but in spirit.

"I'm not worried. I see my plan for Samantha going just as I expected it. It's my bit of magic for the world, knowing who should go with whom. Sometimes these things can't be rushed," Gerri added.

"Magic huh? Well, I'm not sure I would call it such, more misguided meddling in my case," Sam said to Gerri before turning to Tallan. "While I won't go into the gory details of Gerri's bizarre plan for me, I will tell you that I am only going along for my mother who is beside herself to have a daughter my age not married. To be honest, I'm just not interested. I have a career, a life that needs no man to complete it."

"Well said, Sam," Tallan praised. "I get you completely. My well-meaning sister here feels the same about me. But, I'm not going along. Gerri can set up someone else. I'm good. I don't need a bunch of dates with random strangers to know that."

"Wise choice," Sam remarked, and the two exchanged looks of immediate friendship. "I don't know how I got roped into this. Wait, yes I do, a daughter's love for her mother. The woman gets me every time, but enough is enough. I will win this one by walking away. Now. Tonight I am done. Tallan, don't get started. Stand firm."

"Oh, I plan to. I'm not giving into either of them. Trust me."

"Before you both go ganging up on me," Gerri retorted, "I am sure of my plans for Sam, still, despite her impatience. And Tallan, I already have a plan for you, too."

"Oh no. No, thank you." Tallan shook her head and took a step back, her eyes wide. "I'm quite happy just the way I am."

"Please, Tallan, for me," Trina begged. "Sam agreed to her dates with Ian for her mother, now you agree for me."

"I'm not going to start dating someone. Not even for you," Tallan argued, her irritation of the evening finally spilling over despite her attempts to hide it.

"Just one date," Gerri argued. "What can it hurt, right? Just one, to make your baby sister happy on her wedding day. You can't say no to that."

The woman's grin set Tallan off balance, figuratively making her stumble. It became clear the woman knew Tallan's penchant for giving in to her sister and had no qualms about playing her trump card right at the start gate.

"Don't do it, Tallan," Sam warned, grasping Tallan's hand. "Stand tough, girl. Curvy girls united. Learn from my mistakes."

"Sam, you are not helping," Trina warned. "And, I liked you. But, my sister, she will do anything for me."

Sam laughed, shrugged, and then gave Tallan a hug. "You are a goner, just like me, I fear. When Gerri gatherers with one's family to back her it forms an unbeatable team, a grand alliance against anyone who dares be single. So, I change my mind. Do it, Tallan. Then, we can both break Gerri's record for always making the perfect match." Sam winked at Tallan.

"My record is unbreakable. I shall succeed in your case, Samantha, and I shall also succeed in Tallan's. Go ahead. Take me on. I dare you, Tallan. You will fall just as Sam will."

"Challenge accepted," Tallan said, much to the surprise of the other three woman, as she gripped Sam's hand tighter. "What? Close your mouths already. I can't let Sam do this alone. I feel a kinship with this witch. I like her."

"Thank you, Tallan, I like you, too," Sam replied, giving her a quick hug. "So, let's take Gerri down together."

"Sure, but on one condition. I'm not dating anyone for weeks like Sam here. No way. One and done."

"Good plan. That's what I said at first before the plan was truly devised, sweeping me along with the women's insanity. Wish I had stuck to my guns there, but damn curiosity got the best of me. As you will see, though, Ian and I are not a match, and neither are any others around him, so..."

"What do you mean, neither are any of the others around him?" Tallan questioned.

"Yes, what does she mean by that, Gerri," Trina added.

"For Samantha, we are working on something different. I've broken a few usual rules in her case. Don't you worry yourself about it all. It will all work out. It just has to remain a secret to work," Gerri said, giving Sam a scathing look before turning back to Tallan. "However, for you, it will be simple, one date is all it will take. One romp in the hay, and you'll know I've won."

Tallan laughed, caught off guard before disbelief thickened the end of the abrupt sound.

Trina gave a good snort herself, and added, "I would love to see that happen."

"Oh, it will. I will call you with the time and place later this week," Gerri said, giving a nod and dismissing herself from the conversation with a turn on her heel, strolling off across the room with a mere wave of her hand over her shoulder leaving the three woman standing there staring after her retreating figure.

Tallan stood pondering for a second, then with a jolt she called out after Gerri's retreating back, "Wait a minute. You are not going to tell me who I am meeting up with?"

Gerri turned back toward the women, a sly smile gracing her features. "No, your date is going to be blind. You will find out who he is when you show up. No worries, now. You won't be a virgin much longer, dear. Talk soon," Gerri said and disappeared into the crowd, this time leaving the three women with there with their mouths open at the brazen words.

"She's something." Sam managed a scoff before she continued on. "Don't let her rattle you, Tallan. I have no fears that I am going to suddenly fall in love. My time is over with this deal I had with her and my mother. I had just come up to inform Gerri of that when you both showed up. But, I shall give her a call, relish in my win later."

"I don't know," Trina said. "I wouldn't be so confident, Sam. Gerri has literally never been wrong."

"I think everyone can see that she is with Ian and I. Don't get me wrong, he's a wonderful guy, but the spark is not there for either him or me. Nothing personal, on either side, I'm sure. He does nothing for me, though he's quite good looking and clearly highly intelligent, not to mention an excessively in demand business man with a crap ton of money. It's just... Nope. Not going to happen," Sam flashed a grin, "And that is why I will be the first to crack Gerri's record.

"But you mentioned others around him. Seriously, what was that about," Trina asked again.

"I really shouldn't say, as I'm not really supposed to talk about the plan, just know her strange arrangement didn't work out in her favor. I'm happy on my own. I have my studio, my family and friends, not to mention my magic. It's more than enough for me."

"I get it," Tallan added, "but, sadly, most don't. Tell me about your studio."

"Oh, I love it! I'm so blessed to own it. And, I love being proof that yoga is for every body type, not just those who are fortunate enough to look like Trina," Sam said, giving Trina a good-natured nudge.

"Pardon me for interrupting, Tallan," a deep male voice sent shivers racing down her spine as an unusual warmth seemed to suddenly caress her back, definitely interrupting their conversation. He'd more than called it.

She turned to see Luke, all six foot five, maybe, two hundred and fifty or more pounds of him, all solid muscle. His suit may have hidden some of it, but she'd felt it when they'd danced, not an ounce of his flesh extra on this man's frame. His biceps and back had rippled under her hands as they'd moved gracefully around the dance floor, his abdomen pressed against her stomach like a wall of concrete.

"Yes, Luke," she managed, confused as to what the guy could want from her now. "I believe all of our obligations for the day are over."

Tallan managed to stifle the sound of air rushing from her lungs as her sister jabbed her in the lower back.

"I believe they are," he confirmed. "But, beyond the obligations, I was wondering if you would do me the honor of another dance."

"Lonely, are we, bear boy? Long stint in the military I hear."

"Tallan," Trina berated her with just the way she'd said her name. Her tone leaving no guesses as to the chastisement she dished out to her sister for the comment.

"Uh, sorry," Tallan responded without a whole lot of conviction to the apology. She wondered sometimes if Trina were going to be more like their mother when she was older. On the odd occasion she certainly sounded like her and that thought made her wince. She could only pray it didn't happen.

"It's fine," Luke said, charm deepening his voice to a tone that slid right through her, though she'd deny that to everyone including herself. "Think of dancing with me as a service to our country. It does get lonely out there. I'm just asking for a dance. That's all. Another few minutes in the company of the most lovely woman in the room outside of the bride."

"Charmer, are we. Wow."

"Not usually. Is it working?" Luke flashed a look to the other women, as if begging for support.

Tallan mused over his efforts, fighting back another eyeroll and snarky comeback. She sighed instead.

Sam shrugged, looking her way with her eyebrows raised, not giving her much to go on. Her sister, in contrast, her expression all but screamed for Tallan to take the man up on the offer. The light that danced in Trina's eyes, hinting of the possibilities, more than enough said what she thought without the need of words. She probably had them married by now in her fantasies, raising children together, Sunday night barbeques and all of that shit families do.

"My apologies, Luke, but I am going to have to decline. Nothing personal. I'm sure Lyle and Trina must have filled you in by now if you hadn't heard talk yourself today, of how my parents are in an uproar over my brother, Jason, bringing Micah here. They do not approve of the whole interspecies mix thing. They are strictly panther and panther only, keep it within the species. So, as much as I would love to dance, my mother was already out there hyperventilating when we had to the first time, when it meant nothing short of an obligation to the ceremonies of the day. For her sake, I hope you will understand why I decline your offer."

"Tallan," Trina said, her voice again high-pitched like her mother's when she scolded.

"No, it is fine," he said. "I not only understand, but I appreciate anyone who thinks of family first. You are a beautiful woman, inside and out, whether you believe me or not, Tallan. It has been a pleasure today to meet you."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her with a round of butterflies dancing around in her stomach for reasons she couldn't quite put her finger on, nor did she care to take the time to figure it out. A sucker for a gentleman. That had to be it. And, bear boy was most definitely a gentleman. On top of that, no woman with eyes could say he wasn't handsome, the darker skin tone, winning smile that lit up his whole face, and the muscles that visibly rippled beneath the suit he wore. No one could deny wanting those muscles pressed against them. She, on the other hand, had just turned that down. She wouldn't give in to whatever the obviously fleeting attraction to him was for her, or the desperate need the man must have that had made him single her out when he could clearly have anyone in the room.

He'd be gone soon, and she'd never see him again. Why that caused a knot in her stomach and her mouth to turn down, well only another drink would take care of that nonsense. She intended to have another. They still had the whole cake thing to do anyway.

"You are sad you turned him down," Trina said, more of a statement than a question even with all the excitement of a child lifting her voice to a high pitch and volume.

"No, I'm not. I just want another drink. I was contemplating what to have. You know my face gets all serious when I think of the important things in life, like if I should go back to champagne or have another something with whiskey in it."

"Stop it, Tallan. For once in your life admit a man interests you rather than pushing each one away in fear they won't be interested in you back."

"Wow, harsh, sis. You think because it is your wedding day you have a free pass to say and do whatever you want it seems."

"Maybe, but I do, honestly and truly, with all of my heart, want the happiness I feel today for you, too. No quote. I just want you to be happy."

"How many ways can I say that I am before you believe me?" Tallan retorted, her mood all but shot at this point.

She contemplated if anyone would notice her disappearance.

"Don't you have a cake to cut, or a husband to kiss, or something? Anything. Go tell Lyle how happy you are today. I'm fine here on my own. I promise you, sis. I love you. More than I can ever say. Forever and always. But, if you love me, too, you need to let me live my life as I choose. I agreed to this date Gerri is concocting, so please let it be enough for now. Now, shoo, go back to your husband, bride."

"I love you, too. Always and forever," Trina said, hugging her tightly before turning away to swish gracefully over the polished floor.

Looking the direction her sister fled, seeing Lyle first, she then spotted Luke looking back at her. He grinned, a little to hopefully, and she turned, straight for the bar.