Perfect night for a mating ceremony.

Jordan twirled before the full length mirror in the guest room. Beneath the soft glow of twin lamps, the gown sparkled like fairy dust, thanks to the white sequins sewn on the bodice and skirt. A high neckline gave the appearance of modesty, twined with the seductiveness of sheer netting showing her cleavage. Capped sleeves showed her bare arms, and the skirt was lacy and full, draping over her curves.

I look pretty. She twirled again before the mirror. Pretty enough to marry for life.

Would Nolan agree?

He was unpredictable, this Lupine she was to marry in a short while. Once she’d known his every thought, his hopes and dreams. Now he remained an enigma.

Most of the pack remembered her. But ones she once called friends remained distant and wary. Her friends Erica and Shirl had barely said hello. They remained unmated. Odd, too, for they were only two years older than her, and at that age, some handsome Lupine should have staked a claim.

Maybe they held out for the alpha. The thought made her wince. So much for those plans.

Her wedding. No attendants, no one to give her away. Her sunny smile faded. Would have been nice to at least have one friend at her side.

Sensing someone at the door, she called out for them to enter before they knocked.

In the mirror she saw a familiar face and joy overwhelmed her. “What are you doing here?” she cried out.

Jordan embraced Nia Blakemore Mitchell in a tight hug. Laughing, Nia patted her back.

“Tristan teleported us here. The baby is with Samantha and Darius, our betas.”

“Oh. I guess Tristan thought Aiden could stand up for Nolan.” Still, she appreciated a friendly face.

“No. Tristan wanted me to be your attendant and witness. If you wish.”

Wish? Chest tight with emotion, she managed to nod. “Nothing would please me more,” she finally said. “Thank you.”

Nia hugged her again, her sweet voice dropping to a whisper. “It isn’t easy mating with a Mitchell alpha, honey, but they’re worth it. Give Nolan a chance.”

Not as if she had much choice, but Jordan nodded.

“Here. Let me do it.”

Aiden adjusted the rose in Nolan’s tuxedo lapel. Nolan stared at them in the full-length mirror. Hard to tell they were kin, they looked so different. He appreciated Aiden doing this. A pang of wistfulness hit him. His father should be here instead of Aiden, fussing over his boutonniere, making certain his tie was straight.

But it was good to have Aiden with him. The older Lupine held much respect, like an elder brother.

Nolan nodded, adjusted his cufflinks. “Nia down there already with Jordan?”

“Yeah. There’s two Lupines who insisted they have front and center seats. No one wants to sit with them. Friends of yours?”

“Nope. Rival pack. Alpha Brandon Harlow and his beta, Adam.” Nolan smoothed down his hair.

He caught Aiden’s stare in the mirror. “Your arch enemies?”

Nolan nodded. “Figure they’d enjoy the festivities and meeting the Silver Wizard.”

A smile touched Aiden’s mouth. “Smart move. And you wanted them to see this is a solid marriage, with Tristan marrying you both. Let them witness that you’re taking on a strong mate. Let them see the loyalty of your pack.”

Strong? Try super strong. Jordan was a force unto herself. “Yep. They’ll think twice before setting fires on my land.”

“Seems odd, a local pack risking burning trees when fires spread easily to their own turf.”

He thought so as well, but hadn’t voiced his suspicions to anyone. Secretly, Nolan had been scouting out the source of the fires, trying to pinpoint the arsonist. Brandon Harlow denied setting the fires.

He was starting to believe him, but who else would want the vineyard destroyed, his pack’s livelihood and territory ruined?

“Appreciate you standing up for me, Aiden.”

“Glad to do it. But why not have your beta wolf?”

“Don’t have one.”

Aiden’s brow wrinkled. He stroked his short-cropped black beard. “Right, I forgot about that in your pack. But you’re leading now. Why not take a beta?”

“Tradition. Betas have always been the heirs in this pack, dating back to my great-grandaddy’s time.” Nolan rolled his shoulders.

“So you’re going to wait until you have a son to have someone assisting you? Stupid tradition,” Aiden grumbled.

Nolan growled low. “Watch it, cuz. Don’t mock us.”

Aiden shook his head. “Your pack is smaller, but you’re running a business, Nolan. Take my advice. A beta wolf is necessary for your sanity. I don’t know where I’d be without Darius. You have someone to trust when times get rough.”

“I can handle my people, and my life. Back off.”

The other alpha held up his hands. “No insult meant.”

Everything Aiden said made sense, yet Nolan couldn’t budge on breaking with what his father had done. He wished he could confide in Aiden, but even though they were blood, they barely knew each other.

He’d been too young to assume control of the pack after his father died.

Aiden glanced out the bedroom window. “Thanks for giving me and Nia the cabin by the creek. But shouldn’t you be there for your wedding night with your bride?”

“My bedroom is here. Marriages, and babies, always begin here.” Nolan gestured to the bed, and both of them grinned.

His cousin’s smile faded. “Not very private.”

He agreed, but it was important to let the pack know continuity. After his father died, there had been turbulent times. Lupines wanted to leave. He held them all together through assuring them nothing would change.

Nothing had. Not in two years.

Maybe it was time for a few changes.

Aiden patted the bed. “Good, solid mattress. I can hear the springs creak already.”

Nolan’s blood thickened. He could imagine it as well. Bedding Jordan would be pleasurable.

It was the other times when she was out of bed that concerned him.

“You sure do like tradition in this pack,” Aiden observed.

“We’re slow to change.”

“Your father was glacial. He never changed anything. Not up until the day he died.” Aiden sighed. “Maybe if he had, he’d still be alive.”

Nolan said nothing. Craig had died in a foolhardy springtime tradition of the alpha proving his stamina by running over every square inch of pack territory for two days, without stopping for rest or water. Even though Craig had suffered from sickness that winter, pride refused to let him postpone or break that tradition. Weakness didn’t trump pride.

Craig tripped and went tumbling down the hill, his head smashing open on a rock.

“Fathers can be bastards.” Aiden’s gaze met his in the mirror. “Mine was. Don’t keep putting yours on a pedestal, Nolan. Because when that pedestal shatters, the jagged pieces cut you.”

Narrowing his eyes, he met Aiden’s steady gaze. “My pack, Mitchell. Stay out of it.”

But Aiden only smiled. “Agreed, Mitchell. Just giving cousinly advice. Ready to do this?”

His chest tightened as he thought of the enormity of what faced him. Once he’d imagined this moment as his future - marrying Jordan and claiming her for life. But the carefree, giggling girl had vanished, leaving a wild wolf in her place.

“Let’s do it.” He grinned to hide his true feelings about the importance of this moment and the dream he’d harbored all his life. Sex was easier to talk about than love and commitment. “Sooner I wed her, sooner I bed her.”

“Now you’re talking.” Aiden grinned back.