Wolf Girl (Wolf Girl #1) - Leia Stone Page 0,80

known you a few months and we are talking about marriage here. This is forever.’

‘I was kidding.’ His voice in my head was unsure. ‘Are you really having second thoughts?’

I laughed and Sage rolled her eyes, fully sick of the imprinting talking thing by now.

‘No, I’m fucking with you. I can’t wait to be your wifey. Hashtag True Mates.’

I could feel relief rush through him. ‘I mean, I know we’re young, and we can totally wait a few years to have kids—’

‘Sawyer, I want to be your wife,’ I assured him. He hadn’t technically asked yet, and there was no bling on my finger, but I gathered that this had to happen first before that could. There seemed to be a protocol with all of these events and I’m sure it was in the bylaws if I took the time to read them. On my to-do list. Really.

The limo came to a stop and the door opened. Sawyer was standing there with his arm out. “Good, because I wasn’t taking no for an answer.”

I grinned, stepping out and then leaning forward to kiss him. He pulled back and appraised me. “Damn, woman.”

“I know I look amazing.” Sage popped her head up beside me and did a twirl.

Sawyer grinned at her and nodded. “That you do, cousin, but I was speaking about my future wife.”

Sage grinned and looked at me. “See. Told you he calls you that.”

I’d never seen Sawyer look happier. There was a lightness to him. His brokenness was gone and I liked to think I had a small part to play in that.

“Sawyer!” an older woman shrieked and he winced.

It was Meredith’s mom. “Alright, I’ll meet you ladies inside. I … gotta deal with this,” he told us, swooping in to kiss my cheek.

Sage and I linked arms and walked into the building as I peered over my shoulder at Sawyer talking to Meredith and her mother. Meredith lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, causing my wolf to growl.

Sage noticed. “It’s nothing. He’ll let her down privately before she can hear it publicly in front of everyone. Sawyer is a gentleman like that.”

I still didn’t like it, and Meredith must not have either, because she shot me a death glare before I could turn back around to face forward.

All thoughts of Meredith were temporarily washed from my mind when we stepped into the space.

“Good evening, ladies,” Roland greeted us. I smiled at Sawyer’s butler, whom I remembered meeting from the boat.

“Hello, Roland, good to see you.”

He gave us both a smile and we entered the room.

“Oh wow,” I breathed, taking in the giant crystal chandelier that hung from the middle of the large ballroom. From that, small white twinkling string lights branched out to the corners of the room dripping down the walls. Each chair was covered in silk satin, and the center of the tables held a stunning floral display. If this was just an announcement, I hated to think of how extravagant the wedding would be. I recognized the other girls, and that not just the top twenty were here but all fifty. It must be customary to invite everyone back once you’d chosen your mate.

“You bitch!” a familiar female called from behind me and I froze.

Turning, I saw a red-faced Meredith coming right for me.

Okay, so letting her down gently clearly hadn’t worked.

Sage stepped in front of me to cut her off. “Go out on the patio. I got this,” Sage told me and put her hands out to Meredith. “Don’t make a scene,” I heard her saying as I spun and beelined it for the balcony.

Shit.

I mean, this was Werewolf Bachelor, but I was hoping for a drama-free night. I really wished I’d had time to chug some champagne or something to take the edge off. The cool evening air blew past me as I stepped out onto the balcony. Taking in a few lungfuls, I tried to calm my nerves.

“There you are,” Sawyer’s voice called from behind me and I spun.

“I’m guessing that didn’t go well?” I nodded inside, indicating to Meredith.

He smiled, ignoring my comment. “I missed you.”

Okay, I just saw him like thirty seconds ago but… “I missed you too.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned down to kiss me as I threw my arms up around his neck. His lips came down on mine in a hard, aggressive way that I didn’t expect. His tongue pried its way into my mouth in a hungry and rushed