Backstage at the Freak Show (Harem of Freaks #7) - Crystal Ash Page 0,8

At least he had his pups.

I loved my niece and nephew dearly, but it wasn't the same as having my own. Miriam was an amazing woman and her abilities were awe-inspiring. But a human and a shifter could never produce a child.

The old school wolf pack mentality we grew up with also frowned upon species intermixing. Sure, we were all human in one way, but a wolf and a platypus usually didn't have much in common. Hunter felt this way at one point, but I guess being captured and put on display as a carnival freak changed his perspective.

Colt never cared. He never intended on settling down and always seemed happy with a bachelor lifestyle. The wild one of the three of us, he dated anyone from normal humans to bird and horse shifters, much to our alpha's chagrin. It honestly surprised me how smitten and dedicated he became to Miriam. To hear that he'd been thinking about marriage was a shock.

Me, I couldn’t decide how I felt about this whole wedding business. Mel, Hunter, and the rest of the guys seemed happy but I wasn’t sure if it was right for Miriam, Colt, and I. Just sharing a woman with my brother was enough to wrap my head around, but being legally and spiritually bound to both of them? It ran a little too close to comfort for me.

I people-watched with Colt idly, already bored of everyone who arrived. Thankfully they all looked well-behaved and eager to witness the nuptials. Around me I could feel the other guys relief like a weight off their shoulders. All the guests seemed normal so far.

The four grooms and Colt stepped out to greet people, shake hands, and small talk while I hung back. I wasn’t the most social person, and chose to observe instead. Once I got a few drinks in me at the reception, maybe I’d strike up a conversation with someone.

A peculiar smell in the air had my neck snapping to one side. I never picked up a shifter scent like this before. It was like a wolf’s but different. My nose picked up salt, blood, and something else I couldn’t identify. This scent also felt cold, although I had no way of describing how I knew that.

The strange scent had my hairs standing on end and my wolf snarling. This had to be the shifter Miriam saw. Nothing else stood out like this bastard, whoever he or she was.

“Colt,” I barked under my breath.

“Yeah, I know,” he answered gruffly. “It’s great to meet you, thanks for coming!” He finished chatting with one couple before turning to me. “Keep your eyes sharp,” he muttered under his breath.

“No need,” I breathed as the hulking figure, tall and dark like a shadow came into view. “Found him.”

4

Colt

He came alone, standing head and shoulders taller than any normal man in attendance. Hunter and I were among the tallest guys here and this one seemed to tower over us, the topknot at the crown of his head making him seem even taller.

I almost missed his odd-colored eyes, one grey and one brown, if he didn’t give a polite nod at us as he walked by on legs that looked like tree trunks. His grey suit fit him well, if a bit snugly. This guy was well over six and a half feet tall of pure muscle.

“What the fuck is he?” Gabe growled under his breath.

I couldn’t help but glance sideways at my brother. He acted like he didn’t give a fuck, but when it came to Miriam’s safety, he turned into a ruthless guard dog.

“Only one way to find out,” I muttered, following the guy’s movement with my eyes.

Everyone openly stared at the large man, but he breezed through the yard without a care in the world and took an empty seat near the back row of chairs. The ceremony wouldn’t begin for another half-hour, but he seemed content to sit and wait.

He stared straight forward, hands folded calmly in his lap. Up ahead at the decorated arch, the bridesmaids and flower girls posed for the photographer. Miriam looked gorgeous in her purple, strapless bridesmaid dress as she held the hand of Bella, one of Mel’s younger sisters. My cock and heart pulsed at the same beat as I watched her smile and laugh.

I couldn’t wait to take that dress off her and from the way Gabe looked at her, he felt the same way. We momentarily forgot about the large man in the