Brand of the Pack - Tera Shanley Page 0,28
finished tightening the laces in the back of her dress, a knock rapped against the door.
“It’s Dean. Can I come in?” She nodded to Marissa who opened the door and ushered him in. “Whoa, ladies, you look beautiful. I wondered if I could talk to Morgan alone for a minute?”
The ladies filed from the room one by one.
“Five minutes until show time, honey,” Mom said before she closed the door behind her.
“Delivery,” Dean said, smiling. He placed a package on the dresser and hesitated. “Listen, I wanted to apologize for last night. I know I got a little… Well, I’m sorry it has to be like that sometimes.”
“Dean, you don’t have to apologize for that any more than I need to apologize for the way I acted when I defended him. It’s how we’re made. I’m accepting that. It probably wasn’t the first time that happened, and it certainly won’t be the last, but what else can you expect when you try to do what you boys are doing? I know it’s unheard of for two separate packs to live so close and operate together, and I know you are forcing yourselves into that position because of me. I wanted to talk to you, too.” She hated to think about it but something had to be said. “If anything ever happened to Grey, anything where he could no longer protect us, I would still want us to stay here.”
Dean’s questioning look said she wasn’t doing this right.
“I mean. You are my friend. The pack are my friends. More like family, if I’m honest about it. I would want us to pledge to your pack if, God forbid, anything unexpected happened. What you are doing by forcing an alliance? It won’t ever be in vain as far as I’m concerned. Grey and I talked about it, and he thought I should let you know. You know his Wolf and all of his backup plans.”
Dean bowed his head. “Of course, you’d be welcome. I can’t imagine Grey letting it get that far, though.” A quick rap at the door signaled that it was time to go. “See you out there.”
The package on the dresser was small and unassuming. It was wrapped in brown paper with a light pink ribbon tied around it. She opened it slowly. Thick wrapping like this begged to be revered, not ripped into. She pulled out a thin, white-gold necklace with a circle of diamonds dangling delicately from the chain. In the middle of the circle hung spiderweb thin loops around a circular cut ruby. An interpretation of the Silver Wolf Clan emblem. The sunlight streaming through the window danced off the jewels with sparkling clarity. It was breathtaking. How thoughtful Grey was to give her such a meaningful gift.
“Morgan!” Mom knocked again, this time hard enough to rattle the room.
“Just a minute,” she said, fastening the treasure around her neck.
Now, she was ready.
Chapter 9
The breeze weaved lazily through the trees, lifting the fabric of the ribbons that decorated the single row of white chairs and bringing a hundred scents to Grey. He could smell her. He just couldn’t see her yet. The moment was surreal and profound. A silent anticipation crept into the forest, daring only to rustle the leaves in the canopy above. Light filtered through the woods to create tiny beams of illumination like guitar strings.
The attendees weren’t many, but they were important. Waiting, the pack sat turned in their chairs. Dean stood beside him with an arched eyebrow. He nodded slightly and gave Grey a reassuring smile that halted his fidgeting. She’d be here soon.
If he looked hard enough, he could just make out the ghost of the cabin through the trees. Their home. The perfect backdrop to the ceremony that would tether their fates together.
The sound of soft footsteps preceded Lana. Marissa walked beside her, whispering encouragement, while the smiling child tossed rose petals to the forest floor beneath their feet. Her dark curls bounced with every step. She beamed when she saw him standing at the front and started to run.
He laughed, the gesture expelling all of the nervous energy out of him. They would be his to protect. Wolf crowed with satisfaction and purpose.
And then his breath caught. Morgan appeared and disappeared through the trees as she made her way toward him. Her arm intertwined her mother’s, and her dress billowed softly behind her. The pack stood in honor of her.
She was exquisite in a formfitting, layered white dress that flared