Brand of the Pack - Tera Shanley Page 0,29

at the bottom. A stream of flowers, rhinestones, and pearls wrapped around her waist and traveled up and over her right shoulder, creating a strap on one side and leaving the other bare. Her collarbone arched gracefully and a jeweled necklace sparkled against her neck. Her long dark curls trailed down the other side. His fingers twitched with the need to touch the silken strands.

He searched her clear, green eyes. “You are so beautiful,” he said softly, swallowing hard against the thickness that crept up his throat.

Her mother took her bouquet and sat down as Morgan took his hands and squeezed them. “So are you.”

Grey reached out and ran his finger over her exposed collarbone, and she shivered.

“Eh-hem.” Wade cleared his throat. He began.

The wedding was sweet and simple. Grey kissed her gently when Wade announced them as husband and wife. Grey leaned his forehead against hers and laughed breathlessly. Instead of walking back down the aisle, everyone rushed in to hug and congratulate them.

His wife. The importance of this day, of the vows promised, would resonate throughout the rest of their lives.

* * * *

The trail through the woods was thin, and Morgan stepped carefully, sidestepping brambles that would tear at the fabric of her dress. Grey’s hand was strong and warm in hers. A great difference from Lana’s small, dependent hand that clutched her other. Surrounded by the people who meant so much, Morgan couldn’t have been happier than in this moment. Such a life didn’t invite many sweet occasions, and their rarity made them all the more potent. She lived for here and now because she might not get another experience so beautiful.

Through the trees, the cabin appeared, homey and comfortable. The smell of food emanated from the open front door and she looked around with a grin. Lifting her dress, she bolted, racing the others, their laughter filling the woods. Winner would get the first pass on the fragrant buffet.

With her plate and champagne flute filled, she found a spot in the fray at the elaborate dining room table. Eating outside in the dry July heat was out of the question, but the rustic appeal of the kitchen made a beautiful setting for the wedding celebration.

“I should have bought an eating dress,” she joked, shoveling another bite of tenderloin into her mouth. “One with an elastic waist so I could eat what I want.”

Grey chuckled as her mother shook her head in disapproval.

“I can’t believe how much you eat. I don’t understand where you put all of it. You are getting older, Morgan. It won’t always be so easy to keep your tiny figure.”

Mom’s tone of reproach only made Morgan want to shock her more. Mid-twenties wasn’t anywhere near old, and she was a buck-ten of highly metabolized werewolf. Her figure would hold just fine. She sat back and clunked her feet comfortably on the empty chair beside her.

Grey eyed her wedding shoes with a smirk. “Are those cowboy boots?” His tone said he didn’t mind her ornery streak one bit.

“You didn’t expect me to walk out in the woods in three inch heels, did you? I would have broken my ankle. At least one, probably both,” she added dramatically.

Mom sighed. “Are Lana’s bags all packed up?” She would be taking care of her for a few days so they could enjoy a short honeymoon.

“They are. Let me go ahead and load the bags in your car so we have one less thing to do later,” Grey offered.

Mom tossed him the keys and he headed upstairs.

“Wife.” Grey said quietly from the top of the stairs. “I love you.”

He was leaning against the railing watching her. Her gaze collided with the liquid pool of gold in his eyes, and she smiled.

I love you, too, she mouthed.

Wife. Memory of the word against his lips sent a trill of excitement down her spine.

After the bags were loaded and the cake cut and served, Dean and Marissa made their toasts. An hour more found the guests trickling from the cabin.

“Grey, you take good care of my girls,” Mom said, rolling down her car window.

“Will do,” he said with another wave to Lana, who sat blowing kisses from her car seat.

“Bye, baby!” Morgan called.

Lana giggled and fidgeted like she was on her way to Disney World. She loved visiting her Mimi. It eased Morgan’s heart to see her excitement, but she ached with how deeply she would miss her over the next few days. Lana would likely come back full of