carpet had been laid out inside, with wooden boards covering the grass on either side of it.
They reached the opening in the marquee and Saint drew up short as he almost ran straight into Flint. The black-haired male gave him an awkward smile and glanced inside the tent.
“Damned guys who were meant to be bringing the chairs couldn’t make it.” Flint didn’t look happy about that as he looked down at a clipboard in his hand. “Everyone is going to have to stand. We’re lucky half the guests made it after that little snowstorm kicked in.”
Saint was beginning to wish none of them had been able to make it through the snow. He didn’t like the way they all looked at him, as if he didn’t belong there. There was no need for them to try to make him feel that way. He knew he didn’t.
Saint shrugged it off, fought a grimace as his shoulder ached, hiding it from the cougar.
Flint looked as if he was going to leave without another word, and then he rocked back on his heels, that awkward edge to his grey eyes growing. “Sorry about the low blow I dealt you. I was courting Yasmin and had to do something dramatic to win her and… well… I shouldn’t have done that.”
Saint came dangerously close to growling at the male, because he didn’t need a reminder of being laid low for a week because of this cougar, waiting for his balls to heal. The only thing that stopped him was the fact he had admitted he had been trying to win his female. His mate. Saint thought about what he would do in order to win Holly’s love, and found there was nothing he wouldn’t do.
Saint lifted his hand and Flint tensed, flinched away a little, and then relaxed as Saint merely slapped him on the shoulder rather than punching him as he had clearly expected. “Apology accepted. Not going to hold it against you. No bad blood between us, cougar… just… don’t come picking fights at Black Ridge again.”
“Thanks, man.” Flint gave him a tight smile and hurried off, heading for the group of cougars. “Come on. Inside.”
Saint caught Knox’s arm and dragged him into the tent, ignored the gazes of the curious cougars who all looked their way and found a quiet spot near the entrance, away from all of them. Knox sighed and Saint knew why. The spot he had chosen was close to one of the patio heaters and the warmth of it was delicious, like standing outside in the summer sunshine.
Whoever had decorated the marquee had done a nice job of it. Strings of warm white lights had been draped between the walls and the high peak in the centre of the ceiling, and a cream painted trellis arch at the far end had the same lights woven among holly, mistletoe and ivy. All very seasonal.
He didn’t need to tiptoe to see the faces of everyone in the tent, searched them all in a hunt for Holly, only he couldn’t see her anywhere. Where was she?
Rath and Storm entered, both males dressed in black tuxedos, and Cobalt trailed in behind them, wearing a dark blue suit that hugged his broad frame.
Everyone hurried to greet the two grooms, and Rath and Storm smiled at everyone. The alpha even took a moment to look for him, smiled and nodded at the same time as Saint when their eyes locked. He wanted to ask Rath where Holly was as an uneasy feeling grew inside him, a fear she had been taken ill or something had happened to her, but he didn’t get the chance.
Both males reached the arch where Cobalt had settled himself and was flipping through cards he held in a white-knuckle grip, radiating more nerves than the two grooms combined. Flint started the music and the crowd murmured, but Saint was too busy staring at the arch to pay attention to what was happening, his gaze fixed on the holly on it.
He needed to see his Holly.
Saint turned to leave as that need became too great to deny, stopped dead as she stepped into the marquee, a small bundle of white flowers held tucked to her chest in both hands.
Gods, she was breathtaking. Radiant.
A long, dark green satin dress hugged her curves, inflamed him and made him forget where he was. Made him forget his own damned name.
Cobalt growled low, a possessive snarl that echoed inside Saint too. Beside Holly, Ember blushed