*****
Josette was surrounded by three bickering women who were disagreeing on everything from whether or not she should wear shoes, to how to style her hair. It was like being trapped in a room with warring sisters.
Josette hadn’t purchased a gown but Diana insisted that she wear one of hers. She assured Josette it was brand new. Josette could have cared less; it was one of the prettiest dresses she’d ever seen. It seemed that Diana wore nothing but dresses that belonged in a time brought to mind when Josette filled out forms with her whole name. As she stood in front of the mirror she thought of all the times she’d become lost in between the pages of a good book. Of her love for a good story and how just a month ago she would have laughed in the face of anyone who said they believed in happily-ever-after. The day was bittersweet. The lost of her parents and Max’s grandmother and his father unable to attend, but they’d found new family in the Jean Rene and Diana and had more in the pack that had welcomed them with open arms and gone out of their way to give them a proper wedding. Josette wasn’t the crying type but she found herself teary eyed while the three women debated on if there was enough time to let the hem out of the dress.
Josette lowered her arms from putting the crown of flowers in her hair to find three bright eyed women looking at her. Diana had on a long gown in grey, Lillian had on a bright yellow sundress. Virginia had opted to wear her fighting uniform. Her father was wearing the same black padded leather pants and breastplate. The shield on the front was of a wolf in front of two long swords. Most of the children were afraid of them and almost all of the adult were. The legendary Wolfe Hunters.
“You look stunning Josette,” Diana said. Her low cut dress showed off her mating mark. A thick bite mark several shades darker than her skin that looked like a brand. Josette’s own mark was visible but healing to a faint flat scar.
“Why is your scar so dark and thick,” Josette said. Her hand went up and she drew it away. It was wrong to touch such an intimate thing.
“Because Jean Rene can’t keep his teeth off her,” Lillian answered.
Josette blushed and put her head down.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about love Josette.” Diana said putting her finger under her chin and lifting her face. “I take it you and Max haven’t made love yet?” she said.
“No,” Josette said shaking her head. Diana smiled. “But you wear his mark?” She looked a little confused.
“After hearing your story, about you and Jean Rene, I wanted to become a werewolf like you. My father told us the story after finding out that I could hear Max’s thought when he’s in wolf form even thought I was still human.”
Diana looked surprised and Virginian and Lillian each took in surprised breaths. Josette looked at the women before looking back at Diana, “You can’t do that, can you?” she asked in a low voice.
“No.”
“What does it mean?” Josette asked.
“That we’re all special in our own way,” she said, “I’m honored you were inspired by our tale. It appears one day your names will be beside ours.”
Max was a nervous wreck. His palms were sweaty and he felt like he was seconds away from hyperventilating and passing out. But not before he threw up. Jean Rene standing next to him didn’t make it any better. Last night he and Josette were going to stand in the living room of Luke’s trailer and get married and now the freaking oldest werewolf in all existence was standing next to him and Josette was being escorted out by the damn White Queen. He pulled at the collar of his shirt for the billionth time. It wasn’t button to the top but damn if he didn’t feel like it was choking the life out of him.
“Stop fidgeting boy here she comes,” Wallace said in a low voice.
The sight of her not only stopped his fidgeting, she stopped his breath and his heartbeat. She was beautiful, in a long black flowing gown and a crown of flowers in her hair.
“Your wolf is black,” Jean Rene asked in a whisper.
Max nodded because he couldn’t draw air to speak.
“She’s lovely,” Constantine whispered. Max nodded again. When she finally looked up, she smiled at him and all was lost. He’d already bitten her, she was his and he was hers, but there was something about her walking down the flower petal covered aisle that was the last piece of the puzzle for him.
When she reached the end of the aisle and they touch hands a shock almost release his beast. They were three days from the full moon but together, feeding off each other’s emotions and energy his beast lay just beneath his skin. Ready to come out if he needed, to protect his mate with his life. The ceremony was quick and once the judge declared them man and wife the pack fell silent as Diana stepped forward.
I present to you Marie Elizabeth Josette Dupre, daughter of Geri and Freki, Nonakris of the House of the Black Warrior and Ulrich of Maxwell Dupre, Lycaon of the House of the Black Warrior Clan. She turned to the couple and curtseyed low to the ground. The rest of the crowd followed.
Chapter Fifteen
Lupa (Second Edition) Page 26
