by Jana Leigh
“Thank you,” Sable whispered and felt the tears flow. “Shit, my makeup.”
“No one will notice,” Desire said and blotted her friend's face.
“Let’s get this on,” Noah said.
“How did you find it?” Sable whispered. She thought it was lost when it wasn’t in her brother’s boxes.
“I found it in a drawer at our house, he probably left it the last time he was there,” Bailey said and kissed her cheek. “Let’s get this show in the road.”
Sable laughed and touched the coin and sighed. She loved it, and it only made her dress more beautiful.
Noah held out his arm, she grinned and took his arm, and they waited while the women walked ahead of them slowly into the backyard where the tent and gazebo had been set up. White roses were twined into the arch. It looked like a fairy tale, Sable thought when they stepped out into the sunny afternoon.
She was ready for the next step of her life.
Alex and Slone shuffled their feet as they watched Bailey, Calli, and finally Desire step out. They almost swallowed their tongues when Sable stepped out with Noah. She was beautiful. They had never seen anything like it, her hair swept up in a heap on her head, with a veil covering her face. Her dress was a mermaid, they knew that from the conversation, they had no idea it would hug her voluptuous frame like it did, and when she walked it shimmered. She held her red roses in her hands and she was smiling.
Alex gasped when he saw Frank, he was dressed in a different outfit, all of them were. He wore a tuxedo, and walked with Sable on the other side while the rest stood at the back of the isle.
Frank was grinning and looking so proud. He nodded to Alex and Slone leaned in. “Is that Frank?"
Alex turned and looked at his best friend whose eyes were stunned, he leaned down and the members of Team Ten looked like they had been hit with a board in the face. Their expressions were priceless, finally they could see at least Frank, since that was where their gaze was focused.
As they reached Alex, he turned back and smiled at Sable while Slone walked around to the other side of her. The minister stepped up and said. “Who gives this woman.”
The minster was from the town of Healing and had performed many of these ceremonies; in fact, he had performed Desire, Slade, and Dillon’s only a short year ago. She was marrying Alex legally, and Slone in her heart. Both of the men agreed on the decision.
“I Do,” Frank said loudly and all of the men grinned. Frank put a hand up and ran it down his sister’s back, trying to let her know he was there. Only the men could see him. He smiled lovingly at Sable and then nodded to Alex who grinned and nodded back.
Noah stepped back and sat next to Dallas in the front row. The minster began to speak and Frank stood next to his friend, his sister, and her other man during the entire ceremony. He watched to make sure his little sister was happy, and knew what she was doing getting involved with two men.
When it came to the part where the minister said, “If there are any objections to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Frank chuckled and whispered to both Slone and Alex. “I totally approve, but if you hurt her, I will haunt your lily white asses until you go crazy. Remember the song, man, remember the song.”
Alex laughed and shook his head and smiled at the others who had heard the statement as well. They grinned and snickered, while the minister waited for a moment.
They finished the ceremony and then the minister said, “You may now kiss your bride, men.”
“Woo hoo, I love you, sweetheart,” Slone said and took off his hat, and pulled Sable around and kissed her soundly, bending her over his arm. When he set her upright, she felt dizzy from the kiss. Alex turned her, looked into her eyes, and said.
“I love you,” and then kissed her just as passionately. She didn’t need to be bent over to feel this kiss either, she smiled against his lips, and the minister called out.
“May I present Alex, Sable, and Slone; the newest family of Healing, Wyoming.”
Everyone clapped and cheered as the trio walked down the aisle and stepped into the receiving line. The men started it by walking to Sable first and kissing her on the cheek, and then they shook Slone’s hand and patted him on the back, but Alex they each picked up in a bear hug and whispered something to him. Alex laughed and nodded to something. Sable felt something next to her and she turned. No one was there.
It was her brother—she knew it. While everyone was busy, she turned to where she thought he was and said. “I'm okay, Frank.”
She felt something caress her cheek, and she felt a tear flow over.
“He said he knows,” Alex whispered in her ear and Slone took her hand and squeezed it.
“This is it, isn’t it,” Sable said. “He won't be back.”
“No, this is the last time,” Alex said and Sable sniffed and nodded.
“I miss you so much, I wish you were here walking me down the aisle. But it is okay, I'm okay now. Thank you so much for the letter, for being my brother, well, just for being you,” Sable whispered.
She felt a hand take hers and she gripped it. “He says there is nothing to thank him for, he was meant to be your brother, he would not have wanted it any other way.”
“Thank you for being here,” she said. “Knowing you were watching, as I wore this coin, did you see it, it is your graduation coin, Noah and Dallas had it made into a necklace, I will never take it off.” Sable promised. “You will be right there next to my heart, where you have always been.”
“He says, you are with him, too. You were a great sister, his is sorry he has to leave, but it is time for him to move on. Discover what is out there,” Alex whispered.
Sable nodded. “Just promise one thing before you go.”
“Anything.” She heard a faint whisper.
“Can you just check in from time to time, you don’t have to let me know you are there or anything, I just want you to meet your namesake before he is too grown up,” Sable said and she heard the intake of her men’s breath.
“Honey, are you pregnant?” Slone asked.
Sable nodded her head and felt the pressure of her brother’s hand and she grinned, he was excited. She could feel it.
“I love you,” Sable whispered through her tears.
“I love you, too, monkey girl.” She heard and saw her brother’s face for a brief moment, she sobbed, and she reached up and touched his face.
Frank kissed her cheek and then stepped back and winked at them. “I will see you on the flip side.”
Alex and Slone held their woman gently, and laughed. Sable waved and sucked in a breath and felt peace, true peace, her brother was really okay.
Epilogue
Gage buttoned up his new uniform; it had only taken a few weeks before he completed the deputy’s exam. Hell, the shooting test was simple. David had helped him study so he could pass.
Over the last few weeks, he discovered that David and he had a lot in common, more than the average Joe in common; it was a pleasant surprise, especially when Alex had his melt down. David understood, and even made sure that Gage was okay after seeing it.
They talked for hours, and Gage felt like he found a new person for his circle of friends. And today was his first shift. David was going to be his mentor, and so for the entire day he was shadowing the Sheriff, the other deputies were nice, but he didn’t feel the connection like he did with David, it was as if they had known each other for their entire lives.
“Looking good,” Sable said. She was like his sister now, checking on all of them and making sure they were okay. It was a little funny, she had gone to a therapist by herself to get an idea of how to handle them. None of the guys had wanted to go.
“I got all these fun little toys now,” Gage said and held up his walkie-talkie. Then showed her his badge for the millionth time since he had received it. It was a new chapter in his life, and he couldn’t wait. He loved ranching, but being a police officer was a little like being ba
ck in the military, it filled a void.
Trusting another person with your life, like he was with David being his partner for the next few weeks, was something he had not done with anyone but the men on his team. No one had risen to the level that Gage would feel comfortable: man, or woman. Not like he would ever let a woman have that much control over him.
He didn’t think he would ever let a woman that close, they were too much responsibility. He knew that his friends understood, even though they liked to call him a manwhore. It was just too much to think about, he admired Slone and Alex for finding Sable and putting themselves out there, he just didn’t think he would ever be able to do something like that.
“What time will you be home? Do you have your cell, in case? Whose number did you put down in case of emergency?” Sable rattled off her questions with her hands on her full hips so he could see the little, tiny baby bump she was sporting. A baby, Gage shuttered, way too much for him.
“Mom,” Gage whined. “Fine, I will be home after five, I have my cell right here, and the ranch number is the phone listed. David is training me, and Lou packed my lunch already. I promise not to talk to strangers, and not to take candy either.”
Sable rolled her eyes at his smartass comment, although what he didn’t say was how much he appreciated the fact that she cared enough to ask. It had been a long time since someone cared that much besides his teammates. It made him feel good, he thought and kissed Sable on the cheek and then said, “I will be fine.”
“I know, I am just checking, but call me if you need me, I am speed dial one,” Sable said.
“Dude, you stole my phone?” Gage said and pulled it out.
“Well, I figured it was safe to put myself in instead of the 1-900 number you had in there. I think you need a woman.”
“Um, no, and thanks.” Gage laughed.
“Off you go.” Sable rolled her eyes, Gage left the ranch with a bounce in his step, yep, and a new path.
Gage was lying in bed grinning; his little cowgirl was getting dressed to leave. She was on the same page as him, no relationships, no ties. He was never going to settle down like his teammate had just done, it wasn’t in the cards for him.
Last night he had finished his last shift with David and they celebrated by going out to Boots, his cowgirl was a waitress there.
“See you later, darlin',” the woman said, leaned over, and kissed him quickly before leaving.
“Later,” Gage said and leaned back and sighed. Sleep is what he needed now, tomorrow was going to be a full day, he had training in the morning, and then he had to ride the fence to fix it tomorrow.
Just when he was ready to fall asleep, Gage heard his teammates’ voice. “Dude, get the fuck up, this is important. We have been waiting forever for you to quit fucking around.”
“Huh?” Gage said and looked up, his dead teammates were in his room. “Holy Hell!”
“You could say that, man, you have got to get a clue and stop thinking with your dick, we have a huge problem. It is time for you to get the letter and read it,” one of his teammate stepped forward. “Someone's life depends on it.”
“Shit,” Gage groaned and looked around desperately. “Why me?”
“Because I trust you man, I explained that,” the spirit standing before him said.
Books by Jana Leigh
Denver Pack Series
Alpha's Mate
Tey's White Wolf
Devon: The Beta's Double Trouble
Cloe: Two for the Bite of One
Reggie: A Wolf's Changing Heart
Blaine: A Wolf's Second Sight
Lacy: Seeing Double
Jordan's Misunderstanding
Trinity: Heart of the Shifters
Argus: Meeting the Challenge
Trace: Following His Destiny
Shea: The Last Hope
Denver Pack Twelve 1/2
Chosen Wars Series
Cat’s Choice
Dante’s Dream
Finally Home – Taming of a White Wolf
Other books include
Dangerous Series
Dangerous Trio
Dangerous Two
Dangerous Finale
Dangerous: Working Against the Clock
Dangerous: Off Limits
Dangerous: All Bark and No Bite
Cassidy Family Series
Playing With Zack
Killing Jared
Holiday Surprise
Drekinn Series
The Mating Call
Healing Cherri
Mob Moms’ Christmas
Reaching Rissa
Kiki’s story – coming soon
Taming Team Ten
Boots, Chaps, and Cowboy Hats
Meridian Warriors by Jana Leigh and Zach Collins
Meridian Warriors: Xander and Des
Meridian Warriors Book Two – Coming soon
Shifter Justice by Jana Leigh and Bryce Evans
Perfect Reflections
Shifter Justice Book Two – Coming Soon
I would love to hear from you!
Website: www.janaleighauthor.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/janaleigh731
Excerpt from Alpha’s Mate
Denver Pack Book One
By Jana Leigh
Quin went into his office and answered the phone that was blinking at him, “Hello Father.”
“Son, what progress have you made with the Rogues?” A gruff voice responded to him. His father, never a man for long discussions, was always quick and to the point. When he was growing up, his mother was the one who dispensed the hugs. His father, though Quin knew he loved him, was more serious. His father also believed the Alpha of every Pack had a greater responsibility than even to his own family. This is where they differed. When Quin finally found his mate, he was going to make sure she knew exactly how important she was to him. His children would know the same love his mother had shown him.
“We had a skirmish last night in a suburb, but so far we can’t seem to find their lair. I hope they will show themselves soon. We have heard their Alpha is a wolf named Roark, but we haven’t been able to find him,” Quin said turning in his chair so he could watch the last of the sun setting.
“You may have to send out more patrols. I heard from Roan in Northern Ireland, and his Alpha in the States is having problems too. He has lost three females and one Enforcer in the last week. You need to watch the Pack,” his father warned.
“I know what is at stake here, father. I will talk to my Beta and the Enforcers. We are planning a retreat next week, but I do not want to leave the Pack unguarded. We may have to postpone, at least while this mess remains. They will understand, even if they are itching to run,” Quin said.
“I agree. Do you need any more people? I could send your brother and a few others to help,” his father asked.
Quin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was the Alpha of this Pack. He loved his father, but he was still set in the old ways.
“Let me talk it over with the others, I will let you know. I may have to have some more help if they try to take one of our females,” Quin replied.
They spoke for a few more minutes, and then Quin hung up the phone, hoping he would be able to give his father a better report the next time he spoke to him. He didn’t want his brothers to come here unless the need arose for that particular action. They were all working on settling their own Packs. All except for his youngest brother Adrian, who was just concluding his training. He hoped to offer the young wolf a place in his Pack. It had been too long since he had seen his family, and he wanted to have that connection again.
He had no clue what the Rogue wolves were trying to do. Taking female wolves was an act of war, soon he would have no choice but to hunt and kill the Rogues if they could not get them under control.
He could hear loud voices in the outer office and sighed again. What else could happen today? It had
been a long day already, and he wanted to have a nice quiet dinner and go to bed.
Just before he reached the door, it burst open and his Beta fell in the room. Devon was larger than most of his wolves, so he nearly took up the entire space when he sprawled on the floor. Being the Beta of the Pack, Devon was the strongest wolf. Quin never wanted to find out who would win if they fought for Alpha, he suspected it would be a close fight.
“Get your ass out of my way,” he heard a female growl come from just outside the room.
Quin laughed when Devon jumped up and looked at him with red cheeks. “She caught me off guard.”
“Right, we’ll go with that, if it’s how you want to spin it.” Quin agreed and poked his head out of his office to see who had thrown his Beta through the door. It must have been a large female wolf to do this kind of damage.
He laughed even harder when he saw the small sprite before him. A small blonde woman stood there tapping her foot with impatience. Wow, she was beautiful. Long flowing hair pulled back into a high ponytail and voluptuous curves, the woman stood a good foot below him. It made him feel like he was a giant. Quin grinned and looked at the woman with more interest. He wondered why she was here. He knew every member of his Pack, and she definitely did not belong.
“Listen buster, I have been sitting out here for the last two hours, waiting patiently for the head dog to come and meet with me. I no longer have the time, or the inclination to sit here. Tell your overly important man when he makes an appointment; he should have the courtesy to show up.” The woman fumed, turned on her heel, and stomped to the elevators.
