by Lori King
“Let go? Why do you believe they have given up this desire?”
“Well they chose to be with me, and I can’t give them children…” Tears filled Shandi’s eyes and she swallowed hard trying to regain control of her emotions.
“You believe that a child is only of blood, but a child is of the spirit. The soul gives you what you need, and you will be happy, but you must be indulgent of the time it takes to find the right piece to the puzzle,” Delaky said folding her hands in front of herself as though in meditation.
“I’m not sure I understand,” Shandi said with a frown.
“Happiness cannot find you if you do not open the door. You will find contentment with your mates, if you allow strangers into the world you occupy.”
A sense of hope filled Shandi’s heart, as she realized that Delaky was trying to tell her to be patient and accept that things would happen as they were supposed to. She smiled to herself. Clearly fighting fate hadn’t worked for her recently, so if embracing the happiness she had in front of her was what it would take for fate to share the secrets of her future, then that was what she would do.
Her eyes met Delaky’s, and she grinned at the smiling sage. “Thank you. I think I understand, and I promise you that I will do my best to accept whatever it is that life has in store for me.”
Without another word Delaky gracefully drifted away from Shandi, leaving her alone with her thoughts, and her newfound peace. She let herself sink into the feelings of comfort and joy that she had been holding at arms length, and felt the presence of both of her men in her mind. Her head turned just in time so see Rafe and Ryley headed her direction. As they approached her, she didn’t protest as Ryley scooped her up into his arms, and Rafe picked up her shoes for her. There was no need for words as they took her back to their cabin, which was deliciously empty since Liam was surprising Tina with their new place tonight.
Ryley carried her into the cabin, and she rested her head in the curve of his shoulder as Rafe placed her shoes on the small shoe rack next to the door. Seeing her sexy heels in the same space as their work boots sent a small thrill through her, and she smiled to herself.
“What caused that?” Rafe said, noticing her action immediately, as always.
“What?” she asked innocently.
“That shit-eating grin that just lit up your face, baby girl,” Ryley said, as he took a seat in the recliner, settling her on his lap.
“I was just thinking about how happy I am here with you guys.”
Rafe’s chest literally puffed up with pride. “I’m glad, angel. All we ever want to do is make you happy.”
“I’m going to miss you guys like hell while you’re gone,” she murmured, and noticing Ryley’s frown and look of sadness, she brushed a kiss on his lips.
“We’ll miss you, too, baby girl, more than you know. I’m actually relieved you decided to work until the end of the semester. I would feel like a real shit if you were stuck here by yourself without us around,” Ryley said with a frown.
“I’ll be fine, big guy. I have the whole pack behind me if I need something. I’ll keep myself busy with work, and learning how to be a werewolf,” she said with a giggle, as Ryley’s hands reached under her dress and began rolling her stockings down her thighs.
“You’re a natural, angel,” Rafe said with a playful wink as he took his tie off and began unbuttoning his shirt. Every button brought another glorious inch of his muscular chest into view.
“You guys forgot to mention a few of the side effects before we did the whole mating thing you know,” she said, and she couldn’t hold in the smile when both men froze.
“What did we forget?” Rafe asked with a frown.
“Well, you didn’t mention that I would crave red meat…all the time. Or that I would need to take up shaving my legs on a daily basis…”
Ryley ran his hand over her calf gently as he grinned, and she laughed when Rafe rolled his eyes at her complaints.
“Or that my libido would sky rocket.” Desire lit both sets of blue eyes as her voice softened and she sighed heavily. “How am I going to survive without you two around to service me?” she said playfully with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
Their laughter warmed her soul, and when they finally quieted after several minutes, Rafe spoke. “This trip shouldn’t take long. We’ll be back before you know it, and then we can get on with our lives.”
“Have you talked with your mom and dad about what they think of KJ’s story?” she asked curiously, and both brothers shook their head in the negative. “Hmm…well, I can imagine that they are pretty heartbroken, and angry, too. After all, they’ve been your parents for most of your lives, and suddenly they are being pushed out.”
“Like hell!” Rafe snapped, and then he flushed with embarrassment. “Even if these people turn out to be our biological parents, I don’t think I will ever be able to call them Mom and Dad. Those titles are earned, and Victoria and Henley Gray are the people who have earned them.”
Ryley nodded, and Shandi sighed heavily. “I understand, Rafe, but I do think you need to try to be open-minded and hear them out before you write them off. They are your family, and considering I’ve never belonged to a large family, I’m thoroughly looking forward to it.”
“You already belong, angel.”
Shandi met Rafe’s eyes, as she felt Ryley squeeze her in his arms a little tighter. “I know that, and everyone has been so wonderful… I just meant…oh I don’t know what I meant. I guess I’m missing my mama.”
Ryley tipped her chin back, so that she had to look up at him. “If you need your mama, then we will make arrangements to get her here, baby girl. We’re going to be gone for at least a couple of weeks, and a lot of changes will be happening. My only concern is that you have to keep her away from the den when the Diego pack gets here. I can count on the Gray pack members not showing their wolves in front of her, but I don’t know the other wolves.”
“I know, big guy. I understand why it wouldn’t be a good idea, but I do miss her a lot. If it weren’t for work I would hop in my car and head on over to see her right now.”
“Not at nearly midnight you wouldn’t. Part of our job as your mates is to keep you safe, even from yourself. Now, we need to get you to bed. You have a big day tomorrow,” Ryley said, and then he looked sick to his stomach.
Shandi frowned. “What’s so big about it?”
“Nothing, well, I just mean that tomorrow is our last day before we have to leave for Wyoming,” Ryley stammered, and he looked up at Rafe with a plea for help. Rafe just grinned widely, before he scooped her up off of his brother’s lap, and headed for the bedroom with her.
“Are you in a hurry, Rafe?” she asked, surprised.
“I’m always in a hurry to get you naked underneath me.” He growled, and she giggled back. They all tumbled into bed, and made love until they were too tired to move in the wee morning hours.
The next morning…
Shandi felt a tickle on her arm, and cracked her eyes open slowly to reveal Whitney looking way too perky after a night of drinking and dancing.
“Whitney?” She blinked in confusion. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Well, that’s not very friendly. Come on, you need to get up and get dressed, lazy bones, otherwise you’ll sleep through your special day,” Whitney said, flitting across the room to pick up a black garment bag that was draped over the chair in the corner.
“What are you talking about? Where are Rafe and Ryley?” she asked, trying to clear the cobwebs from her brain as she watched Whitney rifle through the dresser drawers, pulling a pair of white stockings, a white thong, and a lacy white strapless bra from the top dresser drawer. Shandi had just finished bringing all of her clothes out to the cabin on Friday, and she wondered how all of her lingerie managed to get unpacked without her assistance.
“Don’t be a dunce, dear. She’s helping get you dressed for your wedding.” Shandi heard the voice before her mother walked through
the bedroom door, and she was instantly awake. Sitting up and quickly jumping from the bed, she flew into her mother’s arms.
“Mama! What are you doing here? I’m so glad to see you!” Tears filled her eyes, and she pressed her nose into her mother’s shoulder, taking a deep breath of her soft lilac scent.
Barbara Martin was a lovely woman. Only twenty years older than her daughter, they were often mistaken for sisters. Her clear skin and rich burgundy-colored hair belied her forty seven years, and Barbara worked hard to maintain her curvy, but fit figure.
Barbara held her close and hugged her tight. “I’ve missed you so much, sweetheart, and if you were listening you would put two and two together. I’m here for your wedding.”
Shandi jerked her head back to stare at the two women with surprise. She tried to process what her mother had said, but could only stand there blank. A chill shot over her skin, and she remembered she was naked. Moving quickly across the room she snagged her robe off of the back of the bathroom door. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
With an irritated huff, her mother shared a glance with Whitney and then rolling her eyes she spoke very slowly. “I…said…you…have…to…get…dressed…for…your…wedding.”
“What wedding? I’m not even engaged,” Shandi said with a shake of her head.
“Trivial detail. In all actuality you and the boys already act like a married couple,” Whitney said with a smirk that drew another blush up Shandi’s cheeks. “Rafe and Ryley wanted to surprise you. They have it all planned out, but on a smaller scale than Caroline’s wedding yesterday. Now, come on, we have to get you dressed. You have a date at the altar in an hour!”
“An hour?” she whispered dumbly. Her sleep-fogged brain was having trouble keeping up. Whitney had said that the guys planned this. The guys were surprising her.
For a moment, Shandi considered being angry. After all, she had spent many hours as a young girl fantasizing about planning her wedding, but when she really got to the heart of it, it didn’t matter what the details were. All that mattered were the grooms standing at the altar waiting to say “I do.”
Are you mad at us, baby girl?
Shandi felt her body flush at Ryley’s voice in her head. She still wasn’t completely used to the idea of sharing her private thoughts, but at this moment she was just comforted to hear him.
How could I be mad? Are you guys sure about this?
Angel, I told you, Ryley and I aren’t ever going to let you go. This is faster than I would have liked to do this, but I won’t leave you here without making you our bride first. We don’t know exactly how long this trip will take, and this way you will have the protection of our name.
A rush of disappointment flooded her that his words weren’t a declaration of love, and tears filled her eyes. She could see Whitney and her mom watching her closely, but neither spoke yet. She was grateful that they seemed to understand her need for a moment to collect herself.
Angel? What’s wrong? You just lost all of the happiness you had.
Rafe, I need to know, are you marrying me because you have to? I can protect myself without your name if you need more time to think about this.
What the hell? Have you lost your damn mind, woman? I love you more than life itself. There is absolutely nothing I want more in this lifetime than to hold you as my wife.
Ditto that.
Shandi felt relieved, and giddy with joy. Her laughter rang clear and true at Ryley’s input, and her mom frowned at her.
“Shandi, are you all right? Should we call Rafe and Ryley?” Barbara asked, glancing at Whitney nervously.
“No, Mom, I’m wonderful. I just needed a few moments to think. Please, can we get started? The sooner we finish, the sooner I can marry my men,” Shandi said, and she heard two howls of agreement in her head, as Whitney laughed and spirited her off toward the bathroom to get her in the shower.
Everything began happening in a flurry. As Shandi showered, her mom and her new sister-in-law prepared her dress, lingerie, and makeup, so that when she exited the bathroom she was swept away in a makeover fit for a princess.
As Whitney did her hair and makeup, more women arrived to help with the finishing touches. Tina brought her a pair of antique diamond earrings to borrow for her something old, and something borrowed. Caroline brought her a beautiful ankle bracelet that consisted of tiny blue butterflies linked wing to wing, for her something blue. And Victoria brought her a delicate handmade lace garter belt to wear for her something new. She felt embraced and loved by this group of women that she had just met, and she loved laughing and joking with them as they helped her into her lingerie and dress. Just as they finished her dressing, Tawny walked into the room carrying a large white shoebox.
“The missing piece!” Tawny said, with a small smile, and Shandi looked at her questioningly. “The shoes of course! You can’t get married without a kick-ass pair of shoes!”
Opening the box, Shandi stared down at a pair of creamy white Jimmy Choo stilettos that had the stiletto heels decorated with dozens of winking rhinestones. The heels had long ribbons that were meant to be laced up her ankles, and they tied at the back of her calves in delicate little bows. They were gorgeous, and Shandi could imagine herself in her lingerie and the shoes, and nothing else, just for her men. A soft blush heated her cheeks, as she lifted glassy eyes to Tawny. She hadn’t gotten to know much about Tawny yet, but what she did know, she loved.
“Thank you. Thank you all. I don’t know how to tell you…” she said, but the words were choked off in her tight throat.
Barbara reached out a comforting hand to Shandi. “You seem to have found a wonderful group of friends. They have been helping your men plan this all week, and I can’t believe they managed to put it all together.”
Shandi just nodded her agreement, unable to speak. Finally they walked her into the bathroom to see her own image. Her already troubled breathing stopped entirely, and tears filled her eyes. She willed them away as she stared at herself.
The dress her men had selected was a princess-cut silhouette, with rhinestone embellishment at the bust. It had a sweetheart neckline, and a long, full skirt that rippled into a short train in the back. The back laced up in a corset style with purple laces, and a purple embroidered design was woven starting at the top of her right hip, and sweeping down the side in an asymmetrical design that covered one side of the skirt. It was stunning.
Rafe and Ryley had chosen a tiara for her, instead of a veil, and Whitney had helped to dress her hair into a half updo that fell in graceful curls down her back. The stark contrast between her white dress and her red hair made her feel decadent and sensual.
She could feel the tug of the garter belt and stockings she wore, as well as the rasp of the lacey thong and bra against her skin. Clearing her throat, she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, and was startled when Victoria stepped into the bathroom with her. She looked up, meeting the eyes of the woman who had mothered her lovers, and was pleased to find only reassuring happiness on Victoria’s face.
“I have something for you, from Rafe,” the older woman said softly, and she held out a long white box with a small card attached by a yellow ribbon.
“I love them so much,” Shandi said in response as she stared into Victoria’s eyes.
“I know, Shandi. If I didn’t see the love with my own eyes, I would have already said something. Now, open your gift, sweetheart.”
Shandi took the box with shaking hands, and gently opened the card to read the handwritten words there.
Angel, I told you before that I would take your friendship, if that’s all that you could give me. Now you own my heart, and I’m lucky enough to be marrying you. I will spend the rest of your life and mine proving to you that you made the right choice.
Love always, Rafe
Tears spilled down her cheeks, and Victoria clucked at her. “Oh dear, now we’ll end up having to touch up your mascara.”
“No, we won’t,” Whitney said,
stepping into the bathroom doorway behind her mom. “I made sure to use waterproof makeup. I knew she would tear up. She’s a crier.”
A loud laugh broke Shandi’s emotional moment, and she could hear the rest of the girls in the bedroom laughing, too. Instead of saying anything, she carefully lifted the lid on her gift. Nestled on a soft white bed of satin was a beautiful amethyst and diamond necklace. Shandi gasped, and she heard a low whistle as she lifted it out of the box.
“Wow, good choice. That has to be from Rafe. Ryley would have given you underwear,” Tina said with a quick wink, as Shandi lifted her hair and let Victoria clip the necklace around her throat. It winked in the bathroom light, and Shandi could feel the cold metal against her skin warming to her body.
Thank you.
No, angel, thank you. For saying yes.
“I’m not sure what’s in here, but Ryley did send you a gift,” Caroline said, staring down at the small pink bag that she held in her hands. The bag was about eight inches tall, and five inches wide, and it had no lettering. There was a tiny card dangling from the strap, and Shandi reached for it.
I can’t wait for the honeymoon…
Laughter bubbled up in her throat at Ryley’s handwritten words, and Shandi blushed hotly.
“Oh lord, I can only imagine what he got me! I’m not even sure I want to open this in front of my mama, and my mother-in-law,” Shandi said, covering her eyes with her hand.
“So you think we don’t have sex?” Shandi just stared at her mother with wide eyes, as she tried to come up with a response to her question. She was saved when Victoria said, “Believe me, Shandi, you can’t show me anything I haven’t seen before.”
Opening the bag, Shandi reached in a pulled out a can of whipped cream, and a small plastic package of raspberries. “I should have known,” she murmured, and all of the other women giggled, teasing her about her gift.
Ryley…
