Beastly Bear (Shifter Brides Everafter Book 2)

by Lola Kidd

  Potter tapped her chin. "There should be security near the gate. Could you radio ahead and ask them to come walk us?"

  The driver took out his walkie-talkie and started working.

  "This really is more complicated than it needs to be," Lenni said. "I don't want to cause a commotion."

  "Yes, but if everyone is mostly there, we must be the back of the pack," Potter pointed out. "For all we know the bride is already there and we'll make a commotion walking in late."

  Lenni hadn't even thought about that. "Let's just walk."

  She put her hand on the doorknob and the driver gave them one last warning.

  "The guards are still probably a minute and a half away. Give it a moment and you ladies are good to go. Not that I'm telling you to walk. For the record, I think this is a dangerous idea. I'd prefer it if you two stayed here. Even if you miss the ceremony, you won't miss the party."

  "I've known this young man his whole life," Potter said resolutely. "These photographers aren't going to get out of the way and I'm not going to miss this for the world."

  There was a knock at the window and the flashes stopped for a moment. It was security. They were going to be able to walk.

  Lenni flung open the door and the cameramen descended on her like a swarm of locusts. She almost stepped back in the car they were so ferocious. The lights blinded her for a second, and then she felt Potter's hand on the small of her back.

  "Just straight ahead, dear. Security will lead us from here." Potter kept her hand around her waist and guided Lenni.

  Beckett wasn't going to be happy, but she only lived once. She wasn't going to let him in his grumpy mood ruin this day for her. Beckett be damned; she was going to get to this ceremony on time and Potter was going to see what she worked so hard to come and enjoy.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Beckett couldn't believe his eyes. There was a line of limos and town cars as far as the eye could see, and now there was a commotion brewing near the front of the line. There were photographers swarming around some of the cars and more were starting to join the hoard. Security was going crazy trying to get to the spot. It was bad enough that the photographers were able to get this close. There was a helicopter overhead trying to get shots, but this was worse.

  The ones in the air weren't going to get anything. The tents were going to keep it all a secret. They weren't going to get a shot of Leah's dress either. She was already inside and they'd borrowed a trick from many other celebrities. She'd been smuggled in the back of a box truck. The only problem left was the guests.

  Everyone had been sworn to secrecy. It was a small wedding for someone of Jasper's level, and Beckett was sure that no one had spilled details. He had no idea what the fuss was, but it was getting out of hand. He was sure they were going to have to call the police from the looks of it.

  "What's going on down there?" Jasper asked.

  "I don't know. I'm going to have to ask security," Beckett said. "You stay here while I try to find out what's going on."

  He could leave it up to one of the assistants running around or one of the other groomsmen, but this he wanted to do it himself. Jasper's brothers, his co-best men, were inside making sure everything was going right with the guests already seated. Jasper's father was making sure that everyone who was important was already there. Beckett had been keeping Jasper calm, but this was something more substantive he could do for the party.

  Maybe if he could figure out how to get some of the paparazzi to spread out, the guests could get there quicker. It was a rarity for the bride to make it to the wedding before most for guests, but that's what had happened. He was concerned they were going to have to start the ceremony with half the guests in attendance if things didn't settle down out there.

  They hadn't expected just how badly the paparazzi wanted a picture of this event. If this whole event was any indication of what it could be like for him, he was even more glad now that he was shunning the whole thing. Not that he was as popular as Jasper. But still, there was a chance that his own wedding could end up like this. Jasper's two brothers had gotten married quietly and no one had even cared. They hadn't had to go to all of this trouble. But neither of them had ever caught the public's imagination like he and Jasper had.

  "What's going on down there?" he asked a security guard when he finally got to one that looked like he was in charge.

  "There's an old woman and a young lady walking in from one of the cars." The security guard shook his head. "They're getting mobbed by the paparazzi. I have no idea what they were thinking, but it is a total mad house down there. We managed to get three guards out to pick them up, but it's still dicey."

  "Do you know what their names are?" Beckett had half a mind to block them from coming into the ceremony. This was Jasper's special day and they were ruining it. There was already a delay in getting in and they were making it worse. Who would be so inconsiderate? He would have guessed his stepmother, but she was already inside.

  "No idea. The girl is really hot though." The guard seemed to realize who he was talking to and straightened up. "Sorry. I'm sure that isn't helpful at an event like this. I haven't seen a single unattractive person here."

  "You're right. That wasn't very helpful." Beckett said dryly. He had to wait more than fifteen minutes for the cluster of guards to get the two guests into the tent. When he got a glimpse of two familiar faces, he was almost speechless.

  It was difficult to keep his anger in check. "What were you thinking?"

  He took both women by the arm and led them to the quietest corner he could find.

  "I can't believe what I'm seeing," he whispered fiercely. "Why didn't you stay in your car?"

  "We were going to miss the ceremony," Potter told him. "Don't get cross with me, young man. We are two grown women and we can decide what we want or not. I don't care what you think. It isn't any of your concern how we got here. Just be glad we made it."

  "You're ruining Jasper's day," he sputtered. "It is my concern. I told you two to be careful and this is what you do. I am shocked and disappointed."

  "Nonsense," Potter stood tall. "We are going to take our seats and you are going to stop making a big deal about this."

  "You're exactly like Stephanie," Beckett told them. "Both of you. I should have known this would happen. As soon as I saw that picture of Lenni and her, I should've known. Someone less obsessed with having her face in the papers would have at least tried to talk you out of it, Potter."

  Her face turned red. "Not fair. This was Potter's idea. I didn't want to miss the ceremony either. You have no idea what it's like down there. I'm surprised no one else is walking. Why haven't you guys figured out how to fix this problem instead of having us wait out there like idiots?"

  Beckett shook his head. "It was a mistake bringing you here. I should have known. This was too much too soon. I knew we shouldn't have hired anyone new for this. You're making this all worse."

  "What's going on?" someone asked from behind him. "Why is no one here yet? Half the seats are empty in there you know."

  Of course. Who else would make this moment even more stressful for him? He should have never gotten involved. He should have stayed with Jasper and let security deal with this mess.

  "This doesn't concern you, Stephanie. Please go back your seat." Beckett didn't bother turning around to look at his annoying stepmother.

  "I was just asking you a question." She was in front of him now.

  "No you weren't. You were bothering me." He pulled himself to his full height. "The three of us are discussing an issue and I don't need you here right now."

  She put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. "Don't you talk to me like that."

  "I've had enough of you people today," he roared. "Everyone just needs to sit down and shut up. No more trying to get your picture taken and no more making a scene. Just go in and shut up."

  "Who are you talking..." Potter and Stephanie began at the same time.

  He put out his
hand. He'd realized his mistake as soon as the words were out of his mouth. He was letting his anger get the best of him. "I apologize for telling you guys to shut up. I'm losing my temper. I'm sorry."

  "You have a real keeper here, mister, and you should treat her nicer," Stephanie told him. "You're lucky to have someone as nice as Lenni to be your assistant. She followed you all the way out here to make sure you were dressed nicely. And you've looked great every day. And Potter has been with you for almost your entire life. I don't know what problem you have with them, but they surely didn't do anything to deserve that tongue-lashing."

  "I pay them handsomely for working for me," he said through gritted teeth.

  "Not enough." Potter snorted.

  "This is getting a little out of hand," Lenni finally spoke again. "I just want to go in and sit down. Beckett's right. Now isn't the time to make a scene."

  "He's the one that caused a scene," Potter argued. "Once we got here, it was fine."

  "What is going on here, son?" His father walked up and joined the crowed. "Is this the cool kids' meeting place or something?"

  Beckett rubbed his palms into his eyes. Could this get any more out of hand?

  "That please take Stephanie to her seat. And take Potter with you," he asked his dad.

  "I'm not leaving Lenni with you so you can yell at her," Potter said.

  "Why don't we all take our seats now?" his father suggested. "I think the ceremony is going to start soon and we don't want to miss anything."

  "I just want to have a word with Lenni before she goes inside," he said. "I'm confused why she's here and would like to talk to her about it."

  His father growled. "What are you doing, son? I don't know what's gotten into you, but now isn't the time for that kind of conversation. If you want to fire her, do it after the wedding."

  "Why'd you even come, Lenni?" he asked her directly. "You don't need to be here. You only needed to be here to look after my clothes and I told you I didn't need that service today."

  Potter slapped him on the forearm. "I invited her. Once again. You are not the boss of everyone here. She did her job and now she can have fun."

  His father took her by the arm. "Let's take our seats now, ladies. I'll leave my son here to remember his manners. Because I didn't raise him to talk to people like this."

  From the look on his father's face, he knew this wouldn't be the end of it. He was going to get a real talking-to. Didn't matter how old he was; his father didn't mind telling him off.

  "Watch yourself," Potter told him before stalking off with his father and stepmother.

  Stephanie looked troubled but said nothing. Beckett was left alone in the corner growling. He was angry, but he didn't think he'd gone too far. He had made a mistake and he saw that now. He should never have let Lenni come to the wedding. He should have given her clear instructions and not let her run around like she was a guest. All she wanted was the attention, and now she was obsessed with it. She wasn't ready to be thrust into a situation where people were desperate to get her picture. All the attention had gone to her head and he was seeing a gross side of her personality.

  If she just stayed back at the estate or even in Hope Springs, none of this would've happened. He still could've had a nice opinion of her.

  He was so disappointed in who she had turned out to be. But on one hand it was better that he knew her true colors now. Though on the other, it was too bad it had to be on today of all days. Without the cameras tempting her, maybe it would have been different. But now he could never unsee any of this. He was only going to remember her as the attention-hungry woman who almost ruined his best friend's wedding for him.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The wedding was beautiful, but a sadness still stayed with Lenni. Seeing two people so in love get married had made her realize how far from that she and Beckett were. Beside the fact that he didn't want to get married at all, there was something missing between them. Maybe it was the lack of communication.

  They hadn't even said they were more than friends. Were they friends? They hadn't even said they were more than employer and employee. That seemed more appropriate. Maybe she had dreamed it all. Maybe they hadn't even made that first step. People didn't go from a professional relationship to a romantic one without an intermediary step. They had never even been friends.

  What they had could have just been a vacation romance. He'd come to her and spoken to her like it was more, but that didn't mean they really were. Maybe he was just trying to get into her pants.

  Walking into the final breakfast was like walking into a firing squad. Beckett was looking at his phone and she could tell it wasn't good.

  "You and Potter made all the sites," he told her when she sat down. "Congratulations."

  "You two look pretty as a picture in all of them," Stephanie told her. She patted the seat next to her. "What are you going to have for breakfast, darlin'? They have everything here."

  "Jasper's family brought in some of the best chefs in the country," Potter told her.

  Many of the wedding guests were using the tent one last time to have breakfast before flying out. This time, there was no trouble getting in. No photographers wanted pictures of the morning after.

  She would've skipped it, but she wasn't going to hide her face in shame. She had done nothing wrong. Beckett was the one being an ass.

  "Thank you," she told Stephanie, taking her seat. "Nice to see some people in your family are so welcoming."

  "Shouldn't the ceremony just be for the people who were actually invited to the wedding?" Beckett asked, looking at her.

  It was like a stab to the heart. "Would you like me to leave?"

  "You're not going anywhere," Stephanie told her. "This is just breakfast. Even the wedding planner is here. And I don't think she was technically invited either."

  Jasper and Leah's families were mingling about and didn't seem to notice the commotion that was taking place.

  "I know how he puts up with that paparazzi attention," Beckett said, changing the subject. "I'm so glad I live far away."

  "Is it beautiful in that town?" Stephanie asked her. "I've never been and I've always wondered."

  "It's a gorgeous town but not much to do. I think you're used to a more exciting pace of life," Lenni told her. "You're welcome to come visit anytime. I live in the town too. You could always stay with me."

  "How nice to have someone inviting us," Greg looked at his son. "I paid for a good portion of the mansion and I would love to see it someday."

  "I paid for it with my own money. I work too," Beckett bristled. "You gave me my job and I'm grateful for it, but I work hard for everything I have now."

  "No one was questioning your work ethic, big brother," Connor said. "But it would be nice to have an invite."

  "Fine, you're all invited to my next place," Beckett said magnanimously.

  "What next place?" Potter asked.

  "Have I not mentioned it?" Beckett kept looking at the paper.

  Potter sighed. "We'll don't just tease us. Out with it already."

  "Well since you and Patrick enjoyed it in Hope Springs so much, I thought it would be nice if you could change scenery every season," Beckett explained. "I have properties all over the place. I was thinking of maybe changing properties at every four to six months."

  "That's not a terrible idea," Potter admitted. "It would be nice to see new faces every now and then."

  "I got the idea when Lenni started." Beckett smiled at her like he hadn't been a total jerk not moments before. "You two seem so happy that I thought it might be nice to get some new scenery every now and then. Change things up."

  Lenni swallowed painfully. She no longer had an appetite.

  "I'm not going to leave Hope Springs," she said, her mouth suddenly dry.

  "I know it's hard leaving family, isn't it?" Stephanie patted her hand. "I hadn't been anywhere before I came to work for Greg."

  "It worked out so well for her," Greg added. "Don't be af
raid to try new things."

  Not that Beckett even asked her to come. She wasn't sure if she would even have a job past this week.

  Before he talked about extending her contract, but now she could see how that might have just been talk. He knew she would never leave her father behind.

  Should she ask? No, now wasn't the right time. She'd already done enough to ruin this wedding for him. He'd made that very clear. She would leave him to his own devices.

  When they got back to Hope Springs, she could see if he did want her to come too.

  She would deal with this problem if it even happened.

  "I'm not sure I want to leave it all," she told Stephanie forcefully. "I know there is a great wide world out there, but Hope Springs is a wonderful place. Everyone is kind to my father there."

  "Good for you for having such a strong connection to your hometown," Greg said. "I stay in one place too. But we do vacation often."

  "I heard you just got back from a shifter resort," Connor said. "Is it any good?"

  "I really did like it," Lenni said. "But it's not as nice as being home. I think I'll save the vacations for something every once in a while."

  "It does make vacationing more special that way," Stephanie said with a smile. "As long as you don't go too long between them, it really is the best of both worlds. You get the stability of being in one place and also get to travel."

  Beckett said nothing. She looked at him. "I'm not going to be stuck there, but it is not a place where you wither and die. For me, it's a place you put down roots and grow."

  She dared him to say something back in her mind. Something about her disastrous love life or her dead-end job, but he didn't even look at her. It was like she didn't exist. It probably wouldn't be a problem for her after all. The more time she spent with him, the more she was sure he didn't like her at all. This whole trip had been a disaster. Instead of being the beginning of something wonderful, it felt like it was the end.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Waiting for Potter to fall asleep was like torture. He could tell that something he'd said at breakfast had really upset Lenni. He'd wanted to ask her what was the matter immediately, but he'd caused too many scenes already. He didn't want to have an argument in front of his closest friend.