by Olivia Arran
“How?”
“The bond has reached through you to him. We’re linked now as a family,” he explained.
“Can you tell how he feels about it?” I would definitely have to practice with this bond. It sounded like it could come in quite handy on getting a read on my son. Especially handy for when he hit his teen years.
“Surprised, a little unsure and sad, but mostly hopeful.”
I sagged back in relief as his words sank in. It would take a little time and a lot of love but Josh would be fine. We’d all be fine—better than fine.
We were going to be happy.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Oliver
Three months later…
I tugged at the too-tight collar, sliding my finger between the starched white fabric and my throat, the feeling not dissimilar to what I would imagine a collar felt like. Not that you’d ever catch me wearing a collar as a wolf. Nope, not even for the kids of the pack, the little group of terrors that had barreled into our lives and stolen the hearts of every packmember.
They had thrived once out from under Bert’s reign of terror, their moms barely able to keep up with their antics as they explored their newfound freedom. Josh could be found over there at Smithrock most days, hanging around and adding to the mischief. He was still particularly attached to the little girl I had seen him with that first night, Lottie with the big blue eyes and pigtails that bounced as she ran circles around him. And his sister, Lizzie, of course.
The music started and I glanced to my right, meeting James’ grin. “Remind me again why I’m doing this?” I muttered, his grin widening as he smothered a laugh.
“Because you love her.”
“I know that.” Okay, maybe this had been my idea, but I’d had no clue how much these penguin suits were going to feel like a straitjacket, or how out of place I was going to feel on display in front of all these people.
I glanced around, taking in the large crowd. Everyone was here. Sean and Lisa, Macey and Jason, Amanda and Tarq, Greg, Cole, Kara, all the women we had rescued, and what looked to be hundreds of children. Okay, slight exaggeration maybe. Then there were the rest of the Colstone Pack, and the Smithrock Pack.
I glanced at the other side of the room where the shifters had overflowed and filled up the seats. There was Ana’s family, her mom sitting proud and clutching the hand of Ana’s brother, Kurt. To say they had been ecstatic to find out Ana was still alive was a big understatement, and they had accepted Josh and me with open arms and hearts.
The music started, shattering the silence and everyone rose to their feet, turning as one to face the door.
I gave the damn collar one last tug then turned around.
Ana stood, framed in the doorway, her dress a simple off-white creation of lace and satin. She was breathtaking, the dress clinging to her curves in a way that made me want to march up there and rip the thing off. And I might have, had she not been clinging to her dad’s arm. And everyone was watching. Including Josh, who was standing just behind her, peeking around and giving me the thumbs up.
Quashing the urge and filing it away for later, I watched her walk toward me.
I had wanted to give her a proper wedding, for us to be joined in the way of humans so that she could see that I not only accepted her for who and what she was, I wouldn’t have her any other way. Any doubts about whether it had been the right decision flew straight out of the window when she beamed at me, her face glowing with happiness. Her gaze raked over me, lust darkening her eyes as one eyebrow arched in obvious approval.
Maybe this penguin suit wasn’t so bad after all.
As she reached me, I took her hand, my other hand smoothing over her slightly rounded stomach. I couldn’t help it; I took every chance I had to sneak a quick feel at the child growing within. Our child. The one we had conceived that night in the forest at our mating.
Given that my lust for my mate was apparently insatiable, I could already see a lot of children in our future.
Something she had informed me was quite all right, in between moaning and gasping my name.
The ceremony flew by, the exact words a buzzing noise in my ears. All I could hear and see was her.
Josh darted forward, proudly presenting the rings.
Slipping the delicate gold band onto her finger, I said, “I take thee, Ana Arlington, to be my wife because I couldn’t imagine life without you. And I don’t want a life without you. You are my everything, my soulmate, my heart, and my best friend. I love you.”
Her eyes glistened suspiciously as she chewed her bottom lip, her eyes glued to the ring on her hand.
I bit back a groan. I was going to need to have another talk with her later about her chewing her lip and what it did to me. Hey, I couldn’t be held accountable for my reaction. It was her little white teeth and the thought of what she could do with them.
Taking my hand, she slipped a thicker gold band onto my finger. Something we had already agreed I would have to take off and wear on a chain around my neck, next to my heart. “I take thee, Oliver Colstone, to be my husband. Since the second I met you I knew you were going to be trouble. You crashed into my life, knocking me off my feet, and my life hasn’t been the same since. Or my heart. I love you and I always will.”
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss—”
With a growl, I tugged her to me, dipping her back in a kiss of hearts and souls and love. And lust. Oh yeah, lots of lust.
Feeling her shiver in my arms, a tremor of excitement racing through her, I decided that getting married was definitely worth it.
***
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Recommended Reading Order
True Mates Series
Found: Book 0.5 (Claire & Adam) Standalone short Prequel - buy HERE
Promised: Book 1 (Kara & James) buy HERE
Taken: Book 2 (Lisa & Sean) buy HERE
Healed: Book 3 (Amanda & Tarq) buy HERE
Redeemed: Book 4 (Macey & Jason) buy HERE
Cherished: Book 5 (Ana & Oliver)
The Everson Brothers (Standalone Bear Shifter novellas)
My Curse to Bear (Merrie & Craig) buy HERE
My Duty to Bear (Amy & Ryan) buy HERE
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About Olivia Arran
Olivia has been an avid reader since childhood, devouring page after page by torchlight, hidden under the covers in her bed. As an adult, she still reads voraciously but also enjoys penning her own tales of romance.
Steamy, paranormal, strong alpha heroes, feisty heroines – Olivia writes what she likes to read, and hopes you like it too!
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