by Gina Kincade
"In reality, only you, if you or I are being honest. I don't turn heads. If I did at all today it was simply because the old maid of the pride, not by age but by choice of lifestyle, well, she wore a tight-fitting dress rather than a dumpy sweater or old t-shirt. It was the uncommon factor that wowed them, not my looks. I'm both aware and fine with that."
"I'm hurt, and offended," Luke said.
She complimented him on the genuine way his face reflected hurt, his eyes darkened, his face downcast. "You'll get over it," she said, her voice softening despite her. "Trust me."
As the last note played in the over long song, She pushed herself from his arms the second she could and headed straight for the makeshift bar in the corner of the room. She planned to devour a stiff drink alone, wait for the cake cutting and enjoy a slice of heaven she more than deserved for her troubles today before running off for the night. The two glasses of champagne she'd consumed so far had not cut it.
However, it seemed her sister spoiled her best-laid plans once again as she found herself cornered. Tallen scowled in response to Trina's tight, almost smug grin, crossing her arms instead, though this didn't stop her sister one bit.
"Thank you for everything today, sis," Trina said once she got close enough not to have to shout over all the conversations going on in the room.
A bunch of shifters together to celebrate always got rather loud. She'd grown used to it long ago, just as she did the ringing in her sensitive ears that followed these celebrations like after she'd attended a concert. Of course, she'd only gone to a concert on one occasion, to please her little sister when it had been the only way her parents would let her go. She'd never stop doing for Trina, even if she gripped about it. She usually didn't. Today had just been a bit much. Though, so much she'd joyfully, with a full heart, sacrificed for her sister's happiness, and she'd continue to do so for years to come.
"Of course. Anything for you, sis. You know that, and take advantage of it, but this time, really, you owe me once you get back from your honeymoon. I want dinner, dessert, a movie, maybe more," Tallan said, giving her sister a little nudge. "I hope today was all you dreamed it could be."
"It was and more. Now, if only I could see you but so happy."
"Oh, give it a rest with that quote already. Jane Austen is rolling over in her grave."
"It's true, though. I want to see you happy, Tallan."
"I am happy. I don't need a man to achieve such a state. I am ecstatic that Lyle makes you so blissful your face may break from that smile you have been wearing all day, but I don't need the same in my life. I am doing fine on my own."
"I want better than fine for you. You do so much for everyone else, I want you to have someone who also takes care of you."
"I can manage that just fine on my own, too," Tallan said with a sly wink.
"Yes, I'm sure you can." Trina chuckled. "So, how was your dance? You two looked close."
"You mean my forced dance with the bear shifter? You want to give mom a heart attack already? I think she would go through the roof if two of her children married outside our own species."
"She'll get over it if she wants to maintain a relationship with her children. And we both know she does. It's our ace in the whole. As I've told Jason several times, she is just flexing her muscles now, making her point. Once she comes to miss the closeness she once had with her son, realizes that he is not giving up Micah, especially after almost losing his mate once and nearly driving himself over the edge, mom will come around. I know she will. She will make it a hard won fight to save face, but she'll come to accept the relationship."
"Says the girl who married a panther." Tallan rolled her eyes. "Regardless, this is a pointless conversation. I don't want a man right now, and even if I did, it wouldn't be bear boy."
"Ah, a pet name already." Trina grinned, her eyes flashing with mirth.
"Stop it, Trina. Don't make me yell at you on your wedding day," Tallan feigned irritation in her voice, though in truth some had seeped in at this point in the evening.
She'd completed all her obligations, most with a smile outside of that dance, the dress, so in her opinion she'd be in the clear soon. Finding her joy in helping, making others happy, today it had been a bit much for even her. Something had stirred her up. Something she couldn't put her finger on, nor cared to identify, only ignore until it went away—the whole clutching in her stomach, the jitteriness in her bones, the lack of oxygen in the room. She hated crowds. Had to be it.
"You'd never yell at me. We all know it. Now, I want you to meet someone," Trina said, grabbing her sister's hand.
Tallan's fingers stiffened, refusing to curl around her sister's hand as she stood her ground, refused to move an inch despite the tugging on her arm.
"I will not be fixed up tonight. Don't think the whole lonely maid of honor thing happened to me today. You have no in here. I stand firm on that."
"Oh, I don't think I do. Heaven knows you will not change, not give an inch when it comes to men. I see bear boy's woeful face after just one dance with you. It's a woman anyway. Shit, Tallan. Chill."
"Okay," Tallan said on an exaggerated sigh, letting her feet move as she allowed her sister to drag her across the great hall through the throngs of people.
Trina navigated the room quickly, having already made the rounds with Lyle. The pair of them only received exaggerated nods and pasted on smiles, rather than anyone stopping them to talk. Her sister had that affect on people, getting them to give into whatever she wanted. Her beauty, inside and out, she used as her weapon. Trina has both in spades. Even with a bit of sweat from dancing messing with her makeup, and curls having made their way out of the updo she'd paid a pretty penny for this morning, her sister stunned, outshined most in any room. Of course, despite any obligations, anyone could see that Trina was on a mission, so they stepped aside willingly, more into their drinks than conversations at this point in the day. Panthers knew how to party. No one would ever argue that. A wedding was only another excuse to get drunk and carry on in human form like the animals they were inside.
As Tallan heard voices reach a higher pitch to their right, no one batted an eye. What would any panther event be if not for at least one, maybe two fights, friendly fire grown out of had due to some ill-timed slurred words and a short hold on their beasts wanting to play, too.
They stopped suddenly, interrupting a conversation yet to happen she assumed, judging by the look on the women's faces: eyes squinted, mouths set in tight lines. An almost solid tension filled the space, and she figured her sister had sensed it, too, and stopped to dispel it. A gift of Trina's, without the fancy college degree in psychology Tallan had, she could calm people, make them see reason. It even worked on their mother from time to time, for a few moments at least. A miracle in and of itself Tallan could only marvel at.
"Tallan, this is Gerri Wilder and Samantha Morgan." Trina gestured to each woman as she spoke their names.
Tallan had heard of both of them. Gerri, a short woman with silver hair cut into a smart bob that just graced the bottom of her ears, owned a dating agency that specialized in matches between shifters. Her record for successful matches was beyond legendary among the prides. Samantha was her newest project, paired with the wealthy Ian Michalson, a cousin of theirs. So far, this had been the talk of the last few weeks among the pride. The pair didn't seem to be hitting it off, though they had been seen together enough times. Rumors of the renowned Gerri being off her game had circulated, though the woman didn't seem too concerned about this. It'd been said this powerful than life, confident as hell lady always had something up her sleeve, something she knew or sensed that no one else could. In Tallan's opinion, Gerri would have been good in the psychology field had she not been so bent on meddling in peoples love lives, even though her success rates were top notch.
Tallan followed through with her end of the introductions, happy to help with the interruption to a brewing discussion that she felt in her bones was not going to go w
ell. A shifter thing or a psychologist thing, the body language, the waves of emotions coming off Samantha, who she'd heard it rumored to be a witch, didn't lie. In fact, something crackled over the woman, a fierce energy. Self-preservation maybe. Tallan recognized it well.
"Gerri, I think you should work some of your dating magic on my sister," Trina said, not looking back to face the shock and horror that sent a burn to Tallan's cheeks.
"Oh, good luck with that," Sam said to Tallan with a huff of a laugh.
"I'm sure Gerri has a plan for you, Sam. Although I will admit to wondering what is up with this match, Gerri is always right in the end," Trina gushed, her hands on Gerri's arm only increasing the look of confidence on the dating agency legend's face.
"I plan to break her record," Sam said, defiance in her voice.
Tallan sized up the other curvy woman in the room. Her match through Gerri, Ian, was the one man every single woman in her pride wanted to land, save for her. She liked this Sam immediately, sensing camaraderie with the witch, not just in size but in spirit.
"I'm not worried. I see my plan for Samantha going just as I expected it. It's my bit of magic for the world, knowing who should go with whom. Sometimes these things can't be rushed," Gerri added.
"Magic huh? Well, I'm not sure I would call it such, more misguided meddling in my case," Sam said to Gerri before turning to Tallan. "While I won't go into the gory details of Gerri's bizarre plan for me, I will tell you that I am only going along for my mother who is beside herself to have a daughter my age not married. To be honest, I'm just not interested. I have a career, a life that needs no man to complete it."
"Well said, Sam," Tallan praised. "I get you completely. My well-meaning sister here feels the same about me. But, I'm not going along. Gerri can set up someone else. I'm good. I don't need a bunch of dates with random strangers to know that."
"Wise choice," Sam remarked, and the two exchanged looks of immediate friendship. "I don't know how I got roped into this. Wait, yes I do, a daughter's love for her mother. The woman gets me every time, but enough is enough. I will win this one by walking away. Now. Tonight I am done. Tallan, don't get started. Stand firm."
"Oh, I plan to. I'm not giving into either of them. Trust me."
"Before you both go ganging up on me," Gerri retorted, "I am sure of my plans for Sam, still, despite her impatience. And Tallan, I already have a plan for you, too."
"Oh no. No, thank you." Tallan shook her head and took a step back, her eyes wide. "I'm quite happy just the way I am."
"Please, Tallan, for me," Trina begged. "Sam agreed to her dates with Ian for her mother, now you agree for me."
"I'm not going to start dating someone. Not even for you," Tallan argued, her irritation of the evening finally spilling over despite her attempts to hide it.
"Just one date," Gerri argued. "What can it hurt, right? Just one, to make your baby sister happy on her wedding day. You can't say no to that."
The woman's grin set Tallan off balance, figuratively making her stumble. It became clear the woman knew Tallan's penchant for giving in to her sister and had no qualms about playing her trump card right at the start gate.
"Don't do it, Tallan," Sam warned, grasping Tallan's hand. "Stand tough, girl. Curvy girls united. Learn from my mistakes."
"Sam, you are not helping," Trina warned. "And, I liked you. But, my sister, she will do anything for me."
Sam laughed, shrugged, and then gave Tallan a hug. "You are a goner, just like me, I fear. When Gerri gatherers with one's family to back her it forms an unbeatable team, a grand alliance against anyone who dares be single. So, I change my mind. Do it, Tallan. Then, we can both break Gerri's record for always making the perfect match." Sam winked at Tallan.
"My record is unbreakable. I shall succeed in your case, Samantha, and I shall also succeed in Tallan's. Go ahead. Take me on. I dare you, Tallan. You will fall just as Sam will."
"Challenge accepted," Tallan said, much to the surprise of the other three woman, as she gripped Sam's hand tighter. "What? Close your mouths already. I can't let Sam do this alone. I feel a kinship with this witch. I like her."
"Thank you, Tallan, I like you, too," Sam replied, giving her a quick hug. "So, let's take Gerri down together."
"Sure, but on one condition. I'm not dating anyone for weeks like Sam here. No way. One and done."
"Good plan. That's what I said at first before the plan was truly devised, sweeping me along with the women's insanity. Wish I had stuck to my guns there, but damn curiosity got the best of me. As you will see, though, Ian and I are not a match, and neither are any others around him, so..."
"What do you mean, neither are any of the others around him?" Tallan questioned.
"Yes, what does she mean by that, Gerri," Trina added.
"For Samantha, we are working on something different. I've broken a few usual rules in her case. Don't you worry yourself about it all. It will all work out. It just has to remain a secret to work," Gerri said, giving Sam a scathing look before turning back to Tallan. "However, for you, it will be simple, one date is all it will take. One romp in the hay, and you'll know I've won."
Tallan laughed, caught off guard before disbelief thickened the end of the abrupt sound.
Trina gave a good snort herself, and added, "I would love to see that happen."
"Oh, it will. I will call you with the time and place later this week," Gerri said, giving a nod and dismissing herself from the conversation with a turn on her heel, strolling off across the room with a mere wave of her hand over her shoulder leaving the three woman standing there staring after her retreating figure.
Tallan stood pondering for a second, then with a jolt she called out after Gerri's retreating back, "Wait a minute. You are not going to tell me who I am meeting up with?"
Gerri turned back toward the women, a sly smile gracing her features. "No, your date is going to be blind. You will find out who he is when you show up. No worries, now. You won't be a virgin much longer, dear. Talk soon," Gerri said and disappeared into the crowd, this time leaving the three women with there with their mouths open at the brazen words.
"She's something." Sam managed a scoff before she continued on. "Don't let her rattle you, Tallan. I have no fears that I am going to suddenly fall in love. My time is over with this deal I had with her and my mother. I had just come up to inform Gerri of that when you both showed up. But, I shall give her a call, relish in my win later."
"I don't know," Trina said. "I wouldn't be so confident, Sam. Gerri has literally never been wrong."
"I think everyone can see that she is with Ian and I. Don't get me wrong, he's a wonderful guy, but the spark is not there for either him or me. Nothing personal, on either side, I'm sure. He does nothing for me, though he's quite good looking and clearly highly intelligent, not to mention an excessively in demand business man with a crap ton of money. It's just... Nope. Not going to happen," Sam flashed a grin, "And that is why I will be the first to crack Gerri's record.
"But you mentioned others around him. Seriously, what was that about," Trina asked again.
"I really shouldn't say, as I'm not really supposed to talk about the plan, just know her strange arrangement didn't work out in her favor. I'm happy on my own. I have my studio, my family and friends, not to mention my magic. It's more than enough for me."
"I get it," Tallan added, "but, sadly, most don't. Tell me about your studio."
"Oh, I love it! I'm so blessed to own it. And, I love being proof that yoga is for every body type, not just those who are fortunate enough to look like Trina," Sam said, giving Trina a good-natured nudge.
"Pardon me for interrupting, Tallan," a deep male voice sent shivers racing down her spine as an unusual warmth seemed to suddenly caress her back, definitely interrupting their conversation. He'd more than called it.
She turned to see Luke, all six foot five, maybe, two hundred and fifty or more pounds of him, all solid muscle. His suit may have hidden some
of it, but she'd felt it when they'd danced, not an ounce of his flesh extra on this man's frame. His biceps and back had rippled under her hands as they'd moved gracefully around the dance floor, his abdomen pressed against her stomach like a wall of concrete.
"Yes, Luke," she managed, confused as to what the guy could want from her now. "I believe all of our obligations for the day are over."
Tallan managed to stifle the sound of air rushing from her lungs as her sister jabbed her in the lower back.
"I believe they are," he confirmed. "But, beyond the obligations, I was wondering if you would do me the honor of another dance."
"Lonely, are we, bear boy? Long stint in the military I hear."
"Tallan," Trina berated her with just the way she'd said her name. Her tone leaving no guesses as to the chastisement she dished out to her sister for the comment.
"Uh, sorry," Tallan responded without a whole lot of conviction to the apology. She wondered sometimes if Trina were going to be more like their mother when she was older. On the odd occasion she certainly sounded like her and that thought made her wince. She could only pray it didn't happen.
"It's fine," Luke said, charm deepening his voice to a tone that slid right through her, though she'd deny that to everyone including herself. "Think of dancing with me as a service to our country. It does get lonely out there. I'm just asking for a dance. That's all. Another few minutes in the company of the most lovely woman in the room outside of the bride."
"Charmer, are we. Wow."
"Not usually. Is it working?" Luke flashed a look to the other women, as if begging for support.
Tallan mused over his efforts, fighting back another eyeroll and snarky comeback. She sighed instead.
Sam shrugged, looking her way with her eyebrows raised, not giving her much to go on. Her sister, in contrast, her expression all but screamed for Tallan to take the man up on the offer. The light that danced in Trina's eyes, hinting of the possibilities, more than enough said what she thought without the need of words. She probably had them married by now in her fantasies, raising children together, Sunday night barbeques and all of that shit families do.
