Shifter: Stefan's Mark

by Jaden Sinclair

The coldness in his voice almost brought her to tears. “Dad, please.” She cleared her voice. “Don't."

  "You need to come home. Now! I will not have a daughter of mine living with filthy beasts."

  "A daughter of yours?” she answered back in disbelief.

  "You forced your mother to leave, and I'll be damned if I can forgive you for that, or you running away with that beast.” He snapped.

  "Why must you blame me for everything that has gone wrong in your life? Why do you still try to put Mom's death on my shoulders?” Silence greeted her on the other end. “You crushed me that day.” She went on, letting it all out, all the emotions and guilt she carried over the years. “My own father, the man that was supposed to love me and protect me, cast me aside. So filled with hate, you turned on the only family you had left in this world. Oh, wait, I forgot. Mike was your family.” Sidney let the sarcasm out as she spoke. “You treated him and his son a hell of lot better than you ever treated me, your own flesh and blood!” she screamed the last words, shaking with her anger. “You blamed me for something that I had no control over. You sent her away, not me, and replaced me with another family, so if I choose to ignore your command to come home and be your reminder of what you lost then forgive me. I am staying here where someone really loves me!"

  "Is that what that animal you are with is making you think now? That I had something to do with your mother leaving, that I blame you!” His voice slowly rose with each word. “Turning you against me?"

  Sidney half laughed, half cried. “Stefan isn't turning me against you. He just helped me open my eyes. Helped me to see how crazy you really are. You started this war along with your father. The two of you killed Stefan's father, so if you want to blame someone for turning me against you, fine, but point the finger at yourself. You did it. You turned me against you years ago. You lost me the day you beat me at my mother's funeral, blaming me for her death, and I want to know why!"

  "I do not have to explain my actions to you!"

  "Oh, but you have a lot to explain.” Sidney stood and headed over to the window. She saw Stefan down there, smiling with his brother and someone else she hadn't met. He was happy, and she knew it was all because of her. “You kidnapped him, tortured him for your proof,” she told him softly. “What else have you done? Who else have you hurt?"

  "Be careful of the things you ask, little girl. You might not like the answers you get."

  "Dad, please,” she begged.

  "You're dead to me, Sidney. That monster will pay for this. That's a promise.” The phone clicked and the line went dead. Sidney let the tears fall, helpless to stop them.

  "Girl, only for you would I wear any kind of dress.” Jaclyn marched into the room, head down as she brushed out wrinkles in her long, satin, off-the-shoulder baby blue gown. “If I ever get married, I plan on Vegas in jeans and a halter top.” Jaclyn smiled brightly, glancing up at Sidney. Her smile disappeared when Sidney didn't smile back. “What's wrong?” Sidney looked at her, her eyes filled with pain. “You didn't call him?"

  "I had to,” Sidney stated. She turned from the window, strolling over to the bed, sitting down. “He's my father,” she snorted, “or used to be.” When her eyes met Jaclyn's, more tears fell down her face. “He disowned me."

  "Good!” Jaclyn said somewhat harshly. “You don't need him when you have all of this.” She smiled. “Besides, a father doesn't do what he has done, or blame his only child for shit that wasn't her fault.” Jaclyn walked over to Sidney, sitting down next to her. She placed an arm over Sidney's shoulder and a kind smile lit her face. “Look, I know you think that you need some kind of closure with your father, but honey, you are never going to get it. Now what you do have is a very good-looking man down there willing to marry you and you are going to be living in this kick-ass house!"

  Sidney giggled. “Yeah, he is pretty hot."

  "Oh, and his brother!” Jaclyn whistled. “Now there is a hunk of a man I wouldn't mind tasting."

  "I think you want to stay away from that one.” Sidney joked.

  Sidney knew that Jaclyn wasn't listening; she walked over to the window. “And have you met their best friend, Adrian? Where do these guys come from?"

  Sidney laughed. She couldn't help it. When Jaclyn got into her hunk mood, she became very fixed on men in general. She knew that her friend needed a good man. Considering what she had dealt with in her teens, it was no wonder Jaclyn kept on the move, never settling on one man for very long.

  "Down, girl.” Sidney laughed. “Those guys will eat you up and spit you out."

  "I would love to play Little Red Riding Hood with Dedrick,” she mumbled. “Well then, you had better start getting ready. Get your mind off of those gorgeous men down there.” Jaclyn turned back to Sidney and smiled brightly. “I swear I am so tempted to jump that brother. I bet he knows the proper way to have a girl screaming all night."

  "You are impossible!” Sidney couldn't stop smiling or the laughter that erupted from her.

  "I always am when I need to get laid in the worst fashion,” she groaned back. “Think I can take him on?"

  A knock on the door couldn't have come at a better time. Jaclyn brightened up more and rushed to the door. Skyler stood there with a zipped dressing bag draped over her arms.

  "I was starting to think it would never come,” Skyler said, walking into the room. She went straight to the bathroom door, hanging the bag up. “I told Stefan if it didn't show up then we were going to have to postpone the wedding and you were going to sleep with me until it came.” She smiled at Sidney. “Boy, he moves fast when he wants to."

  "Well, don't keep me in suspense any longer.” Jaclyn chuckled. “Show me the gown!"

  Skyler unzipped the bag and pulled out Sidney's wedding dress. A strapless gown with a corset type closure on the top of the gown, having a sheer middle from under the breasts to the waistline came into view. It was covered with a mixture of crystals, pearls, and sequins that flowed down the full-length, silk overlay gown, with matching crystals across the bottom of the hemline. A simple train made from the same sheer material as the waistline and covered with crystals would fan out around her feet.

  "Now I am speechless.” Jaclyn said.

  "It looks ... looks...” Sidney stuttered. She couldn't believe how well the dress came out with only a handful of photos to show the designer. The woman who made the dress for Sidney had made a masterpiece that was for sure. “Wow! She really did put all my photos into one dress."

  "Yeah, I know!” Skyler laughed. “I think I am going to have you designing my dress for me if I ever get married or mated."

  "Oh, girls!” Natasha strolled into the room. She was also dressed in a long pale blue gown to match the colors Sidney had chosen. “Look at the time and you still don't have your makeup on or your hair done."

  "Well, um, I was just looking at...” Sidney tried to say, pointing at the gown.

  "Yes, it is very nice, but if you don't get dressed, Stefan is going to come up here, and well, let me just say, he is getting very impatient,” Natasha told her.

  Natasha sat Sidney back down at the vanity and went to work on her hair, curling it, pulling it up on the sides, and weaving flowers into it. She was then turned around and Skyler fixed her makeup.

  Jaclyn placed the garter on her stocking-covered leg, slipped silk covered shoes on her feet. Her next move was to place a heart-shaped diamond necklace around her neck with matching earrings. She gave Sidney a wink when Sidney glanced in the mirror at her with shock all over her face. Jaclyn shrugged her shoulders. “I knew you wanted it, so it's yours."

  "But it's your mother's,” Sidney whispered, her hands shaking.

  "So call it the something borrowed.” Jaclyn smiled.

  Sidney stood up and hugged her. “Thank you,” she whispered. “And thank you for being my friend."

  "If you two don't stop that, I'm going to cry.” Natasha said, smiling brightly. “And then we will have to push the wedding back and Stefan will go
nuts."

  All three of them helped Sidney into her gown, raising it over her head, slipping it down over her shoulders and then tightening the corset as well as smoothing out the long skirt and train to make sure there were no wrinkles.

  "Now you're ready,” Natasha said with a bright smile. “You are a vision, my dear, one that I am happy to have in my family."

  "Thanks,” Sidney whispered, blushing.

  "Wait!” Jaclyn called out. “Who is going to walk you down the aisle?"

  "I asked Dedrick to do it.” Sidney lowered her eyes and thought about her father. She had hoped that one day he would be walking her down the aisle to where her fiancé would be waiting. Sidney longed for and hoped that one day her father would love her enough to escort her at her wedding to the man she loved. Once again, he broke her heart and killed that dream, without even caring, he made no effort to understand when she had called.

  "Hey.” Natasha hooked a finger under Sidney's chin and lifted her head to meet the older woman's gaze. “No sad faces today. No bad memories. Today you will make new memories.” She smiled. “It is also a great honor for Dedrick. He gets to bring his brother a very beautiful bride. In the old days, it was the tradition for the oldest male in the household to bring forth the bride. You honor Dedrick by letting him take you to his brother's hand."

  Sidney nodded. “Then let's get this show on the road before I chicken out and run for the hills."

  Natasha laughed. “You try to run, and Stefan will only chase you down."

  Sidney swallowed hard and agreed. At the same time, there was a knock at the door and Dedrick slowly opened it. “Is it safe to come in here?"

  "Safe for whom?” Jaclyn mumbled behind Sidney's back.

  Sidney smiled while elbowing Jacy behind her. “No time like the present."

  "Then let's get started before my brother charges up here and destroys all the hard work mom did,” Dedrick remarked with his own smile. He extended his arm out to her and glanced at Jaclyn.

  Sidney saw the expression in his eyes. She saw the interest in his eyes and saw how closely he was working to hide it.

  * * * *

  Stefan kept pulling at the tie around his neck, glancing many times at the back door from which Sidney would soon be emerging.

  "Man, do you look nervous.” Adrian chuckled. “Or like a man about to be caged, not sure yet which."

  Stefan looked at his best friend. Adrian was considered a golden shifter, since most all male shifters were dark. He was dark, golden blond with blue eyes and could make all the girls goo-goo-eyed over him. He had no problem finding a date, which is why Stefan was surprised that Adrian was alone. He was never alone! He always had a girl on his arm.

  "I'm not nervous,” Stefan retorted with a hint of a squeak in his voice. When Adrian cocked his head, grinned, and shot one eye brow up, Stefan chuckled. “Okay, maybe just a little."

  "I don't understand this,” Adrian went on, looking around. “Why go through all this trouble. You two are already mated."

  "When the time comes, and if you by chance mate with a full human, then you will understand."

  "Then I hope I don't end up with a full human.” Adrian stated. “They are too squirmy. A shifter woman knows what to expect."

  "Well, don't think you are going to have it easy with one of our own kind either.” Stefan chuckled. Adrian peered at him curiously and he went on. “As with my mother. They can be just as difficult as the rest."

  "And speaking of your very beautiful mother.” Adrian inclined his head to the back door. “It looks as if you need to take your place. Your bride is about to come."

  Stefan kept an eye on Adrian as he headed up to his mother and gave her his arm. He smiled as she walked to her place. In fact, he couldn't seem to stop smiling since he mentioned having a wedding for Sidney and she agreed. Finally, he was completely happy. At last, she was his!

  Adrian sat the mother of the groom down in the front row. Then he went back to the rear door for her daughter. Stefan saw the way Skyler lit up the moment Adrian smiled down at her. He started to wonder if there was more between them, but knew better. If she were by chance Adrian's mate, Adrian would have said something to him. As it was, so far nothing.

  The wedding was a small event in the backyard. A gazebo had been placed at the edge of the woods with rose petals all around. Only a small group had been invited to witness the two of them saying their vows. Stefan had decided to hit Sidney with all the friends and extended family at the reception later on.

  Once his sister was seated, Stefan watched Adrian wink at Skyler before he went back to the door for the bridesmaid. Being his best friend, Adrian was also his best man. So with Adrian standing there waiting, Stefan finally felt his nerves firing up. He couldn't believe that in just a few moments, he was going to be a married man.

  Music began to play and within moments, the door opened and Jaclyn came out. She smiled, taking Adrian's arm for the slow march down the aisle towards him. Stefan really wasn't watching them. His eyes were fixed on the door as he waited for Sidney. His palms became very sweaty, and the tie around his neck seemed to get tighter. The anticipation of something big about to happen was running rampant all through his system. He wanted this over and yet he wanted it to last. Hell, he didn't know what he wanted.

  The moment Dedrick walked out with Sidney on his arm, Stefan felt as if he were going to pass out. She was a vision from his dreams, a goddess standing there in all her glory, and she was his!

  Her gown was simply breathtaking. Nothing and no one could be more perfect than she was at that moment. Even the slight blush on her cheeks was perfect.

  Stefan smiled even brighter and bigger. His gaze never left her face as she walked down to him. He didn't think his smile could get any bigger, but it did. Stefan was on cloud nine and nothing would spoil that. She was a light to his darkness, and one that Stefan planned to treasure for the rest of his life.

  Dedrick smiled down at his brother, handing Sidney's arm to him. With a quick pat on his shoulder, the two turned to the preacher standing before them. One of Stefan's kind.

  "We are gathered here to bear witness to the joining of these two...” the preacher started.

  Stefan hardly heard a word. He kept gazing down at Sidney, who was glowing up at the man of her dreams. Her smile was priceless, one that Stefan made a vow he would keep there for as long as he could.

  "Do you, Stefan Collin Draeger take this woman to be your bride? To love her, cherish her, and to honor her until your dying days?"

  Stefan looked at Sidney and saw the change in her smile. He knew right off that it had to do with his name, and it didn't bother him. Not in the least. “I do.'

  "Do you, Sidney Elizabeth Martin take this man to be your husband? To love him, cherish him, and to honor him until your dying days?"

  Sidney looked up at Stefan and blushed even more. “I do."

  "The ring.” Adrian handed Stefan the ring. “Repeat after me. “With this ring, I thee wed."

  Stefan repeated the words, slipping the diamond-encrusted wedding band on her finger. He finished with a kiss to her knuckles and a grin that promised much more later on.

  Sidney gazed lovingly into Stefan's eyes as she placed a ring on his finger and repeated softly her vow accepting him as her husband.

  "Let no man undo the union between these two that has been forged today. Let their love for one another be the light to all darkness.” He smiled down at them. “Stefan you may now kiss your bride and seal the bond between the two of you."

  Stefan grinned, pulling her into his arms. His head went down, her arms went around his neck and their lips barely touched. “Forever, Sidney."

  Stefan kissed her soft, but demanding and deep. His tongue swooped in, claiming her. Only when the cheers went up did he release her lips, but he continued to hug Sidney close.

  "You just wait until tonight,” he whispered.

  "Do I get more of the wolf in you?” she whispered back and grinne
d shyly.

  "Baby, I will give you anything you want and more,” he growled. “Just don't tease me so much. I'm dying to be inside you right now."

  Sidney smiled bright, teasing him. “Are you now?” She turned and smiled at Jaclyn and Skyler, who came up. “Guess we will see how long you can last then."

  Stefan chuckled and said no more. Adrian was also pulling him away to talk to the guests as well as start a quick receiving line before the party started.

  Guests arrived in carloads. The catering service he had hired for the party set up large buffet-style foods on many tables. Large tents were spread out on the grounds for guests to sit and talk under, and a large, six-layer cake was brought in for the couple. Champagne flowed by the crate loads.

  Stefan knew that Sidney must have felt overwhelmed, but she seemed to handle it nicely. His mother stood by her side, introducing her to people. Twice he tried to get to her, if nothing more than to put his arms around her and kiss her. The thought of having to wait until tonight to be alone with her was killing him.

  "Now, this is a party.” Stefan stepped up to Adrian smiling. “You should be enjoying yourself. There's plenty of wine, women, and food. What are you waiting on?"

  Adrian grinned back at him, looking up at the night sky, which was slowly starting to darken. “It's not the party.” He sighed, smiling at Stefan. “I can't explain it, but something is different. Something that I can't seem to put my finger on."

  "Of course, something is different.” Stefan chuckled. “I'm married, and I can't seem to get near my wife for even a moment."

  "That's not it.” Adrian shook his head before he drained his glass of champagne “I can almost sense something different, a change in the air. Like there is something about to happen that will change everything I know."

  "Well, don't dwell on it too much.” Stefan gave Adrian a friendly slap on the shoulder. “You'll bring the whole house down, and your toast will suck."

  Adrian glanced at Stefan flashing him a charming smile, “Hey, I am not the one who got married."

  Stefan turned to try and find his wife. He said over his shoulder, “You will one day."