Adrian followed Stefan. He grabbed another glass from a passing waiter, picking up a fork, stood on a chair, and hit it loud enough to get everyone's attention.
"Can I have everyone's attention, please!” Adrian yelled out. Adrian laughed, raising his glass. “I want to give a small toast to my good friend, Stefan. You are a complete man now, and a very lucky one at that. Sidney, whenever you get tired of this bum, come look me up.” He smiled as the guests laughed. “Anyway, congratulations, Stefan. I am sure that you will be happier than ever now that you have your mate. To Stefan and Sidney!"
Everyone cheered, raised their glasses, and drank to them. Stefan didn't take a drink. Instead, he took hold of Sidney, bent her back, and kissed her deeply. This brought on another cheer. They cut the cake, and Sidney shoved a large amount into Stefan's face. Everyone laughed, then they laughed even harder when Stefan grabbed her and kissed her with his cake smeared face. Sidney tossed her bouquet in the air to unmarried girls. Skyler caught it, and Dedrick groaned. The garter was next, and surprisingly, Adrian caught that. Stefan demanded that Adrian dance with his sister since they both caught the flowers and the garter. Everyone was having a great time, but Stefan craved some much-needed alone time with his wife.
An hour later, Stefan stood with Sidney in his arms, kissing her neck, making her giggle and squirm when his mother found them.
"Okay, you two can do that later.” Natasha chuckled. She pulled Stefan back. “Dedrick wants to speak to you."
Stefan groaned. “Come on!” he whined. “We haven't had any time alone."
"Oh, please.” Natasha rolled her eyes. “You will have the rest of your lives to be alone. You are at a party, guests to meet and talk to, and your brother needs you."
"Guess we are going to have to test it further,” Sidney teased.
"Oh, girl, you are going to get it!” Stefan grinned back.
Sidney blew him a kiss before she went back to the guests. Stefan went inside the house, searching for his brother. He found him standing outside his office with Adrian.
"What's up?” Stefan asked.
Adrian seemed guilty, but very nervous when he looked from Dedrick to Stefan. “I need to talk to you. It's very important, and it can't wait."
"You okay?” Stefan asked. He became instantly worried. Never having seen his best friend acting so nervous, or appearing so guilty about whatever was troubling him. Hell, he even looked scared.
"I'm fine, but I don't know how you are going to feel after you hear what I have to say.” Adrian hung his head down slightly. So much guilt was in his eyes that Stefan didn't know what to think. “It's about Skyler."
Minutes seemed to tick by slowly before anyone spoke. “I think we need to go in the office,” Dedrick finally stated.
"Yeah,” Stefan agreed, stunned. “I think you are right."
Once inside the office, Adrian began to pace. Stefan and Dedrick both sat down waiting for Adrian to begin. “Okay, I'm going to cut to the chase here.” Adrian stopped pacing and faced the brothers. “Skyler is my mate."
And the bomb landed. Stefan felt his mouth drop open, as did Dedrick's. Neither could say a word, they could only sit there looking at the man they both knew since they were kids.
"I'm sorry,” Dedrick finally said, frowning and looking somewhat confused. “What did you say?"
Adrian cleared his throat. “I said, Skyler is my mate."
"That's what I thought you said.” Dedrick rushed out.
"Oh shit!” Stefan stammered out. “You are pulling our legs, right?” When all he got was another one of the guilty expressions, he whistled. “Oh shit!” he cried out again.
"And I don't think she is going to be too happy once she finds out,” Adrian said. The somber eyes really had Stefan wondering what the hell was going on.
"Well, we're all not stupid here,” Dedrick said. “She has had a crush on you since she was about twelve."
"Yeah, well.” Adrian cleared his throat before pacing the room. Again, Stefan was picking up that more was to be told to this story than what they were given. “Let me just say when it comes out, her top is going to blow."
"What'd you do?” Stefan finally asked. No smile touched his face. He knew Adrian too damn long and could read him like a book. Something more was going on than what he was telling.
"Let me just say I wish I could go back in time right now.” Adrian answered.
"Then it has to be real bad,” Dedrick grumbled.
Stefan studied Adrian very closely. It took him a few moments before a grin spread across his face and he pointed a finger at him. “You've slept with someone. You always have that guilty look on your face when you think it was a mistake."
"Did you sleep with Skyler?” Dedrick barked, looking at Adrian with murder in his eyes.
"N—no! No!” Adrian cried out. “I didn't, I swear."
Stefan saw the fear in his friend's eyes as clearly as a stone in water. When Dedrick barked, everyone around tended to run for cover, and with the mood he has been in lately, no one wanted to cross him. Only their mother had the nerve to stand up to Dedrick, and at times, that shocked the hell out of Stefan. Natasha was a little woman, but she held major power in their house.
"Calm down, Dedrick.” Stefan said, keeping his voice calm and his grin in place. “So what are we going to do about this then?"
Dedrick said nothing, only shook his head, shrugged his shoulders, and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “What'd you want, Adrian?” His tone hardened, sounding almost deadly.
Adrian looked from Dedrick to Stefan. Stefan felt sorry for the guy, but then again, he knew he was going to feel sorry for whom ever it was coming to claim Skyler.
"I want a few months,” Adrian told them. “I want to give Skyler some time to get used to the idea."
"You want us to tell her,” Dedrick smarted off, showing his dislike of the idea.
Adrian stood in front of the desk and leaned back on it. “I don't want to stake my claim at a gathering, but rather do it with you two. I have always thought of you guys as my brothers and don't wish to disrespect you by dragging her there. I want to do it here with her family.” He rolled his shoulders, brushing one hand over his jaw. “I think with her family around it might go easier."
"Boy, you don't know Skyler at all then, do you.” Stefan chuckled. He stopped when Dedrick gave him a dirty look.
"This is not going to be easy.” Dedrick growled, standing back up to head over to the window. He kept his back to them, and Stefan was starting to really get an uneasy feeling. Dedrick was already on edge, and it was only getting worse. Now that Adrian tossed in a claiming, it was only going to get lethal. Time seemed to stand still for them all. Stefan felt bad for Adrian. Dedrick was making him squirm as well as being difficult, but that was Dedrick.
"Okay,” Dedrick said, breaking the tense silence in the room. He didn't look at them, but Stefan knew. He knew that this was hard for Dedrick. First Stefan, now Skyler was about to be mated, and Dedrick was alone dealing with his heat, pent-up emotions, and pain of being alone. “Give me some time to get her used to the idea. You go home, pack up your things, and come back here.” He turned, and Stefan saw how hard he was trying to mask his emotions.
Adrian swallowed hard, and tried to smile. “Thanks."
Dedrick finally cracked a smile. “Oh, don't thank me.” He moved up to Adrian, stretching his hand out for a quick shake. “You're in for a whole load of shit."
Stefan grinned, Adrian stood right where he was and Dedrick walked out of the office, slamming the door slightly harder than necessary.
"Well, that went well,” Stefan remarked his smile still in place as well as humor in his voice.
"Why do I have the feeling I just stepped into a large pot of boiling oil?” Adrian said, exhaling loudly.
"Because, my friend, you have.” Stefan slapped him on the shoulder. “Now, I'm going back to my beautiful bride and will be seeing you in a few weeks.” Stefan walked to t
he door, opened it, but stopped. “And Adrian, good luck.” He gave him a wink. “You're going to need it."
Stefan quickly found Sidney talking to Skyler. He snuck up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck. “Hey, gorgeous,” he purred in her ear.
"Where've you been?” She giggled.
"Oh, just dealing with some stuff,” he answered, resting his chin on her shoulder, looking at Skyler.
It was then that it finally hit. His baby sister was no longer a baby, but a young woman who was about to be claimed. Stefan thought it was strange how time seemed to pass so quickly and she had grown so fast.
"Why are you staring at me like that?” Skyler asked, smiling innocently.
"Oh, no reason,” Stefan answered. “I guess I'm just now seeing how pretty you have grown up to become. You're not a little girl any longer."
"Yeah, well, tell Mom that will you.” She giggled. “I want to try some of that wine you had shipped in but she won't let me."
"Because you are not twenty-one yet, brat.” Stefan smiled.
"I will be in five months.” She argued.
"And when that happens, you can have all the wine you want.” Stefan grinned. “Now go away and let me have some alone time with my bride."
Skyler snorted. “Yeah, yeah, yeah."
Stefan waited for her to be out of ear shot before he spoke again. “I am so tempted to take you right where you stand."
Sidney giggled. “What was the meeting about?"
"How did you know about the meeting?” He turned her around in his arms, cocking his head to one side.
"I know your friend came rushing in and snatched you and Dedrick and headed into the office, so spill,” she demanded sweetly. “Or I start holding out on you."
Stefan groaned. “Leaning that trick already.” He kissed her on the nose. “Let me just say this. It is going to get a lot more interesting around her in a few months."
"How so?” she cocked her head to one side.
"Now that, my dear, is something you are just going to have to wait and see.” He tightened his hold on her, dipping her in his arms. “And I promise it will be a show you will never forget.” Stefan silenced the rest of her questions by kissing her deeply. “Now, shall we get this party finished so I can start loving you the right way?"
She smiled, tightening her own arms around his neck. “I'm all yours."
Stefan moaned. “Now that is what I like to hear.” He kissed her again deeply, loving how she finally kissed him back with the same hunger and passion as he had. “I love you, Sidney Draeger."
Sidney smiled. “And I love you, Stefan Collin Draeger.” She blushed, and even when he gave her a dirty look, he was smiling. “Now let's finish with my dream wedding before we get to the hot wedding night.” She pulled out of his arms, turned, and strolled away, swaying her hips in a seductive way.
"Oh she is going to be the death of me, I just know it."
"I don't know.” Natasha strolled up silently next to him. She hooked her arm with his, smiling while together they watched Sidney greet the guests, smiling and laughing. “I think she balances you out just fine, just as I know Adrian will do the same for your sister."
Stefan turned to his mother with his mouth open. He couldn't believe that she knew so quickly. Natasha only laughed. “But you are right about something, Stefan. The next few months are really going to be interesting."
"Do you think we are ready for it, Mother?” he asked, looking back out at the crowd.
Natasha took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “We sure are going to find out."
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About the Author
Jaden Sinclair lives in a small town in Kansas. She has been married for twelve years to a man who has known her family since he was young. They have two boys, ten and six who keep Jaden very busy and on her toes.
Jaden has been writing at a very young age. She would rather write up a story than do her school work and a few times got caught doing just that. As she was writing she never knew that there was a world out there for her kind of writing, so when that day came where she discovered it you can only imagine what her mind started to come up with.
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Coming Soon From Amira Press
Shifter: Claiming Skyler
By
Jaden Sinclair
Adrian Laswell drove down the long gravel driveway of the Draeger home with a slight grin and flutters in his stomach. Six months had gone by since he was here last, and in that six months Adrian had a lot to think about as well as plan. His beat up truck was packed with everything he owned. Since the day his father died in his teens, his only family had been the Draeger's, now it was going to become something permanent. Adrian was now a mated man, the same as married, and he couldn't wait to get started with this new life. Only thing was, he knew it was going to be an uphill battle.
Adrian was a golden shifter. He was called that because of the golden locks on his head and his baby blue eyes. Most shifter males were dark in completion as well as in personality, but Adrian was very different. Not only was he the golden boy, but he was carefree and light hearted. Adrian stood at six-two. His hair was cut short at the back of his neck, but long on top. At times the girls used to say he was a Brad Pitt look alike with a Orlando Bloom smile. His nose was straight, lips full and very kissable and he had a body built like a pro athlete. The only thing missing in his life was his mate, and without Skyler the past six months had been unbearable.
Adrian smiled when he saw a brand new yard decoration in front of the house. The driveway that he knew so well had been changed, becoming a circle drive with a large water fountain in the middle and green grass around it and a very nice looking arrangement of roses. It was clear that Sidney, Stefan's new wife, was making some major changes to the household. Adrian only wondered how well Natasha, Stefan's mother, was taking it all. For years that woman had ran this household, so Adrian had to wonder how well she was taking another woman being a part of that running.
He stopped his truck on the left side of the fountain and tossed it into park but didn't get out. He sat back in the seat and looked up at the house, thinking about the last time he was here. Stefan had just gotten married, and Adrian made a huge mistake that night before he went to talk to his best friend and Dedrick, who is the head of the family, about staking his claim. He knew that mistake was hanging over his head and began to have some doubt as to what he could do to fix it and make things right between him and Skyler. So far not much had hit him. He still had no clue how to make things right and he hoped like hell that Dedrick had Skyler at an understanding. After all, six months had went by, plenty of time for her to cool off and work things out with him.
"You do realize that sitting out in the truck, watching the house, isn't going to work?” Sidney Draeger popped her head into the passenger side window wearing a bright smile.
It had been a long timesince he had seen her and he had to admit one thing, married life agreed with her. Her face was lit up like a Christmas tree and the smile that spread across her lips was one that could melt any mans heart. As far as Adrian was concerned, Stefan was one lucky bastard to have found a mate like Sidney. She was the perfect match for him, one that had Adrian itching to grab Skyler.
"Well, you know.” Adrian charmed, resting his right arm over the back of the truck seat and acting like he was thinking hard. “Not quiet sure what I am about to get myself into once I go up those steps."
Sidney snorted, opened the door and hopped inside. “I know what you mean. Let's run away."
Adrian chuckled. “That bad?"
Sidney took a deep breath, brushing a few strands of her soft brown hair from her eyes, the rest was in a pony tail at the back of her head. Her jeans and blue t-shirt were as dirty as her hands. Adrian thought she looked as if she had been digging in the dirt. “Let's just say, I don't think I was that bad when Stefan brought me here.” Adrian frowned at her
, which got him a smile. “In the six months I have been here, I have never ever seen Skyler so pissed. What did you do?"
Adrian opened his mouth, but closed it. How much to tell, he thought. “Ah ... um ... well...” he cleared his throat. “Um..."
Sidney laughed. “That bad, huh."
Adrian took a deep breath. “It could be better.” He let out with a deep sigh mixed with a groan.
Sidney nodded her head and looked back at the house. “You know, Dedrick just told her this morning."
Adrian snapped his head to the right, his jaw dropping. “What?” He hissed. “He was supposed to have that conversation six months ago."
She shrugged, “Well, he didn't."
"Son of a bitch.” He moaned, dropping his head on the back of the seat.
Sidney patted his arm before opening the door. “Hope you have a cup back there.” She smiled when he looked at her. “She might go for your nuts."
"You are just Ms. Sunshine, aren't you?” he frowned, opening his own door with extra force.
"Hey, when it comes to you guys.” She said, walking around the truck to hook her arm around his, tugging him to the front door. “I have zero sympathy."
Together they walked up the stairs to the front door. Sidney opened the door, almost shoving Adrian inside, and as it closed he started to feel like a cage door was closing on him. He stood in the foyer, looking to the left where the large dinning room sat, then right that lead to Natasha's sitting room which also was one of the ways to the large family room in the back. When he saw no one, his eyes finally went up the wide wooden stairs in front of him. Up at the top, Stefan was leaning against the top railing, arms crossed over his chest.
"Dedrick must still be in her room.” Sidney told him, letting his arm go. “I'm going to wash up. You.” She pointed her finger at him. “Stay put and deal with your mess."
Adrian growled.
"And don't growl at me.” she tossed over her shoulder. “It doesn't work for Stefan either."
Adrian shook his head and looked back up. Stefan was still focused on the closed door that had to be Skyler's bedroom. Adrian felt something stir inside him. She was up there, so close that all he had to do was run up there and take. His woman. His!
Shifter: Stefan's Mark Page 15
