Jasmine Moon

by Celia Breslin

  Instead, he’d ignored her and focused on rehearsing. Until Mina made a hasty exit, her face contorted, eyes watery, chin trembling—suffering he damn well knew he’d caused. He’d followed her to apologize and make her understand something casual wouldn’t work, not with the mating bond running so strong, threatening to derail their agreed-upon no-strings plan. But his explanation had come out all wrong, and now she wouldn’t speak to him. Skipped rehearsal dinner, too.

  Everyone noticed, but no one commented, beyond the dagger looks from Lexi, who would love to rip him a new one for his dick moves. Get in line, sister, get in line. He’d intended to try his apology again when he’d returned home with Jake and Lexi after the dinner, but Mina refused to leave her room or receive company.

  He’d never felt lower in his life. He yanked off the tie and crushed the silk in his hand. Mina had it right. I am an asshole. Regardless of their mate connection and his accidental claiming of her in the throes of passion, she deserved far better than him. A devoted man who would never put such a wounded look in her soulful, blue eyes.

  Inside, his wolf growled at him, disgruntled, disapproving, and 100 percent disagreeing with his decision to walk away from her. He wrapped the tie around his fists and pulled. The thought of another man touching her, soothing her, made him burn to rip apart the mythical man limb from limb. “Fuck.”

  Ross stepped between him and the mirror. “You trying to kill it or tie it, bro? You mangled it all to hell.” He held up a bow tie. “Use my backup. It’s pre-tied. Even a Neanderthal like you can figure out how to put it on.”

  Evan glowered at him, snagged the tie from his brother’s hand, and donned it without comment.

  Ross’s whiskey eyes, so like his own and Lexi’s, narrowed. “How long you plan on sulking? You look like shit.”

  “I’m fine.”

  His brother smacked the back of his head. “Sure you are. You’ve been acting polite all fucking morning, but you can’t fool me, asshole.”

  Evan bristled. “It’s your wedding day. Drop it.” Definitely not the time to have the I-fucked-up conversation. Never sounded good.

  “Not until you tell me what’s got your head up your ass. Though I’m fairly certain I know.”

  Evan made a point of looking at his watch. “You’re getting married in five minutes.”

  “So talk fast.”

  “It can wait.”

  Ross perched on the end of a desk. “I don’t think it can. I can’t have you standing next to me at the altar looking like you might murder someone. It’s not fair to Darci. Maybe I should call her in here, and you can explain to her why you’re planning on being a downer during our wedding.”

  “Fuck.”

  “Yeah, man, I get it. I lost the will-he-claim-her bet I made with Gee the other night, so what’s the problem?”

  “Jesus Christ, does everyone know what Mina and I—”

  “You were in Lexi’s house, and you weren’t quiet. L-e-x-i. Need I say more?”

  “Fuck me.” Evan rubbed his eyes with his fists. “It didn’t work out. Let’s leave it at that. Four minutes until showtime. Let’s go.”

  Ross held up a hand. “Not so fast. So, I both won and lost the bet, because you screwed up afterward, right? Don’t think I didn’t notice your dick moves at rehearsal.”

  Evan nodded. Yep, his brother summed it up.

  “So fix it.”

  “Can’t. She won’t talk to me.”

  Ross snorted and stood. “Since when do you back down from a challenge? Lose your balls somewhere?”

  “It’s not so simple.”

  “It is, actually, and I’m going to revoke your dominant card if you don’t get your head out of your ass and fix things with the woman.”

  Jesus. “You’re right.”

  “Of course, I am.”

  A knock sounded on the door, and Jake poked his head inside. “Showtime.”

  Ross raised his hand. “Be right there.”

  Jake swung the door open and tapped his watch. “Do you want to risk the wrath of Lexi and Darci?”

  Ross laughed. “No, I do not.”

  Jake stalked down the hall, presumably to play piano, as requested by Darci and Ross.

  “I’ll find her after the ceremony,” Evan promised. “Make things right.” He owed her as much.

  And though neither of them saw a relationship in their future, what they’d shared meant something. She needed to know. He needed her to know.

  His shoulders relaxed, and he blew out a breath, much of his tension easing since he now had a course of action, one hopefully making a certain redhead smile at him again, instead of flipping him another well-deserved middle finger.

  He clasped his brother’s shoulder and smiled. “Happy for you, brother.”

  “Thanks, man.” Ross strode to the door then paused. “One more thing.”

  “Come on, man. Your bride-to-be is waiting.”

  “Remember what I said at the bar. Think long and hard before you throw away a chance with your mate. It’s not too late to change your mind. Take a risk. And stop being a workaholic. You need balance. All work and no play makes you a fucking idiot. The company won’t crumble if you take some time for yourself and a relationship.”

  “Says the man on sabbatical building houses for the homeless.”

  “Exactly, brother. Exactly. She’s a keeper, Evan. You really going to throw her away?” His brother took off down the hall.

  Evan followed. Was his brother right? Could Evan have it all? Did he want it all?

  He rubbed his forehead. Perhaps he should rethink the bullet points of his upcoming conversation with Mina. Perhaps they could…try?

  Mina must be dreaming. She could’ve sworn Evan had winked at her when he walked Lexi up the aisle to the altar. Why would he? They were over. And she was mad at him, right?

  Right. But damn the man for looking so fine in his clearly custom tuxedo. The fact he cared to have all the clothing she’d seen him in thus far tailored for his large and sexy frame pleased her designer self greatly. But it shouldn’t. He’d hurt her. Badly. She shouldn’t care about him at all.

  So, why couldn’t she stop staring at him?

  Jake, seated near the altar at a baby grand, ended one song and swung into what had to be his own variation on Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” A hush fell over the assembled crowd and everyone stood, attention drawn to Darci with Ross’s father hovering at the edge of the red carpet. Mina couldn’t help it. Her gaze shot to Evan.

  He smiled at her.

  She blinked. His smile widened. Impossible. Must be a mistake. She looked behind herself. She sat on the end of the first row next to the Luparell and Marsden parents. No one behind her. She looked back at Evan. Yep, still smiling at her.

  What the heck?

  No time to ponder his weird one-eighty. Darci appeared in her line of sight, the woman utterly breathtaking.

  Mina gave herself a mental high-five. She’d really outdone herself with the bridal gown. Darci had requested something nontraditional, a gown in deep-emerald green with an embroidered corset bodice, thin, jeweled straps over her shoulders, and a long skirt of layered silk organza. The color complemented the small woman’s moon-pale skin and made her green eyes pop. Factor in the glittering, delicate, and sparkly tiara gracing her short, pixie-cut black hair and Darci looked like an ethereal fairy princess in the flesh.

  The beautiful bride joined Ross in front of the makeshift altar—a thin rectangular table covered in a lacy cream tablecloth and overflowing with white, red, pink, and yellow roses. The couple joined hands. Mina’s eyes watered at the depth of the love shining on their faces. Her knees shook as she sat, and she swallowed a lump in her throat. What would it be like to love so deeply and receive such love in return? It looked pretty amazing.

  Her focus flicked to Evan. He seemed more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. What had changed since last night when she’d basica
lly told him to take a flying leap off the tallest cliff?

  Mrs. Luparell, a kindly older woman with those same blazing-sun eyes all her children possessed, patted her arm. “Don’t give up on him. He’ll come around.”

  Mina nodded, speechless, while her face flamed. Wolf instincts or motherly intuition? Either way, did Mrs. Luparell’s suggestion make sense? Should she give Wolf Man another go? See if he could mend the fence he decimated? More importantly, did she want him to fix it? No way on Earth could they do the wedding fling she’d so blithely proposed what felt like a lifetime ago. Their passions ran too high, especially when one factored in their mating chemistry. But given his wink and smiles before the ceremony had begun, what did the man want from her now?

  At the altar, Darci’s aunt, the officiant, spoke about lifelong commitment and partnership. How did one dive into such a relationship without losing one’s sense of self? Mina didn’t want to lose sight of herself or put her personal goals—her design business—on the back burner for another person. Plus, if she chose a partnership with a workaholic like herself, when would they have time to make a relationship work?

  Rubbing her temples, Mina forced the chatter in her head to shut the heck up. Not the appropriate time or place.

  Darci’s aunt raised her arms and beamed at the wedding guests. “And now Ross and Darci will exchange their rings and some special vows they wrote for the occasion.”

  Ross cleared his throat. “When I returned to Los Lobos to make a home here, I never expected my mate to land on my doorstep in the middle of a storm. It was the luckiest damn night of my life.”

  Wow…. Mina pressed a hand to her chest.

  Ross’s eyes gleamed with what looked like unshed, happy tears. “Darci, I vow to love and cherish you for the rest of my days. To make a home with you and make damn sure you have enough of Mrs. Carson’s snickerdoodles with your coffee every day for the rest of our lives.”

  Mina laughed along with the rest of the guests.

  “With this ring, I’m yours.” Ross slid the ring onto Darci’s trembling finger.

  The small woman sniffed, and Lexi dabbed the corners of her almost sister-in-law’s eyes.

  Darci took Evan’s hand in hers. “Ross, you saved my life. You taught me how to shift without pain and threat of death. You gave me a home and a community.” She glanced out at the crowd. “I’m so grateful I no longer have to hide in a basement every full moon. Grateful to have a pack with whom I can share the magic of our existence.”

  There were more than a few sniffling pack members now, touched by her heartfelt words.

  Darci returned her focus to Ross. “Ross, you are the mate of my blood and my heart. I vow to love and cherish you forever. And since I believe in heaven, I do mean that literally.”

  She slipped the ring on his finger. “With this ring, I’m yours.”

  Her aunt declared them married, and the guests went wild with thunderous applause and howls. Mina howled along with them, caught up in the happy energy, but hung back when many others, mostly women, crowded the couple to congratulate them.

  She scanned the room for Evan but didn’t spot him in the sea of people. The families of the bride and groom, the alpha Drew and his glowing, pregnant mate Betty, and the older attendees congregated on the edges of the room while the younger men in attendance burst into action, moving chairs and busting out tables with Lexi directing them like a military general. In minutes, the function hall transformed into a reception space.

  A dozen or so teens led by Mrs. Carson trooped in carrying large platters of the woman’s fine food, which they placed on long tables along one side of the room. As people picked seats and then set off for food, Mina found herself alone by the piano. She sank onto the seat and watched the crowd enjoying themselves. Darci and Ross wandered from table to table, talking to their friends, until Lexi corralled them to the long banquet table set up for the family, placed where the makeshift altar had been.

  Should Mina join them? She wasn’t family, but, then again, she didn’t know anyone else in town. Usually it didn’t matter. Usually, she acted outgoing and friendly and loved chatting with strangers. Today, though, a certain dominant wolf had her so tangled in knots she felt more like holing up alone than making small talk.

  “Mina.”

  Speak of the wolf devil and he shall appear.

  She refused to make eye contact, staring instead at the cummerbund of his tuxedo. As usual, he smelled fantastic. His aftershave—some mixture of cedar and amber, if she had to guess—blended well with his natural musk. She could roll around in his scent all day. She sighed and leaned forward. Wait. Her spine stiffened. I’m mad at him. Winks and smiles aside, he’d been a grade A jerk.

  “What do you want, Evan?”

  He squatted down in front of her. “Come sit with us at the head table.”

  She blinked into his golden eyes, his expression kind. Inviting.

  “But it’s for family.” She waggled her hand in a dismissive gesture. “I’m fine. Run along now, Wolf Man.”

  Ugh, Wolf Man? Bad Mina, terms of endearment not allowed for the big, bad, dominant wolf.

  His cheek creased in a crooked smile. “Come on.” He took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers, encouraging her off the bench.

  Gosh darn it, she couldn’t refuse him. His touch, his scent, the warmth of his hand, and the wicked and wonderful tingly energy surging whenever they made contact, all of it broke her resolve to stay away from him.

  Still, she didn’t have to make it easy for him, nor should he think he could simply smile and she’d come running.

  “Okay.” She kept her tone polite, bordering on frosty. It’s all he deserves. She would play nice for Darci and Ross, to keep the peace at their lovely wedding reception. So, there.

  At the table, he pulled out two chairs between Ross and his mother and gestured for her to take the one next to Mrs. Luparell. As she sat, a plate of food magically appeared in front of her, compliments of her bestie.

  “Thanks, Lexi.”

  “Had a feeling you might forget to eat if I didn’t bring you a little somethin’ somethin’.” She glared at her brother. “Be nice.”

  Evan flashed his dazzling mega-watt smile. Geez, he should patent the potent thing. “I hear and obey.”

  Lexi snorted. “As if.” Her expression softened as she squeezed Mina’s hand. “I’m right over there by Darci if you need anything. Eat fast and then we’ll dance, ’kay?”

  Her heart swelling, Mina nodded. Lexi would always be there for her. She only hoped she hadn’t caused a permanent rift between the siblings. Evan may have been a jerk, but she certainly didn’t want to cause them any family problems.

  The meal passed without event or commentary from Evan. Whenever he tried to talk to her, Ross or his mother intervened, steering his attention away from her. In fact, Mina remained in conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Luparell for most of the meal, and then there were the subsequent toasts from the Tao pack Alpha, Jake, Evan, and a few others she didn’t know, meaning no time to interact with him.

  Lexi tapped her champagne glass and stood. “Okay, party people, let’s get our dancin’ groove on.” She leveled a serious look at the crowd. “And, mark my words, there will be a conga line.”

  Laughter followed her declaration then Jake fired up dance music with his DJ gear. The tables had been arranged to allow for a spacious dance floor in the middle. Couples, children, and teens all rose to the occasion.

  Lexi hugged Mina from behind. “Come on, bestie.” She dragged Mina from her chair and took them dead center on the dance floor, clasping her hands around Mina’s waist and shaking them both to the beat. “You okay? Or do I get to draw a mustache and write ‘dickhead’ on my brother’s forehead with permanent black marker while he’s sleeping on the couch in Jake’s man cave tonight?”

  Mina laughed. “I’m fine, Lexi, really.”

  “I’m not buying that for a second
, you know.”

  “I know. But I will be.”

  Lexi pouted. “Fine. Ruin my marker fun.” She twirled Mina out then back in. “So, I have to go consult with the fab Mrs. C on dessert action. Can I interest you in a single and super-hot, unattached dominant who’s been watching your ass the whole time we’ve been dancing?”

  “Lexi!”

  “Come on. I want to see my brother’s brain explode from jealousy.”

  “He won’t be jealous. We’re over. He said so himself. And I agreed.” Told him to go to hell, in fact.

  “Over schmover. Well, we’re going to find out because he’s on his way here.”

  “Evan?”

  “Nope, the hottie. Hey, Shane.”

  “Hey, Lexi. May I cut in?”

  “Absolutely. Mina meet Shane.” She grasped Mina by the shoulders and pivoted her.

  Wow, her bestie spoke the truth. Chiseled face with perfect dimples and a little cleft in his chin, milk chocolate eyes, and hair so blond it looked almost white. Lean build, almost six feet tall. Definitely a hottie, in a surfer-meets-runway-model way. Too bad he didn’t spark a single bit of lust in her body.

  Stupid body.

  She let him draw her into his arms and move them to the beat.

  He smiled down at her. “Nice to meet you, Mina.”

  Geez, he had a killer smile, but still…no attraction flared. “Likewise.”

  “Enjoying your stay in Los Lobos?”

  Sort of, until an annoying dominant shook up my world. “Yes.”

  “Staying long?” His brown eyes crinkled at the corners, his expression playful.

  Yep, super-nice guy didn’t bother to hide his interest. She shook her head. “Sorry, no.”

  “Too bad.” His pouty full lips might have seemed sensual, appealing even, but Mina saw another pair of lips, ones usually turned down in a frown when they weren’t kissing her senseless, or giving her mixed smiley signals today.

  “I have a design business in California. Can’t stay away too long.”

  “I see.”

  Shane took the not-happening hint from her polite answers, but they continued to dance, anyway, in friendly-enough silence. She scanned the other dancers. Happy couples looking so in love, kids dancing way too fast for the current slow song, Evan dancing with a redhead—