Amara chewed the inside of her cheek. Since the engagement, this had been happening more and more often between Nova and her. He’d get hunches and intuitions about her emotions and unspoken feelings, as if he were directly tapped into her brain. For a while it kind of freaked her out, but once he explained to her the benefits of such an ability, especially with her being human, she’d began to understand. It still made her uneasy whenever he used it, though.
Amara nodded. “Alright. Tell him I’m fine. It’s just nerves, right?”
Sadie mimicked the nod. “Yep. You’ll be fine.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Exactly,” Sadie said with a nod and a smile. “Show’s about to start. I better head out.” She got to the doorway before turning back around, “Oh, and Mar?”
“What’s up?” Amara asked.
“You look absolutely stunning,” her sister finished, a beam of gloss and pearly white teeth brightening the room. And with that, she strolled out, closing Amara inside to be alone once more.
After their talk, Amara felt better, her fingers quivered a bit less, and her breath had slowed to a near normal tempo. She was right, this was just nerves. She was about to be officially married to the love of her life, and nothing could be better than today. It would be fine.
Amara heard the dull muffles of a speaker begin in the guest hall where the wedding was taking place, the voice muffled by the layers of drywall and heavy oak doors that separated her from the wedding party. So it had finally begun.
She hushed her heart as it tried to speed up once more. It would be okay. It would be fine. It was just nerves.
When a soft knock tapped on the door to her dressing room, she was almost back to normal. “You’ve got about twenty seconds, Ms. Townsend.”
‘Ms. Townsend,’ Amara thought to herself. Not a name she’d be using for much longer. She found that she was happy to hear it again, one last time. “Okay!” she called back. “I’ll step out now.” She gently hoisted the skirts of her gown and met the coordinator with a smile as the door swung open.
“You look lovely,” the coordinator said with tilted lips of her own.
Just as Amara was about to respond, the familiar dulcet tones of ‘The Wedding March’ began to play in the sanctuary. Her words immediately dried up in her throat. She settled for a kind nod before the coordinator guided her to the grand wooden doors of the sanctuary, and beyond that, her future.
“Five seconds, Miss,” the coordinator said, mouthing down the rest of the timer silently. When she reached zero, she pushed the doors open wide, revealing Amara to the massive crowd that had gathered to see her on her big day.
Immediately, she was met with gasps of awe and wonder from all around. Just under the organ, she could hear the clicks and snaps of multiple cameras, their flashes thankfully minimized by the sun shining in through the west windows. The first person she noticed was her mother, Cathleen. She had one hand up, holding a phone that was undoubtedly capturing Amara via video, and the other hand was held gently to her mouth as if she were holding back tears.
Amara’s eyes quickly swept over the crowd. More people than she’d thought had made it out. She noticed Mac McDougal, Sheriff and Chief of Police at the Strathford Police Station as he beamed proudly from the front of the sanctuary. Next to him stood Alec Matthews, a fellow deputy and Amara’s coworker. She recognized a good bit of her fellow Council members were attending, as well as some regulars from the Murphy’s Tavern. Even Clarence, Carl, and their mother, Julia had managed to take time away from the hospital to stop by. With a pang of regret, Amara recalled that their brother, Donny, was still recuperating at the hospital after being nearly mauled to death by wolves about a month back, but she shook the thought away. It felt like all of Strathford had made it out to her wedding, and her heart swelled with joy at the thought. For now, that was all that mattered.
“Psst, Ms. Townsend,” the coordinator whispered urgently, “You need to start walking.”
“Oh, right. Sorry,” Amara whispered back. She had no clue how long she’d been standing there. With a deep breath, she took the first step.
As she walked, slowly but purposefully, making sure to keep in time with the leisurely pace of the organ music, she turned her gaze to the left side of the room, where Nova’s family and pack sat. It was nearly as full as her own side, and she could pick out a few familiar faces among the crowd. Ian, a newer recruit to the Protectors who Amara frequently saw manning the gate to the pack’s compound or on patrol; Ego, who’d lost his brother, Coah, recently in an ambush on the Eastern border, and Ivan, the man who’d fought and failed to protect him. And of course, sitting in the front row was Neveah Lowery, Nova’s mother. She’d once hated Amara with a passion that was fearsome to behold, but she’d since come around. Never straying from her regal stature, Neveah offered Amara a small nod and smile as their eyes met. Amara returned the gesture and faced forward to what lay ahead.
Sadie immediately stood out, a bright smile on her face as Amara locked eyes with her. As the Maid of honor, her dress was slightly more elaborate than the other bridesmaids’ turquoise dresses, but it didn’t take away from their beauty. Looking down the line of women, Amara returned the smiles they beamed at her in unspoken congratulation. Ivanah was Nova’s sister-in-law, and currently she was positively glowing. At nearly nine months pregnant, her belly protruded farther than Amara thought possible. But still, her dress still managed to fit perfectly, accentuating her natural beauty.
Beside her stood the two other obvious choices as bridesmaids to her wedding; Zoe and Becca. It made perfect sense, to her. The three of them had been in this from day one. If not for that fateful, terrifying night ten years ago, Amara would have never been saved by the man she was moments away from calling ‘husband.’ Sure, they’d had their fights, they’d grown apart over the years, and they’d even had their traumas that stuck with them as life moved on, but even after all of that, they were here, the three of them, together again even after all this time. They were more than just the caterer and cake maker for her wedding; they were her friends, even when they wouldn’t dare call each other that to their faces at times. Even when Zoe passed out drunk at the bar for the millionth time or Becca was too busy opening another charity to join them for lunch. They were bound together by a bond of fear and danger and blood that could never be broken. They would always be the girls who nearly died to wolves so long ago; nothing could change that. Somehow, Amara knew they’d always find each other when they were needed, from here and long into the future.
She was nearly to the altar when she looked to her left at the groomsmen. Nemoy, Mountain Clan Alpha, Nova’s older brother, and husband to Ivanah, stood tall and proud, stoic eyes meeting Amara’s. She didn’t know if she was imagining the miniscule smile that tilted his lips, but she returned it all the same. She couldn’t help but recall all the measures he’d taken, all the pack rules he’d broken, all the kind things he’d done to get Amara and Nova to this point. He’d defied pack law, allowing Amara to learn his clan’s secrets even though humans were forbidden. He’d protected her against his own mother, when she voiced a vocal dissent to Amara’s presence. He’d given his blessing as Alpha as well as friend and brother for them to be married. Amara would never forget what an amazing brother Nova had.
Standing beside him was Iso, Ivanah’s little brother, and Nate, another guard of the compound gate as well as Ian’s best friend. Amara had a hunch that something small was blooming between Nate and Sadie, but she didn’t press the issue. It was best for them to move at their own pace. Still, Amara couldn’t help but think they’d be good for each other. As if on cue, Nate gave Amara a cheesy thumbs up and a wink, grinning all the while.
She played off a laugh at his goofy antics, and heard a soft gasp not too far from her. Finally, their eyes met.
Chapter 2
Sadie had mentioned earlier that Amara looked stunning, and though Amara could agree with a word like gorgeous or even bea
utiful to describe herself, she truly believed that ‘stunning’ belonged to this man before her. It was a wonder she hadn’t noticed him first of all.
When Amara locked eyes with his, she was sure that she’d stopped her progression down the aisle in its tracks, completely and effectively stunned by his beauty. His shoulder-length black hair was tied back from his face into a low ponytail, putting the strong, chiseled angles of his jaw on full display. His full lips were open in a small ‘o’ as if he was in awe of something. The western setting sun shone against the tan of his skin, making him look as if he were glowing from the inside out and putting a dazzling glimmer in his dark, almond-shaped eyes. His broad shoulders and the muscles of his biceps fit snug in his tuxedo blazer, showing just enough to hint at the wild party of a body he had underneath. Absolutely stunning, indeed.
As they found themselves in each other’s’ eyes, falling in love all over again, Amara could noticeably see all of the tension melt away from his body. His shoulders slumped slightly where they were pulled tight before. He let out a slow, long breath that she assumed he’d been holding for much of her walk. The rise and fall of his breathing slowed to normal. And in him, she found herself mimicking his tranquility. Suddenly, all of the nerves and panic she’d felt before seemed like a distant memory. She didn’t have to remind herself that it was fine, it was okay, she was ready. All the surety she needed was shining right there in her lover’s eyes.
Nova Lowery was beautiful. Nova Lowery was powerful. Nova Lowery was protective, loving and kind.
Nova Lowery was a werewolf.
Nova Lowery was hers.
And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
The vows were quick, traditional, and predictable. But even though Amara knew this, she still couldn’t stop the tears from flowing as Nova recited that he’d stay with her through sickness and health and richer and poorer. She feared she’d ruin her makeup when he looked deep into her eyes and declared with an air of pride, “I do.”
***
She could barely repeat her own vows as writ, babbling the lines over and through the tears that clogged her throat, but Nova never once looked impatient. His eyes were only filled with an immeasurable amount of love, something like profound peace deep within his soul. For the first time ever, he was finally certain of something with his entire mind and body and existence. Marrying Amara Townsend was the best decision he’d ever make in his life. When she finally gasped, “I do,” past the happiest sob he’d ever heard, he didn’t wait for the minister to tell him he could kiss the bride.
His kiss was tender at first, kissing her lips first, then her nose, then her cheeks. He kissed away the saltiness of her tears and basked in the happiness they both exuded. He happily slid the antique ring he’d acquired from his grandmother onto Amara’s finger, and when his lips met hers again, he was less than gentle. He could barely hear the whoops and hollers that surrounded them; in that moment, it was only him and his mate. His tongue hungrily explored every inch of her mouth as if he were starving and she was the only meal that would sate him. He craved her, needed her, and would have probably taken her right then at the foot of the altar if she didn’t pull away.
She was grinning up at him with a smile warm enough to melt into for all eternity. “Let’s save some of that for later, Mr. Lowery.”
He nuzzled against her cheek and purred lowly into her ear, “I look forward to it, Mrs. Lowery.”
They walked back down the aisle together to the chorus of cheers and jeers from both sides of the sanctuary. Amara could see her mother in full blown tears and Sadie wrapping her in a warm embrace. Ivanah curled into the fold of her husband’s arms as she watched them go, her eyes aglow with happiness.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen followed closely behind in a rapid procession, followed then by the rows and rows of guests. The coordinator that met with Amara earlier was there again to guide them to the reception hall.
Chapter 3
Amara felt as if her smile was going to split her face in two; she couldn’t remove it if she wanted. She could only gaze lovingly into Nova’s eyes as they posed for the first cutting of the cake while everyone snapped their desired photos. She could only laugh when he smeared a bit of icing on her nose and then licked it off. She didn’t have a father-figure to walk her down the aisle, but that didn’t stop Mac from offering his hand when the daddy daughter dance slot came up. She accepted it gratefully. And as she watched Nova and Neveah flawlessly execute a perfect ballroom dance routine, she couldn’t help falling even more head over heels for him.
He met her at the table they’d designated for themselves and she grinned up at him. “Is there anything you’re terrible at?”
He returned her grin. “If you mean the dance, I could show you.”
“Oh, that’d be nice. Soon?” she asked.
He held out his hand to her. “Right now. It’s our turn.”
Amara spluttered over the flute of champagne she was nursing. “But wait, what? Isn’t our dance supposed to be first? I thought we just skipped it.”
Nova laughed. “Mac asked me if we could change the order. He wanted to surprise you.”
“Oh,” Amara replied. “Well then, I guess there’s no harm in trying.”
“Come on, Mrs. Lowery. I promise you’ll love it.” Little excited tingles shot down Amara’s spine when he called her that. As much as she loved the Townsend name, finally becoming a Lowery was like a dream come true. She took his hand without another word and he led her to the dance floor.
A classical melody played over the PA system, with an mm-BAP-BAP beat that even Amara could place as a Waltz. Nova leaned in close, and whispered in her ear, “Okay, just follow my lead… for once.” She could hear the grin in his words.
“Okay, but only just this once,” she joked back.
“I’ll take it,” Nova chuckled, stepping back and turning her hip into a proper starting position. He held her hands up, taking one in his own, and placing the other on his shoulder. Placing his last hand on her hip, he slowly began to move them to the beat of the mellow Waltz song.
Nova was efficient in moving Amara’s body, as well as his own, the push and pull of his hand on her hip helped her sashay and swish to the beat of the song, and he used their clasped hands to beckon her steps forward and backward and sideways. When the melody swelled, Nova twirled her effortlessly in time with the subtle notes that resonated throughout the hall. He was light on his feet, for a man his size, changing direction at the drop of a hat, keeping up with the ever changing pace of the tempo. The way his hand slid sensually down her side and up her back as they changed positions sent shivers down her spine that she knew Nova could feel. His expression grew more pleased with every shudder he drew from her, hungrier with every sigh she fought to suppress, and for a moment, it felt like a dance more suited for the bedroom than in front of their families and peers. But distracted though she was, Nova never faltered in moving their bodies in perfect sync with the Waltz. She doubted anyone could even notice the tension between them in that moment, he was just that good. He’d almost convinced her that she could ballroom dance. As the Waltz spiraled down with a strong finish, Nova leaned her into a low, elegant dip. They rose to a chorus of applause, bowing as if they’d planned and executed an amazing performance for their audience. With a grin, Amara agreed with Nova’s promise; she did love it.
Amara found Becca and Zoe chatting with Mac and Alec not too far off. As they saw her approach, they raised their champagne flutes in a show of congratulations. Amara noticed that Zoe’s glass was filled with something sparkling and much clearer than the chosen champagne, most likely a soda of some sort. She smiled at the efforts that Zoe went through to stick to her more sober lifestyle. It was working out for her.
“Congratulations, Missus Lowery!” Becca commended cheerfully. Normally a shy girl, Amara liked seeing her out and about and willing to cut loose a bit. It reminded me of the girl she could have been if it weren’t for Kal and his r
agged pack of goons.
“Thanks, Becs,” she said, pulling her into a one-armed hug. “We’ll probably be leaving soon for the honeymoon, so I just wanted to make some rounds and chat with everyone one last time before heading out.” She turned to Zoe. “Especially you.”
Zoe looked perplexed. “What? Me? Why?” She held up her flute. “This is Sprite, I swear. I promise I’m not going to end up passed out drunk at your wedding.”
Amara chuckled. “It’s not about your drink, but still, thanks for choosing to not pass out at my wedding. It’s about, uh…” She wasn’t really sure how to bring up such a sore topic. They hadn’t really spoken much about Mitch since he’d attacked Amara nearly a month ago.
“Oh, so it’s about Mitch, huh?” Zoe’s voice was melancholy, but matter-of-fact.
“Did I say something out loud?” Amara asked surprised.
“No, it was just obvious. All right there on your face.” Zoe sighed. “Look, it’s not a big deal. I mean, I guess it is—he pulled a knife on you—but I mean… to me. Like, it’s over.” She shrugged. “I kinda knew we weren’t compatible. Even when he wasn’t talking about you, he was always a bit… off. Now that I know he’s completely off his rocker, I can’t even really be mad at him. So I figure, just let it go, you know?” Becca and Amara stared dumbfounded at Zoe. This was probably one of the most mature, coherent response they’d ever heard come out of her mouth.
Becca was the first to respond. “Well good for you, Zo!” she beamed. “It’s nice to see you all mature and grown up like this!”
Zoe offered a small smile. “Thanks, Becs.”
“It really is amazing, Zo,” Amara agreed. “I’m proud of you. Which brings be to my next point.”
Mountain Wolf Protectors Complete Series: Books 1 - 4 Page 30
