by Mandy Adler
Connor stood in front of us, smiling serenely. “We have gathered here today to witness the marriage of Zach Carter and Lily Hart. I have been told they have their own vows?”
I nod to let him know he was right before taking her hands in mine. “Il mio bel fiore, from the moment I first saw you I knew my life was about to change. I knew I had to have you in it, and you have changed my life indeed. I no longer feel the emptiness of being alone, for I have the other half of my soul with me. I promise to spend the rest of our lives reminding you, that you are never alone. I promise to protect you from anyone one that wished harm. I promise to believe in you, when your belief in yourself waivers. I promise to love you, through any hardships that may come our way. And I promise that you and I are ‘always and forever’.” I gently wipe the tear that hand slid down her cheek with my thumb.
She gave me a watery, but proud smile. “Zach Carter, when you found me I was lost, broken. Then, by some miracle you pieced my soul back together. Made me laugh when I felt like crying, stood beside me when I was alone, protected me when I was too scared to protect myself. I promise to always stand by your side. I promise to love you with the same fierceness that you love me with. I promise to help you when thing get too heavy on your mind. And I promise that you and I are ‘always and forever’.” I kiss her, smiling at her surprised laugh and the cheers from our pack.
“Well, I guess you jumped ahead.” Connor laughed. “But I will say it anyways. I now pronounce you husband and wife. Zach, you may kiss your bride… again.” So, I did. I will kiss this girl any chance I got, and that will be for the rest of our lives.
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Thank you for reading about Zach and Lily’s struggle to start their lives together. I enjoyed releasing this story from my head and making available for all to read. I hope you enjoyed it. Please feel free to leave reviews at Goodreads or Amazon.
Stay tuned for the next book in the White Lilies Series. Who knows? I think we may just need a glimpse into what is happening between Abby and James…
Forever Mine – Abby & James
Chapter One
My hair is finally growing back out. I don’t know what possessed me to cut it so short in the first place, but I’m happy to finally be able to pull in back into a tie now. Lily frowns as I set a few more jeans in my bag, you can never have enough jeans.
“Lil, stop. I have to do this.” I look over at her and try to give her a smile. Truth is, I’m gonna miss that girl something fierce. “I’ll be back, you know I will. You’re my family, I just need to find some answers for myself.”
She finally let out a sigh. She was a softy. “You know James is going with you.”
I roll my eyes. The wolf thought I was his mate, but there is no way I am dragging him into the mess that was me. “I don’t plan on telling him when I leave.”
Lily let out a bark of laughter. “Good luck with that! He’s a Beta, he knows exactly what is going on in this pack, it’s his job. I bet he’ll know when you're leaving before you walk out that door, he probably already knows.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s a wolf, Lil. Not all-knowing.”
“He’ll be really mad you tried to leave without telling him.”
“He can get over it, he’s not my keeper.” I look over at her and know I’m going to miss this girl. This girl that gave me the family I’ve never had, even if it came with fleas. “You’ll be okay. You have Zach, and that beautiful little boy to take care of.”
“It's not the same and you know it.” She let out a Lily-like sigh, “But I understand. I will miss the heck out of you though.”
“Me too, girl. Me too.”
She jumps up suddenly and hugs me so tightly it becomes a struggle to breathe. I laugh and grip her back almost as tightly – shifters are seriously freakishly strong, even my favorite half-breed. “I’ll be back before you know it,” I whisper. She nods but stays silent.
“Stay safe.” She says simply before giving me one more squeeze and quietly leaving my room.
The sound of the door clicking behind her was so final, I was really doing this. I was going to leave the only family I’ve had to go find the one the never wanted me. No. I was doing this for a reason, I need to find out why I’m different from other witches, to know exactly what I am.
I gave the zipper a final yank shut and heaved the backpack on. Maybe I should have packed a little less. Oh well. A girl has to have her clothes.
Well, no time like the present.
I start towards the doors of the building, making sure you know who isn’t around to try and stop me from leaving, not that he could. Just that it would be a huge pain in my rear to have to stop just to argue with the growling mutt before ignoring him completely and going about my merry way.
Luckily, I make it out the doors with no sign of him… but that is where my luck ends.
Zach is leaning up against my new cute little bright yellow bug, looking all stern in the way he always looks around everyone except our Lilybug. Arms crossed, check. One brow raised, check. Unidentifiable smirk, check. Yep, he’s going to go Alpha on me. Just what I needed.
“When a member of my pack plans a trip it’s customary for the Alpha to be notified.” He watched me pop the trunk and throw my bag in. I know I’m stalling but I need to do this, and I want him to let me go. I need this pack to come home to when I find what I need. “You will be careful.” I look up at him in surprise. “You will call me if you need anything. And you will call Lil every once in a while, so she doesn’t worry.”
“Okay.” I grin. “I mean, yes. I will be careful, and I will call.”
“You will also take protection.” He held up and hand before I could throw up an argument. Sneaky wolf. “I will not compromise on this, Abby.” He raised that damn brow in question.
I sighed but nodded. Not like I didn’t expect something, Alphas protect their own, and as pack witch (and best friend to the Alpha Female), I fell under that decree.
I just hope he sent someone I could tolerate, who knew how long this trip was going to last?
Chapter Two
I will devise a spell that makes his voice super high and girly.
Something that will turn his fur hot pink.
I will make it so that every time he growls it sounds like songbirds chirping.
I will turn him into a freaking unicorn!
I will curse him until the day he wishes he hadn’t paired me with freaking James!
Ugh, stupid meddling Alpha wolves. How am I going to survive an entire quest to find answers about my origins with a pushy, bossy, part-time wolfman? This is ridiculous. I am a witch. I can take care of myself, thank you very much!
Luckily, James hasn’t said anything yet. He just sits there, beside me, in my little car. There is nothing to do but listen to the silence in the air. The bated breath we are both holding – waiting to see who speaks first. His woodsy smell filling the small space, I hate the woods.
But, I’m also not used to sitting in such silence. I don’t know how he does it… he’s normally so loud, so full of witticisms. He’s been quieter since insisting that I was his mate. It unnerves me, makes me wonder what he’s planning. Because while the world thinks of him as a jokester, I know different. He’s smart, he’s always thinking, always planning, there’s a reason why he’s second in the Pack.
I don’t know how to convince him that I’m not the girl he needs, that his wolf needs. There’s something wrong with me, something not quite right. That my magic doesn’t work the way a witch’s magic is supposed to, there doesn’t seem to be a limit. And sometimes the darkness whispers to me, things I don’t want to hear. I don’t want to hurt anyone, not the pack, not Lily. Not him. But I can’t tell anyone until I find out what is going on with me, what makes me different. I am a threat to the pack like this… Zach would have to kick me out, and I have nowhere else to go.
Lily is my family, I can’t lose her. So, I left to find out what’s happening to me before the darkness in me became known… he wasn’t supposed to follow me.
“This doesn’t have to be unpleasant, Abby.” His voice startles me out of my thoughts. “Just do whatever you need, you won’t even know I’m here.” I roll my eyes at that one. But, he went back to being silent.
I let out a deep sigh. “I’m not sure what I’m doing yet. I have a lead that there might be someone who has an idea of who I am out in the middle of nowhere. I guess I wouldn’t mind the company but, you have to promise not to tell anyone what happens on this trip until we return, or until I say it’s okay.”
He cut me a sharp look. “You want me to keep things from Zach?”
“There are some things I need to figure out for myself before I let the Alpha know,” I say as carefully as I can. But the gleam in his eyes lets me know he’s not fooled.
He nods once after a moment of thought. “As long as there is not any immediate danger to you or the pack I will stay silent on what happens until we return. I have to report in, but just to let him know we are safe. But… you are going to have to let me in, Love. You are going to have to tell me what has you running so scared you won't even tell Lily.”
I know I will, I just don’t know how he will take it, He’s the protector of the pack.
“Soon, but not now,” I whisper, letting out a sigh at his reluctant nod.
“You will one day realize I am not here to judge you. You are my mate, Abby. That means I am on your side before any others. But you have to learn that on your own I guess.”
My heart pounds relentlessly at his words but I stay silent. He doesn’t even know what he’s saying, he couldn’t. He’s so good, so full of light – I won't taint that.
At my silence, he sighs and rubs a hand over his newly buzzed hair. The almost military look suits him, his dark brown eyes almost scary in their intensity. But I have to wonder where his joking nature went, and why it left in the first place.
Forever Mine -- White Lilies
The Road trip of a Lifetime Series
Chapter One
“Where is he?!” A deep voice demanded, my dorm room door groaned from the harsh treatment. I turned around to see Gavin Grey behind me, looking very angry. He and my brother had been friends off and on for years, fighting then making up. They were like high school girls.
“Who?” I asked the stupid question, but I knew. Who else could he have meant but my idiot brother Ethan? What had he gotten himself into now?
“You know who, Emma. Don’t try and screw with me!” He slammed his fist on my door. I shoved him away, he will not try to intimidate me! “He and Carrie ran off together!”
I winced as he growled. Yea, that was bad even for Ethan. Carrie was Gavin’s off and on girlfriend for about two years. They had one of those sick relationships where they screw each other over all the time. I don’t know why, there is no way in hell I would do that to myself.
“I’ll call him.” I said calmly. He nodded and took two steps back, giving me my space.
I quickly pulled out my phone and called my brother, dreading what I would hear. There’s no telling what he would come up with. It rang several times before he finally picked up.
“Little sister!” He said cheerfully.
“Where are you Ethan?” I ask, eyeing a very pissed off Gavin— who was currently glaring daggers at my phone. Jeeze, chill out, my phone didn’t run off with your tramp of a girlfriend.
“Just went on a little road trip.” He laughed, I could hear Carrie in the background saying something to him. I’m sure it was something eye-roll worthy.
“Where? Ethan what are you doing? Have you lost your freaking mind? Gavin his going to kill you!” I hissed through the phone. It wasn’t likely Gavin would actually kill him, but he would beat him bloody, I’m sure.
Ethan just laughed again. “Just having some fun, Carrie needed a getaway and so did I, we are heading to Texas for a little fun. Be back soon! Love ya sis!” He hung up. The little brat really hung up on me!
“Ethan!” I shrieked to the phone. I glared down at the phone in my hand. I looked to Gavin. Man, I did not want to deal with Mr. Hothead. “They are heading to Texas.” I tell him, hoping my brother wasn’t heading there for the reason I was thinking. Forget Gavin, I’ll kill him myself.
He took a deep breath before speaking, seeming to calm himself. “Any idea where?”
I nodded. “Dad moved down there recently. Though I have no clue why he would want to see him.”
Gavin nodded. “I’m going after them, Ethan and I need to have a little chat about boundaries. And I need to tell Carrie once and for all I’m done with this shit.” He turned and headed down the hall before turning back to me. “Sorry about that Emma. I shouldn’t have yelled at you, but your brother drives me crazy.” I nod to him, I can understand that. He turned to stomp back down the hall.
“Wait!” I called after him. I really must be crazy. “Let me go with you.” Yep, certifiable.
He looked back at me perplexed. “Why?”
“He’s my brother, and he’s going to get himself into trouble. And I’m not going to let you kill him. He may be a stupid idiot, but he’s still my big brother.” I cross my arms and dared him to tell me no. Gavin may be a tough guy, but I’ve lived with Ethan most of my life.
He studied me for a moment, seeming to mull it over. “Fine, be ready in half an hour.” He says before heading back down the hall.
I rush in my room and start throwing whatever I could think of into my backpack. Thanking to the fates that summer vacation just started.
My roommate walked in as I was zipping it up. She looked down at my bag. “Where are you going Em?” She sat down on my bed beside my backpack.
“Ethan ran off with Gavin Grey’s girl, and he’s heading after him. I’m going to bring my brother back and hopefully prevent him from being killed by his best friend.” Not sure how I was doing that yet, but I would figure it out when I find him.
“You’re going to have to quit saving him one of these days.” She sighed, Ethan was well known for his antics.
“I know. But he has always been there for me, and he’s the only brother I have. I got to go.” I grabbed my bag and bolted out the door. I wouldn’t put it past Gavin to leave me behind.
“Be safe!” She calls after me. “And text me!”
I throw her a quick wave and head to the parking lot. Gavin is there waiting beside his truck. It was an old blue pickup that he’s had since high school, his pride and joy. Gavin and Ethan are both two years older than me, and we are all in the same college. Ethan looks a lot like me with strawberry hair and green eyes, but has a lot of height on my five-two frame. Gavin on the other hand, has very dark shaggy hair and almost black eyes, and is even taller than Ethan.
He throws my bag in the small space behind the bucket seats and climbs in the driver’s side. I climbed in the other side and wondered what I had gotten myself into. A long road trip like this with Gavin was sure to kill us both. We were in New York, so this was going to be a very long drive.
Chapter Two
The first few hours were quiet, with neither of us really speaking. Around three in the afternoon he asked if I was hungry. I was, so he pulled into a little road-side diner.
He was seated across from me, as I watched him look over the menu. I hadn’t spoken much to him since he and Ethan started college two years before me. He and I had never really talked too much before that either. I had always been just Ethan’s baby sister. I on the other hand, had always had a small, very small, crush on him. Really, it was a barely-there crush. He was always one of those, cool-bad-boy types that never lets anything get to him. He sure as hell didn’t look twice at Ethan’s bookworm sister.
He was dressed in jeans and a black t-shirt that showed off the tattoos on his arms, also displaying that he had gained a lot of muscle over last the few years. He looked up at me suddenly and I blushe
d, quickly looking down at my menu. Jeeze, I was such a spaz! I always blushed, always. And over every little thing to. My cheeks are like permanently flushed ninety percent of the time.
“You’ve grown up a lot.” I look up to see him smiling at me. “Your different, but the same. Always Ethan’s opposite.”
“We’re more alike than you’d think.” I tell him softly, thinking of the night Ethan had to save me. All because I had been an idiot, thinking I could handle things on my own. The reason I’ll always be there to save him.
He shook his head, making his hair fall into his eyes. “Your more put together than he is. Always have been.”
I laughed. “You don’t really know me Gavin, not at all.”
He looked confused for a minute then smirked. “Your right, but we have a long way to go. So why don’t we get to know each other for a bit, then at least we can get along on this trip.”
“Okay.” I tell him. “Twenty questions, you go first.” This should be interesting.
He nodded, then began thinking about the question. No telling what he would come up with. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
Yeah, right. “No. My turn.” Hmm, what to ask him. Okay I got it. “Why do you put up with my brother? You guys are always fighting about something, but have been friends for years.” It’s something I have always wondered.