by R. E. Butler
Kaya speared a piece of breaded chicken coated with a pink glaze and popped it into her mouth. “Oh! Wow, that’s really good.”
Shy smiled. “I thought you’d like it. Do you want to try my beef and broccoli?”
She took a bite of tender beef and crisp broccoli and hummed. “These are wonderful dishes. Can we try to make them at home?”
“Sure. My mom has a wok we can borrow.”
“What’s a wok?” she asked.
“A special pan used to cook these dishes. We’ll learn how to make them together.”
“You guys are so sweet,” Shaylee said.
Teck returned to the table a few minutes later with a big smile on his face. “I’ve got some interesting news.”
“Oh?” Kaya said.
“Our grandfather sent a message to the heads of our alliances, announcing our mating. He was asked about a wedding and reception, and he wanted to know if we were interested in having a big reception, or if we wanted to keep it to the den only.”
Kaya blinked in surprise. “What’s a reception?”
“It’s the party after the wedding,” Shy said.
“But we haven’t even really talked about getting married. Why would we want to plan a party already?” Kaya asked.
Teck said, “Grandfather said that it’s a good thing that the leaders of the were-houses want to get together and celebrate.”
“Warehouses?” Kaya felt thoroughly confused. “Like where you store stuff?”
Teck chuckled and kissed her. “You’re so adorable. I forget how sheltered you were from other supernatural creatures. The term were-houses just refers to the different shifter groups. Grandfather sent out the notice because we’re his grandchildren and the other groups like to celebrate this kind of thing. He would have invited the leaders to a party to celebrate our mating anyway, but a wedding reception is a good idea.”
Tavian said, “The leaders get together twice a year to discuss issues, but this would be a celebration and not business.”
“I guess we should figure out when to get married,” Kaya said.
“It’s still on our time schedule,” Teck said. “Grandfather said it could happen whenever we’d like.”
“Okay.” She chewed on her lip for a moment and then said, “Can we wear something special?”
“Of course,” Shy said. “What did you have in mind?”
“Something that matches. Like the matching vests your mom and dads wear to ceremonies.”
“I have just the bead pattern in mind and some special hide we could use,” Shy said. “Would you like to help?”
“Of course!” She hugged and kissed her mates. “Can we have dessert now?”
“We thought you might like to try the giant cinnamon buns,” Teck said, gesturing to a small shop with a glass case full of circular-shaped sweets.
“I can’t wait.”
Chapter 12
Shy adjusted the vest on Kaya as she stood in the tent and looked at herself in a full-length mirror that had been a gift from their parents. His dad, Ash, had helped him come up with a new pattern for the vest, one that laced up the back instead of the front, giving him the entire front for beading and embroidery. He had fashioned his and Teck’s vest with buttons in the front, but they had the same pattern of beading as Kaya’s, just not as elaborate.
She sighed dreamily. “It’s so gorgeous, Shy. I love it.”
“We work very well together,” he said.
“I didn’t do much.”
“Of course you did,” he said. “I wouldn’t have been able to finish them if it weren’t for your help.”
“We make a great team.”
She twirled in a circle, the long, suede skirt he’d made for her swishing around her. “Can I wear my hair down, or do I need to do the double braids like we did for the joining ceremony?”
“Whatever you want,” he promised.
She hummed but didn’t say anything. He undid the skirt, and she stepped from it. He hung it in the wooden armoire their father, Axe, had made for them. The inside was lined with cedar, and the outer doors had three carved bears, two larger ones representing him and Teck, and a smaller one representing Kaya. Even though she couldn’t shift, she exhibited plenty of bear traits.
They’d only been in the den for three weeks, but that time had passed by quickly. The tent had been expanded, and they now had a real bedroom and larger bathroom, a kitchen, and family room. Their grandfather had given her a section of the community garden to grow flowers and herbs for her soaps, which were already very popular with the den. Their grandmother, Lorene, had loved the soap Kaya had given her so much, that she wanted Kaya to make some for them to sell at the Wiccan store.
After helping her from the vest, he hung it up next to her skirt and turned back to face her. To his surprise, his sweetheart was on her knees and reaching for his belt. Undoing it with deft fingers, she unfastened the button and zipper of his jeans and smiled up at him.
“We’re alone,” she murmured.
“Indeed,” he said, sliding his fingers through her hair and cupping the back of her head. “You look like you’ve got wicked things on your mind, sweetheart.”
She tugged down his jeans and underwear, freeing his erection. Wrapping her hand around the base, she kissed the head and cast her gaze up to his, her blue and green eyes darkening with passion. Keeping his hand buried in her hair, he watched as she slowly licked up his shaft. Her hand moved up and down, her tongue following the motion. She placed her free hand on his stomach, and he covered it with his own.
She took him into her hot mouth with a soft moan, as if he was the tastiest thing she’d ever had, her tongue wiggling along the underside of his cock and driving him wild. He wanted to make love to her, was tempted to stop before it went too far, but she looked so happy. Her eyes were bright and full of love, and the soft little hums of pleasure were like electric shocks.
As she moved on him, he let himself be consumed by the pleasure, clenching his teeth as his climax rose like a tidal wave inside him. Gazing down at her with pleasure-hazed vision, he watched her swallow his come and make the sexiest, most satisfied purr he’d ever heard.
“Fuck, you’re gorgeous.”
She grinned, her lips swollen and glossy. He helped her to her feet and kissed her. They moved to the bed, and in a heartbeat, he was between her thighs, licking her sweet honey and driving her as wild as she’d driven him. Her fingers twisted into his hair, and she groaned as he worked her to the peak of pleasure, again and again.
* * *
Teck recited the wedding vows to Kaya. The Justice of the Peace had been willing to come to the den for the wedding, instead of them going to City Hall. They stood aboveground on the den’s property with a wooden archway covered in beautiful white and pink flowers over them. The den and their invited guests sat in rows of chairs on either side of the aisle. His parents were seated in the front row, his mom dabbing at her eyes with a tissue and his dads smiling proudly at them.
“I do,” Kaya said, sliding the ring she’d chosen for Teck onto his finger. It was made of white gold, with a ring of black titanium in the center, and their names inscribed on the interior.
She’d picked out a different ring for Shy, made of platinum with thin lines carved into it. He was glad that she’d chosen different rings for them. Even though they were twins, they weren’t the same person, and a lot of people didn’t understand that. But Kaya did. She could tell them apart with her eyes closed, and he cherished how well she knew them after only a few weeks.
She turned to Shy, and they exchanged vows. She gave him his ring, and then he and his brother gave her the band they’d chosen – a diamond eternity band that sparkled on her finger like it was lit from within.
She smiled up at Teck, her eyes glistening with tears.
“You may both kiss your bride,” the Justice of the Peace said.
The crowd cheered as first Teck, and then Shy, kissed her. While they waited for the g
uests to greet them in the receiving line, all Teck wanted to do was take Kaya home and spend at least a week making her happy. Maybe two weeks.
A tall male with long, dark hair stopped before them.
“It’s good to see you again, Jes. This is our mate, Kaya. This is Jesuit, king of the falcons.”
Jes kissed the top of Kaya’s hand and said, “It’s wonderful to meet you, Kaya. This is my mate, Danika, and her other mate, Chance.”
Kaya hugged Danika and shook Chance’s hand. “Thank you for coming. It’s so nice to meet you. I haven’t met anyone but bears since I’ve been here.”
Danika smiled. “Thank you for inviting us. The ceremony was just lovely.”
They moved on, and Teck smiled at the next couple in line – wolf pack alpha Adam Beaumont and his mate, Cinder.
“Congratulations,” Adam said. “I’m glad we could be here.”
Cinder hugged Kaya. “You look radiant.”
Kaya blushed with a smile. “I’ve never been so happy.”
As the crowd slowly dispersed after congratulating their trio and headed for the reception that was being held on the other side of the barn, Teck turned to face Kaya and kissed her. “Do you feel any different?”
“Yes. Today I’m Mrs. Stalking Horse and the luckiest female on the planet.”
“Accompanied by the luckiest males on the planet,” Shy said.
They spent a little while on their own, and then their mother tracked them down with a photographer, and they spent a half hour in various poses for pictures.
“It’s so neat that your family is close with the other leaders of the shifter groups,” Kaya said.
“It helps us keep one another safe,” Teck said.
“Are you ready to go eat and dance with your new husbands?” Shy asked.
“I am. And I’m especially ready for our first night as husbands and wife.”
Their Uncle Griegs and Aunt Sabrina offered them their aboveground home for the night so that the three of them could get out of the den and enjoy some privacy.
As the married trio walked around the barn to the reception area, the crowd stood and cheered again. They sat down at the head table, in between their grandparents and parents.
Their Uncle Tavian stood and tapped a spoon to the side of his wineglass. The party quieted and turned its attention to him.
“It’s not every day that an uncle gets to stand up as a best man for his nephews. When Teck and Shy asked if I’d give a speech, I told them absolutely not, but then Kaya asked me, and she’s so sweet and nice that I couldn’t say no.” The crowd chuckled and Tavian winked at them. “My brothers, Ash and Axe, raised two fine young males. I knew when they were young that Teck and Shy would be wonderful husbands and providers for their mate and future children. I have a piece of advice for my new niece and her mates and it’s this: cherish every second. Fate has a funny way of getting in the way of best laid plans, and life can take a turn in a heartbeat. Since we can’t divine the future, we should treat every day as if it’s a treasure, because it is. May the Great Bear Spirit smile down on you for the remainder of your long lives.”
He lifted his glass, and the crowd did as well, the word cheers ringing out. Teck and Shy clinked their rims to Kaya’s, and she took a sip and set down the glass.
“That was so sweet,” Kaya said.
“I’m starving,” Shy said. “How about you?”
“Yes! I was too nervous to eat anything today.”
“Surely you weren’t afraid we’d leave you at the altar?” Teck said, as some of the den members began to serve their meal.
“No. I think every bride gets nervous on her wedding day,” she said. “I wanted to look good for you.”
“You look beautiful,” Teck said.
“The loveliest female in existence,” Shy said.
She rolled her eyes with a giggle. “You’re making me blush.”
Teck kissed her cheek. “We only speak the truth.”
The meal passed quickly, as their family reminisced about their own weddings. Then a portable dance floor was laid out on the grass, and a DJ played music. Teck wasn’t much of a dancer, but he wasn’t about to waste a chance to dance with his mate. He turned her around the dance floor, and then Shy took his turn. And then the three of them tried to dance together without falling all over each other, which was his favorite dance of the night.
He caught the subtle scent of vampire, and his bear went on alert. But then he saw the master of the city of Cleveland, Mishka, and his mate, Harmony. With them were the ancient vampire, Brone, and his mate, Arissa. Teck, Shy, and Kaya followed his parents to the edge of the reception where the four were standing.
After introductions were made, Mishka said, “I apologize for our tardiness. Our plane was delayed in Philadelphia due to bad weather.”
“Thank you for coming, Mishka,” Elizabeth said. “How are things in the city?”
“Busy as usual,” he said. “Your sons have grown into fine, young men, and they’ve snagged themselves a beautiful mate.”
“You’re welcome to join us,” Axe said.
“Unfortunately, we can’t stay,” Mishka said, smiling apologetically.
Harmony handed a beautifully wrapped gift to Kaya and gave her a hug. “I hope you’ll come visit us sometime. Maybe your mates can bring you to Fang when my band is playing.”
“I’d like that, thank you,” Kaya said.
Arissa hugged her as Brone handed a silver package with a waterfall of sparkly ribbon. “Take good care of each other.”
Teck, Shy, and Kaya thanked them for coming and returned to the party, leaving their parents to chat with them.
“It seems like a big deal to have the master vampire come here,” Kaya said.
“Mom’s known Mishka and Brone for years, but they don’t spend much time outside of the city,” Teck said.
“Why?”
He shrugged. “It’s safer for them to be where their coven is.”
“I’m glad we’re safe here,” she said.
Before they reached the dance floor, Melo, a tiger shifter, came up with his brother, Tahlon, and their mate, Tera.
“We have to run. The cubs have the babysitter cornered and he’s threatened to never speak to us again if we don’t come home immediately,” Melo said. The trio had several young children, who Teck had met over the years at get-togethers. They were rambunctious with a love of climbing.
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to chat,” Tera said.
“I’m sorry to hear you have to rush home,” Shy said.
Tahlon snorted. “To be fair, he lasted longer than I thought he would. The kids are a handful at the best of times.”
The frazzled parents said goodbye and hurried off, stopping to speak to a few family members for a brief moment. On the way to the dance floor, Teck and Shy spoke to the dragon king, Tosh, and his mate, December, and Midas, the tiger king.
“I wish my adopted parents could be here,” Kaya said. “It would have been nice to share this with them.”
“Maybe now that you’re not living there with them, they’ll embrace technology and get cell phones or computers,” Shy said. “I know your moman misses you.”
“I miss them, and I miss my real parents, too. But I’m glad that I have you two.”
“We’re glad you do, too,” Teck said. “Now, judging by our grandmother’s wild gestures, I think it’s cake time.”
“Oh, yum!” she said. “But you promised not to smack me with it, right?”
He and Shy both laughed. “Yes, we promised,” Teck said.
They made their way to the cake table, where a five-tiered confection was covered with white and pink roses. Everyone gathered around them as they cut a piece of cake together. Kaya fed him and Shy a piece, and then they fed her.
“You guys were too nice,” their mom said with a laugh. “I guess I raised gentlemen.”
“She made us promise,” Shy said, which made everyone laugh.
The
music’s volume increased and the party continued. Kaya danced with their fathers, grandfather, and uncles, and he and Shy danced with the female members of their family.
“Are you happy?” his mom asked as a sweet, slow tune played over the speakers.
“More than I ever thought possible,” Teck said.
“It’s wonderful when dreams come true. I love her, and I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
As the party wound down, they stayed until the last den member said goodnight and wished them a blissful evening.
Uncle Griegs put one arm around Sabrina, and said, “The fridge is stocked for breakfast and midnight snacks. Help yourself.”
“There’s a bottle of champagne from our boss, Etienne, for you,” Aunt Sabrina said.
“Aw, that’s so nice,” Kaya said. “Thank you.”
“Well, he told me to tell you that you can thank him for the champagne by naming your first cub after him, but I told him that uncles had first dibs on baby names,” Uncle Griegs said.
Shy chuckled. “Thanks for the house.”
“You’re welcome,” Uncle Griegs said. He and Aunt Sabrina left, heading to the den for the night.
“Ready?” Teck asked as he lifted Kaya into his arms.
“For the first night of the rest of our lives?” she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head on his shoulder. “You better believe I am.”
Coming Next from R. E. Butler
The Hunter’s Heart (Wilde Creek Book Seven)
~*~ August 6, 2017 ~*~
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