The Werewolf Meets His Match (Nocturne Falls Book 2)

by Kristen Painter

  And undeserving.

  That was her father’s doing, and Ivy hated it. She took a breath and tried to remember the Merrows weren’t like that.

  To her credit, Bridget seemed to be taking it in stride. The woman had a clipboard, for Pete’s sake.

  “Are you sure this is all okay?” Ivy asked for the third time.

  Bridget grinned. “It’s great. Let me show you what we’ve done so far.”

  Then she nudged them toward the back room. The entrance was shielded with white drapes. As Ivy stepped through, she understood why the woman was so calm. Some kind of magic had been worked, and the whole place had been draped in white tulle, fairy lights and strands of silk ivy. The pub tables and chairs were covered with white damask. The three pool tables had tops on them and pristine white tablecloths.

  Bridget pointed at the three. “These will be the food islands with all kinds of hot and cold dishes, but the prime rib carving station will be closer to the kitchen.”

  “Prime rib?” Ivy chewed on her lip. “That sounds expensive.”

  “It’s not nearly as pricey as you think. Plus, it’s one of Hank’s favorites.”

  Birdie smiled. “Men like their steak, don’t they?”

  Bridget nodded. “Name a shifter who doesn’t. Now, the guys will be bringing the cake table out any minute. That will go in that corner. There’s a spotlight I’ll put on over it, really makes it look nice.”

  Birdie put a hand on Ivy’s arm. “I know you ordered a small cake, but I bumped it up a bit.”

  Ivy was too overwhelmed by how much these two women had done for her to be anything but practical. “That’s good. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have enough.”

  Bridget waved a hand. “I do at least a wedding a month in here. Nocturne Falls is a very popular place to get married. Mostly with the Goth crowd, but even that’s changing. Delaney’s done a few cakes for us now, and she’s always generous when it comes to serving sizes. You should have plenty.”

  Bridget glanced at her clipboard. “I forgot about the bar. Forgot to tell you about it, that is. We’ll set that up on this wall. There’s three cases of champagne so the toast is covered.” She looked up at Ivy. “Is there anything specific you like to drink? I know Hank’s a beer guy, but if you want something special…”

  “No, I’m good. Great, actually. I can’t believe how much you’ve done. You’ve really got this under control.”

  Hank’s very capable sister smiled while Birdie preened. Bridget scanned her list one more time. “Like I said, we do at least a wedding a month here. It’s a well-oiled machine now.”

  “It still seems like a lot of work.”

  “Nah, not that much.” Bridget hugged the clipboard to her chest. “You know my parents are coming, right?”

  “I do.” Ivy tried not to look freaked out.

  Bridget smiled. “They’ll love you. Don’t panic.”

  The back door opened, and a pretty brunette peeked in, giving Ivy a break from that line of thought. “Y’all ready for flowers?”

  Bridget and Birdie both turned and said, “Hi, Marigold.”

  Birdie leaned in toward Ivy. “That’s Marigold Williams. She’s one of Corette’s girls. She’s a witch just like her mother. All the girls are. Marigold’s got a girl about Charlie’s age. Saffron. They’ll probably be in the same grade.”

  Ivy looked at Birdie. “Well, that’s…good.”

  Birdie put her hand on Ivy’s arm. “Feeling a little overwhelmed, dear?”

  “More than a little. But I’m so impressed that you took care of getting flowers.”

  “What’s a bride without a bouquet to throw?” Birdie smiled proudly. “I hope you like them. I got mostly roses and hydrangeas. All white. With ivy. Very Southern. Too much? I figured if I stuck with white, I couldn’t get the colors wrong.”

  “Sounds perfect. Really, you could have gotten weeds and I’d be thankful.” She put her arm around the woman. “Thank you so much. I’ve never had anyone look after me so well.” And that included her own mother.

  Birdie blushed. “Thank you for making Hank so happy. I’d never have thought I’d have a Kincaid for a niece-in-law, but I couldn’t ask for anyone better. Welcome to the family, Ivy.”

  “Thank you.” Ivy’s phone buzzed. She pulled it out of her purse and saw Sam’s name on her screen. “Excuse me a moment, Birdie.” She stepped a few paces away before she answered. “Hey, what’s up? I wasn’t sure you were still in town.”

  “I am. Where are you?”

  “Howler’s. It’s on Main Street.”

  “I’ve seen it. I’ll be there in a few. We need to talk.”

  “Okay. See you in a bit.” She hung up. By now her father surely had told Sam what had happened with Hank when they’d gone to get Charlie. That had to be what he was coming to talk to her about. Or, more likely, yell at her about.

  There was too much to do to worry about Sam until he got here. She and Birdie went to work helping Marigold carry arrangements in and set them where they were directed. The flowers were gorgeous, and once again, Ivy was swept away by Birdie’s generosity.

  They were all busy with the flowers when Bridget suddenly straightened and let out a low whistle.

  “Hello there,” she purred. “You lost, honey? I’m pretty sure I can help you find your way.”

  Ivy turned to see Sam standing in the midst of the wedding decorations with a befuddled look on his face. She gave Bridget the side-eye. “Bridget, that’s my brother.”

  But Bridget just shrugged and kept staring. “So he’s a Kincaid. I can overlook that. Introduce us.”

  Ivy put down the centerpiece she was holding. “Bridget, this is my brother Sam. Sam, this is Hank’s sister, Bridget.”

  They shook hands, then Ivy peeled Bridget off her brother and sent her to help Birdie and Marigold with the flowers on the other side of the room. She led Sam to the booth farthest away. “What’s going on?”

  He frowned. “Dad told me what happened. I want to hear your side of it.”

  She crossed her arms. If Sam thought their father was even a little bit right, they were done as brother and sister. She wasn’t willing to have that kind of backward thinking anywhere near her son now that she had a choice about it. “It’s simple. Charlie called me, crying and scared. We flew up to get him and found out Dad had locked him in the shed out back. We got him out, Dad threatened us and Hank punched him. Twice.”

  Sam’s jaw notched to one side, and he looked away for a second. “Dad locked Charlie in the old shed?”

  She nodded. He’d done that to Sam at least once too.

  His eyes went gold with anger. “That son of a—I’m so sorry, Ivy. About everything. I haven’t been a great brother to you lately or a great uncle to Charlie and…I’m sorry.”

  “That’s nice to hear. I have to admit, I kind of felt like I’d lost you. We were always so close and then, I don’t know. You started siding with Dad. And against me.”

  Sam sighed. “Yeah, I’ve been an ass. I admit, I drank a little of his Kincaid Kool-Aid, but this whole thing with Charlie has cured me of that. I’m sorry I said he was a mutt. I didn’t mean it. And I will never say it again. And I will lay out anyone who says it about Charlie.”

  She hugged him. It was good to have her brother back. “Thanks for saying that. And for apologizing.”

  “Hank punched Dad, huh?”

  “Twice.”

  “Damn.” Sam whistled. “He’s not just going to let that go.”

  “He does anything to retaliate and Hank will bring him before a tribunal for his treatment of Charlie. And me, when I was a kid.”

  Guilt clouded Sam’s eyes. “You haven’t had it easy, have you, sis?”

  “No, but that’s all different now.” She smiled, ready to put the past behind her. “You going to stick around for the wedding?”

  “Does that mean I’m invited?”

  “Yes! You’re my brother.”

  He looked at the room again. “Are
you getting married in here?”

  “No, this is for the reception. The wedding is at the justice of the peace at five.”

  He glanced at his watch. “I didn’t exactly bring any nice clothes.”

  Ivy grinned. “Go see Corette at Ever After. It’s a little bridal boutique about four blocks away. Tell her you’re my brother and I can pretty much guarantee she’ll fix you up.”

  He gave her a curious smile. “You’re really all in for this wedding stuff, huh?”

  “Now that everything is out in the open, yes. I love Hank. He’s a great guy. His family is pretty awesome, too.” She threw her hands up. “So why not go a little crazy? It’s not like I’m ever going to do this again.”

  “Good point.” He gave her a wave as he headed out. “See you at the wedding.”

  She watched him go, unable to stop smiling. She’d been so worried he’d come to tell her about some new wrinkle of bad news, but instead, she’d gotten her brother back. Maybe she could talk him into staying. He’d have a hard time of it if he went home and didn’t toe their father’s line.

  She looked over her shoulder and realized Bridget was watching Sam leave, too. Ivy laughed softly. Maybe she wouldn’t have to talk him into anything.

  Hank and Charlie walked through the woods behind the house, the soft earth quiet beneath their feet. For once, Charlie seemed content just to observe and not ask a thousand questions. Hank took that as a good sign that the boy felt at home in the woods.

  When they were far enough that there were no other houses visible, Hank stopped. “What do you think, Charlie? It’s nice out here, huh?”

  Charlie nodded, his face turned toward the sun, eyes slightly closed, his expression peaceful. “I like the woods.”

  “Me, too.” Hank smiled. “You know that besides today being the day your mom and I are getting married, it’s also the day of the full moon.”

  “I know.”

  Hank bridged into a more delicate subject. “After the ceremony and the big party, there’s going to be a run. You know what that means, right?”

  Charlie scowled and kicked at the ground. “I guess.”

  Hank put his hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “No one’s going to try to make you shift again.”

  Charlie looked at him. “They’re not?”

  Hank shook his head. “But you know what I think?”

  “What?”

  “I think you can shift.” Hank sat cross-legged on the damp ground, glad he’d changed into jeans.

  Charlie sat down beside him. “You do?”

  “Mm-hmm. I just think you got so scared and confused during that last full moon that your instincts shut down. It’s been a month since that night. You’re probably even more ready to shift than you know.”

  Excitement lit his eyes, then blinked out. “What if I still can’t do it?”

  Hank shrugged. “No big deal. You’re still you. Awesome Charlie.”

  A little grin bent his mouth. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “Can you teach me to do it?”

  That was the opening Hank had been waiting for. “I can try, but you might not be ready yet.”

  He sprang up to his knees. “No, I wanna do it.”

  “I mean, your body might not be ready. I just don’t want you to be disappointed if nothing happens.”

  “I won’t be.”

  Except he would. There was no way Charlie wouldn’t feel let down if he couldn’t go wolf. This was dangerous territory, and Hank knew it. If the kid failed twice, he might never shift. Which was exactly why Hank had brought some insurance.

  “Just in case, I have something to help you.” Hank pulled the leather cord and pendant he’d gotten from Willa out of his pocket and held it up so Charlie could see the silver disc with the engraving of a wolf’s head.

  Charlie jerked back. “Is that silver?”

  “No. Nickel plated with rhodium.” Hank realized that probably wouldn’t mean anything to the kid. “It’s safe, I swear. It’s just silver colored.” Willa had assured him the metal was safe for all kinds of weres. He laid it flat on his palm. “See? Nothing.”

  Relief filled Charlie’s eyes. “What is it?”

  “It’s an amulet that has magic built into it.”

  Charlie’s mouth fell open. “Real magic?”

  Hank nodded. “One hundred percent real.”

  “What kind of magic is it?”

  “The kind that’s going to help your wolf come out.” Willa had done a quick spell on the piece as she’d engraved the wolf, promising Hank it would rid Charlie of all his grandfather’s stifling, negative energy and open him up to his animal side. She swore that if Charlie had a wolf in him, this would set it free.

  Grave seriousness rounded Charlie’s eyes. “Really?” he whispered.

  Hank held it out. “You want to put it on?”

  “Yes,” Charlie said solemnly.

  Hank adjusted the cord and slipped it over the little boy’s head.

  Charlie kept his head down and his eyes on the pendant. He held it between his fingers. “I don’t feel any different.”

  “Not even a little bit?”

  Charlie shook his head, his gaze still firmly fixed to the amulet.

  “That’s okay. Let’s try something. You ready?”

  Charlie nodded with such sincerity that Hank’s heart ached for the kid. To be unable to shift in a family of shifters…he couldn’t imagine what that felt like. “Close your eyes and think about being a wolf. Picture one in your mind. Think about running as fast as you can through the woods. About how your muscles move when you jump over a fallen tree. About feeling the earth under your feet and the breeze ruffling your fur. Sniff the air. You are a wolf. How does that make you feel?”

  A smile appeared on Charlie’s face. “I want to howl.”

  “Howling is great. Focus on that. Imagine tipping your head back and letting out the biggest howl you can as the light of the full moon bathes you.”

  Charlie’s head fell back as if he was doing just that. His mouth opened a little.

  Hank swore the kid’s canines had grown.

  “Look at me, Charlie.”

  He opened his eyes.

  They were bright gold.

  By the time Ivy made it to the justice of the peace, she felt like she’d been overhauled from head to toe. Which she kind of had been.

  After Howler’s, Birdie had taken her to a salon, where Ivy had been swarmed by attendants. Her hair was curled and coifed, her toenails and fingernails polished, and her makeup done, a rare and wonderful treat.

  Then Birdie had bustled her home and helped her change into her wedding dress, veil and satin slippers. Hank’s aunt had sniffled through the whole thing in the most endearing way. Then she’d given Ivy a pair of diamond and sapphire earrings to borrow as her something blue.

  Ivy had sniffled a little bit too.

  In the end, the woman staring back at Ivy in the mirror was someone new.

  And Ivy was okay with that. This was, after all, a fresh start. A big one, but a good one. The last time she’d been this overwhelmed by change was the day Charlie was born, and he was the light of her life.

  Now she’d have two lights. Charlie and Hank.

  She couldn’t stop smiling as Birdie led her to a little room inside the courthouse. “You wait here. I’ll go make sure Hank is ready.”

  As Birdie sailed out, Ivy faced the window and took a deep breath. This was really happening. The door behind her opened and closed.

  “Is he ready?” She turned to see what Birdie had found out.

  She sucked in a breath. Hank and Charlie stood in front of her. “Hank! You’re not supposed to see me before the wedding.”

  “I couldn’t resist.” He shook his head, his eyes gleaming gold as he took her in. “You look…like I am a very lucky man.” He swallowed. “You’re beautiful.”

  He chucked Charlie on the shoulder. “Doesn’t your mom look pretty?”

  Cha
rlie nodded. He’d been staring at her the whole time. “You look like a princess.”

  She laughed. “I’ll take that.”

  Hank cleared his throat. “We did come in here for a reason. Charlie and I have a surprise for you.”

  “You do?”

  Hank nodded and reached back to lock the door before his proud attention was aimed at Charlie. “Show her, kiddo.”

  He stuck his hands in his pockets, making his tux pants pleat across the front. “What if I can’t do it again?” His voice came out in a loud, strained whisper.

  Hank tapped his bow tie, a gesture Ivy didn’t understand, but Charlie nodded.

  He looked up at her. “Watch, Mom. Watch what Hank taught me.”

  She nodded. “I’m watching.” She had no idea what he was about to do.

  He backed up to the farthest corner of the room, then adopted a very exaggerated runner’s pose before taking off toward the other corner. A few steps in, and he jumped into the air.

  And landed as a wolf.

  Ivy’s heart pounded. She flattened her hand to her chest and shook her head. Charlie made a handsome silver and black wolf. She couldn’t stop staring at him even as she spoke to Hank. “How is this possible?”

  Charlie wagged his tail and smiled at her, his tongue hanging out.

  Hank stuck his hands in his pockets. “After everything with your father, then talking to Charlie and spending time with him, I started to think his inability to shift had been brought on by other reasons. We…figured it out.”

  “I can’t believe it.” She went to her knees and wrapped her arms around the little wolf. “Oh, Charlie, I’m so proud of you, baby.”

  His tail wagged harder.

  She buried her face in his fur for a moment, then kissed his muzzle. She was crying, probably ruining her makeup, and didn’t care. There were no words for what Hank had done for her son.

  “Hey,” Hank said softly as he knelt beside her. “Don’t cry.”

  “I can’t help it. This is just so amazing.” She sniffed, laughing even as another tear trickled down her cheek. “I’ve never been much of a crier—living with Clemens has a way of beating that out of you—but being around you and your family has kind of changed all that. I’m so overwhelmed by everything you’ve done for us…” She hugged Charlie closer, oblivious to the formerly pristine state of her wedding dress. “I have no words.”