by Cali MacKay
“How can you still want to marry me after what I did? I’ve killed three men, Greyson. And you know your pack will be furious with you for marrying me if they find out what I am or what I did.” She shook her head no. “You can’t do this—especially not when you should be alpha of your pack.”
“Fucking hell, Juno—you’d drive a man to drink. Do you know that?” He slammed his fist on the nearby coffee table with a growl. “I have no intention of being alpha, and even if I did, there’s no fucking way I’m letting someone else dictate who I’ll be getting married to. We are getting married, and don’t go thinking you have a choice in the matter.”
“Well, I’m glad I get a say in all this—especially since you don’t like someone else dictating who you’ll marry.” She threw her hands up in frustration and got up to pace, her stubborn streak clearly setting in, as he ignored the irony of it all.
“You don’t.” He got to his feet and stepped in her path, far too annoyed and pissed off to sit still. “This isn’t some fucking church wedding where they’ll ask you if you want to get married or if anyone objects. You’re in pack territory, with pack rules and pack traditions. You don’t get a say in any of this if I say we’re getting married. So wrap your head around it, sweetheart, because it’s happening. Tonight.”
“How is any of that sane in this day and age?” With her hands on her hips, she glared at him. “You can’t just force me to marry you. And don’t you get it? I’m refusing to marry you for your own good. It’d be one thing if I was simply trying to save my ass—which is exactly what I was doing when I agreed to marrying you before. But now…I care about you, Greyson…and the last thing I want is to ruin your life.”
He swore, she was making him crazy—though at least she’d said she cared about him. Cupping the back of her neck, he pulled her close, and lowered his head to hers. “The only thing that could ruin my life is losing you. So if you think I’m going to let you walk away from what’s between us so you can get yourself mauled, you can fucking guess again. I’d prefer you marry me of your own free will—but I don’t have much of a problem with the alternative.”
***
Just as he’d promised, Greyson got the pack assembled for their wedding, even if Juno looked ready to curse him to a thousand hells for all of eternity. He wasn’t trying to be an asshole, but he’d fucking had it with her flip-flopping, and it was the only way to keep her safe. So she could be pissed off at him all she wanted. It didn’t matter, as long as their wedding kept her from harm and put her in his bed.
With everyone assembling for the ceremony at the pack lodge, Greyson could sense her growing nerves as the room filled with shifters. And though she was still clearly angry with him, she didn’t shrug away from him when he pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
There was a decent turnout, given the short notice. People tilted their heads and smiled in acknowledgment of his return to the area and his upcoming marriage, although they kept a respectful distance, given how nervous Juno was.
Yet this was a wedding, so some of the women of the pack finally approached, with his childhood friend, Charlotte, taking the lead. “How about we get you prettied up for the event? You probably weren’t expecting to get married, but Greyson found his mother’s wedding dress, and we also dug through our closets for a few things that might be suitable for you to wear for the occasion. I’m sure we can find something that will work, if you’d like us to help you get ready.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Juno managed a smile at the girls and then started to go with a glare in Greyson’s direction.
But before she got too far, Greyson grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him for a kiss, her lips warm and soft against his, even if there was fire in her eyes. “I can’t wait, June bug.”
He then watched her go, surrounded by a half-dozen women he’d known his entire life, when he spotted Ryder’s familiar form making his way through the crowd. “Is everything all set?”
“We’ve got patrols watching the borderlands. If the Black Ridge clan moves into our territory, we’ll know about it.” Ryder tilted his head in the direction Juno had headed off in. “Is she still pissed off at you?”
Greyson shook his head with a resigned laugh. “Like a hellcat trapped in a bag.”
“Well, that should make for an interesting wedding night, at least.”
Chapter Five
Riding a wave of emotions, Juno felt like she was going to throw up, even as she took a huge gulp of the whiskey Charlotte handed her. Looking in the mirror, she swore she didn’t even recognize herself as she stood there in the gown Greyson’s mother had worn on her wedding day.
It was a beautiful pale pink gown of flowing silk chiffon with white lace flowers over the top of it. Nothing over-the-top, but gorgeous nonetheless in its ethereal elegance. The neckline plunged into a deep V but was balanced with enough lace at her shoulders, and though the waist was cinched in, the light and airy fabric simply flowed over her hips without being too full nor too tight.
“I don’t think I can do this.” Juno was trying not to panic and failing miserably—and she was still pissed off and frustrated that she had no choice whatsoever.
She’d always thought that when she got married, she’d be deliriously happy, and it’d be to someone she was head over heels, crazy in love with. Most importantly, she’d have her family there with her. Her dad and mom would walk her down the aisle, and her sister would be her maid of honor.
Instead, she was getting married to someone she still barely knew, and though she certainly liked Greyson and was developing real feelings for him, it pissed her off to no end that she was being railroaded into this marriage. She swore he must not understand the consequences of marrying her, especially when she was responsible for the death of three men. And she may have killed them in self-defense, but it would still rain a world of trouble on him, when there was a good chance he’d eventually be alpha of his pack, even if he liked to argue otherwise. She’d seen the respect and reverence the other pack members showed him, and though she might not know a whole lot, to her it felt like his pack viewed him as the next alpha.
Charlotte and her sister, Jules, gave her sympathetic looks, as their friend, Willow, did her best to calm her down. “I’ve known Greyson all my life—we all have—and believe me when I tell you, you couldn’t ask for a better mate. And talk about hitting the jackpot—he’s sexy, smart, and could be alpha if he wanted it. There isn’t a woman in this town who didn’t hope at one time or another that she’d be the one to get mated to him.”
“I met him for the first time just days ago. Days that can be counted on a single hand. And now I’m getting married to him. Don’t get me wrong…I know he’s an amazing guy. But I wasn’t exactly given a whole lot of choice when it comes to this marriage—and this is the twenty-first century. I’m supposed to meet someone, date awhile, fall in love...” She was freaking out. She knew that. But she might as well get it out of her system now, behind closed doors, instead of losing it in front of everyone when they were expecting her to say her vows.
“Honey…those bears want blood. We get that you’re scared, but trust us…it could be a whole lot worse. You’re ending up with a great man.” Charlotte gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “So…what do you say we get you married? You look absolutely stunning, and you’ll knock him on his ass.”
“It’s not like I have much of a choice.” Juno took the bouquet of wild flowers they handed her and somehow managed a smile. “I’m sorry if I seem ungrateful. I honestly appreciate Greyson doing this to keep me safe. I’m just trying to wrap my head around it all. And I can’t thank all of you enough for everything you’ve done tonight.”
Charlotte’s kind smile lit up her gold eyes. “In just a few minutes, you’ll be part of the pack. We’re here for you if you need anything at all.”
Cullen was waiting for her when she exited the room where she’d been getting ready. “You look beautiful, darling. I don’
t suppose I could have the honor of walking you down the aisle? I know it should be your father, but given the circumstances…”
“I’d like nothing more.” She slipped her hand around his offered arm as the crowd immediately parted for them. A quiet fell on the room as they walked down the aisle of parted people, and there…directly ahead of her…was Greyson, in a crisp white shirt, dark jeans, and a jacket, looking heart-stoppingly gorgeous as he locked eyes with hers.
She couldn’t believe she was actually doing this. But her frustration and anger turned to nervous fear as she took one step after the other toward the man she was about to marry. Cullen kissed her cheek and gave her a comforting smile as he took her hand and gave it to Greyson.
She was panicking, even as Greyson tried to reassure her, leaning in and whispering in her ear, his breath a warm tickle on her skin. “It’ll be okay, love… You look beautiful.”
She couldn’t even find the words to thank him for his compliment, as her nerves sent her whole body shaking. She was freaking out on the inside, but this was happening whether she wanted it to or not, so she better buck up, and deal with it. She’d dealt with far worse, and if Greyson wanted to marry her and the consequences be damned, then at the very least, he wouldn’t be able to say she didn’t warn him.
Before she could fret any further, they turned to face Cullen, who, it turned out, was also the one marrying them. He spoke a few words about marriage and the pack, though Juno barely heard any of it past the pounding of her heart.
Handing her bouquet over to Charlotte, who luckily was close by, Juno turned back to Greyson, who took both her hands in his, his gaze intense, forcing her to focus on him. And just like that, her heart slowed just enough that she could hear his words over her deafening pulse.
“Juno, I pledge to you my love and my protection, for you already have my heart and my soul. I’ll lay down my life to keep you from harm, for I am yours just as you are mine, in this lifetime and all those to come.” Turning to Ryder, Greyson took a ring and slipped it onto her finger.
Fucking hell…she couldn’t believe she was doing this. Taking a deep breath, she did her best to come up with something that resembled his vows, since the chances of repeating his word for word were slim to none, and wouldn’t suit her situation anyway. “Greyson, I pledge you my honesty and my love, even if it’s still new and fragile. I worry that by marrying me, you’ve only made your life more dangerous, but you have my word that I’d lay down my life to keep you from harm, for I am yours just as you’re mine, in this lifetime and all those to follow.”
Ryder offered her the ring, which she took and slipped onto Greyson’s finger.
“Now to seal your vows in blood.” Cullen gave them both a smile and then pulled out a sharp blade. “Your hands.”
Her eyes went wide as she started to panic once more with the uncertainty of what was to come, but Greyson made a reassuring sound, nodding to her as he held her palm out to Cullen. Cullen ran the sharp blade ever so lightly over her palm, just enough to draw forth a stinging line of red blood. He then repeated it with Greyson’s palm before their hands were pressed together in a joining of body and blood.
“I pronounce you husband and wife, and would also like to welcome you, Juno, into our pack. You may now seal this union with a kiss.”
With their hands still linked, Greyson cupped her face with his free hand and covered her mouth in a hungry kiss as the assembled crowd cheered and her heart hammered away, still freaking out on the inside.
Had she really just gotten married?
With his head still bent to hers, Greyson pressed his lips to her forehead. “Don’t look so panicked, love. I promise to do right by you.”
“I know you will.” And it was the truth. Greyson was an honorable guy, but she still had issues with being forced to get married, even if her life depended on it and he’d threatened to marry her with or without her consent. “But…I swear, Greyson, I don’t think you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into.”
“I like trouble, June bug…and you’re well worth any trouble that gets sent our way. So if you think I’m going to regret marrying you, you can guess again.” He claimed her mouth in a kiss that left her head spinning and her body more than willing to comply with whatever it was he wanted. “You’re mine, just as I’m yours. And whatever comes our way, we’ll face it together.”
All she could do was nod, and hope he didn’t end up hating her.
Kiernan approached them. Even though he hadn’t been Greyson’s best man, he’d also been close by, clearly showing his support of the marriage to the rest of the pack. He gave Greyson a hearty hug, before giving Juno one that was far more gentle, a genuine smile gracing his face and lighting his blue eyes from within. “My sincerest congratulations on your wedding. Juno, welcome to the pack, and more importantly, to our family.”
She wasn’t sure what sort of problems had existed between Greyson and Kiernan in the past, but she was happy to see that, whatever it was, they’d set it aside—at least for now.
Once he’d gone, Greyson leaned in and kissed her cheek, his words but a whisper. “Well, he couldn’t be happier.”
She immediately understood why, not needing Greyson to explain that his marriage to her—to a duine—was essentially a strike against him if he wanted to be alpha, making it all the more likely that Greyson wouldn’t challenge Kiernan for head of the pack. “You should have found someone from the pack to marry. I’m sorry I’ve ruined your chance for being alpha.”
“I’m married to the only person I’d ever want to be married to, June bug.” He said it with such conviction, she couldn’t help but fall in love with him just a little more.
Of course, no wedding would be complete without a feast—and this was no different, except that it truly was sumptuous and generous. Good thing too, given that shifters seemed to have a ravenous appetite—not that there was a single salad to be seen. But for Juno, the best part of the festivities was the massive bonfire, which seemed to soothe her jagged nerves.
Everyone ate and drank, and milled about the fire, as one pack member after the other came by to congratulate them on their wedding and welcome her to the pack. With each pack member, Greyson gave her a quick rundown, no more than a whisper in her ear, his body teasingly brushing against hers as he leaned in.
What Juno found most interesting was the amount of respect each pack member showed Greyson. She hadn’t given the pack hierarchy much thought, but it was clearly visible, even if some of the shifters seemed uncertain about her, no doubt because she was an outsider and a duine at that.
“Congratulations to the two of you.” The shifter standing before them gave a bow of his head as Greyson introduced her to his uncle, Maxwell Tollund. “I do hope this means that you’ll be staying in Wild Creek now that you’re married, Greyson. Maybe start a family—and think about becoming alpha of the pack.”
Bloody hell, they already had her popping out a litter of pups.
“You know there are others who are up for the position, though I appreciate your support.” There was now an underlying tension in Greyson that had Juno reaching over to link her hand with his, despite the sting on her palm and her earlier frustrations with him. They were now a team, and had to be there for each other, even if there might be times when they were at odds.
“That may very well be the case, but you’re family—and it’s what your mother and father would have wanted.” He gave Greyson a shake of his head, clearly frustrated. “And you know I’m not the only one who wants you to step up as alpha.”
“That may very well be the case, but I’d prefer to focus my attention on other things at the moment.” Greyson ignored his uncle’s mumbled complaints, and waited for him to wander away, before bringing her hand to his lips, and kissing the cut on her palm. “How are you holding up, love?”
“Better than I’d expected, I suppose.” And it was true. Because with her marriage to Greyson over and done with—and no longer up for debate
—she not only felt safer, but she also felt bonded to him in a way she hadn’t expected. Speaking those vows, and knowing that he was now her husband, changed something, not just between them, but how she felt about him. She might still be frustrated, but something deep inside her now felt connected to him in a way she hadn’t anticipated.
“Juno…I know this hasn’t been easy on you—and I know you’re angry with me for forcing you into this. But I swear, you’re my everything.” As they stood there by the glow and heat of the bonfire, Greyson wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
His words had the remainder of her anger and frustration melting away as she held onto him. “I’m not angry. At least, not anymore, though I am worried that I’ve irreparably screwed up your life.”
“You’ve done nothing of the sort. If anything, you’ve finally given me direction and purpose.” As if to make his point, he tilted her chin up and stole a kiss, his lips warm and demanding on hers. Her body immediately reacted to his touch as if already recognizing him as her lover, and the mere thought of him now sent a primal hunger surging through her core. “I’m desperate to get you back home, June bug. Do you think anyone would notice if we were to sneak out of here?”
“Do you really think they won’t?” Yet before they could debate their escape any further, a hush fell over the crowd, and she swore she could hear a rumble of growls as a huge man approached them.
Greyson immediately tucked her behind him and shifted to face him, even as Ryder, Kiernan, and Cullen closed ranks to protect her. “Sawyer…what the fuck are you doing here?”
Sawyer…one of the bears.
Chapter Six
Greyson’s adrenaline coursed through his veins, stoking the energy he’d need for a quick shift. It was a ballsy move for Sawyer to walk into a pack of wolves—and furthermore, Greyson wanted to know what the fuck had happened with the wolves who were supposed to be guarding their borders.