by Cheree Alsop
“I now pronounce each of you husband and wife,” Kaynan concluded. “Alex, Tennison, you may kiss your brides.”
Alex pulled Siale to him. Feeling the softness of her lips against his with the realization that she would be at his side forever made him the happiest he had ever been in his life.
“I love you so much,” she whispered.
“I love you,” he replied, staring down into the soft gray gaze he would get to see for the rest of his life.
A baby cried.
“He wants you,” Grace said. She held the little boy with dark red eyes up to his father.
“Now, Jaze, don’t make such a fuss,” Kaynan chided; he then tickled the little boy until he giggled.
Meredith smiled at them happily from her seat on the front row. Little Vicki and William were contentedly playing with the blocks she had brought. William took the block Vicki was trying to eat and stacked it on top of his tower.
“Uncle Alex, look!” the boy exclaimed.
“That’s wonderful!” Alex told him.
Vicki knocked the tower over. For a moment, William looked like he wanted to cry; then the same determination Alex recognized from William’s father came over him. He quietly picked up the blocks again.
“Now Vicki, please wait until I tell you next time,” he told her patiently.
Alex and Cassie passed Brock and Jennifer sampling the cheese and cracker appetizers Alex had picked out specifically for them.
“Did you hear about the explosion in the French cheese factory?” Jennifer asked her boyfriend.
Brock grinned. “I’ll bet all that was left was de Brie!”
They both laughed.
“I don’t get that,” Siale said.
Alex smiled at his wife. “Me, neither. We should leave it that way.”
She laughed her musical laugh and he kissed her on the nose.
Trent and Jordan caught up to them.
“Look how cute!” Jordan exclaimed.
Alex followed her gaze to where Gem and Dray played with their little girl. Jordan and Siale hurried over to talk to the couple. Colleen stood nearby with Rafe behind her. He had his arms wrapped around her sides with his hands resting on her large belly.
“Any day now,” Colleen told Gem.
“Our kids will have so much fun together,” Gem replied happily.
“Thank you again, Alex,” Lyra said, smiling up at him with Mouse at her side. “I can’t believe it.”
“Please believe it,” he told them. “You’ve done so much, all of you. It’s the best way I could think of to thank you all.” He winked at Mouse. “And the best way to ensure that you all stick around.”
Mouse grinned. “I don’t know if you needed to go as far as a private werewolf neighborhood, but I’ll take picket fences over Extremists any day. At least with the privacy, the kids will have somewhere safe to be on full moons.”
“We don’t have to worry anymore,” Lyra said. “We’re safe, remember?”
Mouse grinned at his wife. “Old habits die hard, sweetheart. It can’t hurt to be safe.”
Trent and Alex wandered the grounds where the ceremony had been. The structure felt new and old at the same time. Bricks from the Academy had been carried a long distance to help with the foundation.
Alex paused at his favorite overlook. The ocean rushed in and out below, sending spray up over the rocks in an arch that captured the daylight in a rainbow. He couldn’t wait to go surfing later that afternoon. Jerry, Brooks, and the others were already preparing for the barbecue on the beach. Alex had no doubt it would also involve a game of football.
Alex took a deep breath of the sea air. “So much for the Werewolf Academy,” he said with a slight feeling of loss.
Trent shook his head. “Who needs an Academy?” He waved an arm to indicate the building behind them.
Alex turned around to see the great black wolf statue that stood in the courtyard of the beautiful building. Sunlight caught on the silver seven on the wolf’s shoulder.
Trent smiled. “We don’t need a Werewolf Academy. We have a Werewolf University!”
About the Author
Cheree Alsop has published 30 books, including two series through Stonehouse Ink. She is the mother of a beautiful, talented daughter and amazing twin sons who fill every day with joy and laughter. She is married to her best friend, Michael, the light of her life and her soulmate who shares her dreams and inspires her by reading the first drafts and giving much appreciated critiques. Cheree works as an independent author and mother, which is more play than work! She enjoys reading, traveling to tropical beaches, spending time with her children, and going on family adventures while planning her next book.
Cheree and Michael live in Utah where they rock out, enjoy the outdoors, and never stop dreaming.
You can find Cheree’s other books at www.chereealsop.com
If you liked this book, please review it so other readers will be able to find it. To be added to Cheree’s email list for notification of book releases, please send her an email at [email protected]