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  Chloe ground her teeth together when she felt tears spring to her eyes. She hated crying in front of Michael. “No, we can’t wait for Ramsey.”

  Michael noticed the unshed tears. “What’s wrong, Chloe?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. But I won’t be waiting on Ramsey to come home. I moved out. I went to Gabriel yesterday and told him to pick a mate for me. He chose you.”

  Michael didn’t know what had happened, but he knew Chloe wouldn’t have moved out without a reason. He wanted to comfort her, but wasn’t sure she would let him. “I’m sorry, Chloe. And I’m sorry you’re stuck with me. If you’d like, I can talk to Gabriel. It’s not too late for him to select a different mate for you.”

  She shook her head. This was a side of Michael she hadn’t seen before, and she was pleasantly surprised. “It’s fine, Michael. You wanted another chance and now you have it.”

  “Chloe, I promise to take care of you and the baby.”

  Before Chloe could respond, Cassie and Kiera came bustling out of the flower shop. The two were grinning from ear to ear when they saw Michael sitting with Chloe.

  “Well, look, the groom decided to show up,” Kiera teased.

  “I just thought I’d check on Chloe,” he said, standing.

  “What? Leaving already? We thought we’d grab a late lunch. Surely you’re going to join us,” Cassie said.

  Michael shook his head. “I have a stop to make, and then I’m going to head to work. Gabriel called and said he’s short-handed today.”

  “Better not keep him waiting then. I don’t want a grumpy alpha on my hands later,” Kiera said.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Michael told Chloe.

  She nodded and gave him a hesitant smile. She wanted to be happy about her upcoming wedding day, but truthfully, she was far too nervous. There was a time in the very recent past that she had dreamt of a life with Michael, could almost picture their wedding. Now that her dream was within her grasp, she wasn’t sure that’s what she wanted. Too many things had happened since then. If only she could be certain…

  Chapter Nineteen

  Friday morning came all too soon. Chloe lay in bed crying. She was scared of what her future was going to bring, and she was heartbroken over what it wouldn’t hold – Ramsey. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t think of him anymore, but she couldn’t help herself. Wrapping her robe tightly around her body to ward off the chill of the October morning air, she decided to go over to the main house one last time. She wanted to leave him a note and at least explain why she had left.

  Grabbing her keys, she carefully made her way down the stairs. She walked across the driveway and entered through the kitchen door. Once inside the warm house, she pulled out a notepad and pen from the kitchen drawer and sat down at the counter to write her note.

  Ramsey,

  I feel that I at least owe you an explanation. I can’t begin to tell you how much it hurt when you said you were pretending to be someone’s mate. I would have given anything to be your mate, to be the one person who meant everything to you. Yet, you left me here to play make-believe with someone else. I know you say it was an emergency, but you left with no further explanation. What was I supposed to think, especially after all of Sabrina’s calls?

  I was hurt and angry so I moved my things back over to the apartment. Part of me was hoping you would come over and talk to me… that obviously didn’t happen. I just figured you hadn’t bothered to come home. But I went to see Gabriel the next morning. When I found out you’d been home and hadn’t come to see me, hadn’t left me a note or anything, I felt like I’d been ripped in two and I went numb all at the same time. That’s when I made my decision.

  Maybe someday you can forgive me. It seemed like the best way. You’re free now to find your mate, or run off to wherever you want whenever you want. I told Gabriel to choose a mate for me. By the time you read this, I’ll already be married. I was rather stunned when he chose Michael – but perhaps I shouldn’t have been. I’m scared. But I made a choice and now I have to live with the consequences of that choice.

  I love you, Ramsey. I only wish that you had loved me in return. I’m leaving your key with this letter. I’ll leave the apartment keys with Kiera once I move out my things.

  Thank you for everything.

  Love,

  Chloe

  She read the letter and re-read it. Satisfied that she’d said all she had to say, she folded the paper and sat the key on top. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she walked back over to the side door. Locking the knob, she closed the door behind her for the last time.

  Back in her apartment, she got ready to face the day – her biggest day ever. Cassie and Kiera were going to help her with her wedding dress and style her hair, but she still wanted to shower and do as much as she could at home.

  When she was dressed and ready to go, she packed a small overnight bag. Cassie had said she and Matt had a surprise for her and she’d need a nightgown and two changes of clothes.

  Chloe started to leave when she realized she didn’t have a way to get to Kiera’s. Opening her purse, she pulled out her cell phone and called Gabriel. He made her promise to stay put until someone arrived.

  ***

  At the Victorian, everything was in order. The cake had been delivered, the flowers were in vases, and the dress was hanging up in the spare room. The only thing missing were the bride and groom.

  Chloe arrived first, thanks to Lucas. The young werewolf was only too happy to help. If he seemed confused as to why she was marrying Michael instead of Ramsey, he didn’t say anything.

  As she walked into the front entry of the Victorian, butterflies fluttered through her stomach. She couldn’t remember being more nervous. Kiera and Cassie greeted her with smiles. Even Marin, Cole’s wife, was present. She hadn’t had a chance to get to know her future sister-in-law, but the woman seemed pleasant enough.

  As the three women bustled her up the stairs and into the spare room, Chloe quelled the urge to run. Her eyes settled on her wedding gown and tears sprang to her eyes. It was a beautiful gown. She only wished that she were wearing it on a happier occasion. Weddings were supposed to be happy, memorable times. For Chloe, it was simply an event that had to occur. Michael seemed to truly want to marry her, but he didn’t love her, and that’s the one thing she wanted most.

  “Are you okay?” Kiera asked softly, placing a comforting hand on her arm.

  Chloe nodded. “I will be.”

  “Are you sure about this? It isn’t too late to change your mind.”

  “Yes, it is,” Chloe replied.

  Kiera hugged her. “If you’re sure you want to go through with this, then I’ll stand behind you

  one hundred percent. I just don’t want you to have any regrets.”

  “I’m sure, Kiera. And thank you… your friendship has meant a lot to me. It’s been a long time since I’ve had someone in my life I could count on.”

  “Well, let’s get you ready for your wedding,” Kiera said with a smile. She nodded for Cassie and Marin to come over and join them.

  The women helped her into her dress, an off-white raw silk gown with a long skirt that fell to her ankles. It had a lavender velvet sash that tied under the bust and embroidered lavender flowers along the hem. Chloe had fallen in love with it the moment she’d laid eyes on it.

  She pulled on knee highs and a pair of low lavender heels. Next, the ladies helped her with make-up and hair. Her long red locks were piled on top of her head in a knot with tendrils hanging around her face in curls and a few strands curling down her back.

  “Michael is going to fall in love with you if he isn’t already,” Cassie said with a smile.

  “I’m not naïve enough to ask for his love,” Chloe said quietly. “I’ll be satisfied if he’s faithful.”

  The women looked at one another, but didn’t say anything. They knew the only way Michael would ever be faithful to a woman was if he loved her. While it was true that a werewol
f was always faithful to his mate, they weren’t quite sure what to expect when it came to Michael.

  “We’ll come and get you in a few minutes,” Kiera said as she ushered the women out of the room.

  Chloe smiled her thanks before she turned back to the mirror. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. The woman standing before her looked like a bride should, but she didn’t feel like a bride should. She should be glowing, anxious to walk down the aisle to the man who loved her, the man who’d asked for her hand in marriage. Instead, she was marrying someone who’d been told they had to marry her. Regardless of what Gabriel said, how could she ever be certain that Michael truly wanted her?

  ***

  In the hall, Cassie gave Kiera and Marin a worried look. “I never dabble with love spells, but I think I’m willing to try this one time.”

  Kiera gave her a reassuring smile. “I don’t think it will come to that.”

  “I don’t know, Kiera. I know Michael was hung up on her back when he saved me, but look at how many women he’s gone through since then,” Marin added.

  Cassie gave them a worried look. “I’m not going to stand by and watch him make her miserable. Besides,” she said with a sheepish look, “I already interfered a bit.”

  “What did you do, Cassie?” Kiera asked.

  “More like what did Matt do,” Cassie said.

  “Spill it,” Kiera said.

  “Matt and I decided to buy them a honeymoon package. He used the power of the ring to enchant the place last night,” Cassie mumbled. “The moment they walk into the bedroom, they should both start feeling the effects of the spell.”

  “Cassie!” Kiera exclaimed. “I can’t believe the two of you did that. You know that Gabriel is going to be furious when he finds out.”

  “Except that he won’t find out,” Marin said. “You saw the look on Chloe’s face. She’s not expecting much from this marriage. If what Matt and Cassie did can change that, I say let them try.”

  “But it’s wrong!” Kiera reminded them.

  “Maybe it is and maybe it isn’t,” Marin said.

  “I wouldn’t have interfered, but I couldn’t stand to see her so miserable. She looks like a lamb about to be slaughtered,” Cassie said. “I know Michael isn’t a bad guy, but he isn’t exactly helping the situation either.”

  Kiera sighed. “You aren’t wrong there.” She shook her head. “I guess you two are right. In this one instance, I won’t tell Gabriel.”

  Cassie and Marin threw their arms around her and squealed in delight.

  “Thanks, Kiera! You won’t regret it!” Cassie said. “Well, at least I hope you won’t. For all I know, the spell won’t work.”

  “Let’s hope it does. That poor woman deserves a little happiness. I had hopes that Ramsey would be able to give that to her,” Kiera said.

  “I think he did,” Marin said. “At least, for a little while… I don’t know what happened to change that, but she did seem happy at the party.”

  Kiera nodded. “When Ramsey left for Colorado she found out he was pretending to be mated to someone.”

  Marin gasped, her eyes wide in shock. “But that’s…. that’s…”

  “Unheard of, I know,” Kiera said. “I have no idea why he agreed to do it. All I know is that Chloe found out, and she was beyond hurt. So she moved her things back out of the house. Next thing I knew, she’d asked Gabriel to find a mate for her. It was so sudden that I don’t think she really had time to think it through.”

  “That poor thing,” Marin murmured. “She really has had it rough. I can’t imagine what I

  would’ve done without Cole. He’s so wonderful to me.”

  Kiera nodded. “Same for me with Gabriel. I wanted him the minute I saw him. And I guess Chloe wanted Michael when she first saw him, too, but then he turned into his usual charming self and ran out on her. He has some major bridges to mend.”

  “Maybe they can work things out. Since she’s carrying his baby, maybe they really are destined to be together,” Cassie said.

  “We can only hope,” Kiera murmured.

  If Ramsey would just stay away until the wedding was over. His showing up in the middle of the ceremony would mean all hell breaking loose. She had no doubt that he cared for Chloe. What he was up to in Colorado, she had no clue. If he’d had any sense, he would’ve talked to Chloe more about what was going on instead of keeping her in the dark. Now he was going to pay for his folly.

  ***

  Chloe walked down the makeshift aisle in the back yard toward her groom – her mate. When she reached his side, she placed a shaky hand in his and gave him a hesitant smile. Focusing her attention on the minister, she tried to clear her mind. She pushed aside every doubt that had wormed its way inside ever since she’d agreed to marry Michael.

  Before she knew it, she was saying “I do.” When the minister told Michael he could kiss his bride, she lifted her eyes to his. She was surprised to see him looking down at her with desire.

  He gently cupped her face in his hands and lowered his lips to hers. When she felt his lips against hers, she was surprised to feel the spark she’d felt the first time he’d kissed her. As if acting of their own accord, her lips opened under his, inviting him to have a deeper taste.

  They broke apart as the crowd cheered the new Mr. and Mrs. Michael Andrews. Chloe blushed and cast her eyes down, not quite able to look Michael in the eye. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know what he was thinking or feeling after the kiss.

  Arm in arm, they greeted their guests.

  Chapter Twenty

  Michael walked up behind his wife and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Are you ready for your surprise?” he asked.

  She looked up at him. “Surprise?”

  He nodded. “I wanted to get you something.”

  “But I didn’t get anything for you,” she said, feeling embarrassed.

  He gently rubbed her stomach, “Yes, you did.”

  “That isn’t exactly something I got you.”

  He grinned. “Maybe not, but it’s a nice present just the same. Come on, I want you to see your surprise.”

  Taking her hand, he led her around to the front of the house. When they were standing in the front yard, Chloe looked around in confusion.

  “What exactly am I looking for?” she asked.

  Michael pointed to the end of the driveway. “The gray hatchback.”

  Chloe gasped when she saw a new four door hatchback parked at the very end of the driveway. She’d looked at a similar car before she’d lost her job. “Michael, I don’t know what to say.”

  “Just tell me you like it. If you don’t, the guy said we could bring it back, and you could get something else.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want to take it back. It’s perfect.”

  “I know you were having trouble getting in and out of my car and I figured you needed something of your own to drive,” he said.

  She wrapped her arms around him and looked up at him. She was surprised he’d noticed her difficulty with his car, and touched by his gift. “It’s a wonderful present. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I thought we could drive it to our other present if you’d like.”

  “You mean our present from Matt and Cassie?” she asked.

  “Yeah. I heard we had a honeymoon package from them,” he said softly. “Listen, Chloe, if you don’t want to go…”

  She placed her fingers over his lips. “I think we should go. If we’re going to make this work, we need to have a real marriage Michael.”

  He held her hand and kissed her fingertips. “I didn’t want you to feel pressured.”

  “I don’t feel pressured. Honestly, I don’t know what I feel.” She paused. “Mostly, I’ve just felt

  numb. I won’t lie to you. Ramsey hurt me. You hurt me. I’ve wanted to dig a hole and hide in it for a century or so until the pain went away, but that won’t solve anything.”

  Michael wrapped his arms around her and held
her close. He wished he could undo all of the pain he had caused her, but he knew that wasn’t possible.

  “I know you want to make a fresh start, but that isn’t possible. All I can promise is that I’ll be faithful to you. I’ll be the best wife I know to be,” Chloe said. “I know I’ll make mistakes along the way. I just hope you can be patient with me.”

  Michael gently brushed a curl away from her cheek. “Chloe, you don’t have anything to worry about. Just be yourself. That’s all I can ask of you.”

  She smiled at him and hesitantly caressed his cheek. Going up on tiptoe, she lightly brushed her lips against his. It was the first time she’d kissed him voluntarily in a long while. The moment their lips touched, Chloe felt the same spark she’d felt when Michael kissed her during the ceremony. Leaning into him, she traced his lower lip with her tongue, wanting to taste him. She hadn’t lied to him, the best thing they could do was attempt to have a real marriage, despite its unusual beginning.

  Michael pulled back and looked down at her with passion blazing in his eyes. “If you don’t stop, you’ll get more than you bargained for.”

  “Michael, I…”

  He shook his head. “I want you too much right now, Chloe.”

  She blushed and felt oddly pleased. “I should go and change if we’re going to use Matt and Cassie’s gift tonight.”

  Michael nodded. “Did you want to drive your new car?”

  “I want to take the new car, but I think you better drive us there. I’m feeling a little tired and should probably take a nap.”

  Michael brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek. “Are you sure you’re up for a car ride? We can tell Matt and Cassie that we’d rather take a rain check.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’m in my third trimester now.”

  He gave her an odd look.

  “It means I need more sleep. I usually get a nap in twice a day. All of the excitement today has worn me out.”