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She tuned out Duke and Ree’s back-and-forth and concentrated on her gorgeous mate. “Can you believe it’s been a month?”
“The time has definitely gone by fast, but it’s been the best days of my life.”
“Mine, too.”
“Ready to go, you two?” Duke asked.
“Lead the way, Alpha,” Barron said.
An SUV was idling in front of the house, driven by Hemi. The bartender had a reputation for always having a bad attitude, but the few times she’d been to the bar to see Barron, she’d found him very friendly. His sister, Demi, was beautiful and so sweet, and no one messed with her because they were afraid of her brother.
“Hi, Hemi,” Mercy said as she scooted into the third row.
“Hey Merc. You guys look great.”
“Thanks,” Barron said.
When Ree and Duke were seated in the second row, Hemi drove them to the clearing in the center of the territory where parties and ceremonies were held. Mercy had helped set up the party earlier that day, enjoying working with the lions and getting to know them. She’d been worried that some of them might be angry because she’d inadvertently caused the loss of a family of lions due to their hatred of humans, but no one seemed to see her as anything but a pride member and Barron’s mate.
“Oh, it looks wonderful,” Ree said, peering out the window. “Merc, you guys did awesome.”
“It was fun,” she said. They’d spent several hours decorating tables with sunflowers and black-eyed Susans, the golden flower petals reminiscent of the color of lion’s eyes, and stringing twinkle lights in the surrounding trees. Now that the sun had set and the dark sky was filled with stars, it looked truly magical. The pride was milling around near a wooden stage that had been set up, and when Hemi pulled to a stop, a cheer rose from the group as Duke and Ree got out. Barron and Mercy exited the SUV and found Donnie in the crowd, standing with him as Byron and Davina called for quiet and began the ceremony.
“She looks like a queen up there,” Mercy whispered to Barron as she watched her sister and Duke take on the mantle of alpha male and female. She was utterly awestruck that her sister was now the co-leader of a shifter group. It was pretty damn cool. The pride cheered when Byron announced their new alpha male and female, and Mercy and Barron cheered the loudest, whistling and clapping.
After the celebratory noise settled, Duke read over the new and amended laws. The most important one was that anyone could mate anyone they wanted, no matter if that person was a lion shifter, human, or some other supernatural creature, and that couple would be welcomed into the pride with open arms.
“Now let’s eat!” Duke said. The pride whooped and cheered, and then made their way to the tables for the buffet meal. She and Barron sat with Donnie and waited for Duke and Ree to have first crack at the buffet before they filled their own plates.
“You stay, I’ll get yours,” Barron said, standing and giving Mercy a kiss on top of the head.
“Aw, thanks.”
“Are you totally unpacked?” Donnie asked.
“Mostly. I’ve got one box of kitchen stuff I have no place to put anywhere, and I’m waiting for him to finish installing some extra shelves in the pantry.”
Donnie reached his hand across the table and patted hers. “I’m so glad you two found each other. You’ve made my grandson very happy.”
“He makes me happy, too.”
Barron appeared balancing three plates, with a young lion following behind with drinks. “Thanks, Faulk,” Barron said to the boy.
The boy set the drinks down and smiled at Mercy before darting away to help someone else. Mercy’s plate was piled high with different foods.
“Thank you,” Mercy said. “You gave me so much food!”
“I’ll eat what you don’t,” Barron promised. “I got you extra mac and cheese on my plate, too, since you said you were craving it.”
“You’re the best mate ever,” she said.
“Damn straight.”
After the meal was finished, the tables were pushed to the side and a portable dance floor was laid on the ground. Speakers pumped out dance music, and Barron offered her his hand and drew her to her feet. “Can I have this dance?”
“Of course,” she said, walking with him to the floor, her heels clicking on the faux wood.
Although the music was fast, she and Barron danced slowly in one corner of the floor. “I have something to tell you,” she said, her hands trembling a little where they rested on his shoulders.
