AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It means a lot. I’m glad you’ll be sticking around for the long run.”
Stephanie turned the van off the highway. The road narrowed, and the elevation rose quickly. There was still snow up here, like we were in the thick of winter. Perfect.
Cars were parked along the sides of the road, and Stephanie slowed the van, looking for a place to park. Marissa and I had decided to keep the ceremony small. Our lives had been on display for much longer than this episode. We wanted to start this new chapter full of love.
Soon, this would be the home of our bear village. My folks had decided to stay, at least for the winter months. Now that I didn’t have to worry about the lawsuit, I could use the money I’d put aside here and look at some property way up north in Canada.
Bibi had a plan to lure some more of my packmates, especially the single ones. Time would tell if it worked out.
“Damn, this looks great.” A path had been cleared, and benches had been placed on either side. Fuzzy white blankets had been draped over them, and lanterns hung from curved stakes at the end of each row. Everything faced the lake. The mountains were stunning at this time of the evening. The sun was beginning to sink. The sky would be the perfect mix of orange and smoky blue for our ceremony. Snow dusted the evergreens. A gazebo had been built on the water’s edge. The crew had decorated it with flowering vines, string lights, and fabric.
It would always be a reminder of this day. This episode. All the things I was able to achieve because I was brave enough to take a chance on Marissa Marlowe. The odds were impossible, but my bear would never steer me wrong.
I’d have to keep trusting him as we started this new chapter.
My mom, dad, and sister came up to me, offering hugs and congratulations. My nephews leg tackled me.
“I don’t want to upset you,” Mom said.
“Bernice,” Dad groaned. “Everything’s good. Don’t let her get you riled up.”
“What’s going on?”
Mom leaned in closer. She had a wool jacket over her dress and a corsage pinned to the lapel. My sister and I generated enough heat that we didn’t need to wear them, but my parents had aged since I’d been away. Something told me they’d be staying here more than they thought.
No complaints here.
“We haven’t seen Marissa yet,” Mom said. “Everyone else is here. People are starting to worry.”
“She’s with Bibi and Hannah. Getting ready is an all-day affair.” Barbara, my sister, laughed. She was all done up, with her hair curled and a dark blue dress. She hadn’t talked much about her mate, and I’d have to get some answers from her. “My glam squad appointment was first. There were some epic things happening—”
A van pulled up with Tina behind the wheel and Bibi in the front seat. They both gaped when they saw me.
Bibi climbed out of the van. She wore a white wig and a long red fur-trimmed cloak that sparkled in the setting sun with every movement.
“You’re not supposed to see your mate before the ceremony,” she scolded. “It’s bad luck. Although, after this episode, I can say with complete confidence that nothing will keep you from Marissa.”
ChapterThirty-Three
Marissa
I’d sat in the makeup chair more times than I could count. It didn’t intimidate me anymore—the lights, the mirrors, the hustle and bustle of the glam squad working their magic. But this wasn’t just anotherMating Gamesegment.
It was my mating ceremony.
“How are you feeling?” Bibi could hardly contain her excitement. Her eyes were sparkling with it, and she looked like a winter mountain nymph—if a nymph could be over six feet tall—with her white wig and her fur-trimmed cloak. She squeezed her hands together and beamed at me as she waited for her answer.
“I can’t believe this is really happening.”
Her red lips formed an O. “Don’t tell me you’re reconsidering.”
“No!” I laughed. “It’s just that if you told me at the beginning of the episode that I would pick Bjorn—”
“I think you always knew you would.”
“No. There were days before this episode I couldn’t even look at him without the urge to strangle him. But once I was up there, I couldn’t pick anyone else. I honestly meant to pick the other guy. But now I know my wolf wouldn’t let me. That’s still so weird to say.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.” Bibi put her hand over mine. I smiled at her before closing my eyes for Marjorie to work on my eyeshadow.
