AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She stood up on the step bar of my truck and poked her head in to give me a kiss. “I missed you,” she said.
“I missed you, too, sweetheart,” I said. “How are things going? People showing up yet?”
“Not quite,” she said. “But we told everyone to get here in about an hour, so I’m sure people will start trickling in. A lot of people show up just a little late because they don’t want to be the first ones to arrive at things like this.”
I nodded, looking out to the water as it reflected the evening’s lilac skies. We were fully in twilight now, and it wouldn’t be long before the skies darkened to night. The moon was already starting to show its face in the sky, and the stars would soon join it.
“I’m gonna go park. I hope you have things for us to do,” I teased.
“Not me, but I’m sure Farrah does,” she said with a wink. “She’s been keeping this whole day running like a well-oiled machine. Took care of everything from the lighting to the seating to figuring out the route for the run.”
“Sounds like her. You’re not getting swept away in it, are you?”
“No, not at all. She’s been great,” Marley said. “Mostly, she’s just unnervingly competent.”
“Yep, that sounds like her,” Travis chimed in.
Marley dropped off the side of the truck and went back to Lana. I pulled past them, going to park by Lana’s car.
Travis and I hopped out and started walking around to get a proper look at the place and what they’d set up while we were getting Noah situated and handling some last-minute business in New Middle Bluff. It looked pretty damn great. Marley had taken charge of organizing the look and feel of the event. I’d originally suggested something simple—plastic tables and chairs, a few pizzas. But Marley didn’t want it to be so spartan and had insisted on making it something people would remember. Not only because of Travis, but because it would be our first run together as a pack.
She’d arranged everything with comfort in mind, just like in Georgia. I spotted lots of cushioned seating around a fire pit that was waiting to be lit, while rental tables draped with fine tablecloths were stocked with plenty of fresh fruits and snacks. Tastefully rustic tin tubs filled to the brim with ice, beer, soda, water, and sparkling wine. There were antique-style lights strung across the space with gentle music already playing from a PA system, not too loud to disturb our hosts or the other locals. It was just so nice, so cozy. Very much like a scene you’d see at a family cookout, or maybe even a sweet little wedding reception.
I slipped my hand into my pocket, rubbing my thumb over the smooth velvet box, trying once again to keep calm. Marley was getting better at sensing my feelings, and it was getting tricky to keep secrets from her.
As I looked around, people started to show up. Rosie arrived first, followed by Paulette, who arrived with my sister. Ginger had her arm around Paulette’s shoulders and gave her a knowing smile before kissing her temple. She nodded hello to me, which was usually greeting enough between us. Jack arrived not long after and quickly took over minding Travis. They caught some B-roll for the documentary and recorded some of Travis’s final “non-shifter thoughts.”
More people arrived, some new faces I didn’t recognize along with a few other folks who had become fast friends. Even the owners of the property came out to have fun with us.
Once the moon was high in the sky and everyone was chatting, drinking, and generally having a good time, Marley slipped in next to me.
“Meter maid duty done for the night?” I asked, pulling her into my arms and swaying with her.
She wrapped her arms around my middle and looked up at me. “Meter maid?” she repeated with a sullen pout. “I prefer event coordinator, thank you very much.”
I chuckled. “My mistake. How about…event queen?”
“Ooh, a promotion! I love it.” She gave a cute little yawn.
“Tired?” I asked.
“Long day.”
I brushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, hopefully we’ll get some much-deserved time off after this. Feels like we’ve been going non-stop with the pack and Travis transitioning and…hell, everything.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” she said. “I feel like I barely get to hang out with Noah lately with how much I’ve been gone from the house. Every time I get home, he’s fast asleep.”
“Well, regardless of whether or not I get to have a break, you are definitely getting one. And some much-needed pup time.”
“Sounds heavenly,” she said. “Did you eat yet?”
My mouth quirked. “Nah, I’m not too hungry,” I said. “My appetite has been a little messed up lately.”
“Do you think it’s from nerves? I can feel how on edge you are in my gut,” she said. “Travis is almost out of the woods, and Sylvia said even if the final injection can be a little dramatic, it’s also the fastest one with the least complications. The doctor didn’t even bat an eye when she asked to administer the last dose.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I said, using the out she gave me to my advantage. “I probably won’t feel entirely right until it’s over and done with.”
Marley nodded. “Yeah, that’s fair. Well, it looks like things are starting to slow down. Should we maybe check in with Travis and see if he’s ready to get started?”
