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Christie scoffed. “Oh, please. You and that hunter are probably the inside contacts for the hunting faction. You will turn on us the moment more hunters arrive.” Her words were met with whispers of agreement from the crowd.
I rubbed at my temple, frustration mounting. “You couldn’t be further from the truth. Every shifter who has crossed Ridge’s path has experienced his loyalty and compassion firsthand. He’sworking tirelessly to build a sanctuary where all shifters can be safe.” I shook my head at the Greenthornes. “Rather than support him, you choose to undermine his efforts with lies and incite doubt.”
The shifters’ eyes darted back and forth between me and the Greenthornes, trying to determine whose words were the most trustworthy. I could sense their fear, see the doubt in their eyes, but I knew, given time, they would see Ridge for who he truly was—a fiercely protective and selfless alpha dedicated to his pack and their welfare.
That is, if the Greenthornes didn’t succeed in sowing doubt among them.
My heart pounded as I stared the couple down, daring them to challenge me further. But before I could say another word, a muscular arm snaked around my waist, pulling me back slightly.
Brett Longtail had swooped in like some sort of savior, his scent overpowering my senses.
“Everyone, listen up,” he announced, commanding attention. “Tori has my complete trust, and I know she would never betray her pack or her mate. She has the Ontario Pack’s stamp of approval. We all trust her completely.”
I squirmed against his grip, but he only tightened it, keeping me close. My annoyance flared, and with a forceful shove, I pushed his arm away from me. I refused to be held by anyone other than Ridge.
“Thanks for the support, Brett,” I said through gritted teeth. But Brett was too busy buttering up the Greenthornes, inviting them to dinner and getting the group to disperse.
I watched the shifters leave, their curiosity satisfied for now. The last thing we needed was humans wondering what was happening and inadvertently getting involved in our affairs. The Greenthornes were causing enough trouble as it was.
Once it was just Brett and me, I whirled on him. “You didn’t have to be so over-the-top, you know. And the next time you touch me without permission will be the last time you touch anyone for a long fucking time. I’ll break every one of your fingers.”
Brett laughed off my threat, infuriating me further. “Your ferocity is incredibly charming, Tori. Everything you do just endears you to me even more. I can’t wait to spend more time with you.”
My skin crawled, but I refused to let him see how much he was affecting me. I gave him an icy glare. “Don’t hold your breath, Longtail. I’m not interested in anyone but Ridge, and that’s never going to change.”
“Ah, but we’ll see,” he said, a sly grin on his face.
As Brett continued flirting with me, my annoyance reached a boiling point. What I felt for Ridge was genuine and strong. I wanted more than just an engagement ring to show the other shifters I was taken. I craved the kind of connection Clawson and Margo shared, the trust and love between them that ran deeper than anything else.
I let my mind wander to fantasies of Ridge and me together, as if we were the only two people in the world. I imagined us in our own bubble of happiness inside the manor, free from outside interference. Days spent making love, cooking Ridge’s favorite bunny food, talking and touching for hours on end. To my surprise, it felt soright, like I’d finally found the missing piece of the puzzle I’d been searching for. Yet, I knew it was just a fantasy born out of the tension created by the Greenthornes’ accusations.
I shook my head, forcing myself back to reality and away from the allure of those thoughts. Brett obviously wasn’t going to listen to anything I had to say, so I turned and walked away, muttering, “Leave me alone.”
But he followed me, persistent as ever. As we walked, we bumped into the Magpies, two older women well-known for their penchant for gossip. Their eyes narrowed, and I could see the gears turning in their heads. No doubt by tomorrow, the town would be full of all sorts of rumors about me being seen with another alpha.
“Ah, Tori. Just who we wanted to see!” one of the Magpies exclaimed, their excitement barely contained.
I knew if I let them, they’d be asking questions about why I was with Brett Longtail and not Ridge, and what that meant for Ridge.
Before they could utter another word, I went on the offensive. “Well, ladies, fancy meeting you here. I was just talking with Brett Longtail. Did you know he knew Ridge as a boy? Wild, right? We were just discussing Ridge and my wedding plans for December. I was asking if he thought it would snow. I’m really hoping for a white, white wedding.”
I giggled, well-aware I was babbling, but I couldn’t afford the Magpies starting with the twenty questions.
“Can you believe all these tourists in town?” I continued. “I just wish all the madness would settle down a little. Ridge is so busy with all these people, we haven’t had a chance to sit down together and plan our wedding. I’d love a fairytale winter wedding, but I don’t even know where to start. I can’t even think what colors I’d like. But I do know I want to hold it at the manor and have a red carpet coming down the front stairs for guests to walk up as they arrive and waiters with trays holding glasses of champagne at the door. Really, all I want is to start my new life as Mrs. Blackwood. Eloping is so tempting, but Ridge and I want to share our special day with the town. He couldn’t deny the town his wedding.” I gave what I hoped was a convincing smile and not the madwoman I sounded like in my head. “December is right around the corner, so I’ll just have to be patient.”
The Magpies’ eyes lit up, their interest piqued by the wedding talk. “You’re quite right, Tori. It would be a tragedy if you eloped,” Maggie Hill said. “For one, we’d be so angry with you taking our mayor. And eloping just wouldn’t be the right thing to do.” She pretended to swat my arm.
“You should have the reception at the manor,” added the other Magpie. “It would be so beautiful, all festooned in blue and ivory. Don’t you agree, Maggie?”
“Oh, yes. That would be a beautiful color combination for a winter wedding. You’re right, Maggie. Don’t you think that would be so beautiful, Tori?”
I nodded, dumbfounded by how quickly they’d taken control of the conversation. I had to agree with them, though—those would be beautiful wedding colors for that time of year. I could see Margo wearing a deep blue bridesmaid’s dress, my bridal bouquet made of lily of the valley and forget-me-nots, the groomsmen wearing matching boutonnieres.
“We’ll gladly help you organize things, Tori,” Maggie Hill said. “You just let us know when you and the mayor have some spare time, and we’ll come round to the manor and help you get everything in place.”
The other Magpie nodded excitedly at her friend’s suggestion.
In a state of disbelief, I nodded in agreement once more. Finally, the ladies headed off. I’d succeeded in averting one crisis—the Magpies questioning me about being alone on the street with Longtail—only to make a bigger one—the Magpies offering to plan my fake wedding for me.
