"Places! Places!" Debbie, the usual wedding planner of the pack, yelled over everyone. We were all crowded around the front yard of the house, the backyard was full of simple decorations and everyone in the pack was there, even the southern families who skipped most birthdays because of traveling. There were hundreds of rows of seats filled with people even before I had gotten to the back yard for crash course rehearsals. The reception area to the right of the house was buzzing with staff preparing food. Everyone was excited and anxious and that vibe hung thick in the air.
I looked around the crowd and smiled when my eyes finally landed on Danny. He had been scrambling around to help my brother, just like I had been scrambling about with Frea. She woke me up earlier to (steal) take me away from Danny to try on my dress- despite me wanting to stay in the arms of the still sleeping Danny at the time- to help her.
As he found me in line, waiting nervously, he approached me. I almost fainted, I swear. As cheesy as it made me feel thinking it, I couldn't help it. He was completely swoon worthy in his suit, which fit him so well it made him look like he was going to go down the red carpet, not a wedding. He smirked when he realized the longing in my eyes and approached me.
There was no doubt about it.
He looked all man.
And I felt like any woman would looking at him. I was in complete, head over heels, lust for him; in an instant. Of course I loved him... This wasn't that though, in fact, this was a deeper lust than when I had seen him in bed half naked.
What's wrong with me?
One more month.
One more month.
Dear god, could he stop smirking at me like he wants to-
"Hey love." He said calmly, too calmly, like a purr, as he held his arm out.
Dear god I wish he'd just take me and-
"You okay?" He chuckled. I nodded quickly, realizing I was staring at him with wide saucer eyes, hardly breathing.
"Ya-yeah. Just nervous." I said, looking down with red cheeks, as I held his arm.
"Don't worry. We're lucky enough that all eyes will be on Owen and Frea, not us." He chuckled. He leaned over to speak into my ear, as if the chaos around us was too loud for such words, "you look like heaven by the way." He said quietly. My face grew warmer, and I could feel my eyes turning into saucers again as I looked up at him. From any other man this may have sounded cheesy, but from him it was anything but. It was sultry yet innocent, sweet and endearing, yet seductive. He didn't say I looked like I fell from heaven, like a cheesy pick up line. The way he implied it, it made me feel like he meant it. Like I was the most eternal reward of life, like I was exactly where he wanted to be. Me, silly, weak, plain me, the one who had put him through hell... I was his ultimate reward in life, and I couldn't be anymore humbled by that.
I had almost forgotten where I was, and as he pulled away I quickly placed my lips to his, unable to control myself from doing so.
"Places!" Debbie's voice by my head woke me from my dreamlike state of kissing Danny- as he quickly responded by reflecting my actions- her voice was loud on purpose, and Danny chuckled, shaking his head as he looked forward.
"Sorry, I didn't know I had that affect on you yet." He smirked as he said this quietly to me, keeping his forward stare in wait for instruction.
"You can't imagine." I said as I blushed harder. Everyone scrambled into line. Owen quickly darted in front of us and gave us a big thumbs up and a dorky smile. My dad rolled his eyes as he walked past us to stand with Frea's mom. "You ready?!" I asked him for the second time today.
"So f*cking ready!" He beamed, the most honest glow and twinkle in his eyes. In fact I'm sure he was about to cry. "I'm about to marry my mate!" He rubbed his hands together as if he couldn't contain himself.
"He's also had at least four beers..." Danny chuckled quietly, but Owen's smile never faltered.
"I could be stone cold sober or falling apart wasted- doesn't matter- I'm ready, and my sister is here, and this is going to be so rad!" He said, he hugged us both quickly, in one embrace. "And you're both together... This is the best day of my life!" He said looking forward. My eyes filled with happy tears as I too realized this was the best day of my life, here with my mate, watching my brother marry my best friend. Life really is beautiful sometimes, and if I had never come here yesterday this would have never been possible, fate had brought me here. And I was so thankful.
**********************************
"You may now kiss the bride!"
Everyone roared into a cheer, so loud from the hundreds of guests it was almost defining. As Frea and Owen embarrassed I looked away with a blush, still finding it so weird they were together, despite being filled with joy because of it. When they pulled away I had just dared to look again, and Owen had just lifted Frea up from the dip he had dropped her into for the kiss.
"Now let's party!" Owen cheered as he hugged Frea, his beautiful bride, to his side and threw his fist up, causing all of his friends to cheer back in response. Even me, Danny, my dad- everyone- cheered with them.
In the jumbled crowd and rush as Owen and Frea went down the isle to be congratulated, I found it pointless to even try to congratulate my brother yet. I would have all the time to do that later, especially now that we live together. Somewhere along the way I saw my dad talking to Danny, but then a few of the council members began speaking to them, and I found it pointless to try to detach him from them. I determined food and a drink would be my next step.
I wandered towards the reception with the other half of the guests that also had food and a martini in mind. Durst caught up with me, he was a groomsman, but had also decided to head for food.
"Cora!" He cheered, wrapping me in a bear hug.
"Hey Durst! Wanna grab a bite with me?"
"Drink?" He smiled.
"Yes!" I agreed, happy I wasn't the one to suggest it. I'm sure a few people had heard about me drinking a lot more when I was gone, Durst likely being one of them, but I wasn't a drunk or alcoholic by any means. I had no need for it anymore so I felt fine without it, but I'm sure a few people might have the wrong idea because of my track record. Durst was such a light hearted guy though, I'm sure he wouldn't even care if I was.
"You look great by the way, so weird seeing you after all this time." He said as we walked through the crowd.
"Yeah, you too! I mean I known the last time I was around things were weird, but I'm glad you all are so welcoming now!" I smiled.
"Yeah, well, we're all a pack, we could never stay away from each other too long!" He laughed as we approached the reception area. We walked over to a big display of drinks, and though a nice mix drink would be good, I saw what Durst had seen and that was a line at the bar. We grabbed a cold brew each.
"So how have things been around here?" I asked, I hadn't gotten out much around here since yesterday, and I hadn't done much of anything.
"Good, you missed the ruckus of Sam and Alice's wedding, they realized they were mates about four years ago and got married right away. A few changings, a few births, deaths, nothing new really!" He laughed. I laughed too as, true to word, the chaos around me - the running children and dancing people, the sound of loud drums, and the over all partying insued- it seemed nothing out of the ordinary.
"Well I'm glad... I had a change of scene thinking it would be good, but now I'm back here and I couldn't be happier." I said with a sigh as we stood aimlessly around. Suddenly Durst straightened up and stopped as he looked behind me. I was gonna ask him what, but didn't need to.
"Sir!" Durst nodded at him. Him as in a glaring Danny behind me.
"Down boy." I laughed as he approached. He raised an eyebrow and fought a smile.
"Durst..." Danny said calmly, his glare softening. "Did you take care if Cora for me?" He asked, obviously Durst was nervous, but nodded.
"Just having a drink with my friend, Sir. Hope that's okay..."
"Of course." Danny smiled, his eyes holding a bit of that glare, but still softening. He wrapped his arm around the small of my back possessively, but I'm a wolf, I'm his mate, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it.
"I was just having a drink with Durst, catching up. ." I smiled up at Danny. He smiled back down at me and nodded once.
"I could use a-"
"Nope." I say quickly. He looked at me in surprise.
"Oh shi-..." Durst covers his mouth quickly to stop himself, trying- as if his life depended on it- not to laugh.
"Cora I'll be fine-"
"You aren't old enough-"
"Cora." He says sternly, but I harden my gaze on him. He smirks suddenly. "Okay then..." He sighs and shakes his head, looking seemingly pleased and frustrated if that's even possible.
"How did you- how did she- now I'm scared of you Cora!" Durst said nervously, yet laughing.
"Why?" I ask as I look between them, very confused.
"No one besides the Alpha and Owen tell him 'no'." Durst says between a suppressed chuckle, looking at Danny with still nervous eyes.
"Oh..." I look up at Danny, feeling his dominance radiating off of him, as if I had just realized it was there. I mean I had felt it in brief moments, but now it seems more legitimate. His smirk deepened.
"I'll let it slide.. this one time love." He winked, he got into a conversation with Durst, but I had completely zoned out, staring up at Danny. I hadn't realized how much pull he had in the pack, how much power, how much dominance. Now looking up at him I saw it in the way he stood, spoke, the reactions of others. He may be young, very young, but he was a sentinel.
I realized then he was even more than that. It was uncommon in this day and age for there to be any leaders besides the Alpha and Beta... But he wasn't just a sentinel. He was the Delta. For more than a century in our own pack, and perhaps longer in others, Deltas had become obsolete. Alphas usually hated sharing any of their stature, and usually shared it only with the Beta in modem times. Danny was an exception. Even now as I think about it my wolf is agreeing.
Yes Danny is the Delta, we must serve him well, obey him.
As Durst spoke to Danny, the two of them fully engaged in conversation, Danny looked down at me proudly, as if he knew what I was thinking. I knew it was possible when we shifted to share thoughts... But I think the human in him could read me just as well.
"Owen!" Durst's cheer snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Congratulations!" The three of us cheered as him, and his elegantly simple bride, and my dear friend (and new sister in law), Frea approached us. Frea squealed as I hugged her close.
"Welcome to the family sister!" I said enthusiastically.
"Thank you!" She beamed, hugging my brothers side again.
"You look beautiful Frea, and the wedding was lovely." Danny said with smiling eyes, but he looked like he had something else on his mind.
"You guys sure know how throw a party that's for sure!" Durst agreed.
"An overwhelming party!" Frea laughed. "I just want to go for a run!"
"Well don't worry about us! Go have fun and do your thing!" I said with a chuckle.
"Well I had to see my twin!" Owen said, hugging me close. "I'm so glad you're here, I was worried you little sh*t!" Owen said, rocking me back and forth.
"I wouldn't miss it, even if I'm stubborn as hell!" I laughed. He let me go, the biggest smile on his face.
"I gotta find dad, but meet us in twenty for shots in the house, all three of you, no excuses!" Owen said, trying to use his Beta voice, but he was just too cheerful.
"I'll go find Sam and Alice and tell them to meet us!" Durst said taking off.
"Will do!" I called after Owen. Danny turned towards me as soon as they were gone.
"What is it?" I asked with an airy chuckle.
"I need to talk to you..." He said seriously. I smiled wider, trying to lighten him up.
"Of course Danny!" I kissed his cheek. His fingers laced with mine.
"Okay, but I want to do it privately..." He said, walking me away from the crowd and towards the forest.
What could he want?
I hope I didn't do something wrong...
Authors note:
Owen and Frea at the wedding in the picture! :)