Chapter 20
Amie
artin refused to ride in Beula to the wedding. He told me no selfM respecting wolf would ever be seen in a car like that, and we would most likely end up stranded by the side of the road if we did. I thought he was being judgmental. Beula had done me good. She had always been reliable. But since he refused, we were sitting in his car with him behind the wheel. It had been over two years since I left the little town to join the pack.
I had kept in touch with CeCe but it still felt strange returning. The part of my life where I had lived as a human felt like a dream.
“Excited to go back and see your friends?” Martin asked.
“I am. It will be nice to see everyone, and I’m happy for CeCe and Jessie.
This has been a long time coming,” I told him.
“So, how do you want to introduce me? As your boyfriend?” he asked with a grin. I laughed.
“Don’t be gross,” I said. He laughed as well.
“Come on, I thought it was a big deal to have a date for events like these when you are human,” he insisted.
“I guess it is. I never understood that part of their culture. Maybe because I’m werewolf and we don’t tend to place as much importance on dating. Or maybe it’s because of the whole rejection thing. And since I’m dragging you to this thing, I don’t want to block you from having some fun. The ladies will go crazy for you, trust me. You have a high chance of scoring at this thing. But it won’t be with me,” I told him and giggled.
“Of course not with you, who is being gross now? I don’t need to score, I do good on that department when I want to. Are you planning to score?” he asked.
“You know me. I’m staying away from anything romantic.”
“Yeah, I know. And I get why in the pack. All single wolves have a potential mate out there, it’s a one-sided risk in your case. Totally get it. But these are humans, there is no such risk here.”
“Maybe not. I’m not interested in a one-night thing. I know these men, they are not someone I would consider for a relationship. I guess it would make sense for me to have a relationship with a human. But I don’t like the idea. There is a huge gap between how we live and how we see the world,”
I said. And then there was this thing between Finlay and me. I didn’t say it, but I knew that as long as I had unresolved feelings for our Alpha, no one else would feel right.
“You should know since you lived among them for years. Then I don’t see why you don’t just tell people I’m your boyfriend.”
“Because we are going to a wedding. One of the most romantic social events in the human world. If I show up with my boyfriend they will expect us to act all lovey dovey, kissing and cuddling and slow dancing and stuff,”
I explained and looked at him. He made a face and I laughed. I loved Martin and I knew he loved me, but we were more like brother and sister and anything else felt wrong. Imagining kissing Martin felt the same as imagining kissing Elder. “Thought so.”
“Fine, I get it. But just so we are clear, I will make sure other men stay away from you.” I laughed and shook my head.
“And why is that? You just asked me if I planned to get laid.”
“That was to scope your intentions. Now I know I don’t have to talk sense into you and I can just do my thing,” he said, and sounded pleased.
“What is up with you?” I asked. He glanced over at me and sighed.
“Let’s talk about the elephant in the car.”
“Do we have one of those?” I asked.
“We do. You know I love you like a sister.”
“I do.”
“And Finlay is my best friend.” Oh shit, I thought. “I’m not blind, I can see whatever it is between the two of you. It’s frustrating to watch but it’s up to you to deal with. I’m just making sure that since he can’t be here, I
will make sure I keep you safe.” My heart was pounding in my chest. I
thought I had been hiding my feelings.
“Does everyone know?” I asked.
“No. Matilda does, because she sees everything. Maybe Medow does as well, but she hides it well if she does. Sam has no clue. The rest of the pack.
I don’t think they see what I see. But everyone knows the two of you are close. Why do you act as if it’s a problem if the others know?”
“I don’t know. It’s between Finlay and me and we don't even talk about it.
It’s just kind of just is.”
“And why is that?”
“Because if we talk about it we need to make a decision on how to move forward and I’m too big of a coward for that,” I said. He laughed, but when he noticed me not laughing, he glanced at me.
“You are serious?”
“I am.”
“But what is there to be scared of? And I have never seen you scared, why are you running away from this of all things?”
“Because. Because there are two outcomes. Either we decide to start something or we decide to leave it and pretend it doesn’t exist.”
“Right.”
“What if we give it a try and he finds his mate?” I asked.
“Yeah, I see that it’s a shitty option. But he is almost twenty-five and he hasn’t found her despite having been to several packs the last few years in his role as Alpha. The risk is low that he will find her. She could be dead or mated and then he never will,” Martin told me.
“But if he does?”
“I have seen how he looks at you, Amie. I don’t think that will change.
My guess is he would choose you.”
“And then I will be the reason why someone gets rejected. I know how that feels, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. How could I do that to someone?”
“I see your point. But if the two of you mate his link to his true mate will be cut. Then there would be no rejection,” he pointed out.
“Just someone that will forever be looking for their mate that I stole. And could I do that to Finlay? His true mate is his perfect match. This whole thing is such a fucking mess. I hate it,” I sighed and shook my head.
“I’m sorry, Amie. I didn’t want to make you upset. I just see how the two of you act and to me it’s obvious the two of you belong together. I didn’t consider all the things around it. I get why you don’t talk about it.”
“It’s okay. I just don’t want things between me and Finlay to become strange or awkward. He is too important to me. So for now, we will continue this, whatever it is.”
“I get it. If you need to vent, you can always talk to me. I will keep your secrets safe,” he promised. I smiled.
“You are amazing and I’m thankful you’re in my life. And thank you for coming with me to this wedding. I won’t feel lonely when you are here,” I told him.
“Hey, you are my little sister in all but blood. Of course I came with you.
Just know that our talk hasn't changed my mind. I will still make sure the men keep away from you,” he told me. I laughed.
“I don’t mind.”
We arrived in the town in the afternoon and I guided Martin to the diner. I had barely got out of the car when I found myself in a hug. CeCe squealed as she hugged me. I laughed and hugged her back.
“You look amazing!” she told me.
“Look who’s talking. You are radiant,” I said to her. She giggled.
“I am annoyingly happy,” she confessed, making me laugh.
“As you should be. Come and meet my friend,” I said and pulled her over to where Martin stood with an amused smile. “CeCe this is Martin, Martin this is CeCe, the bride to be,” I introduced them.
“Hello, and congratulations,” he said.
“Thank you and welcome to the metropolitan we call home.” CeCe leaned into me. “That’s not the man you left with,” she whispered. Martin could hear her with his improved hearing, and he had to fight not to laugh.
“I know,” I whispered back.
“Where is the other one? Did you dump him?” she continued our whispered conversation.
“I told you, me and Finlay are just friends. He had to go on a business trip,” I explained.
“And you just had a spare hunk lying around? What is this place you have moved to and can I come as well?” she asked. Martin had to pretend to look for something in the back of his car. But my hearing and the slight shaking of his shoulders told me he was laughing.
“CeCe!” I pretended to be shocked. “You are getting married tomorrow.”
“I know. But I mean,” she said, doing a small gesture behind Martin’s back, indicating his ass. I laughed.
“I’m happy you haven’t changed,” I told her. She sighed and shook her head.
“I have strict orders to escort you to the diner and then we will go to the coffeeshop. Mrs Andersen has turned the apartment over her shop into an Air BnB. Me and Jessie rented it for you.”
“CeCe! You didn’t have to. We could have stayed in the motel,” I said.
“Ew, nasty. You are our only out of town guests. It’s only right that we put you up. But, there is only one bed,” CeCe said.
“That won’t be a problem, we will manage,” Martin told her as he reached for my overnight bag as well as his own. CeCe poked her elbow into my side.
“Just friends, huh?” she remarked. I just rolled my eyes as we walked to the diner. It was nice to see everyone again. Mrs Jones gave me a tight hug and ushered Martin and me to a table and insisted on feeding us before we headed to her sister’s. CeCe and Jessie joined us. They both looked relaxed for a couple who had a wedding the next day. Very little had changed in town and the diner was still a meeting hub, the locals had heard about my return and many came by to say ‘hi’ and talk a little. Martin kept his word and made sure men kept a distance from me. CeCe and Mrs Jones gave me amused looks and I figured they didn’t buy my ‘just friends’ explanation.
After eating and talking for a couple of hours, CeCe and Jessie took us over to the coffeeshop and Mrs Andersen gave me a tight hug before she shooed the bride and groom away.
“Honestly, the two of them are treating this as just another party. In my days, the day you married your husband was the most important day of your life,” she huffed as she showed us the apartment. At least the apartment had changed since I saw it last. It was now decorated in an idyllic countryside chick. “I hope everything is to your liking. You know where to find me if you need me. I will let you get settled in and… sleep.” ‘No one is buying the friends act,’ Martin mindlinked me as we said goodbye to Mrs Andersen. ‘Apparently not. We are lucky we didn’t decide to pretend to be dating.
They would have made tomorrow into a double wedding,’ I told him and I could see him snickering. We got ready for bed. Martin offered to sleep on
the floor, which I refused. We were all adults and I trusted him. The bed was big enough for the two of us to sleep in without it being awkward.
Before we went to bed, I called Finlay and Martin called Sam. Everything was going well at the meeting of the packs, according to Finlay. But I heard how tired he sounded and I knew something was up. But it wasn’t the time to talk about it. If he told me everything was fine, whatever it was that bothered him didn’t have an impact on the pack. So it could wait until we all were back home again.
The day of the wedding we had breakfast with the sisters. The ceremony would take place in the afternoon out on Jessie's farm and the reception was to take place in the barn.
“Who has heard of getting married outside? On a farm?” Mrs Andersen huffed. “It’s only proper to have the ceremony in the church.”
“Honestly Amanda, you sound like a bitter old prune. You need to get with the times. People are getting married in all kinds of exciting places nowadays. I read about a couple who did it in a hot-air balloon,” Mrs Jones told her sister.
“Heathens the lot of them,” Mrs Andersen said. Martin and I listened while the sisters continued their bickering. ‘I wonder what she would think about our mating ceremonies,’ Martin mindlinked me. I almost choked on my coffee picturing Mrs Andersen in her Sunday best hiking out into the middle of the woods, listening to vows being said in honour of the moon and then watching how everyone shifted into wolves. I tried hard not to laugh and gave him an accusing look. ‘Are you trying to kill me?’ I linked him back. He just gave me an innocent smile, which I didn’t buy for a moment. After breakfast I took Martin on a walk around the town to show him around. It didn’t take long, as there really wasn’t much to show. But it was nostalgic for me. Martin was sweet about it and listened to me rambling on about the place. We got a lot of attention, mostly from the single women in town. I found it hilarious watching them flirt with Martin, who categorically turned them down. It led to them giving me the stink eye, as if I was the reason he turned them down.
We headed back to eat lunch at the diner and then got ready for the wedding. I used the same dress I had worn on my bloodening. Martin
dressed in a granite-grey suit.
“You look good,” I told him.
“Thank you. You look beautiful as always,” he said. We drove out to the farm. CeCe and Jessie had hired the entire senior highschool class to act as sober drivers. It meant people didn’t need to skip the alcohol. The ceremony was beautiful. CeCe was dressed in a long, lace gown that moved in the wind. Jessie looked at her with so much love it had me in tears. Martin held out his handkerchief and I smiled as I took it. ‘Thank you,’ I mindlinked him. ‘No problem. They make a beautiful couple and it’s easy to see how much they love each other,’ he linked back. ‘It is. I’m happy they finally took the leap.’ He gave me a look I pretended not to see. We joined in with the other guests and cheered as CeCe and Jessie said ‘I do’ and then kissed. The party that followed was in true CeCe and Jessie spirit. The barn was decorated with lace fabric and hay bales. The tables were scattered throughout the open space and were decorated with wildflowers and fairy lights. Outside there was a fleet of BBQs set up, the diner had a table with side dishes and the local bar had an open bar for the guests. Martin and I made our way to the bride and groom.
I hugged them both and Martin shook their hands.
“Congratulations! It was an amazing ceremony,” I told them.
“Thank you. I still can’t believe we actually did it,” CeCe giggled. “Is that the dress I forced you to buy? It looks amazing on you.”
“It is, and thank you.”
“Make sure you eat and drink and have a lot of fun,” Jessie told us.
“We will do our best,” Martin promised before we moved on to let others congratulate them. “You heard the man, time to have some fun,” Martin told me and wiggled his eyebrows. I laughed as we headed to get some food.
Both Martin and I had surprisingly much fun at the party. After we both had refused a couple of offers to dance, people got the picture and we spent most of the time chatting with people. Martin asked me to dance and he was a good dancer. Neither of us had been drinking and as evening turned to night and the party got a little wilder, we decided to head back to town.
CeCe and Jessy had left at one point and we just waved to the sisters and some of the guests as we left.
“That was a nice wedding. I was afraid it would feel stiff as I didn’t know anyone but you,” Martin said as we were in the car.
“CeCe and Jamie are easy going. I’m not surprised they had an easy going wedding. It suited them,” I told him. We parked on the back of the coffeeshop. “Want to take a walk before we turn in?” I asked.
“Sure.” We walked along the lake and ended up on the same picnic table where Finlay and I had sat when we first met. The night was quiet, as most
people in the town were at the wedding.
“What about you?” I asked.
“What about me, what?” Martin tried to evade.
“Are you looking for your true mate?” I asked, not letting him get away.
“Yeah. I can’t see myself settling down with anyone else, always wondering who is out there and if she is waiting for me. I’m not saying I don’t scratch the itch once in a while,” he told me and gave me a grin. “But it’s always with someone who knows it’s just for the night. We have a night
of fun and everyone is happy.”
“Sounds like a good deal.”
“I’m not going to offer it to you,” he said.
“I hope not. I would hate to have to beat you up,” I told him. We looked at each other and laughed. We texted Sam and Finlay while we sat looking out over the lake. Then we headed back to sleep.
