Chapter 46 Winnie
Winnie
I did not display any amount of athletic prowess during the bouquet toss, and certainly not enough to beat out Kristen as she dove, claw-like nails first, at the bundle of flowers.
I stepped out of the way. I'm not about to lose a limb over it.
As I stand toward the middle of the group, another wave of heat cramps rolls through me.
I place my hands on my hips and try to make it seem like I'm just catching my breath as pain radiates up and down my legs and into my back.
My core clenches on nothing, looking for a knot I don't have access to right now—because I can't.
The music starts up again but I'm rooted to the spot. I just can't move.
"Can I have this dance?" a deep voice I recognize asks behind me. I take a deep breath, put on a smile, and turn to find Corbin behind me.
"Of course," I say. The heat cramp is easing enough for me to take his hand and let him guide me out onto the floor. He wraps an arm around the small of my back and he holds me close to his chest.
"Are you having a fun time?" Corbin asks.
I think through my day. Helping Flora get ready, tempering two bridesmaids meltdowns, the groom's awful mother, the storm and rearrangement.
Fun is not the word I'd use. But I also think of the happy expression on Flora's face.
Her lovestruck new husband. I look over to find them arm-in-arm and she sends me a little wave.
"It's been a very memorable time. I'm glad I got to be part of my sister's wedding."
He nods as though this is the answer he was expecting. "She is too. She told me that you've always been the very best sister to her. Which is why she gave me this to give to you," Corbin says, holding up a folded piece of paper.
When I open it Flora's looping scrawl reads, "Thank you, now go home and let your pack take care of you."
I glance up sharply to her.
Go, she mouths with a big smile. I sigh and that sigh turns into a groan as another heat cramp rolls through me. My vision blurs at the edges and I know that I can't hold off my omega much longer.
I look up into Corbin's deep blue eyes and the concern and care there takes my breath away.
"Let me take care of you Sweetheart," he asks, and I know that I'm going to melt like a popsicle.
"Okay, Daddy," I agree, and his eyes darken into something deeper, closer to feral.
He guides me to the table with the rest of our pack with a hand to the small of my back.
We gather our things, give a brief farewell to my family and head for the door.
We took Corbin's big SUV because of my dress and their suits and I'm glad for it now.
There's no way I could have stayed on the back of a bike through pre-heat.
I slide into one of the captains chairs in the middle row.
Gage takes the captain's chair across from me.
Rafe and Eli take the bucket seat behind us and Zeke takes the front seat. Corbin drives.
Once we're pulling out of the parking lot and I'm fully surrounded by the scent of my alphas, I can't hold out any longer. I'm safe, surrounded and able to completely let go. My omega takes over.