Chapter 35 #3
I jumped off the table, twisting in midair, and my wolf burst onto the scene.
Cleo was on his back, holding on tight as he took off like a bullet across the yard, my shirt still twisted around him.
Our animals were larger and stronger than natural wolves.
When she shrieked with laughter, my wolf panted with joy as he trotted toward the twinkle lights surrounding the long table.
Krys hauled her off. “Are you kidding me? Two minutes after the adoption, and you’re already trying to break your neck.”
My wolf gathered my jeans in his mouth and headed to the deck. I shifted back, and after putting on my pants, I switched on the microphone.
Krys’s commitment to Cleo would undoubtedly change our lives, but it would also change hers.
We had both experienced rejection from a parent, and it left scars.
Cleo deserved parents who would always love her no matter what, and even though we were the least likely picks, my heart told me it would all work out.
While everyone cut the cake and sat down, I selected an INXS song called “Never Tear Us Apart.”
I tapped the mic to make sure it was connected to our giant speakers. “I’d like to dedicate this to my one and only. The man I’ve had a crush on since we first met on the bus. Yes, that sexy stud with icing all over his upper lip.”
Krys wiped his mouth while Archer patted his back.
I let my hair fall forward and rocked my hips as the synthesizers came on. My voice had all the growl and vibrato the lyrics deserved, and when I delivered the first verse, everyone twisted around in their chairs to watch.
The instruments were delicate, powerful, and emotional. It was as if the singer had written what was in my heart, so I channeled that passion and gave it my all. Every word, every phrase, every note were reflections of all that I’d gone through to find him.
Wolves from the neighboring pack howled in the distance.
After a few verses, Krys realized this was more than a performance—it was the vows I didn’t have the words for at our ceremony. He rose from his seat and stood at the base of the steps while I delivered the performance of a lifetime.
To him and only him. My life mate.
As the song came to an end, I descended the steps and sat.
Everyone cheered and whistled.
“Holy shit!” Archer exclaimed.
It was bittersweet knowing I could never sing professionally in front of a large audience. Ghosts aside, fame wasn’t a luxury immortals had in the modern world.
Krys switched off the mic and set it down. “Scoot over.”
I shuffled to the right to make room as he sat and put his hand on my thigh.
“You’re fucking unbelievable.” Krys knew how to make me feel like the most important person in the room.
“You’re the yin to my yang.” I nudged him. “I don’t think you’ll last a year.”
He squeezed my thigh. “I’m not a man who scares off easily. Seeing you sing—you’re like a star that’s out of reach.”
I leaned against him and put my head on his shoulder. “Can you reach me now?”
This amazing man could compliment me until the end of time, and I’d never get tired of it.
“Are you cool with Cleo joining us? She didn’t exactly give us a chance to talk about it.”
I laughed at how it didn’t frighten me like it once would have. “Having a kid is trippy, but I can’t imagine our life without her. At least we skipped the diaper stage.”
Krys pulled off his necklace. He turned the silver shield in his hand with a wolf etched on the front.
“I was thinking about what you said earlier about the tattoos. I’m not a tattoo guy, but I had an idea.
” He turned the silver pendant in his hand.
“I’ve always worn this for protection. It means a lot to me.
Rings get lost, and they’re a bitch when you shift.
The chain is unbreakable, but it’s long enough that it won’t choke your wolf if you shift.
I’ve had it forever. It’s important, and I want you to wear it.
You don’t have to wear it all the time if you’re afraid of losing it, but it’s yours now. ”
I got butterflies when he put it over my head. Everyone in town knew it belonged to Krys, and now it was mine. The image of the wolf’s head was remarkably detailed, and I brushed my fingers over the etching. “But it’s yours.”
“Hope said she’d make me another, but she doesn’t want to copy the original artist, so it’ll be different.
We’ll both have one, but you get mine.” He cupped my nape and did that thing I loved—his fingertips lightly stroked my neck and gave me goose bumps.
“It’s a good thing you got rid of that other necklace.
Now you don’t look like a hippie asshole anymore. ”
I cracked a smile and rubbed noses with him. “Then what do I look like?”
He gave me an ardent gaze, and his lips warmed mine like a promise of forever. “Mine.”